Week 2 Update: State Leaders in Tackles

Even after 2 weeks of high school football in the state of Georgia, there have already been plenty of players who have gotten their helmets, and jerseys dirty from high volumes of contact, and tackles. These very players have put themselves in places to lead the state in tackles, making it tougher for other players to catch up because of potentially large margins and differences. Moving forward, it will be fun to see who remains on this list, and who phases out. [player_tooltip player_id='34062' first='Caleb' last='LaVallee']- Whitefield Academy Lavallee, as talented as he is, has already proven to be one of the best defensive players in the state, as he has already totaled 39 tackles in a 2 game span. In this 2 game span, he has not only averaged 19.5 tackles a game, but has also performed at an incredible rate, swarming to the ball carrier. This is evident by the fact that out of all of these tackles, 24 of them were solos, and 15 were assists. In addition to this, 5 of these tackles were also tackles for a loss, which have proven to be huge situational plays for his team, as they helped to give his defense momentum. Nicholas Baloga- Rabun County Ironically enough, Rabun County players have had a habit of finding themselves on yardage, and stat totals lists lately, as Baloga is another player who has shown out in very impressive ways. These past few weeks, Beluga has totaled 36 tackles, with 16 of them being solos, and 20 of them being assists. Even more impressive than this, 3 of them were also tackles for a loss, which are more effective than any normal tackles. Look for Baloga to continue to be a staple for his team's defense this year, and to be one of the pieces that will help them make it to the playoffs. Wesley Michaelson- Augusta Christian While a prospect out of a smaller school such as Augusta Christian may not be expected to make this list, we are still very impressed with the performances in which Wesley Michaelson has been able to leave out on the football field. In 2 games, Michaelson has totaled 35 tackles, with an average of 17.5 tackles a game. With this, he has not only impressed with his ability to view the field, but the way that he has also accumulated 3.5 tackles for a loss, and 15 solo tackles. Going into the rest of the season, what is to be seen is if he can continue to perform at such a high rate, because if he does, his team will see more success than plenty of fans may expect. [player_tooltip player_id='335442' first='Clark' last='Jackson']- Aquinas With 34 tackles so far this season, [player_tooltip player_id='335442' first='Clark' last='Jackson'] has stepped up among plenty of LB's throughout the state, as he not only plays both sides of the ball, but is a key contributor every time his number is called. From a defensive standpoint, Jackson has not only accumulated 18 solo tackles, but has totaled 16 assisted tackles as well. This is not only a reflection of the fact that Jackson is a solid system player, but it also shows that he is fine with playing to his assignment. Moving forward, it should also be noted that Jackson has also gotten a sack, and has had 3 tackles or a loss already this season. [player_tooltip player_id='330529' first='Eli' last='Barrow']- Cedartown Tied for 4th place in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='330529' first='Eli' last='Barrow'] has been a critical part of his team's defense, as he has not only led his team in tackles, but has been one of the best linebackers in the state from a statistical standpoint. At this point of the season, through 2 games, Barrow has totaled 34 tackles, 26 of them being solo, and 8 of them being assists. Along with this, Barrow also has a sack under his belt, which is impressive due to the fact that it proves he can be an all around player in every way that a linebacker is viewed, especially at a high school level. Moving forward, look for Barrow to continue to shoulder a huge load for his team, and to help put his team's offense in a better position.

Even after 2 weeks of high school football in the state of Georgia, there have already been plenty of players who have gotten their helmets, and jerseys dirty from high volumes of contact, and tackles. These very players have put themselves in places to lead the state in tackles, making it tougher for other players to catch up because of potentially large margins and differences. Moving forward, it will be fun to see who remains on this list, and who phases out.
Caleb LaVallee Caleb LaVallee 6'0" | 190 lbs | LB Whitefield Academy | 2023 State GA - Whitefield Academy
Lavallee, as talented as he is, has already proven to be one of the best defensive players in the state, as he has already totaled 39 tackles in a 2 game span. In this 2 game span, he has not only averaged 19.5 tackles a game, but has also performed at an incredible rate, swarming to the ball carrier. This is evident by the fact that out of all of these tackles, 24 of them were solos, and 15 were assists. In addition to this, 5 of these tackles were also tackles for a loss, which have proven to be huge situational plays for his team, as they helped to give his defense momentum.
Nicholas Baloga- Rabun County
Ironically enough, Rabun County players have had a habit of finding themselves on yardage, and stat totals lists lately, as Baloga is another player who has shown out in very impressive ways. These past few weeks, Beluga has totaled 36 tackles, with 16 of them being solos, and 20 of them being assists. Even more impressive than this, 3 of them were also tackles for a loss, which are more effective than any normal tackles. Look for Baloga to continue to be a staple for his team's defense this year, and to be one of the pieces that will help them make it to the playoffs.
Wesley Michaelson- Augusta Christian
While a prospect out of a smaller school such as Augusta Christian may not be expected to make this list, we are still very impressed with the performances in which Wesley Michaelson has been able to leave out on the football field. In 2 games, Michaelson has totaled 35 tackles, with an average of 17.5 tackles a game. With this, he has not only impressed with his ability to view the field, but the way that he has also accumulated 3.5 tackles for a loss, and 15 solo tackles. Going into the rest of the season, what is to be seen is if he can continue to perform at such a high rate, because if he does, his team will see more success than plenty of fans may expect.
Clark Jackson Clark Jackson 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2024 State GA - Aquinas
With 34 tackles so far this season, Clark Jackson Clark Jackson 6'0" | 195 lbs | LB Aquinas | 2024 State GA has stepped up among plenty of LB's throughout the state, as he not only plays both sides of the ball, but is a key contributor every time his number is called. From a defensive standpoint, Jackson has not only accumulated 18 solo tackles, but has totaled 16 assisted tackles as well. This is not only a reflection of the fact that Jackson is a solid system player, but it also shows that he is fine with playing to his assignment. Moving forward, it should also be noted that Jackson has also gotten a sack, and has had 3 tackles or a loss already this season.
Eli Barrow Eli Barrow 5'10" | 210 lbs | LB Cedartown | 2023 State GA - Cedartown
Tied for 4th place in the state, Eli Barrow Eli Barrow 5'10" | 210 lbs | LB Cedartown | 2023 State GA has been a critical part of his team's defense, as he has not only led his team in tackles, but has been one of the best linebackers in the state from a statistical standpoint. At this point of the season, through 2 games, Barrow has totaled 34 tackles, 26 of them being solo, and 8 of them being assists. Along with this, Barrow also has a sack under his belt, which is impressive due to the fact that it proves he can be an all around player in every way that a linebacker is viewed, especially at a high school level. Moving forward, look for Barrow to continue to shoulder a huge load for his team, and to help put his team's offense in a better position.