ITG Next South Georgia October/November 2024 Magazine

NIL Deals: High School Coaches in Georgia and Alabama Weigh-in Top 10 Performers: A Week-by-Week Breakdown Top 10 Georgia High School Football Classes of 2025 & 2026 Recruits

OCT/NOV 2024

Coffee’s Jyarius Carter: Behind a Quiet Demeanor Is One of Georgia’s Most Ferocious Linebackers ITG Next | 1

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Feature Stories 6

Coffee’s Jyarius Carter: Behind a Quiet Demeanor Is One of Georgia’s Most Ferocious Linebackers

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Perry CB Andrew Battle Makes the Most of Opportunity

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Top 10 Performers: A Week-by-Week Breakdown

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Camden County QB Parks Riendeau Voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month

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Top 10 Georgia High School Football Class of 2025 Recruits

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Former GHSA Associate Director and Colquitt County Athletic Director Kevin Giddens Dies at 59

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NIL Deals: High School Coaches in Georgia and Alabama Weigh-in

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Tattnall Square Academy Softball Player Gradie Appling Voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month

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Top 10 Georgia High School Football Class of 2026 Recruits

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COFFEE’S JYARIUS CARTER: Behind a Quiet Demeanor Is One of Georgia’s Most Ferocious Linebackers Written by: Robert Preston Jr. Photography by: Robert Preston Jr.

“He’s the best linebacker I’ve ever coached,” said Coffee defensive coordinator Mike Granato as he discussed senior linebacker Jyarius Carter. “Jyarius is incredibly coachable. He has character and a demeanor about him. He never asks, ‘Why?’ He trusts his teammates, and he trusts his coaches. He has the ability to elevate his teammates around him.”

At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, Carter has turned into one of the best linebackers in the state. On last season’s 15-0 state championship team, Carter tallied 75 total tackles (25 solo, 49 assists), 13 tackles for loss, and five pass deflections. His 75 tackles was second on the team – and he missed two regular-season games due to a staph infection in his left arm.

“I was in the hospital for a week,” Carter said. “I knew I would come back, but I didn’t know when.”

Without the infection, he would have led the team in tackles; he finished second by just three stops.

Prior to the 2022 season, new head football coach Mike Coe came to Coffee. Among the assistants he brought with him was Mike Granato, who said he didn’t know about Carter when he came to Douglas.

Surprisingly, it took Granato a while to realize just how talented Carter was.

“I didn’t have any information on him when I got to Coffee,” Granato said. “There were a few kids I knew about, those who had played the year before, but I had no idea who Jyarius Carter was.”

That changed during the week of preparation prior to the game against Ware County in 2022. To get ready for Ware, Granato put together a scout team defense that ran a stacked formation. Coffee’s current group of linebackers – Carter along with Chris Reed and Mykevius Smith – ran the scout team defense flawlessly.

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“We didn’t run a stacked defense at the time,” Granato said. “When I saw what they did, I told Coach Coe that we were going to have to adjust what we do for those kids.”

What Granato did was revamp his approach for the 2023 season.

“We play defense with an offensive mindset,” Granato said. “We attack the offense. How we play defense now goes back to how we set up those sophomores that week.”

The changes worked. The Trojans had the state’s best defense last season. That defensive unit, along with the GHSA’s best running back, Fred Brown, led Coffee to its first undefeated season and first state championship in school history.

Things haven’t changed much this year. At the time of this writing, the Trojan defense has given up 56 points, 11.2 points per game, en route to a 5-0 record. Carter is second on the team in tackles with 23. He also has one interception, a highlight-reel-worthy, one-handed pick against Gadsden County (Florida) on Sept. 13, and one touchdown, which came on a scoop-and-score against Columbia County (Florida) on Aug. 30.

But Carter’s best play of the season came on Sept. 20 against the Mainland High School Buccaneers (Daytona Beach). On Mainland’s third possession of the second half, Carter made a play near midfield that may have won the game for Coffee.

On fourth-and-1 with the Trojans holding on to a slim 3-0 lead, the Buccaneers went for it. If Mainland converted, their chances of winning increased dramatically.

If they didn’t, the Trojans had a chance to put the game away.

Mainland running back Edward Williams took a direct snap and went right. A small hole opened, and he saw it. Before he navigated his way through, Carter stepped up and closed the gap.

“He met their guy in the hole,” Granato said. “We put all of our chips on him, and he delivered.”

The stop gave Coffee the ball on the Buccaneers’ 47-yard line. The Trojan offense marched downfield and scored to take a 10-0 lead. Coffee held on to win 10-7.

As good as that play was, as impressive as the pick was against Gadsden, you won’t hear Carter say much about either one or about any other play that he makes.

He isn’t interested in talking; he’d rather just play.

“This is a new season,” Carter said. “There’s no pressure on us at all. We know what we have to do.”

Carter is also an excellent student. He carries a 3.6 GPA and always makes his grades a priority. His goal is to play college football. Currently he has three offers on the table, but more will most definitely come.

“My family has made sure I kept my grades up,” Carter said. “I want to enjoy this year, but I’ll be ready to play at the next level. I feel like I can step in and play with no problem.”

“A lot of kids want to get recruited, but not a lot want to be football players when they get on campus,” Granato said. “I don’t worry about Jyarius. He has character, and he’s a leader in the community. Whoever gets him will be extremely fortunate.”

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Perry CB Andrew Battle Makes the Most of Opportunity Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Irish Multimedia

Andrew Battle is a starting cornerback for the defending Class 4A state champion Perry Panthers and has become one of the team’s top defenders in the secondary against both the pass and the run.

In a recent game against rival Veterans High school, Battle was awarded the Player of the Game for Perry. Battle had a touchdown-saving tackle in the fourth quarter that helped preserve the shutout win for the Perry defense.

Battle, a junior, has overcome a lot since joining the varsity squad before last season.

At 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 145 pounds, Battle is considered undersized, even for the position of cornerback, where players are generally among the smaller athletes on the field.

Then there was the issue of experience. Last season as a sophomore, Battle was simply trying to earn playing time as a backup.

Perry head coach Kevin Smith recalled the challenge Battle was facing before last season, trying to get on the field while going up against the best players at their positions.

“Andrew wasn’t competing against just anyone; he was going up against the best receivers in the state in Kory Pettigrew, Kiel Sparks, and Dakarai Anderson,” Smith said.

Pettigrew is a USF commit, and Sparks is receiving attention from a handful of Division I schools. Both are seniors. Anderson graduated last season and is now a member of the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Even though he was facing an uphill battle, Battle embraced the competition each day in practice and sharpened his skills while going against top talent.

Still, Battle spent last season as a backup while waiting for his chance.

When Opportunity Knocks…

Entering this season as a junior, Battle was still considered a backup cornerback.

Smith said Battle came to practice each day with a mindset that if he kept working hard, his time would come, and it finally did.

“A teammate of Andrew’s transferred, and that was when Andrew’s time came,” Smith said.

If Battle was nervous about this opportunity that came out of nowhere, he wasn’t showing it.

“In a situation where some might have felt pressure, Andrew thrived,” Smith said. “He was given a starting role, and since then he hasn’t looked back.”

Battle was determined to make the most of his new opportunity, but others saw opportunity as well. That would be his opposition.

“Andrew has been targeted by opposing quarterbacks, partly because of his size and because he’s a newer face in the starting lineup,” Smith said.

Smith said that instead of faltering under the pressure, his newest starting defensive back has risen to the occasion, and it’s not just in the defensive secondary.

“Andrew also plays a vital role on our special teams,” Smith said.

More Than Stats

At the mid way point of the 2024 Georgia high school football season, Battle has six tackles, including that TD-saving tackle earlier this season, and he has been credited with three passes defended.

“Andrew’s impact on the field goes far beyond just statistics,” Smith said. “His presence in the locker room and on the practice field is invaluable. His work ethic embodies what it means to be a Perry Panther: showing up every day, competing, and never backing down from adversity.”

It’s not just Battle’s abilities on the football field that makes him special, either, Smith said.

“Andrew excels in academics, consistently earning honors and recognition for his hard work in the classroom,” Smith said.

Battle is also a two-time state champion, but not as you might expect.

Smith said that in addition to being a member of last season’s 2023 GHSA Class 4A State Champion football team, Battle was also a key competitor on Perry’s literary team, which captured its own 2023 state championship.

“That was an achievement just as significant to him as his football success,” Smith said.

A True Coffee Bean

Smith introduced the message of, “Be a coffee bean,” to his team last season, and it symbolizes positive change, like the change a coffee bean undergoes when it meets hot water and becomes coffee. It stands for growth, and Smith said that’s exactly what Andrew Battle has represented.

“Andrew has been a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and growth, a true coffee bean in the face of adversity,” Smith said. “His journey from backup to starting cornerback, from a practice competitor to a game-day hero, is a story of hard work paying off, a true champion.”

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Top 10 Performers: A Week-by-Week Breakdown Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: ITG Next Archive

WEEK 1 Top Offensive Performances

Camden County quarterback Parks Riendeau, a senior, completed 12-of-19 passes for 210 yards and passed for four TDs in the Wildcats’ win over Brunswick.

Lee County quarterback Weston Bryan completed 12-of-17 passes for 85 yards and had 18 carries for 82 yards and two TDs to lead the Trojans to a win over Warner Robins.

McIntosh County Academy running back Earnest McIntosh had 13 carries for 134 yards, two TDs, and two 2-point conversions to lead the Buccaneers to a 22-0 win over Islands High School.

Perry running back Decorrion Daniels rushed for 101 yards and two TDs on 17 carries to lead the offense in their win over Baldwin.

Houston County tight end Gavin Kurpis, a senior, scored five TDs in the Bears’ 57-10 victory over Alpharetta. Kurpis had three rushing TDs and two receiving TDs.

Top Defensive Performances Our top performers from each week of the 2024 Georgia high school football season so far had big games, and some had the key play at just the right time to help their teams secure the win.

If you know of a player who deserves recognition for a big performance, please send an email to phil@itgnext.com and be sure to include the player’s name, team, position, game stats, and a brief description of their performance in the game.

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Collins Hill defensive lineman Deuce Geralds, a junior, made eight tackles, including four sacks, to become the school’s all-time sacks leader with 28 ½ sacks, surpassing Tomon Fox, who held the previous record with 27 career sacks.

North Gwinnett safety Jalen Gist, a junior, recovered a fumble and returned it 18 yards for a touchdown in their 39-17 win over McEachern. He also had a sack and forced two quarterback hurries, according to North Gwinnett head coach Eric Godfree.

Mill Creek linebacker Connor Faber, a senior, led the defense with 10 tackles, including a quarterback sack. He also recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown for Mill Creek’s opening score in their 56-26 win over Lambert.

Top Special Teams Performances

Hebron Christian kicker Cam Eblen was successful on two field goal attempts, one from 25 yards and one from 27 yards; put four kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks; and was 6-of-6 on extra point attempts in the Lions’ 48-0 win over Therrell.

Coffee kicker Jonah Saylor, a senior, kicked a 45-yard field goal, was 8-for-8 on extra point attempts, and had four touchbacks in the Trojans’ 59-6 win over Bainbridge.

WEEK 2 Top Offensive Performances

Archer quarterback Jordan Do completed 23-of-32 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns.

Milton tight end and athlete Ethan Barbour had seven receptions for 131 yards and one TD, had one rushing TD, and completed a pass attempt for 26 yards to play a big part in Milton’s win over American Heritage (Plantation, Florida).

Lowndes quarterback Jayce Johnson completed 15-of-17 pass attempts for 190 yards passing and two TDs. He also had two carries for 20 yards rushing to lead the Vikings to their second straight win to start the season.

Perry running back Ahmad Gordon had 29 carries for 179 yards and two TDs to help lead the Trojans to a 49-39 win over Peach County last week.

Cook quarterback MJ Tippins had 15 carries for 118 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run. He also completed 9-of-13 pass attempts for 168 yards and one TD. Tippins’s efforts went a long way in helping Cook defeat Bainbridge 13-10.

Coffee running back Tyrese Woodgett had 35 carries for 209 yards and three TDs.

Top Defensive Performances

Collins Hill defensive lineman Deuce Geralds, a junior, was once again dominant for his team’s defense. Last week he became the school’s all-time sacks leader in the Eagles’ season opening win at Grayson. This week Geralds led a smothering defensive effort with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks, eight hurried attempts, and one pass breakup in Collins Hill’s win over Woodward Academy. That gives him seven sacks in the first two games of the season.

Archer athlete Christon Jones made 16 tackles, including four tackles for loss

Top Special Teams Performances

Richmond Hill senior Aiden Grant blocked two extra point attempts to help the Wildcats defeat Glynn Academy.

Colquitt County kicker Brett Fitzgerald was 1-of-1 on field goal attempts with a 36-yarder. He was 7-of-7 on extra point attempts and recovered his own onside kick attempt in the Packers’ win over Monroe.

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WEEK 3 Top Offensive Performances

Central (Carroll) quarterback JR Harris was 14-of-20 passing for 304 yards and two touchdowns and had eight carries for 73 yards and three TDs in his team’s 44-21 win over Hiram. That comes to a grand total of 377 all-purpose yards and five TDs for the sophomore.

Houston County wide receiver Isaiah Mitchell had 10 receptions for 192 yards and four TDs to lead the Bears to a win over Perry.

Brooks County wide receiver George Lamons Jr., a four-star recruit for the Class of 2027, had three receptions for three TDs and 157 yards receiving to help lead his team to a thrilling win over Cook.

Carrollton quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis completed 30-of-35 passes for 352 yards passing and five TDs, then ran for one TD from 5 yards out to lead the Trojans to a 44-22 win over Rome.

Top Defensive Performances

Camden County safety Ja’maric Daley, a senior, had six tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception in the Wildcats’ win over West Broward (Florida).

Benedictine defensive back Eron Mallard, a sophomore, had a 100-yard interception return for a TD to help secure the Cadets’ first victory of the 2024 season.

Richmond Hill defensive end Omar Khalil, a senior, had six tackles, including three sacks, and one forced fumble to help his Wildcats to a 45-0 win over Everglades (Florida).

Colquitt County defensive lineman Amari Wilson had 10 tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack, in the Packers’ loss versus North Gwinnett.

Top Special Teams Performances

Lowndes kicker Aiden Andrews had a perfect night in every phase of the kicking game in the Vikings’ win over South Gwinnett. He did not allow a single kickoff to be returned; all seven kickoffs were touchbacks. He was also successful on 5-of-5 extra point kicks and on 1-of-1 field goal attempts with a 32-yard field goal.

McEachern kicker Jonathan Rodriguez, a senior, was a big factor in the Indians’ close win over Marietta last week. All seven of his kickoffs were also touchbacks, and he was successful on 3-of-3 extra point kicks and on 4-of-4 field goal attempts, which were from 27 yards, 36 yards, 41 yards, and 47 yards.

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WEEK 4 Top Offensive Performances

Cairo running back Bryian Duncan set a school record in Cairo’s 63-24 win over Kathleen (Florida) with 300 yards rushing on 16 carries and five touchdowns.

North Oconee wide receiver Landon Roldan, a UGA commit, had seven receptions for 185 yards and three TDs, two carries for 10 yards and two rushing TDs, and one forced fumble on defense to lead the Titans to a 36-13 win over Clarke Central.

Richmond Hill running back Joshua Troupe had 31 carries for 277 yards and four TDs in the Wildcats’ win over New Hampstead.

Savannah Christian running back Harry “Zo” Smalls had 38 carries for 214 yards rushing to lead the Raiders to a 44-20 win over the Oceanside Landsharks (South Carolina).

Lowndes running back Aalim Brown had eight carries for 208 yards and two TDs to help the Vikings improve to 4-0 on the season with a 30-15 win over previously undefeated Manatee (Florida).

Top Defensive Performances

Savannah Christian defensive back Kenry Wall returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Oceanside. His first interception was returned 40 yards for the TD, and his second interception was returned 50 yards for the TD. Thomas County Central defensive back AaCoyah Rawls, a senior, returned an interception 45 yards for a TD to help lead the Yellow Jackets to a 48-10 win over crosstown rival Thomasville.

Collins Hill linebacker Javyon Hatch had 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery returned for a TD to help lead the Eagles to a 27-10 win over Parkview, their fourth straight win of the season.

Top Special Teams Performances

Lakeside (Evans) athlete Ty Jones returned a punt 79 yards for a TD, which was part of a 343-all purpose-yards performance for the Panthers star. He also had 185 yards passing and 79 yards rushing to help his team defeat crosstown rival Evans 21-0.

Thomas County Central kicker and punter Drew Reneau connected on two field goal attempts, one from 42 yards and one from 28 yards; was 6-for-6 on extra point attempts; and made a 42-yard punt in the game versus Thomasville.

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WEEK 5 Top Overall Performance

Marietta athlete Anthony Kruah led his Blue Devils to a 34-0 win over Etowah. On the night, Kruah had three carries for 85 yards and one touchdown, two receptions for 39 yards, a 37-yard interception returned for a TD, and three tackles.

Top Offensive Performances Lee County quarterback Weston Bryan had 24 carries for 143 yards and four rushing TDs, and he passed for 102 yards and two more TDs to give him a six-TD performance in the 47-35 win over Colquitt County.

Lowndes athlete Marvis Parrish had a night to remember as he led the Vikings to a big win over Kell. Parrish made a 75-yard touchdown run in which he had to break numerous tackles from start to finish. Here’s his total stat line for the night: He rushed for 100 yards and two TDs on five carries, was 1-of-1 passing for 60 yards and one TD, caught two passes for 3 yards, and had one interception on defense.

Cairo running back Bryian Duncan rushed for 224 yards and three TDs on 17 carries to lead the Syrupmakers to a 27-10 win over Cook.

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Top Defensive Performances

Milton defensive lineman Billy Weivoda made eight tackles, including 3 ½ tackles for loss, 3 ½ sacks, and one QB pressure, to help lead the Eagles to their 28-14 win over Blessed Trinity.

A trio of North Gwinnett defenders had a big game. Free safety Malekhi Weedon made eight tackles and caught two interceptions.

Linebacker Ethan Robinson made 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss, one pass breakup, and one sack. Linebacker Jake Godfree made nine tackles, including two tackles for loss and one sack.

Top Special Teams Performances

Colquitt County kicker Brett Fitzgerald broke the Georgia all-time extra point record during last week’s game versus Lee County. It was the first of five consecutive extra points for the Packers kicker.

Rome kicker Alex Vazquez-Fonseca was successful on two field goal attempts, nailing a 25-yarder and a 44-yarder. He was also 3-of3 on extra point attempts in Rome’s 27-7 win over East Paulding.

WEEK 6 Top Offensive Performances

Top Defensive Performances

Irwin County quarterback Luke Snyder • Five TDs total • Completed 7-of-11 passes for 130 yards and two TDs • Eight carries for 82 yards rushing and three TDs

Sumter County strong safety Keaston Taylor • Six tackles • One interception • One fumble recovery

North Gwinnett wide receiver and kick returner Nicholas Bookman • Three receptions for 97 yards and two TDs • 45-yard punt return for a TD

Top Special Teams Performances

Cook athlete Nigel Kenney • Five TDs total • 14 carries for 94 yards rushing • Four rushing TDs of 1 yard, 4 yards, 36 yards, and 28 yards • One receiving TD from 68 yards

Benedictine athlete Chris “Bubba” Frazier • Seven receptions for 233 yards and one TD • Four rushes for 74 yards and one TD • One kick return for 29 yards

Richmond Hill running back Joshua Ulrich-Troupe • 29 carries for 221 yards rushing and three TDs • Ran for a 2-point conversion

North Gwinnett linebacker Jake Godfree • Eight tackles • One tackle for loss • One interception

Colquitt County kicker Brett Fitzgerald • 3-of-3 on field goal attempts from 50 yards, 31 yards, and 27 yards, respectively • 5-of-5 on extra point attempts • 7-of-7 kickoffs were touchbacks (not returnable) • Recovered his own onside kick

Pierce County kicker Garrett Stevenson • His 47-yard field goal as time expired secured the win for Pierce County over Brooks County.

• 2-of-2 on extra point attempts

Collins Hill safety Stephen Barjolo • Blocked a field goal attempt by Central Gwinnett in the fourth quarter to help preserve Collins Hill’s lead (Collins Hill won the game and remains undefeated.)

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WEEK 7 Top Overall Performance

Perry athlete Decorrion Daniels led Perry in their 80-47 win over New Hampstead. Daniels amassed 354 all-purpose yards, which includes seven rushes for 51 yards and one touchdown, two receptions for 95 yards and one TD, one interception returned 75 yards for a TD, and one kickoff returned 96 yards for a TD.

Top Offensive Performances

Lee County quarterback Weston Bryan completed 9-of-13 passes for 139 yards and rushed for 157 yards and four TDs on 26 carries in the Trojans’ 35-23 win over Thomas County Central.

Winder-Barrow running back MJ Dowdy set a school record in their 57-43 win over Habersham Central, rushing for 347 yards and five TDs. This victory also marks Winder Barrow’s 300th program win.

New Hampstead quarterback Rashawn Truell set a new GHSA record for most passing yards in a game with 635 yards passing versus Perry. He also passed for 6 TDs. Sumter County athlete Da'montae Reeves led the Panthers to a 56-0 win over Jordan. He had 18 carries for 139 yards and three TDs and returned one punt 47 yards for a TD. Jackson County quarterback RJ Knapp III led his team to a 48-10 win over Alcovy. In the first two quarters, Knapp completed 14-of-16 passes for 169 yards and five TDs and had four carries for 47 yards and another TD.

Top Defensive Performances

Sumter County strong safety Keaston Taylor returned an interception 38 yards for a TD in the Panthers’ 56-0 win over Jordan.

Lee County safety Jacori White had six tackles, one pass breakup, and three interceptions, including one that was returned for a TD, in the Trojans’ 35-23 win over Thomas County Central.

Top Special Teams Performances

Social Circle kicker Preston Guy was 2-for-2 on extra point attempts and 3-for-3 on field goal attempts from 37 yards, 39 yards, and 44 yards, respectively, in the Redskins’ 29-22 win over Putnam County. Three of Guy’s kickoffs were touchbacks, i.e., not returnable.

Marist kicker Drew Linnihan was 5-for-5 on extra point attempts and 2-for-2 on field goal attempts from 24 yards and 29 yards, respectively, in the War Eagles’ 47-13 win over Southwest DeKalb. He also made a 43-yard punt, and all eight of his kickoffs were touchbacks, i.e., not returnable.

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Camden County quarterback Parks Riendeau had been voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month.

Riendeau, a junior, is in his third season at Camden County.

Last year as a sophomore, Riendeau led Camden County to a 10-4 record and a trip to the Class 7A semifinals in his first full season as the team’s starting quarterback. Playing in a run-heavy Wing-T offense, he still averaged 18.2 yards per completion, passing for over 1,180 yards with 15 touchdowns.

In 2024, he has led Camden County to a 5-0 record through the Wildcats’ first half of the regular season.

Taking a closer look at his accomplishments, Riendeau has been successful while learning a completely different offense.

In the offseason Camden County hired a new head football coach after Jeff Herron announced his retirement. Travis Roland took over as the Wildcats’ new head coach, and he implemented an offense that he admitted can be a bit tricky for a quarterback to learn, especially coming from a traditional run-first scheme.

“Making the transition from the Wing-T to the Quarterback-Centric Power Spread RPO system is never easy, but Parks Riendeau has found a way to do so and flourish in his new role as our offensive decision maker,” Roland said.

Roland said that through the first month of the season, Riendeau has thrown for 1,030 yards with 13 touchdowns and just one interception while completing 72% of his passes.

Roland also pointed out that with Riendeau at the controls the Camden County offense has averaged 54.5 points per game, the highest in the state of Georgia so far this season.

Those accomplishments are the reason Riendeau received the nomination for Athlete of the Month.

While those are impressive numbers for the fans, coaches, and media to see, Roland said that Riendeau puts in a lot of hard work behind the scenes, which has contributed to his success both on and off the field.

“Parks’s commitment to the new offense started back in the spring, has continued through the summer, and now into the first half of the season,” Roland said. “Increased film study, extra reps before and after practice, and pursuing excellence in the weight room have all added to the sum of the parts Parks has put together to lead this team.”

In addition to his on-the-field accomplishments and quarterback duties, Riendeau has a 4.40 GPA and plays catcher for the Camden County baseball team.

“I’ve loved watching him grow into the athlete he has become today,” Jill Gay-Garay, Parks Riendeau’s mother, said about her son.

“Baseball was Parks’s first love, but at 8 years old football quickly stole his heart,” said James Riendeau, Parks Riendeau’s father.

Congratulations to Parks Riendeau, our ITG Next Georgia Male Athlete of the Month for September 2024.

Camden County QB Parks Riendeau Voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Male Athlete of the Month Written by: Phil Jones | Photography courtesy of Tribune & Georgian

ITG Next | 21

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Top 10 Georgia High School Football Class of 2025 Recruits Written by: Matt Melton | Photography by: ITG Next Archive

A state loaded with talent, Georgia is home to some of the nation’s best high school football players in every recruiting cycle. If you needed an example of this, just take a look back at recent years, and you will find names that include the likes of Trevor Lawrence, Travis Hunter, Justin Fields, Caleb Downs, Jadon Haselwood, and Arik Gilbert, among countless others.

The Class of 2025 in Georgia is no different from the rest, as many of the nation’s top high school football prospects call the Peach State home.

A group featuring multiple top defensive linemen, one of the nation’s elite quarterbacks, and numerous names that will likely call the SEC home in the near future, here are the top Class of 2025 high school football recruits in Georgia, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

(NOTE: Stats mentioned below for the 2024 high school football season are current as of Sept. 17, 2024.)

10. Tavion Wallace, Linebacker – Wayne County Yellow Jackets

Georgia is home to many of the nation’s elite 2025 linebackers, the first of which is Tavion Wallace fromWayne County High School.

A four-star prospect, Wallace made more than 100 tackles across the past two seasons combined and has received more than 20 collegiate offers. He is currently committed to Arkansas as the Razorbacks’ top 2025 commit.

9. Tae Harris, Safety – Cedartown Bulldogs

Tae Harris, who attends Cedartown High School, is one of the top safeties in the country and a two-way player for the Bulldogs. He rushed for over 400 yards and made more than 40 tackles a year ago.

A four-star prospect, Harris is a former Georgia commit who is currently committed to Clemson over a list of more than 20 other collegiate offers.

Harris is one of the top two-way players in Georgia high school football so far this season. Over Cedartown’s first five games, he rushed for 451 yards with nine total offensive touchdowns and compiled 29 tackles defensively.

8. Josh Petty, Offensive Tackle – Fellowship Christian Paladins

A highly rated four-star prospect with more than 40 collegiate offers, Josh Petty is one of the top offensive tackles in the 2025 Class, although he has played on both sides of the ball for Fellowship Christian.

Petty is currently committed to Georgia Tech, where he is not only the program’s top 2025 commit, but one of the highest rated prospects to ever commit to the Yellow Jackets.

ITG Next | 25

7. Darrell Johnson, Linebacker – Dodge County Indians

Georgia high school football is home to multiple five-star prospects in the Class of 2025, the first of which is Darrell Johnson from Dodge County High School.

The linebacker has seen time on both sides of the ball for the Indians in recent years, and he is currently committed to Alabama over more than 20 additional collegiate offers.

6. Zayden Walker, Linebacker – Schley County Wildcats

Zayden Walker is not only the state’s top linebacker, but also ranks as the second-best nationally in the 2025 recruiting cycle.

The five-star prospect has been one of Georgia high school football’s top two-way players since his freshman season, racking up over 1,900 yards rushing and more than 40 tackles for loss combined over that span.

Over five games for the Schley County Wildcats so far this season, Walker has racked up 31 tackles, 5 ½ tackles for loss, and one interception defensively, along with over 100 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.

Walker is committed to Georgia over offers from nearly 30 other collegiate programs.

5. Elyiss Williams, Tight End – Camden County Wildcats

The state’s top tight end is also the nation’s No. 1 player at the position in Elyiss Williams, a five-star prospect out of Camden County.

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Williams, a Georgia commit with more than 15 collegiate offers, had over 500 yards receiving a year ago with the Wildcats and is well on his way to an even better 2024 season as a senior.

Over five games so far this season, Williams has been one of Camden County’s top pass catchers, amassing 457 yards and six touchdowns on 33 receptions.

4. Isaiah Gibson, Edge Rusher – Warner Robins Demons

Georgia high school football is home to the nation’s top-ranked edge rusher in Isaiah Gibson, who attends Warner Robins High School. He was one of the state’s most productive pass rushers last season with 17 sacks as a junior.

Gibson is a five-star prospect with nearly 40 collegiate offers. He is currently committed to Georgia, where he is the Bulldogs’ top 2025 commit.

3. Julian Lewis, Quarterback – Carrollton Trojans

An often talked about prospect, Julian Lewis is the state’s top quarterback and a five-star recruit. He holds nearly 40 collegiate offers and is committed to USC, where he is tops in the Trojans’ 2025 Class.

Lewis reclassified from the 2026 Class to the 2025 cycle coming off a stellar sophomore season last year. In 2023 he threw for over 3,000 yards and had a TD-to-interception ratio of 48-to-2 for Carrollton, one of Georgia’s top high school football teams.

Lewis has once again been arguably Georgia’s top quarterback so far this season. Across five games he has completed 78.9% of his passes for 1,218 yards, has a

TD-to-interception ratio of 20-to-2, and has rushed for another score.

2. Justus Terry, Defensive Lineman – Manchester Blue Devils

Ranking as the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman, Justus Terry, a five-star prospect with nearly 20 collegiate offers, sits in second on this list.

A former Georgia and USC commit, the Manchester High School product is a sought after recruit in the 2025 Class and coming off a junior season in which he had 13 sacks for the Blue Devils.

So far this season, Terry has amassed 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack across one game.

1. Elijah Griffin, Defensive Lineman – Savannah Christian Raiders

Georgia’s top recruit in the 2025 Class is Elijah Griffin from Savannah Christian. He is considered to be the nation’s No. 4 overall player and the top defensive lineman in the cycle.

A five-star prospect with 40 collegiate offers, Griffin is currently down to a final three that includes Georgia, Miami, and USC. Griffin entered his 2024 campaign coming off back-to-back seasons with more than 30 tackles for loss and double-digit sacks. Over four games so far this season, he has amassed 21 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks.

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ITG Next | 27

Former GHSA Associate Director and Colquitt County Athletic Director Kevin Giddens Dies at 59 Written by: Phil Jones

Kevin Giddens, who worked with several Georgia high school programs as a coach and administrator for over 30 years before joining the GHSA as an associate director in 2018, died unexpectedly on June 19.

At the time of his death, Giddens, 59, was living in Moultrie, Georgia, where he had returned following his retirement from the GHSA in 2023.

“Losing Kevin has just been devastating to me personally and to our office,” said Dr. Robin Hines, former GHSA Executive Director.

“There’s not a better guy in the world, and I can't say there was anybody as loyal to me as a friend or loyal to me in a professional sense. We got along really well. We shared a lot of the same interests and philosophies on things, and he was just a really good friend. I’m going to miss him terribly.”

During his time at the GHSA, Giddens was responsible for all of the association's 465 member football programs as the football coordinator.

“People have no idea how hard it is to be the sport administrator for football and how big it is,” Hines said. “Everyone sees the games, the play-offs, and the championships, but nobody understands how much work is required behind the scenes to make it all work. But Kevin did it flawlessly. I can tell you in my time I never had anyone more knowledgeable, more organized, and that had the ability to multi-task and get things done than Kevin, but he was perfect.”

Giddens also introduced bass fishing as a sanctioned sport available to GHSA members schools. He continued to work with the GHSA’s bass fishing program even after retiring from the organization.

“He made Georgia high school football great, and he brought that same approach to his other sports like officiating,” Hines said about Gid-dens. “And look what he did with bass fishing. He has made it into the biggest high school bass fishing program in the country. The guy could just do anything.”

Giddens was part of the Colquitt County Packers’ three football state championships, first in 1994 as the team’s offensive line coach under for-mer head coach Dr. Jim Hughes and again when the team won back-to-back state titles in 2014 and 2015.

Giddens was the athletic director at Colquitt County from 2013 to 2016. He also served as an assistant principal at Colquitt County in 2001.

Kevin Giddens is survived by his wife, Lynn Giddens; children, Shannon Giddens and Bryce Giddens; grandchildren, Baylor Giddens and Bo Gid-dens; mother, Catherine Giddens; and siblings, Joan Shipley and Janet Davis.

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“There’s not a better guy in the world, and I can’t say there was anybody as loyal to me as a friend or loyal to me in a professional sense.

We got along really well.

We shared a lot of the same interests and philosophies on things, and he was just a really good friend. I’m going to miss him terribly.”

— Dr. Robin Hines, former GHSA Executive Director

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NIL Deals: High School Coaches in Georgia and Alabama Weigh-in Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: ITG Next Archive

NIL has become one of the most talked-about topics among high school and college athletes, coaches, parents, and fans.

ITG Next takes a look at NIL and gives you an overview of what it is and how the student-athletes can benefit from NIL.

What is NIL?

NIL is an abbreviation that stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. At its most basic level, NIL is a way for high school and college athletes to benefit monetarily from using their name, image, and likeness for marketing or promotional purposes.

How Did NIL Get Started?

In 2008 former UCLA men's basketball player Ed O’Bannon discovered that EA Sports had produced a video game based on college sports that used his likeness, which he had not consented to or been compensated for.

In 2009 O’Bannon sued the NCAA for the right to be compensated for the commercial use of his name, image, and likeness. O’Bannon claimed that NCAA rules prohibiting him and other college athletes from such compensation were a violation of federal antitrust laws.

Nineteen other plaintiffs joined O’Bannon’s class action lawsuit against the NCAA, and in 2015 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decided in O’Bannon’s favor.

Ultimately, O’Bannon helped usher in changes to the way college athletes are compensated for their NILs. After years of court arguments and proceedings on how the NCAA should handle compensating its student-athletes, a ruling in the summer of 2021 brought about the creation of new rules by the NCAA that removed restrictions on college athletes receiving paid endorsements and sponsorship deals.

NIL at the High School Level

State associations governing high school athletics have now started allowing high school athletes to benefit from NIL deals. At the beginning of 2024, approximately 33 states had a high school athletics association permitting some form of NIL. As of March 1, 2024, the GHSA in Georgia does allow NIL for high school students, and the AHSAA in Alabama does not.

ITG Next | 33

NIL in Georgia

State associations that currently allow high school athletes to benefit from NIL agreements each have their own specific rules and restrictions regarding what is and isn't allowed, although practically every state prohibits the use of any reference to the student’s school, including the school’s name, logo, mascot, uniform, or other intellectual property that implies an affiliation with the school.

This is true in Georgia, which was the 30th state to allow student-athletes to benefit from NIL deals.

Although over half of the 50 states in the U.S. allow some form of NIL for high school athletes, NIL deals have actually been slow to take off at the high school level.

According to GHSA Executive Director Dr. Robin Hines, as of Feb. 28, 2024, only 33 of the approximately 430,000 high school student-athletes in Georgia have entered into an NIL agreement. That’s less than 0.01%.

NIL is still in the early stages, but as it continues to evolve and opportunities continue to grow, you can expect many more high school athletes to become involved in NIL at some level.

NIL in Alabama

Although Alabama was one of the first states to approve NIL for its high school athletes, the law was repealed in July 2022, preventing any Alabama high school student-athlete from securing an NIL agreement.

Since then, Rep. Jeremy Gray has become an outspoken proponent of making NIL available to high school athletes in Alabama. In December 2023, Gray filed House Bill 25 to once again allow NIL among Alabama’s high school students.

HB25 proposes restrictions similar to those laid out in Georgia’s NIL bylaws. In addition to prohibiting the use of a member school’s intellectual property and any trademarked GHSA logos or acronyms as part of an NIL deal, the bylaws also specify that an NIL agreement cannot be contingent on an athlete’s specific athletic performance or achievement.

As of May 20, 2024, the Alabama House of Representatives has not ruled on whether to allow NIL to move forward at the high school level in Alabama

High School NIL Agreements Come in All Shapes and Sizes

So far, NIL deals at the high school level have been few and far between. They range from smaller deals between local businesses and high school athletes who are well known in their communities to bigger deals between national brands and nationally ranked high school recruits.

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The First NIL Deal in Georgia

It is believed that Mount Pisgah Christian School boys basketball standout Isaac Bealer, a point guard, became the first Georgia high school athlete to sign an NIL deal.

Bealer’s deal with Webb Wealth Advisors, which was cemented within hours of the GHSA’s vote allowing NIL, is an example of a local business partnering with a local student-athlete to promote their services.

Icon Source, a marketplace that helps to negotiate and facilitate NIL deals between athletes and businesses, was directly involved in Bealer’s agreement with Webb Wealth Advisors.

“We facilitated that deal for them,” said Mick Hamilton, vice president of operations for Icon Source.

NIL Deals on a National Level

Soon after Bealer’s NIL deal materialized, three highly recruited high school athletes from Georgia signed their own NIL deals.

KJ Bolden and Sammy Brown, both five-star recruits, each signed NIL deals with Super Patch, a company that produces patches athletes can wear and that they claim will improve recovery and focus for athletes.

Carrollton High School quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, also a fivestar recruit, has signed several NIL deals and became just the second high school athlete ever to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Lebron James was the first.

Hamilton said that Icon Source was involved in all three of those NIL agreements. Icon has emerged as one of the leaders in facilitating NIL agreements involving both high school and college athletes.

These are examples of the larger, more lucrative NIL deals that occur with players who are well known on a statewide and national level.

The Future of High School NIL

As mentioned earlier, there are very few NIL deals among Georgia high school student-athletes.

“Right now high school NIL is still super new, and there’s just not that many high school athletes who have benefited from an NIL deal of any size,” Hamilton said.

Will that change? Hamilton thinks so, but it depends on the athlete.

“I tell high school athletes that you have to be marketable,” Hamilton said.

He said that even with the elite athletes, how well they do with NIL depends on more than just their athletic abilities.

“You may be a five-star athlete, but there are a lot of them in the country,” Hamilton said. “What is going to separate you from the others?

“Julian Lewis is a great QB, but he has a lot of other great traits too. He takes off the helmet, and that hair looks great, and he is very charismatic, and that represents a lot of what companies are looking for when it comes to NIL.”

What’s Next for NIL at the High School Level?

Hamilton expects NIL to continue to grow, and he has a good reason for thinking that.

“This is how things were in the beginning with NIL at the collegiate level, but it has obviously changed,” he said.

He said college athletic directors were dismissive of NIL when it first launched, but since then their stance has changed. Hamilton thinks the same will happen with high school NIL. “Give it two or three years, and you’ll see a difference,” he said.

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Alabama High School Coaches Georgia High School Coaches Weigh-in on NIL Ben Reaves, Milton High School Head Football Coach: Weigh-in on NIL “I personally wish NIL was not a thing in high school sports, but as we know everyKirk Johnson, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Head Football Coach: “I’m not a fan of it (NIL). High school is the only spot left where the game is pure.”

Keith Ethridge, Auburn High School Head Football Coach: “I am not totally against NIL, but I would just love to know how it would be structured and who will be responsible for making sure all the rules would be enforced. I would love to hear all of the details about NIL and how it would be policed in high school.

“I feel like it has gotten out of control in college, and I don’t want to see high school sports ruined.

I just think if you start throwing money at high school kids the way they have done in college, it will cause corruption.”

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thing that occurs at the college level will eventually trickle down to us.

“In my opinion, high school football is the purest version of the sport these days, and the more we try to mix in adult-like policies and finances, the less pure it can potentially become.

“However, it is here; it is a thing. And like (with) all new policies, I know Milton football will do everything we can to educate our athletes on the current rules and support any of them who may have an NIL opportunity come their way.”

Sean Calhoun, Colquitt County High School Head Football Coach: “If it’s a passionate fan that loves that football program and wants to throw a few bucks at the star player and promote his business, great. If it’s a few kids, unicorns basically, who can get a national deal, great. Make whatever money they can.

“But if it becomes a recruiting tool to get a kid to come play, not great.”

John Mohring, Wayne County High School Head Football Coach: “I’m all for kids in both high school and college being compensated, but the way in which it happens needs to be policed. People are always looking for ways to use these types of things to their advantage.

“Obviously, the NIL system is a little broken at the college level, and, hopefully, that will be fixed before they try to introduce it at the high school level.”

Brian Nelson, Mary Persons High School Head Football Coach: “I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing, but it’s still very much in its infancy stage right now to know what the long term effects will be at the high school level.

“Will it affect where a kid plays football? That’s a big concern, and that’s where it gets to be a very gray area as far as the rules are concerned. In fact, I think it’s already a very gray area right now.”

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ITG Next | 37

Tattnall Square Academy Softball Player Gradie Appling Voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: Lee McDavid

Tattnall Square Academy softball player Gradie Appling has been voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.

Appling, a senior, plays shortstop and hits leadoff for Tattnall Square Academy.

As a four-year starter for the Trojans, she has been a big part of the team’s success, which includes back-to-back appearances in the GIAA Class 3A state finals in 2022 and 2023. Unfortunately, TSA came up just short both seasons, losing to rival Westfield by one run in 2022 and by a 13-4 margin in 2023.

Appling was also named the GHSA Class 1A-Private Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season.

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“Gradie has had a major impact on our team for all four years of her career at Tattnall,” Jordan Brooks, Tattnall Square Academy head softball coach, said. “I have had the pleasure of coaching her for the last three seasons, and it has been obvious at the impact she has made on the entire Tattnall Square softball program.”

Appling and her TSA teammates would love to get another shot at that elusive state title, and so far things are off to a great start. The Trojans are 18-5 overall after the first month of the season, including a 5-1 start in region play.

Appling is off to a redhot start, leading the team in almost every offensive

category. Through 23 games, Appling leads the team with a .565 batting average, .611 on-base percentage, 14 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 46 runs scored, 38 hits, 43 RBIs, and 1.212 slugging percentage.

Appling is second on the team in triples with two and second in doubles with nine. Molly Kemp leads the team in triples with three, and Reece Covington leads the team in doubles.

Appling also leads the team with a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Brooks said that Appling has worked hard, which is paying off for her and the team.

“Her success this year is a testament to her hard work and dedication to

the game of softball,” Brooks said.

From the 2021 season through the current 2024 season, Appling has a total of 30 home runs with a .512 batting average across 62 games.

While Appling is hoping to end her final high school softball season with a state championship, it won’t be her last chance at a championship, regardless of what happens.

Appling will be taking her talents to LSU,

where she’ll play softball for the Tigers. Gradie has been verbally committed to LSU since September 2023.

In addition to softball, Appling also plays basketball for the Trojans.

Congratulations to Gradie Appling, our ITG Next Georgia Female Athlete of the Month for September 2024.

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Top 10 Georgia High School Football Class of 2026 Recruits Written by: Matt Melton Photography by: ITG Next Archive

While it’s a common occurrence for the senior class to get a majority of the attention annually on the recruiting trail, let’s not forget about the juniors entirely. You know, the players who are “up next” to shine as seniors, but are still good enough as juniors to already begin garnering national attention as recruits.

That is exactly what is occurring for the Class of 2026 in Georgia high school football, as the state already has several players who have burst into the national spotlight, with this actually happening for many prior to the start of their junior seasons.

In a state that produces truly elite talent year to year, let’s take a look at the Top 10 Class of 2026 recruits from Georgia, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, starting with No. 10.

(NOTE: Stats, when possible, mentioned below for the 2024 season are current as of Sept. 17, 2024.)

10. Bryce Perry-Wright, Defensive Lineman – Buford Wolves

A versatile defensive lineman, Bryce Perry-Wright is likely the next great prospect to come out of Buford High School on that side of the ball. The four-star recruit, who holds nearly 40 collegiate offers, is coming off a season in which he had more than 50 tackles and 7 ½ sacks for the Wolves as a sophomore.

Across his first four games of the 2024 season, Perry-Wright boasts a stat line of 20 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks.

9. Dorian Barney, Cornerback – Carrollton Trojans

Arguably Georgia high school football’s top cornerback regardless of class comes in the 2026 cycle in Dorian Barney, who is a four-star prospect out of Carrollton. Barney was a transfer addition for the Trojans during the offseason. He had more than 30 tackles and four interceptions a year ago at Peachtree Ridge.

With nearly 40 collegiate offers, Barney is an Alabama commit who is tops in the Crimson Tide’s 2026 Class.

8. Cam Brooks, Edge Rusher – Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets

Cam Brooks is a highly rated four-star prospect out of Thomas County Central High School who holds over 30 collegiate offers. A multi-year contributor for the Yellow Jackets, Brooks is coming off a sophomore season in which he had 8 ½ sacks for the undefeated Class 6A state champions.

Over his first four games of the 2024 season, the talented pass-rusher has racked up four tackles and two sacks for the Yellow Jackets.

ITG Next | 41

7. Aaron Gregory, Wide Receiver – Douglas County Tigers

The Douglas County Tigers have two wide receivers among the state’s top 2026 recruits, the first of which is Aaron Gregory.

A highly rated four-star prospect with more than 45 collegiate offers, Gregory was a two-way player for the Tigers a year ago, when he had nearly 800 yards receiving and 20 tackles.

In his first four games of the 2024 season, Gregory has once again made an impact on both sides of the ball; he has hauled in 18 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns on offense and has made 13 tackles defensively.

6. Kaiden Prothro, Tight End – Bowdon Red Devils

Georgia is not only home to one of the nation’s premier 2025 tight ends, but the state also has a top 2026 player at the position in Kaiden Prothro. A five-star prospect with more than 25 collegiate offers, Prothro has seen time on both sides of the ball for the Bowdon Red Devils in recent years. A year ago, he amassed more than 800 yards receiving and more than 10 touchdowns.

Across his first five games of the 2024 season, Prothro has been an impactful twoway player who has 23 receptions for 507 yards and 10 touchdowns on offense, as well as 11 tackles defensively.

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5. Zelus Hicks, Safety – Carrollton Trojans

The Top 5 begins with the nation’s No. 3 safety in Zelus Hicks, a five-star prospect out of Carrollton High School. He joined Carrollton this season after transferring from Parkview, where he had 67 tackles a year ago.

Hicks, who is currently committed to Texas, has over 30 collegiate offers.

4. Xavier Griffin, Linebacker – Gainesville Red Elephants

Georgia is home to the nation’s top two 2026 linebackers, the first of which is Xavier Griffin out of Gainesville High School.

Griffin had more than 50 tackles and nearly double-digit sacks for Gainesville, one of the state’s top teams, a year ago.

The USC commit, who is also the Trojans’ highest-ranked 2026 pledge, is a five-star prospect with more than 30 collegiate offers.

3. Devin Carter, Wide Receiver – Douglas County Tigers

Arguably Georgia high school football’s most high-profile offseason transfer, Devin Carter joined Douglas County this year from Cedar Grove, and with that move he gave the Tigers one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 Class. Carter, a five-star prospect with over 30 collegiate offers, is currently considered the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver for the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Across Douglas County’s first five games of the 2024 season, Carter has hauled in 11 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown.

2. Jordan Carter, Edge Rusher – Douglas County Tigers

The next great edge rusher from Georgia in the 2026 cycle is Jordan Carter, a fivestar prospect out of Douglas County with nearly 30 collegiate offers, making it backto-back Tigers in the Top 5. Carter is also considered the nation’s No. 2 edge rusher and is likely set for his second-straight year with double-digit sacks after compiling 15 last season as a sophomore.

To begin his junior season, Carter has amassed 19 tackles, four TFLs, and four sacks for the Tigers across their first four games.

1. Tyler Atkinson, Linebacker – Grayson Rams

Holding the No. 1 spot in the 2026 recruiting class is Tyler Atkinson. The fivestar linebacker out of Grayson is considered not only the state’s top player in the cycle, but also the nation’s top recruit at his position.

A player with nearly 50 collegiate offers, Atkinson entered the 2024 season coming off back-to-back campaigns with more than 100 tackles each. He is well on his way to a third straight season of more than 100 tackles and a second consecutive season with double-digit sacks this fall.

Georgia’s top 2026 recruit has been one of the top defensive players in the state so far, as Atkinson has 44 tackles, eight TFLs, and four sacks across his four games this fall.

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TIAA Bank Field January 2, 2025

Like (Mc)Father, Like Son Brooks County Head Football Coach Josh McFather on How He Got the Job and the Long List of Successful Coaches Who Influenced Him, Including His Own Father Written by: Phil Jones Photography by: JaQuan Baker & ITG Next Archive

Josh McFather is in his first season as the Brooks County High School head football coach, but he’s spent his whole life surrounded by successful football coaches.

That includes his dad, Daniel McFather, who recently retired from coaching after a 34-year career.

Although Josh McFather never coached for his dad, he did play for him in high school, and seeing how his dad impacted others made a lasting impression.

“My dad definitely influenced my decision to want to coach,” Josh McFather said. “Seeing him influence young men and step in and be a father figure inspired me to want to do the same.”

Josh McFather began his coaching career at Hahira Middle School in 2012 while attending Valdosta State University. That meant working

with the likes of longtime Lowndes High School head coach Randy McPherson, who won three state championships with the Vikings.

Then, of course, there’s Maurice Freeman, the man McFather worked under most recently at Brooks County and succeeded as the Trojans’ head football coach. McFather said he learned a lot under Freeman.

“I still carry a lot of the same philosophies he (Freeman) taught me,” McFather said. “I’d be crazy not to.”

Freeman brought McFather to Brooks County in 2019 as the receivers coach. McFather held that position for three seasons, during which the Trojans made it to the state championship game every year, winning it all in 2021 with a 56-28 win over Irwin County.

When former offensive coordinator Kyle Wilson left the team after the 2021 season, Freeman offered the job to McFather, who accepted and served in the role for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Then, with Freeman’s unexpected departure, the door finally opened for McFather.

“He (Freeman) told me he was leaving and that he had recommended me for the head coaching job,” McFather said.

That’s when Zach Grage, Brooks County’s athletic director, met with McFather and offered him the job on an interim basis.

“Zach brought me in and said he wanted to offer me the head coaching job on an interim basis,” McFather said.

Grage explained the factors that led to the decision to make McFather

Brooks County’s interim head football coach.

“We were very fortunate here at Brooks County to have someone like Coach McFather here to help ease the transition from Coach Freeman’s unexpected departure,” Grage said.

“At that point in the year, it was not an option to fully open the position, and it would have left many programs in disarray.

Luckily, we were able to lean on Coach McFather, someone who had been here for six years, knew the system, knew the kids, and had genuine relationships with many on the coaching staff, administration, and community members to keep things going in the right direction.”

Add Zach Grage to the list of coaches with championship experience who have influenced McFather. Grage led Thomasville to three

region titles and a trip to the state championship game in 2021.

“Coach Grage has been a great mentor for me,” McFather said. “He has given me some great advice.”

With this year’s Brooks County team loaded with talent, McFather understands the expectations are sky high this season in Quitman.

“I fully understand,” McFather said. “The entire community has high expectations for our team this year, and no one has higher expectations than me. I can promise you that.”

Josh McFather and his wife, Lori Ann, have been married for 14 years and have a daughter, Haleigh.

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