Class A Div 1: 2nd Rd Games and Players to Watch (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new ranking system worked well in Round 1 with 15 out of 16 top seeds advancing. There are some very good matchups in Round 2 and I would not be surprised to see a few upsets this Friday. We take a look at the matchups and an uncommitted player on each team to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#16 Jeff Davis at #1 Fannin County</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets from Hazelhurst (8-3) will make the trip to Blue Ridge to face the overall #1 seed Rebels (11-0). Jeff Davis defeated Washington Co 33-17 to advance to the 2nd Round and Fannin had a 41-7 win over Vidalia. </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":"Colby Beach ","_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":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"190","_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":"Jeff Davis","_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-67399413697f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A dual threat QB with good size and speed. He stands at 6'3 190 and is a physical presence in the pocket. The Yellow Jackets have a good group of tall, speedy receivers and Beach has the arm strength to let the ball fly deep. Always a threat to run. Not only does his size make it hard for the defense but he has some jets. Recorded a top speed of 20.85 mph by Catapult earlier this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beach has a combined 1600 total yards with 19 TDs on the season. Completed a 99 yd TD pass in an upset win over Fitzgerald late in the regular season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1551627"],"_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-673994136985e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'1 215 Senior MLB has done nothing but produce for Rebels. He has recorded 85+TT in 3 consecutive seasons with 111 TT this season with 8 TFL. Excels in the weight room, the classroom and on the field on Friday nights. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper has seen his recruiting pick up recently. Middle Tennesse St., Shorter, Western Carolina, and Navy have shown interest. Still waiting for someone to pull the trigger but when they do they will get a tough, well coached LB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#9 Lamar County at #8 Northeast Macon</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lamar County (9-2) makes their 3rd straight trip to the 2nd Round under Head Coach Travis Ellington after beating Dade Co 51-10 in the 1st Round. The Northeast Raiders (9-2) come in ranked #5 by the AJC with their only 2 losses coming to powerhouses Dublin and Peach County. They qualified for the 2nd Round after knocking off Swainsboro 46-7.</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='1623445' first='Bryson' last='Johnson']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"225","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"5926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lamar 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-67399413698fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Athletic, solid built edge rusher that I could definitely see moving to the LB spot at the next level. Johnson can line up inside or outside on the defensive line. He gets off the LOS, beating the bigger offensive lineman to the punch. Good in pursuit and is a violent, physical tackler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He recorded 61 TT this season with 16 TFL with an impressive 12.5 sacks with 10 QB hurries. The University of Tennessee and UGA have already taking notice of this Sophomore. Great upside and would not be surprised to see him added in our next ranking update in the Spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Nick Woodford","_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":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"203","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Northeast (Macon)","_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-6739941369996"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'10 203 RB has a solid muscular frame and is tough to bring down on 1st contact. He eclipsed the 5000-yard career rushing mark this year after rushing for 1630 yards and 27 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Woodford looks back into P4 form after only playing 6 games his Junior season. He rushed for an impressive 2780 yards with 40 TDs his sophomore season, earning an offer from Wake Forest. North South RB that has the quickness to get around the edge also. Good hands, catching 8 passes this season with 3 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#28 Bleckley County at #12 Fitzgerald </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bleckley County Royals (5-6) started the season 2-6 before winning their last 3 games, including a 1st round upset of Social Circle. They lost 5 games by a total of 12 points. The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes (8-3) were on their way to a Top 5 seed before being upset late in the year by Jeff Davis. They advanced to the 2nd Round with a 42-21 win over a good Rabun County team. </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='1571699' first='Tyrek' last='Mack']","_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":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Bleckley 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-6739941369a21"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more productive 2-way players in the Middle Georgia area in 2024. The WR/LB led the team in receptions with 39 catches for 567 yards and on the defensive side of the ball he added 40 TT with 13 TFL with 7 sacks and a FF. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Physical LB that has the athleticism to drop back and be effective in coverage. Good speed to recover and pursue. Good route runner on offense with speed and is real good at change of pace to get himself free. He can beat you over the top but is not afraid of catching the ball over the middle in traffic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fort Valley State offered earlier this season and with a good post season he may find himself on a few more recruiting radars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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='695525' first='Javion' last='Romer']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Fitzgerald ","_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-6739941369aa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 3-Star Purple Hurricane DB maybe under ranked in the latest 2026 Red Zone rankings as the #28 overall CB. Romer has verified 4.6 speed and is outstanding playmaker with the ball in the air. A natural athlete in the secondary that can track and cover any WR at this level. Led the Region in interceptions and had a couple of multi-INT games this Fall. No fly zone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A National recruit with offers from Auburn, Purdue, South Florida, and UTC among others. Fitzgerald is in a position to advance far in this post season giving Romer and the rest of the Purple Hurricanes a chance to be seen by a Statewide audience. Stock riser. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>#13 Dodge County at #4 Worth County</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 9-2 Dodge County Indians started the season 8-0 and were ranked as high as #6 by the AJC before dropping their final 2 games to Northeast and Dublin. Worth County (8-3) is currently ranked #6 by the AJC and played a doozy of a schedule with Dodge County being their 5th ranked opponent. Dodge advanced with a 40-14 win over Chattooga and Worth beat Coosa 54-14 to advance to the 2nd Round. </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":"Ralph Howard","_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":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Dodge 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-6739941369b38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2-way star rarely comes off the field for the Indians on Friday night. The RB/OLB/FS was second on the team with 86 TT with 15 TFL and 5 sacks. An old school FB type RB on offense with 46 carries for 184 yards and 2 TDs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Has good vision with a high game IQ and once he recognizes the play he gets downhill fast. Athletic and can pursue sideline to sideline and is a decisive tackler in space. Was part of an Indian defense that kept the States overall leading rusher out of the endzone until late in the game in Round 1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["908917"],"_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-6739941369b7e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Georgia State fans in Atlanta are going to love this big-time playmaker. The 3-Star Panther commit had an outstanding Senior season for the Rams with 57 receptions for 1058 yards with 12 TDs. In a 1st Round win over Coosa, a game that saw most of the starters pulled before halftime, D'ontae had 3 catches for 84 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long, lanky receiver with good speed and footwork. Is skilled at creating separation with his change of pass. Great hands and has the ability to go up and over smaller DBs on contested balls. Long arms with good range that plays like a natural at the position. He should have a good career at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->