Top Defensive Performers From State Championship Weekend
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It’s the final stretch of the season and we saw some wild high school championship games this past weekend across multiple classifications. Which players had dominant performances on defense? Let’s take a look… Jeremiah Telander Jeremiah Telander 6'2" | 210…
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Continue ReadingIt’s the final stretch of the season and we saw some wild high school championship games this past weekend across multiple classifications.
Which players had dominant performances on defense? Let’s take a look…
Jeremiah Telander Jeremiah Telander 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB North Hall | 2023 State GA – LB – Gainesville
It may have come in a losing effort, but the tough, physical Gainesville linebacker proved that he’s one of the top overall linebackers in the peach state. He played hard and played fast all night long and was tough to handle for the Langston Hughes offense, one of thee best in the state. Telander got off blocks consistently, put pressure on the quarterback, and made tackle after tackle all night long. A true ball magnet on Friday night, Telander ended his career with a productive game in the state championship, making 13 total tackles, four TFLs and two sacks. The 6-foot-2 215-pounder is headed to play at Tennessee next year and he gave an SEC-like performance in his final high school game.
Wilks Albert – LB – Benedictine
The Benedictine defense gave an all-time performance on Friday as they made one of the best goal-line defensive stands you’ll ever see, stopping Cedartown on the goal-line on five consecutive plays to come away with their second-straight 2A championship. Leading the way was junior linebacker Wilkes Albert, a tackling machine who played hard on every single play, leading a tremendous Benedictine defense with 20 tackles in their big 14-13 victory. He read play after play, brought a physical presence, and had a true nose for the football all game long. He played lights out and lit up the stat sheet in the process. He’s a Savannah-area linebacker to know about next fall as a senior.
Travis Franklin – LB – Sandy Creek
Playing against an explosive Cedar Grove offense, Sandy Creek’s defense came to play and led the way to a 21-17 upset victory and a 3A state championship. A two-way player who scored the game-winning touchdown late the ballgame, Franklin was flying all over the field defensively, leading Sandy Creek in tackles on the day with 9 total tackles. Stopping Cedar Grove is a tough task, but thee playmaking athlete made it happen. He helped stop the run and lead a defensive group that only gave up 17 points in the big victory. He was easy to notice and made play after play as the game went along.
Trey Hargrove – LB – Ware County
One of the top linebackers in all of South Georgia, Hargrove brings a physical presence and plenty of speed to a Ware County group that shut down a normally powerful Warner Robins offense. In the biggest game in school history, Hargrove left his mark in Gator lore, playing an outstanding game at linebacker, making 8 total tackles, 3 TFLs, and a forced fumble that ended the game and secured the victory. He was all over the field and was consistently around the football. He’s one of the very best in the area for the 2023 class and could see some late momentum in his recruiting come after a massive game in the 5A state championship.