7A Football: Each Region 1 Team’s Top Returning Player

When watching high school football, there are plenty of different levels of play all throughout the country. Particularly, in states like GA, the level of football you compete in, and size of the programs, is often reflective of a long history of success, and achievement for the team’s in conversation. For the state of GA, 7A football is as big as it gets. Not only does 7A football entail some of the top programs in the entire state, but their talent alone rivals that of some of the best schools, and players across the entire country. Below, in Region 1 of 7A football, we have listed each of the programs, and their top returner that you can expect to see going into next season. If you have time, they are definitely worth giving a look. <strong>Camden County-</strong> Deonte Cole (WR) While Deonte Cole may not be as well known to the majority of statewide football fans, he does happen to be one of the top returning players for Camden County next season. As a WR, not only will he be a huge piece to any offensive production that the team may have, but he will also be a sense of comfort for any QB that may take snaps under center. Last season, Cole not only displayed the ability to gain yards after the catch, but he proved to be a reliable asset, making catches from various angles, while also using clean hands to haul in the football. Cole also has decent footwork, but we would like to see him work on his overall route running, and the way he gets out of his breaks. Regardless, we expect this season to be a big year for him, as he will be leaned on heavily as his team’s top returner. <strong>Colquitt County-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="220729" first="Landen" last="Thomas"] (TE) Plenty of high school football fans in the state of Georgia may have already heard of [player_tooltip player_id="220729" first="Landen" last="Thomas"], as he is easily the top returning player for his team. As a 2024 prospect, he is not only one of the top players in his class across the country, but he is also the top TE in the state, and a top 5 player in the state, regardless of class. Currently, Thomas stands at 6’4, and weighs about 210 pounds. He is a great TE in every sense of the position, as he is not only effective in boxing out defenders, making great catches with strong hands, while also running solid routes, but he is also very effective when putting up blocks for his team’s ball carriers. Because he is so young, we are very excited for his progression, and we have no doubt that he will continue to shine as his team’s top player next season. <strong>Lowndes-</strong> Kevin Thomas (DB/WR) Kevin Thomas is easily the top returner for his team going into next season, and will likely be a problem for opposing teams within the region, and across the state. Thomas is not only a very effective receiver whenever he gets snaps on offense, but he has proven to be a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball as well. To start, he not only moves with fluidity in his pedals and steps, but he does a good job of flipping his hips, and carrying over with a crossover run. Thomas is very light on his feet, allowing him to shadow receivers well, while also being able to keep up with their change of direction. Needless to say, Thomas also has great skills when changing direction, and coming out of his breaks with his feet. His burst, and overall speed make him very hard to shake, and his natural ball skills make him a very effective DB. Going into next year, he will be huge for his team’s defense, and we firmly believe he will be a problem for all opposing receivers in the region. <strong>Valdosta-</strong> Joseph Gardner (QB) Even though our pick of Joseph Gardner being our top returner for next season may be a tad controversial due to his playing time, we firmly believe he will shine for the Wildcats next season. Because the Wildcats are a historically great program, being their primary QB under center is an absolute honor. This is an honor that we feel Gardner will be able to uphold, especially due to his prior work history and experience. Last year, Gardner played in about 5 games, and passed for over 400 yards by the end of the season. While he passed for 4 TD’s he also threw for 8 interceptions, which we feel can be cleaned up with better decision making, and more consistent playing time. Luckily for Garder, he is also effective with the ball in his hands when toting the rock, which feel may be of danger to all teams who match up against him. In addition to this, while we feel that Gardner is incredibly raw as a player, we feel he has plenty of upside, and the fact that he has already shown some of these traits in 2021 will certainly help next season. <strong>Richmond Hill- </strong>Zion Hillard (RB) Most Richmond Hill fans may believe that their top returning player next year will be on the defensive side of the ball, but we feel that Zion Hillard will be one of the major returners for the program next season. Not only his ability to rush the football at a high rate a benefiting factor to his offense as a whole with his ability to put points on the board, but it is also a key piece in keeping his offense balanced, while also taking pressure off of the QB. Last season, Hillard rushed for over 570 yards, and 4 TD’s and if he were to touch the ball more next season, we believe that he will continue to put up numbers for his team.