Morgan’s Preseason Class AA Top 5 (Public)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get closer to the start of Spring practice I take a look at 5 teams that have a shot at playing for the Title in December. On paper it looks like Carver Columbus is the favorite to repeat with a big and talented Senior Class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(1) Carver Columbus Tigers</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers were dominant last season on both sides of the ball on their way to the Title. Unfortunately for the rest of AA the return most of their playmakers from the 2024 team.<strong> Matthew Mungin</strong> returns at the QB1 spot, The 6'5 senior passed 327 yards and 4 TDs on 19 of 20 attempts in last years Title game. He will have one of hottest WR's on the Spring recruiting cycle in 6'3<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1597835' first='Kei'Maurii' last='Miles']</strong>. The rising Senior has been raking in P4 offers with UGA and Georgia Tech among the schools extending offers. RB <strong>Jakobe "Kobe" Caslin</strong> returns after earning POY honors in Region 1 last season. The 5'9 Rising Senior holds several offers including Jax St and Mercer. You don't average 40+ points a game without "hawgs" up front and Carver returns one of the best. 6'5 330 rising Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1648870' first='Terrance' last='Warren']</strong> holds offers from most ACC and SEC schools. Carver was dominating on defense in '24 and not much should change this Fall. Top 30 Prospects DE<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1319904' first='Tristian' last='Givens'] </strong>and DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323216' first='Terrious' last='Favors']</strong> headline a athletic and physical defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2) Carver Atlanta Panthers </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How cool would it be to see a Carver v Carver Title game? Carver Atlanta will have to replace star QB <strong>Montavious Banks</strong> who accounted for over 2200-yds last season. I think the Panthers will get to the Title game this season with their defense. 6'1 230 DE<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='682958' first='Michael' last='Johnson'] </strong>returns after putting up 39 TFL and 12 sacks in 2024. Johnson had a breakout season last Fall and is a definite next level prospect. Another trio of double digit TFL leaders return in <strong>Lataious Stepp</strong> (5'9 DB), <strong>Arlando Crafton</strong> (6'4 DE), and <strong>Tyree Williams</strong> (5'10 DL). The Panthers will be a team to keep an eye on this off-season. If they can find a replacement at QB they could challenge cross state Carver in December. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(3) Morgan County Bulldogs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs lost to Rockmart 49-40 in QF round last Fall and return a lot of production in '25. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1474667' first='Davis' last='Strickland']</strong> returns at the QB spot for his Senior year. The 6'3 Strickland remains one of the most productive, under the radar, QBs in the 2026 Class. The pro style QB passed for over 3000-yds in '24 completing 72% of his passes with 40 TDs. 1500-yd rusher <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612937' first='Christian' last='Monfort']</strong> returns at the RB1 spot after averaging 7.7 ypc. The Bulldogs graduated their top WR but return a duo of solid downfield targets for Strickland. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='683096' first='Drew' last='Ainslie']</strong> (6'5 TE) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401563' first='Ty' last='Tillery']</strong> (6'4 WR) both are tall targets that had over 30+ catches each. A solid returning defense with some of the above mentioned offense players standing out on the defensive side as well. Tillery returns after intercepting 5 passes last Fall, Monfort had double digit TFLs and the Bulldogs return their leading tackler. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1629291' first='Jordan' last='Gordon']</strong> (5'11 RB/LB) is back after leading the team in tackles (110) and TFL (13).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(4) Burke County Bears </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A relatively veteran Bears team went on a great run last Fall to make the Title game. One advantage they have this season is they return dual threat standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='806145' first='Sean' last='Vandiver']</strong> at QB. The 5'10 rising senior accounted for over 2400 total yards and 32 TDs in leading the Bears to the Championship. Burke Co will be looking for guys to step up in the other offensive skill positions this Summer. At RB 6'0 219 <strong>Chris Flournoy</strong> looks next up and the WR room will be wide open as no double digit catch receivers return for Vandiver. The Bears have a solid young secondary with several underclassman making big contributions last Fall. They will be looking for some guys to step up at the LB/DL spot as they will have to replace their leading tacklers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(5) Appling County Pirates </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Appling is young and intriguing. They are led by multisport standout 6'3 200 rising Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1154022' first='Harrison' last='Hickox']</strong> at QB. Hickox was named 2nd Team All Region last season after leading the Pirates to the Semi-Final. He is still flying under the radar Statewide but I think he has the potential to end up a Top 5 QB prospect in the '28 Class. 1st Team All Region RB rising Junior<strong> Dareon Hood </strong>returns as Hickox's backfield mate. As young as the offense is, the defense is experienced and solid with at least 8 1st or 2nd Team All Region players returning. 1st Teamers<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='401498' first='Edwin' last='Burt']</strong> and<strong> Cameron George</strong> return across the front. <strong>Mikel Crayton</strong> and <strong>Jacaree Johnson</strong> bring experience to the secondary. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->