MONTICELLO HURRICANES
2013 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: Doug Huff
THE PLAYERS:
THE WORD: Coach Eddie Roberts and Monticello parted ways
after four years and only 11 wins. Enter Doug Huff, tasked
with turning around a program that hasn’t had a winning
season since 2003. Remember the coach that led the Hurricanes back then? It was Huff. He’s back to try to get the
program back in good standing.
NORTHEAST (MACON) RAIDERS
2013 RECORD: 7-3
THE COACH: Bruce Mullen
THE PLAYERS: Ta’Mario Tufts (Jr., QB), Dequarius Johnson (Sr.,
RB/LB), Jerome Grayer (So., RB/LB), Ta’Korian Denson (Sr.,
WR), Audie Farley (Sr., WR/DB), Quinterrius Harvey (Jr. FB/LB)
Shonquavious Mitchell (Jr., WR/DB) Eddie Gibson (Sr., DL/OL)
THE WORD: The success of Northeast starts on the defensive
side of the ball where more than half the starters will return on
a defense that allowed 10 or fewer points six times last season.
Leading tackler Quinterrius Harvey is back to man the middle of
the defense, where he also logged a team-leading four sacks.
Eddie Gibson and Dequarius Johnson will also provide a solid
rush to the quarterback with their speed and athleticism. Bud
don’t forget about the offense. Though they lose their leading
rusher, Johnson and sophomore Jerome Grayer had plenty of
totes last year to have good experience coming back. Ta’Korian
Denson is also an exciting receiver, who pulled in nearly 450
yards through the air last year.
PUTNAM COUNTY WAR EAGLES
2013 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: Kyle Gourley
THE PLAYERS: Trevon Ellis (Jr., RB), Mike Hill (Jr., RB), Torrance Calhoun (Jr., RB), Jashawuan Youmans (Jr., RB), Cesar
Munoz (Sr., OL) Mark Hurt (Sr., DL), Dietrich Solomon (Sr.,
DL), Tyrone Davis (Jr., QB),
THE WORD: Putnam County had a couple down years while
dealing with a youthful squad that has relied on freshmen
and sophomores to carry much of the load. The War Eagles
are still young, with only three seniors on this year’s squad,
but the hope is that the youth that gained so much experience has grown up a lot heading into this season. Putnam
will look to run the flexbone option offense this season with
a plethora of running backs that includes Trevon Ellis, Mike
Hill, Torrance Calhoun and Jashawuan Youmans, all juniors.
Tyrone Davis will get a lot of carries as well, as the junior
returns for his third season under center after passing for
more than 1,200 yards last season. Mark Hurt and Dietrich
Solomon are two of three seniors on the team and both will
be the meat of the defensive line for the War Eagles.
Region Five
BOWDON RED DEVILS
2013 RECORD: 11-2
THE COACH: Dwight Hochstetler
THE PLAYERS: Darnell Holland (Sr., RB/DB), Brandon Beasley
(Sr., RB), CJ Brewer (Jr., OL/DL), John Ayers (Sr., OL/DL), Josh
Smith (Sr., WR/DB)
THE WORD: Bowdon finished 2013 just a few wins shy of a
state championship as coach Dwight Hochstetler looked
to win his second state title. He will happily welcome back
Darnell Holland and Brandon Beasley back for their seniors
seasons as they tended to carry a bulk of the offense as
juniors last season. They will have a solid line to run behind
with CJ Brewer and John Ayers opening huge holes for them
to run through. If Bowdon is to repeat its extraordinary season, however, they are going to need some young talent step
up into the bright lights of Friday Night Football.
BREMEN BLUE DEVILS
2013 RECORD: 5-5
THE COACH: Scott Hodges
THE PLAYERS: Josh Wolfe (Sr., QB), Tyler Cox (Sr., RB), Brandon Cash (Sr., OL), Charlie Robinson (Sr., OL), Colton Parr
(Sr., LB), Jared Wysner (Sr., DL), Blake Kennedy (Sr., LB),
Daulton Pope (Sr., RB), Andrew McInvale (Sr., LB)
THE WORD: A ton of offseason work was put in to revamp the
defense. Gains were made in the weight room and coach
Scott Hodges, entering his second season at Bremen,
expects all the blood, sweat and tears to pay off moving
forward. Offensively, a strong group of seniors, led by quarterback Josh Wolfe, should help the Blue Devils move past
the 5-5 mark they’ve put up in each of the past two seasons.
CHATTAHOOCHEE COUNTY
PANTHERS
2013 RECORD: 2-8
THE COACH: Russell Morgan
THE PLAYERS: Chris Smith (Sr., QB/DB), Damion Davis (Sr.,
WR/DB), Adrian May (Sr., LB), Alphonse Ruhland (Sr., OL/DL)
THE WORD: The Panthers will have plenty of youth coming
up through the ranks as they have to replace more than 20
seniors departing from last season’s squad. Chris Smith got
in some play at quarterback last season, but he’s going to
have to shift from wide receiver, where he spent a lot of the
year, into the main man under center. Seniors Damion Davis
and Adrian May will have to be vocal leaders on a young
squad, as will Alphonse Ruhland who will be a big part of the
offensive line this season. All-in-all it could be a long year for
Chattahoochee County.
HEARD COUNTY BRAVES
2013 RECORD: 10-2
THE COACH: Tim Barron
THE PLAYERS: Zack Stephens (Sr., LB/WR), Duranta Dunson
(Sr., RB/DB), Elijah Toney (Sr., TE/DE), Austin Barron (Jr., RB/
DB), Levi Brown (Sr., OL/DL), Jacob Bishop (Jr., OL)
THE WORD: Heard County looks to follow up another double-digit win season with a strong showing on the gridiron in
2014. If they are to do so, it will rely heavily on the legs of
Zack Stephens and Duranta Dunson. The two backs will be
much of the offense this season as their extreme athleticism is showcased nearly every play. Another playmaker is
Elijah Toney who can show his skills offensively and defensively as tall and lanky tight end and defensive end. Austin
Barron could get a few carries toting the rock but his main
contributions will come as a defensive back as he is a hard
hitting, ball-hawking safety. Levi Brown is a solid offensive
and defensive lineman with tough skills.
MANCHESTER BLUE DEVILS
2013 RECORD: 7-4
THE COACH: Tanner Glisson
THE PLAYERS: Anthony Bell (Jr., RB), Hunter Foster (Sr., RB/
DB), Jermaine Williams (Sr., WR/DB), Demarcus Addie (Jr., WR),
Nakevious Henley (Sr., DL/OL), Kervontae Ferguson (Sr., DB)
THE WORD: Manchester has consistently been right in the
mix for a playoff position the past decade and this season
should be no difference. The biggest hole on the Blue
Devils roster will be at the quarterback position where
three year starter Quin Prather will depart. His productivity will be missed, but running back Anthony Bell will be
back to provide an offensive presence with his quick, juky
running style. When Manchester finds its quarterback,
the Blue Devils will have a pair of talented wide receivers
in Jermaine Williams and Demarcus Addie, who will likely
find the ball in their hands a good bit as Manchester looks
to make plays. The defense will be a question mark, but
Foster and Kervontae Ferguson will provide a little experience that is much needed.
TEMPLE TIGERS
2013 RECORD: 1-9
THE COACH: Seth Rogers
THE PLAYERS: Devin Lord (Jr., QB), Briahous McPherson (Jr.,
RB), Brandon Monagan (Jr., RB), Charles George (Sr., RB), CJ
Wilkerson (Jr., WR), Justin Morris (Sr., WR),
THE WORD: With a win to finish the season, Temple hopes
to take any momentum they can get into 2014. It will be a
challenge for the Tigers, who lose their top running back, but
they will be glad to have back Briahous McPherson, a playmaker at running back and receiver. Quarterback Devin Lord
managed the offense, though his numbers didn’t sparkle,
Temple should let him explore a little more with the offense
this season. Brandon Monagan and Charles George will see
more carries this year as they attempt to help McPherson
carry the load. The Tigers don’t throw much, but if they let
Lord free a little more, he should be able to get the ball to
CJ Wilkerson and Justin Morris, receivers with good skills.
Region Six
BEST ACADEMY EAGLES
2013 RECORD: 6-5
THE COACH: Josh Moore
THE PLAYERS: Deshawn Waller (Sr., QB/RB), De’Shawn
Maeberry (Sr., WR/DB), Qwantayvious Stiggers (Jr., LB/
WR), Dejaiah Jackson (Jr., RB/DB), Robert Tucker ( Jr., TE/
DE), Rickey Williams (Jr., TE/DL), Darius Marshall (Sr., LB),
Wasonu Allen (Jr., RB/LB),
THE WORD: Coming off a playoff appearance in only its third
season as a program, BEST Academy was led by the electric
Deshawn Waller, a player that is slotted at just about every
skill position on offense, just so the Eagles can get the ball
in his hands. His 2,100 all-purpose yards last season easily
led the team, with over 1,500 of those coming as a running
back. Aside from Waller, the Atlanta school has a plethora
of athletes, many of which reside on the defensive side
of the ball. BEST Academy held seven of 11 teams under
14 points a season ago and they return Wasonu Allen and
Rickey Tucker, who accounted for 10 total sacks a season
ago. Waller will also play some defensive back to provide an
extremely athletic secondary.
GREATER ATLANTA CHRISTIAN
SPARTANS
2013 RECORD: 10-2
THE COACH: Tim Hardy
THE PLAYERS: Micah Abernathy (Sr., RB), Darius Slayton (Sr.,
WR), Paul Carothers (Sr., LB), Tyler Cooksey (Sr., LB), Carson
Cox (Sr., OL), Mitchell Milovich (Sr., DL), Jake Rose (Sr., LB)
THE WORD: There’s only one way to characterize coach Tim
Hardy’s first two seasons at GAC — success. His 20-6 record
is the proof, but it’s not just about winning games. Hardy
has established a good atmosphere around the program
and has worked hard to get players to the college level. Last
season’s two losses were heartbreakers, with the Spartans
losing by a combined four points. This season should see
another playoff run, thanks to athletes Micah Abernathy and
Darius Slayton. There’s no finer one-two punch in the state.
Linebackers Paul Carothers and Tyler Cooksey bring pop to
the front seven. If you’re looking for balanced yet explosive
team, GAC is your ticket.
HAPEVILLE CHARTER HORNETS
2013 RECORD: 1-8-1
THE COACH: Winston Gordon
THE PLAYERS: Antoine Wilder (Sr., DB/WR), LeAnthony Williams (So., DB), Donnie Calliens (Jr., QB), Jaquez Ezzard (Jr.,
WR), Ellwood Smith (So., LB), William Poole (So., DB), Eliah
Goodman (Sr., DE)
THE WORD: There wasn’t much in between as far as age goes
for Hapeville-Charter last season, it was either really young
or old. The Hornets are expecting the youth to mature this
season, as more than a handful of freshman played significant minutes last year. Donnie Calliens is a poised quarterback for his age and they are expecting him to break out as a
junior. Antoine Wilder and Jaquez Ezzard will be expected to
have big seasons as well, as they will be seeing better balls
from Calliens as all three have shown flashes of brilliance.
The defense is pretty young, with sophomores LeAnthony
Williams and William Poole manning the secondary and Ellwood Smith, a fearless hitter, manning one of the linebacker
sports. Eliah Goodman has been a solid defensive end for
the Hornets, if all the young talent matures, it could be a
much improved season for Hapeville Charter.
HOLY INNOCENTS GOLDEN BEARS
2013 RECORD: 7-5
THE COACH: Ryan Livezey
THE PLAYERS: Tre Shaw (So. DB), Sim Patrick (Jr., QB), Evan
Thomas (Jr., RB), Martin Williams (Jr., LB), Christian Ketchup
(Jr., WR/DB), Reed Wilson (Jr., RB/DB), Max Walton (Jr., RB/
LB), Rod Davis (Sr., LB), Jackson Miller (Jr., TE/LB), Jack
Staples (Jr., LB)
THE WORD: The Golden Bears have gone above and beyond
during spring and summer workouts in anticipation of this
season. Holy Innocents will return an abundance of talented
players, led by senior quarterback Sim Patrick, who took
control of the offense down the stretch a season ago to finish the regular season with four straight wins. Evan Thomas
was a big part of the offense as well, getting a good bit of
the load at running back. The defense will be stout for the
Golden Bears with a good core of sophomore and juniors
with corner back Tre Shaw looking to continue the success
he had as a freshman. Martin Williams, Max Walton, Jackson Miller and Jack Staples are all quick linebackers that
have a nose for the ball. If they get one or two more players to contribute this season it could be one for the record
books at Holy Innocents.
KIPP ATLANTA COLLEGIATE
WARRIORS
2013 RECORD: -
THE COACH: -
THE PLAYERS: Michael Bailey (Sr., LB), Otamere Enadeghe
(Sr., DB)
THE WORD: The Warriors have a schedule that includes the
likes of Lovett, GAC and Holy Innocents.
LOVETT LIONS
2013 RECORD: 14-1 State Champions
THE COACH: Mike Muschamp
THE PLAYERS: Willie Candler (Sr., QB), Will Russ (Sr., WR/LB),
Jay Harris (Jr., RB), Murphy Lee (Sr., RB/DB), Will Garaghty
(Sr., TE/DE), Cos Saint (Sr., OL), Michael Corsini (Sr., OL),
Nick Sear (Sr., FB), Sam Perry (Jr., WR), Alex Sayles (Sr., LB),
Jack Gearon (Sr., DE), Sam Perry (Jr., LB), Wes Haley (Sr., LB),
THE WORD: Lovett returns as the state champion and they
still have plenty of bullets left in the gun as they look to
repeat. The offense starts with Willie Candler, the senior
quarterback, who accounted for 23 touchdowns a season
ago passing and running. Candler managed over 1,800
All-Purpose yards while leading Lovett. Jay Harris is another
explosive back that played a major role in the Lions’ title in
only his sophomore campaign. He will have to fill the shoes
of Grant Haley who scored more than 23 touchdowns last
season. The defense will return talented players in Alex Sayles, Jack Gearon, Sam Perry and Wes Haley as Lovett looks
to be on track to repeat as state champions.
PACE ACADEMY KNIGHTS
2013 RECORD: 5-5
THE COACH: Chris Slade
THE PLAYERS: Kevin Johnson (Sr., QB), Malik Staples (Jr.,
RB/DB), Jordan Payne (So., RB/DB), Trevor Cefalu (Jr. WR),
Spencer Hemmingway (Jr., WR), Anthony Trinh (Jr., TE/DL),
Jack Walsh (Jr., OL/LB), DeAndre Byrd (So., DL) Kyle Orr (Jr.,
LB), Philip Markwalter (Jr., LB),
THE WORD: Pace Academy is well set to have a breakout season
as they return a host of players with experience led by quarterback Kevin Johnson. The senior quarterback was spectacular
in 2013, tossing 22 touchdowns to only two interceptions and
eclipsing 1,500 yards through the air. On the ground, Malik
Staples led the Knights with 560 yards rushing and he will get
help from Jordan Payne who got a good many carries as a frosh
last year. Defense is where the Knights will be hard to beat, as
they return Anthony Trinh and DeAndre Byrd who petrified offensive tackles last year as they each had seven sacks apiece.
Add in Kyle Orr and Jack Walsh who each had four sacks and
the defensive line looks like one of the strongest in the state.
The Knights only lose three of their top 11 tacklers on defense
last year, so scoring on Pace Academy could be a challenge for
opponents in 2014.
WESLEYAN WOLVES
2013 RECORD: 2-9
THE COACH: Franklin Pridgen
THE PLAYERS: Drew Aspinwall (Jr., QB), Christian Stark (Sr.,
RB), Josh Garrard (Jr., RB), Ollis Robinson (Sr., RB/LB),
