Week 1 Players to Watch: Callaway vs Cass

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are getting closer to the kick off of the 2024 season. The best thing about Week 1 is it gives us plenty of time to talk about multiple games. Today we take a look at players to watch in the Callaway v Cass game which is part of the Corky Kell Kickoff Classic at Barron Stadium in Rome. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10 2A Callaway Cavaliers vs #5 4A Cass Colonels </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: Callaway Cavaliers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kavius "KJ" Leonard - 2025 ATH - Callaway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0 180 Leonard is one the Top 20 overall DBs in the State in the 2025 Class. He was an All State selection last season as well as a 2x All Region selection at DB. Athletic with good vision and has that "twitch" giving him the ability to change directions with the ball in the air. He has been timed at 4.39 in the 40. He had a very productive season last year with 8 TFL, INT and had 45 TT. Keep an eye on #24 in secondary Week 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KaviusLeonardJr/status/1729300403060080691","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KaviusLeonardJr/status/1729300403060080691 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyren Buggs - 2025 RB/LB - Callaway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1 200 Buggs is a weapon out of the backfield for the Cavs. Strong kid that is hard to tackle head up when he runs North/South but has the speed to get around the corners. He has break away speed in the open field and is impossible to arm tackle. Good vision at the LB spot with a great reach and his able to cover sideline to sideline. Keep an eye on #22 at Barron Stadium Week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavious "Xae" Anderson - 2026 LB - Callaway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'1 215 Anderson has been a stock riser in the Prep Redzone Rankings this off season. A Top 20 LB Statewide in the 2026 Class, his recruitment has really picked up over the last month receiving offers from Navy and Vanderbilt. Intelligent guy with a high football IQ. Very patient in the middle waiting for the play to develop and has very good reaction time. Great in run support and has the athleticism to drop back in coverage. Big Junior season on tap for him and should continue to climb the recruiting rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skylar Melton - 2026 DL - Callaway</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11 218 DL maybe undersized on paper but he brings it on every play. He is hard to get a hat on and he uses his quickness to out maneuver bigger OL. A decisive tackler that likes getting physical and has the speed to track down ball carriers. Cass will have to keep #59 out of the backfield at Barron Stadium if they want to be have success. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch: Cass Colonels</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205701' first='Brodie' last='McWhorter'] - 2026 QB - Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2 195 West Virginia commit is the #2 overall ranked QB in the 2026 Class. McWhorter will be entering his 3rd year as QB1 for the Colonels, leading Cass to the playoffs the previous two seasons. Polished QB in the pocket with great footwork and delivers a very catchable ball downfield. A natural leader on the field that does a good job at managing the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='167348' first='Bear' last='McWhorter'] - 2026 OL - Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4 300 rising Junior is the #2 overall ranked OL in the 2026 Class. Athletic big man that has dedicated himself in the weight room over the last 2 years. Projects as a dominate LT at the next level that already possess good technique and ability at this age. Will be a 3 year starter when this season begins and has been a big part of the Colonels success over the last 2 seasons protecting his QB. An All State selection that prides himself on giving up zero sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1319901' first='Chase' last='Tatum'] - 2026 TE - Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'2 233 TE has seen his recruitment take off this off season, most recently receiving offers from East Carolina and West Virginia. The multisport athlete has a great frame and is an outstanding run blocker. Has good hands as a receiver and is a reliable target for McWhorter downfield and creates positive yards with ball in his hands. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/chase_tatum9/status/1752404037205442647","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/chase_tatum9/status/1752404037205442647 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1313922' first='Ian' last='Williams'] - 2025 Safety - Cass</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'0 185 SS has the potential to be the breakout player of the year in the NW Ga Area. He transferred to Cass from Osborne in the off season where he put up 73 TT last season with 4 ints, 2 returned for TDs, and forced 2 fumbles with both of those returned for scores as well. Has great instincts in the secondary and the speed to close and make a play on the ball. Good in run support and gets downhill quick and likes to hit. #0 for the Colonels is one to definitely keep an eye on at Barron Stadium opening week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->