Sleeper Teams in Georgia’s Largest Classification

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 6A has some heavyweight favorites at the top but below are 2 teams I think have the potential to be a sleeper come playoff time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Walton Raiders</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024: 7-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders went 5-1 in Region 5-6A last Fall with their only Region loss coming to North Cobb. They lost a heartbreaker in the 1st Round of the playoffs to Valdosta (35-27). The biggest hurdle for the Raiders is replacing QB Kaeden Gilstrap who accounted for over 2400 yards and 22 TDs last season. Whomever takes over as the new QB1 will have a corral of talented WR's to throw to, highlighted by rising Senior [player_tooltip player_id='283818' first='Christian' last='Ward']. I will not be surprised if in late September Walton and North Cobb square off as a battle of Top 10 teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A look at some of Walton's Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283818"],"_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-67fcea8128323"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A Top 10 Ranked WR prospect in the 2026 class. Ward has great length, now up to 6'3 185, combined with good speed and great hands. He is back this Fall after leading the Raiders in catches (46) receiving yards (768) and receiving TDs (10) in 2024. Ward has great acceleration out of his breaks and is a true deep ball threat in the Walton offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian has already picked up 30+ offers heading into Spring ball and will be a big target in this recruiting cycle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["675033"],"_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-67fdb401cf5bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">LaVallee is a 6'2 220 LB that I first noticed back in January. At the time I mentioned that LaVallee was underrated and I expected him to move up the Ranking Charts next Fall. Well it seems like the college scouts fired up the same tape I did and have taking notice. LaValle has received 15+ offers including Florida State, Georgia Tech and UNC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A natural LB with great instincts for the ball. LaVallee is one of the top tacklers returning in 6A after recording 124 TT his Junior season. He will be a 3-year starter at the States highest level and has the potential to be in consideration for the overall DPOY. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["410801"],"_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-67fdb401cf61a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A young rising star for the Raiders that will add some depth at the WR spot for the new QB. The rising Sophomore only played in 4 varsity games last Fall but has showed the intangibles and speed to be ranked as a Top 5 WR in the 2028 class headed into the Fall. Opore has added some size since his profile was updated and now stands at 6'3 180 and is tough to bring down with the ball in his hands. A multisport athlete that has put up a 10.9 100m time during his Freshman track season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["482807"],"_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-67fdb401cf669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ward played his Sophomore season at Walton and will return this Fall for the Raiders. The recent University of Alabama commit has natural athletic ability and has been on the Prep Redzone radar since his middle school days. He runs a verified 4.4 40 and has great ball skills. Always as explosive threat to go deep but he also shows some toughness catching the ball in traffic. He has added some height and weight since his profile update and now stands at 6'2 175.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An Alabama commit that has caught National attention with his blazing speed. Several services have him ranked as a Top 100 overall recruit in the US in the 2027 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Forsyth Wolverines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024: 9-4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wolverines had a great post season run last year. They finished the regular season 7-3 and 3rd in 6-6A but pulled off a couple of upsets in the postseason. They beat Brookwood on the road 24-10 then knocked off Archer 45-28 before falling 20-14 to a power house Douglas County team in the 3rd Rd. On paper the '25 Wolverines have a lot of holes to fill on both the offense and defense if they want to make another deep post season run but they have one advantage, Rising Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='422536' first='Max' last='Walraven']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Forsyth Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["422536"],"_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-67fdb401cf6b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'5 195 QB is a prospect that I have liked since the 1st time I watched his film. Back in January I named him as a "Statewide Breakout Name to Know" and it hasn't taking long for this 3 year varsity starter to start catching some attention. He has received offers from Eastern Kentucky and Garder-Webb and I would not be surprised to see a few more before the Fall come his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Good size at 6'5 and has shown the ability to use his feet to get positive yardage when flushed out of the pocket. The 2x All Region QB accounted for 2500 yards with 26 total TDs last year for the Wolverines. He will have a new cast of characters around him this Fall but I'm confident Walraven can get them back deep in the post season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1620007"],"_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-67fdb401cf6f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'4 245 DL prospect is another Wolverine that has seen his recruiting stock rise considerably this off season. Sacchetti had the best short shuttle (4.38) attempt by a defensive lineman at last weeks MVP Camp, a camp dominated by next level talent. He gets off the line of scrimmage quick and shows good athleticism maneuvering his way around the OL. Good strength and footwork to also get the advantage head up. Sacchetti lived in the backfield last season recording 28 TFL and 8 sacks to go along with 45 TT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A multisport standout (wrestling, baseball) and a 4.2 GPA in the classroom that has got the attention of almost all the Ivy League schools who have extended recent offers. A can't miss D1 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1577623"],"_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-67fdb401cf73a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'10 180 LB is an interesting prospect. He doesn't fit into that stereotypical "Metric Chart" but the guy has proven on the field that he is a ball player. A hard nosed kid that has great natural instincts and a nose for the football. The 2 year starter recorded over 100+ TT last season with 7 TFL and an INT. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis could end up seeing a lot of carries on the offensive side of the ball in 2025 with graduation hitting the RB spot hard. He showed some potential in the post season scoring 3 TDs on just 10 carries. The rising Senior could be the wildcard in the Wolverines success this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->