Georgia High School Football: Top Performers of the Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By: Elise Benton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday night under the lights once again delivered plenty of drama, and several standout athletes across the state put together performances that will be remembered for a long time. From game-changing defensive plays to explosive offensive showings, here are this week's <strong>Top Performers.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1201242"],"_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-68a5c98df0109"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McEachern's <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201242' first='Casey' last='Barner']</strong> turned in one of the most impressive all-purpose outings of the season, racking up an incredible <strong>356 total yards</strong>. Barner made his presence felt in every phase of the game, including a jaw-dropping <strong>70-yard touchdown on a fake punt</strong> and a <strong>95-yard kickoff return touchdown</strong>. In total, he found the end zone <strong>three times</strong>, showing explosiveness, vision, and clutch playmaking ability. Barner's performance was the definition of a game-changer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401516"],"_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-68a5c98df0186"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hebron Christian star <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401516' first='Jarvis' last='Mathurin']</strong> had a monster night, piling up <strong>321 all-purpose yards</strong> to lead his team. Mathurin showcased his big-play ability with an <strong>88-yard kickoff return touchdown</strong>, sparking his team and keeping momentum alive. His versatility as both a returner and offensive weapon made him the focal point every time he touched the ball. With his speed and elusiveness, Mathurin continues to be one of the most dangerous threats in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1693406"],"_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-68a5c98df01d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Walton's defense was led by standout DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1693406' first='MJ' last='Burnett']</strong>, who turned in a game-changing performance. Burnett filled the stat sheet with <strong>7 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 touchdown</strong>, proving himself as both a lockdown defender and a playmaker. His instincts in coverage consistently put him in position to create turnovers, and his ability to convert defense into offense swung momentum in Walton's favor. Few players can dominate on that side of the ball like Burnett did, making him one of the top defensive performers of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cameron Jones","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grayson High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68a5c98df028a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Grayson linebacker <strong>Cameron Jones</strong> set the tone with a physical and relentless effort on defense. Jones racked up <strong>11 tackles</strong>, <strong>9 solo including</strong> <strong>3 tackles for loss</strong> and <strong>3 sacks</strong>. Jones was constantly blowing up plays in the backfield. His sideline-to-sideline pursuit and physical tackling made life difficult for the opposing offense all night. Jones has firmly established himself as the heart of the Grayson defense and a name to remember moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1606346"],"_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-68a5c98df02d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When starting QB [player_tooltip player_id='409921' first='Derrick' last='Baker'] went down with injury, freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1606346' first='Trey' last='Hasan']</strong> stepped into the spotlight for Milton—and wasted no time making his mark. On his very first series, Hasan delivered a <strong>28-yard touchdown pass</strong>, instantly energizing his team. The poised young quarterback has now been named <strong>Milton's QB1 </strong>while they continue to access Baker's injury, and now all eyes will be on him as he looks to lead the offense the rest of the way. Hasan's debut showed flashes of maturity beyond his age and set the stage for what could be a breakout freshman season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["683105"],"_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-68a5c98df031d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dual-threat quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='683105' first='Cayden' last='Benson']</strong> of Creekside, battling back from a 21-0 deficit removed calm, poised and a true leader. Leading his team to a jaw dropping victory, Benson delivered a balanced and electric performance. Benson threw for <strong>92 yards through the air</strong> while adding <strong>110 rushing yards on the ground</strong>, finishing the game with <strong>4 total touchdowns</strong>. His ability to extend plays and keep defenses guessing made him nearly impossible to contain. Whether through the air or on the ground, Benson continues to show why he's one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From veteran leaders to breakout stars, this week's top performers showcased the talent and grit that make high school football so special. Whether it was a defensive lockdown, offensive fireworks, or a freshman stepping into the spotlight, these athletes reminded everyone why Friday nights are can't-miss events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->