Small-Town 2025 Receivers To Know In 4A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who are the leading returning 4A receivers for the 2024 season in the 4A class?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has all the details…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/cedartown/cedartown-bulldogs/athletes/demarcus-gardner/football/stats/?careerid=h113ot6lj8due">[player_tooltip player_id='1195654' first='Demarcus' last='Gardner']</a>&nbsp;– Cedartown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cedartown Bulldogs didn't throw it a ton during the 2023 season, but when they did, they threw it to [player_tooltip player_id='1195654' first='Demarcus' last='Gardner']. A big-play machine with plenty of speed, this playmaking junior averaged an eye-opening 24 yards a catch this past fall. He also ended the 2023 season as the leading receiver in the 4A class among juniors. He's a physical blocker on the perimeter in the run game, but his natural speed allows him to fly past defensive backs down the field in the passing game. When he has the ball, he's always a threat to score due to his breakaway speed and acceleration. A true weapon for a run-heavy team, Garnder could see even more passes come his way next year as a senior. This past fall, Gardner caught 33 passes for 793 yards and 11 touchdowns. He might be flying under the radar for now, but it's clear he has the potential to play somewhere at the next level. Look for him to be one of the leading receivers across North Georgia next year as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/perry/perry-panthers/athletes/kory-pettigrew/football/stats/?careerid=3cd47de89ootd">[player_tooltip player_id='1556497' first='Kory' last='Pettigrew']</a> - Perry</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dynamic Middle-Georgia receiver who helped lead Perry to the 4A title this past season, Pettigrew stands at 6-foot-2 170-pounds and showed big-play ability all season long as a junior. He has size, ball skills, and his natural athleticism translated well to the gridiron this past fall. When the Perry offense needed a big play in the passing game, they looked Pettigrew's way. He was a consistent weapon all year long as he caught 44 passes for 702 yards and six touchdowns. He can jump with any defensive back in the area and does a great job of catching the ball at it's highest point over defenders. He can really test a defense down the field and shows soft, dependable hands in traffic. His length, ball skills, and potential make him a sleeper receiver who could see some serious D1 interest and possible offers come his way this off-season once his film gets out to more college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ga/carrollton/central-lions/athletes/marshun-horton/football/stats/?careerid=ncn4df80dm8o8">Marshun Horton</a> - Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An impressive West Georgia wideout who can stretch the field, Horton is a speedy receiver at 6-foot-3 175-pounds who has a knack for getting behind the secondary. He's long, athletic, and a true weapon in single coverage. He shows reliable hands and does a great job of securing the ball after the catch while staying on his feet for extra yards. He's coming off a promising junior season where he hauled in 35 passes for 694 yards and six touchdowns. Averaging just under 20 yards a catch, Horton quickly became one of the more underrated 2025 receivers in the area after his big season. When the ball came his way, good things happened. While he didn't have a game where he broke 100 yards, his overall speed and big-play ability was on full display throughout the season. With a strong off-season, Horton could see a lot more passes come his way next year as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->