Staff Report
MaxPreps.com
Best Player: Washaun Ealey, Sr., RB, Emanuel County Institute
Ealey’s production on the field sets him apart from the rest in one of the nation’s top most fertile recruiting grounds. The 5-foot-10, 205-pounder led his school to its first state title since 1923 as a junior after rushing for 2,971 yards and 58 touchdowns. Ealey is the reigning state player of the year. Returning state leaders - Passing: Drew Little (Henry County) 208 of 351 for 3,172 yards, 35 TDs; Ealey (ECI) 277 attempts, 2,971 yards, 58 TDs.
Best All-Time Player: Herschel Walker, RB, Johnson County
Walker was considered the best high school running back in the country after rushing for 3,167 yards and 45 touchdowns as a senior at Johnson County in 1979. He followed up his amazing prep career by helping Georgia win a national title in 1980 and then capturing the Heisman Trophy in 1982. Walker played 15 seasons professionally in both the USFL and NFL. Oh, and don’t even think about trying the Wrightsville native as he is reportedly a sixth-degree black belt in karate.
2008 Must See: National Football Challenge, Aug. 29
Georgia teams will be involved in a variety of classics and challenge events, but none have a chance to make a bigger statement for Peach State football than North Gwinnett. The Bulldogs face preseason national No. 1 Byrnes, S.C., Aug. 29 as part of the National Football Challenge on their home field. North Gwinnett is led by senior quarterback Mike Tamburo, who racked up nearly 2,400 yards and 31 touchdowns via the ground and air as a junior. The Byrnes-North Gwinnett tilt will be preceded by Central Gwinnett facing Mainland of Daytona Beach, Fla.
On The Throne: Northside Warner Robins
With apologies to Lowndes, it is head coach Conrad Nix and his Northside Eagles that will enter the season with the biggest target on their back. Northside has won back-to-back AAAA state titles, compiling a 30-game winning streak in the process and a record of 44-1 over the past three seasons. The Eagles have their hands full Sept. 5 when Miami’s Booker T. Washington High School comes to town.
Best Rivalry: “The Winnersville Classic” – Valdosta vs. Lowndes
“The Winnersville Classic” is a grudge match between Valdosta, Ga., schools Lowndes and Valdosta High. The two schools have taken turns dominating in the Peach State, combining for 28 state titles. Lowndes has taken control of the rivalry – winning seven of the last nine meetings – and the state title hardware with four since 1999. The Classic goes down Oct. 10 this year.
Future Star: Barry “B.J.” Bostic, QB, Jr., Jefferson County
Operating from the quarterback position, Bostic led Jefferson County to a 10-1 record as a sophomore, earning Class AA first team All-State and Region 3-AA Offensive Player of the Year honors. Bostic threw for 1,349 yards and 18 touchdowns and ran for 1,200 more with six trips to the end zone last fall.
Fun Fact
The 2004 and 2005 graduating classes at Atlanta’s Frederick Douglass High School were loaded. At least 10 former Astros that played together on those teams will be on the roster of major college football programs this fall. Defensive end Roderick Battle (Class of 2004) and linebacker Akeem Dent (2005) are expected to start for preseason No. 1 Georgia this fall. Clemson’s James Davis (2004) is one of the ACC’s top running backs. Georgia Tech features reserve offensive lineman Jason Hill and wide receiver Greg Smith, while Vanderbilt also has a pair of former Astros in defensive tackle Derrius Dowell and cornerback Alan Strong. Terrence Jones is a promising wide receiver for Rich Brooks at Kentucky and defensive end Brandon Sesay will begin his Division I career in 2008 at Texas Tech after being regarded as one of the top junior college prospects in the country a year ago.
MaxPreps Preseason All-State Team
WR – Tavarus Simmons, Peach County
WR – Jamal Patterson, Henry County
WR – Braxton Lane, Sandy Creek
TE – Terrell Mitchell, McEachern
OL – Jimmy Staten, Ware County
OL – Johnnie Farms, Perry
OL – Michael Ozment, Pepperell
OL – Sam Watts, Salem
OL – Chris Burnette, Troup
QB – Michael Tamburo, North Gwinnett
QB – Zach Mettenberger, Oconee County
RB – Brandon Jacobs, Parkview
RB – Washaun Ealey, Emmanuel County Institute
RB – D.J. Adams, Norcross
ATH – Donavan Tate, Cartersville
K – Eric Osteen, Richmond Academy
DL – Abry Jones, Northside Warner Robbins
DL – Mike Coke, Redan
DL – Tevin Holliman, Tucker
DL – Jonathan Martin, Carver-Columbus
LB – Jarvis Jones, Carver-Columbus
LB – Jonathan Davis, Tucker
LB – Michael Gilliard, Valdosta
LB – Eric Fields, Northside Warner Robbins
LB – LeRon Furr, Carver-Columbus
DB –K.J. Morton, Northside Warner Robbins
DB – Darren Myles, Carver Atlanta
DB – Shawn Williams, Early County
DB – Branden Smith, Washington
P – Joe Mansour, LaGrange
