7A Football: Each Region 4 Team’s Top Returning Player

During the 2021 season, 7A football’s Region 4 was one of the most fun regions to track, and watch all season long. To start, not only is the inter-regional play stellar in itself, but the talent that comes out of each of these programs is undeniably the best in the state. Each program in the region puts out top talent each year, if not power 5 talent every few years as well. It is also not a stretch to reasonably believe that the state champion each year may come from this region alone. With this being said, we have high hopes for this region next year, and this is largely due to the top returners for each of these teams, in which you can find below. <strong>Archer-</strong> Chadrick Alexander (RB) In 2021, over the span of 7 games, Alexander managed to total over 500 yards on the ground, and 9 TD’s. With this being said, he was easily one of the top leaders on his team. When the ball is in his hands, you can easily see why. Not only does he run with good speed, burst, and change of direction, but he also runs very strong. Alexander naturally runs behind his pads, making it hard for opposing tacklers to bring him down on first contact. With this, he also plays with good vision, and quick feet, which will more than likely continue to improve going into next season. Because we believe that Alexander will be one of the leading factors in any offensive success that Archer may have next year, we have high expectations for the production he will potentially produce. <strong>Brookwood-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="34009" first="Dylan" last="Lonergan"] (QB) As most high school football fans in the state of Georgia know, [player_tooltip player_id="34009" first="Dylan" last="Lonergan"] is easily one of the top talents the state, and country has to offer. Since a young prospect, Lonergan has seen plenty of time at the QB position, and will be returning as the team’s leader on the offensive side of the ball for one more season. While he has lost weapons all around him over the years, we firmly believe in his ability to make plays with his arm. Not only does he read the defense well, but he has elite arm talent. He hits receivers in stride at all levels of the field, and he throws with great anticipation, timing, and consistency. Lonergan is also very effective with his legs, and the way he plays the game very naturally can also be seen as a strength. When the 2022 season comes around, expect him to have a big year, and to get close, if not to the state championship that he has been chasing for years now. <strong>Grayson-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="34014" first="Michael" last="Daugherty"] (CB) Without a doubt, Daugherty is not only one of the top returning defensive players in the region, but he is also one of the top returning defensive players in the entire state. Daugherty is not only a 4 star prospect, but he has offers from over 40 teams across the country. The reasons are undeniable. Not only is he great when it comes to his fluid movement, but he has a great burst, bend, and overall speed that helps him to always be in position to make a tackle, or a play on the ball. With the ball in his hands, he is very hard to stop due to his electric ability to change direction, and use his twitch to shake would be tacklers. With this being said, we have high hopes for Daugherty next season, as he will continue to be a big part of his team’s defense, as he will also torment opposing offenses all year long. <strong>Newton-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="94022" first="Olan" last="Robinson"] (LB) In a very competitive region where RB’s are constantly making a name for themselves, [player_tooltip player_id="94022" first="Olan" last="Robinson"] is easily the top returner for Newton due to the fact that he is one of their biggest lines of defense against such things. As a backer, he can be a tad stiff at times, but he plays with a decent drop step, which helps him to position himself well to make tackles in the box before opposing backs gain extra yards. Robinson is also a physical player, who not only wraps up well on ball carriers, but does a good job of using his hands, and arms to create leverage against linemen when needed. When watching tape on him, he can also be seen to doe a decent job in pursuit, which we think will be a huge factor of any success he has next year. If he can continue to develop in his physicality, and the way he handles the run in the 4th quarter, we have no doubt he may see some offers as a result. <strong>Parkview-</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="34066" first="Colin" last="Houck"] (QB) Since the high school football season ended, Houck has picked up plenty of steam in the recruiting world, as he has witnessed himself pick up various power 5 offers. The reasons for such things are very easy to see when you cut on the film. Not only does he do a good job of leading his offense, but he is great at distributing the ball to the proper read, and receiver, thus justifying the idea that he reads defenses pretty well. Houck also throws the ball with good velocity, ball placement, and good timing- which happens to be one of the tougher things for high school QB’s to succeed at. Houck also appears to see the field well, and is decent with the rise and fall of his shoulders when transitioning weight into his throws, and when he views the field. In 2022, look for him to continue to take leaps in his progression, making him more attractive to colleges attempting to recruit him. <strong>South Gwinnett-</strong> Tymere Burton (DB) While Burton definitely has plenty of growth ahead of his at the Safety position, we still believe that he is the top returner that South Gwinnett will have in 2021. Burton plays with a good defensive mindset, as he is very physical, and he does a good job of delivering a pop on contact. This can be seen in his success in rushing the passer, and as he makes tackles in the backfield, and in pursuit. Even though Burton is a bit stiff hipped at times, he does a good job of allowing his speed to help position him to make various plays throughout the field, even in the box. One thing we would like to see Burton improve upon next season is his ability to play in coverage, and to not get lost in space. If he can manage to do this, he will continue to elevate his defense, just as he already does.