Morgan’s Preseason Top 5 Class 3A Ranking

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper Class 3A is shaping up to be a rematch for the State Title in December. The power rankings play a huge roll in the pairings at the lower classes but below are my 5 favorite teams heading into Spring practice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(1) Calhoun Yellow Jackets</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Admittingly #1 and #2 are a toss up but I will give the nod to the Defending Champs. Calhoun went on a great run during playoffs last season to capture the Title and return a solid core of talent in '25. Freshman sensation <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409989' first='Trace' last='Hawkins']</strong> returns at the QB spot after passing for over 2000-yds last year. Hawkins plays with poise beyond his years and has already caught the attention of Georgia Tech, Auburn, and Duke among others. The Jackets should have a solid backfield with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1670547' first='Isiah' last='Nalls'] </strong>('28) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='662802' first='Hudson' last='Chadwick'] </strong>('27) returning. Chadwick had a breakout post season and will look to continue that level of play into '25. <strong>Justin "Jutt" Beasley</strong> returns at the wideout spot after snagging 13 TD passes last Fall. Beasley is a speedster that has a knack for getting open and should be the go to downfield target for Hawkins. The Yellow Jackets are know for their defense and 2025 will be no exception. Top 100 prospects <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283895' first='Alec' last='Upshaw']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212307' first='Sager' last='Quinn']</strong>, and <strong>Blake Hammett</strong> are a few standout names to watch for this Fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2) Jefferson Dragons</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The question mark for Jefferson this off season will be who steps up in the offense. The Dragons graduate a lot of production, especially at the QB spot losing Senior Gavin Markey who accounted for over 3000-yds total offense. Rising Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1612932' first='Dallas' last='Russell']</strong> ('26) looks slated to get most of the carries at the RB1 spot after rushing for close to 900-yds last Fall. Leading WR <strong>Dalton Dye</strong> ('26) returns for his Senior season and should be the go to target for whoever earns that QB1 role. The Dragons will have to replace some playmakers on defense as well but they do return the #2 Ranked LB in the 2027 Class in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214548' first='Max' last='Brown']</strong>. Rising Senior <strong>Darren Pinkard</strong> is another name to watch. The 6'2 LB had 13.5 TFL last season and added 5 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(3) Peach County Trojans</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peach County is my dark horse team in 2025. The Trojans were picked by many last year to win the Title before being upset by Calhoun (38-28) in the QF Rd. They will be breaking in a new QB1 this Spring with the graduation of dual threat DJ Hudson but they return talent in several key positions. Senior <strong>Ashton Barton </strong>('26) returns after rushing for over 1000 yds last Fall while averaging over 6.5 ypc. 5'11 multisport standout <strong>Zion Hudson</strong> ('26) is slated to return at the WR spot and will be a sure handed target for the next QB. The Trojans will lean on their defense this season. A solid reurning secondary with the above mentioned Hudson and 6'2 Top 200 DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283802' first='Bryson' last='Hughley']</strong>. A name to keep on your radar is rising Junior LB<strong> Ace Blunt</strong>, he maybe undersized but gets downhill fast and mean.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(4) Sandy Creek Patriots</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Patriots got upset last season in the 2nd Rd by LaGrange. On paper Sandy Creek maybe the most dangerous team returning in AAA. Rising Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='661460' first='Caleb' last='Hill']</strong> returns at the QB1 spot after a breakout Sophomore season. The 6'0 dual threat accounted for over 2700 total yards with 39 TDs in '24. He will be joined in the backfield by one of the top overall RB prospects in Georgia in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='910346' first='Amari' last='Latimer']</strong>. The 6'0 RB averaged over 8 yards per carry last year while topping the 1000 yard mark. The Patriots return one of the more solid defense cores of these 5 mentioned teams. Rising Senior<strong> Evan</strong> <strong>Harvey</strong> as well as Senior DB duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1604121' first='Dana' last='Greenhow']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1631743' first='Chase' last='Usher']</strong> are slated to return. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(5) Stephenson Jaguars </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stephenson made it to the Semi Finals last season. The Jaguars will look to keep that momentum going in 2025. The Jags will be looking for a new QB1 to manage the offense with the graduation of Marte Barton. Whoever steps into that role will have a great duo of backs to hand the ball. Rising Junior<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1561762' first='Jayden' last='Johnson']</strong> and Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577131' first='Anthony' last='Booker']</strong> both eclipsed the 1000-yd mark last Fall and will be a formidable pair for defenses in '25. Rising Senior WR <strong>Will Chaney </strong>returns after leading the team in receptions. The Jaguars will have some holes to fill on defense but a player to keep an eye on is 6'3 DE<strong> Emari Green</strong> ('26) who had 12 TFL with 7 sacks in '24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->