Top-rated safety led Mill Creek to first football state title.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Caleb Downs of
Mill Creek (Hoschton) is the 2022 MaxPreps Georgia High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-0, 195-pound safety led the Hawks to a 14-1 and the AAAAAAA championship, the first state title in school history.
Mill Creek finished the season as the top-ranked team in Georgia and is ranked at No. 12 nationally in the most recent MaxPreps Top 25.
Downs made a
huge impact in all three phases of the game, finishing the season with nearly
1,000 total yards, 23 touchdowns, 70-plus tackles and five interceptions with two pick-sixes. He also threw a touchdown pass.
In a 70-35 win over Carrollton in the state championship game, Downs scored three rushing touchdowns. Mill Creek broke the record for most points in a title game.
Downs is on the short list for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors. Regarded as a top 25 prospect by 247Sports and the top safety, the Mill Creek star committed to Alabama in July. He finished his high school career with over 250 tackles, 19 interceptions (seven pick-sixes), more than 1,200 total yards and 34 total touchdowns.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps Georgia Players of the Year2020 – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Collins Hill (Suwanee)
2021 – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Collins Hill (Suwanee)
Georgia MaxPreps Player of the Year Caleb Downs helped Mill Creek explode for 70 points in school's first state championship victory. (Photo: Cory Jones)
