2024 3A Breakout Team: Oconee County Warriors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We answer the question "What sub .500 team in 2023 has the best chance of cracking the Top 10 in 2024?" Our answer: Oconee County Warriors. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oconee County ended 2023 with 5-7 record but advanced to the 2nd Round of the 3A playoffs after beating Douglass in the 1st Round. The Warriors gave Lumpkin Co all they could handle in Round 2 losing a shootout in double OT 45-42. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors still have #1 ranked Jefferson on their schedule this Fall but with more favorable matchups, compared to last season, and a solid core of players with experience returning we think Oconee County will challenge for the Region Title and a spot in the AJC Top 10. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players that will help make it happen: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1556409' first='Titus' last='Watkins']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"195","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Oconee County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ab60cb7e4b8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The returning Senior QB maybe one of the "most under the radar" pro style prospects in the State for 2024. The 6'1 lefty with 4.5 40 is primed to have a big Senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He put up over 1500 total yards last season with 12 total TDs. He set a school passing record Week 2 throwing for 389 yards and 2 TDs in 38-31 loss to Clarke Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watkins has a very quick, effortless release that gets the ball out of his hand and downfield fast. Accurate passer that is blessed with a great group of WR's. Poised in the pocket and has no trouble making throws on the run or under pressure. Not his first option but he can beat you with his legs also.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/qbTitusWatkins/status/1728154269071651092","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/qbTitusWatkins/status/1728154269071651092 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1319913"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ab60cb7e564"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'2 210 LB is the #5 Ranked LB prospect in the latest Prep Redzone rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weeks had an outstanding Soph season racking up 102 TT, 7 TFL and a sack, catching the attention of college scouts. He picked up offers this Spring from LSU, where his 2 older brothers play, UNC , Florida, and Ohio St. among others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good physical tools and football IQ for this age, my guess that comes with being the youngest of 3 brothers. Physically tough and loves to hit, brings it every snap. A National recruit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/zachweeks44/status/1727442422009843816","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/zachweeks44/status/1727442422009843816 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ab60cb7e5bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wood is another Oconee Co rising Junior that cracked the Prep Redzone Rankings last month as the #19 overall RB in the 2026 Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physical RB with good size at 5'11 190. Has the speed to get around the corner but his bread and butter is coming right at you. Tough runner that is hard to bring down with just one tackler. Has the hands to be a threat catching the ball out of the backfield, was the 2nd leading receiver last Fall will 18 catches for over 350 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He ended the season is spectacular fashion last Fall rushing for over 500 yards in the Warriors last 3 games, including a 324 yard 5 TD performance vs Lumpkin Co in the 2nd Round of the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A name to know this Fall. His recruiting will pick up this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/cwoodRB3/status/1729937463777382459","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/cwoodRB3/status/1729937463777382459 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->