Playoff Primer: 8 6A Prospects Who Could Shape the Postseason

The regular season is all wrapped up. After taking a look at the 6A bracket, here are 8 prospects I've identified as players who could shape the postseason.    Lockett emerged this fall as the leading receiver and most explosive playmaker on the outside for Colquitt County. He is a long, wiry prospect who is capable of gearing down and sinking his hips to separate at the top of his routes. He can make catches in a crowd and is a proven contributor at each level of the field. To make a run in the playoffs, your passing game will have to step up and make some plays, and I imagine Lockett will get plenty of chances to do so if Colquitt County can make another deep run.     Marietta turned things around and hit their stride midseason, right when their QB did. Over his last 5 games, Whiteside was easily one of the best 6A QBs in the state. He is a stout, strong athlete with evidence of different throws on tape. He can put it on receivers in the short areas and tap into proper touch and trajectory to layer the ball over LBs, under safeties, and loft it over the top when needed. Whiteside has the foundation of a solid QB prospect with continued growth, as he continues to tighten up his mechanics. Marietta will go as far as their QB will take them, as evidenced by the correlation between his production and their midseason turnaround.     Maestre is firmly on the P4 recruiting radar and is receiving attention both as a DB and as a WR. The same traits that help him contribute as a receiver also translate to DB. He has fluid hips, efficient footwork, good ball skills, and impressive size. He rallies hard after the football, which is what takes his game as a defender to another level. As a receiver, he has an uncanny ability to get DBs to bite. His combination of size and speed scares corners vertically, which sets up plenty of opportunities to contribute underneath. On both sides of the ball, expect Maestre to get opportunities to make plays on the ball, meaning he could be the catalyst for an East Coweta run.     A perfect 10-0 regular season sets up McEachern for a state championship run, and I think the legs of [player_tooltip player_id='1905899' first='Henry' last='Pullen'] could be the difference maker. I am on record believing this is one of the most underrated seniors in the state, regardless of position. He has bellcow features at a strong 6'0 205. He can get you tough yards, but he has an impressive ability to lift off in space for his size. Pullen has yet to eclipse 30 carries on the season, and while McEachern has playmakers outside of him to take the pressure off, I wouldn't be shocked to see McEachern ride Pullen heavily for a few wins this November.     When you factor in some of the bodies Lowndes could have to face down the stretch in November and their ability to run the ball, it's clear their path to Atlanta will be up front. Their offensive line, anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='378385' first='Abram' last='Eisenhower'], should be paid close attention to. Eisenhower is listed at 6'5 280 with prototype LT features. His frame, length, and quick feet have helped him receive plenty of P4 recruiting love. This year, however, he has had to flex both tackle spots and act as a mauler at times. He is quick off the line, strikes with good pad-level, and consistently finishes blocks through the turf. Factor in his LT athletic traits, and he is capable of efficiently combo blocking to the second level and occupying space.     Since opening their season with a loss to Douglas County, North Gwinnett has rallied off 9 straight wins, with all of those wins by at least 2 scores. 6 of those 9 wins have been by at least 30 points. Rahman has done his job all year, protecting the football and getting the ball to his playmakers, all without playing well into the 2nd half in several games this fall. However, to make a run, North Gwinnett will need Rahman to make big plays down the stretch. Rahman is a thicker-bodied QB with good mechanics and better arm strength than people may realize. He can manipulate arm angles and bend the ball around defenders as a result. He has a chance to make a statement this November.     After a few tough starts to his junior season, Jarrard has somehow quietly played really well down the stretch and led North Cobb to another region title. Jarrard could be the most physically gifted passer in the state from a traits standpoint. Everything he does looks easy as a passer, and he isn't a shabby athlete either. I wouldn't consider him a runner, but he is enough of an athlete to shift around chaos and make plays on the move. North Cobb will look to carry momentum over into the playoffs, and I am excited to see how Jarrard performs on a bigger stage.     [player_tooltip player_id='283898' first='Rayshaun' last='Parks'] is extremely underrated and has an argument to be the best player in this 6A bracket that nobody is talking about. It's been a prolific, near-blemish-free record for Parks as a senior, throwing 27 TDs against just 3 INTs. Parks is a stout 6'0 with a 3/4ths release and good control in the pocket. He can be drawn up opportunities as a runner and is another playmaker to account for. The biggest thing for me is that Parks gives his receivers a chance. Peachtree Ridge has some talent at receiver, but it takes a QB willing to take a shot and let them make a play. Parks has done that perfectly. He and the entire Peachtree Ridge squad will be tested from the jump against Newton.

The regular season is all wrapped up. After taking a look at the 6A bracket, here are 8 prospects I've identified as players who could shape the postseason.