Big-time players shine when their number is called, and that was the case with several of the state’s best this past Friday night. When their team needed them to step up, they did that – and a whole lot more. Here’s a rundown of the top individual performances from Week 3 of the 2022 Georgia high school football season.
Aaron Philo, QB, Prince Avenue Christian
Philo had another night to remember in what has already been a standout career for the Wolverines junior. In their “Backyard Brawl” rivalry game with Athens Academy, Philo led his team to a 48-14 victory by completing 22 of 35 passes for 443 yards and 6 TDs. He rushed for another TD to give him 7 scores on the night, meaning he had a hand in every TD Prince Avenue scored.
Charlie Gilliam, QB, ELCA
Gilliam played just two quarters of football, as his Chargers’ contest with Calvary Day was called at halftime due to weather conditions. Despite ELCA dropping the rain-shortened game, the Wake Forest commit had a great performance, completing 14 of 24 pass attempts for 285 yards and 3 TDs.
Nyshaun Walace, WR, Cook
Cook High Walace was a big part of his team’s home upset win in Week 3 of the 2022 Georgia high school season. He had 9 catches for 147 yards and 3 TDs, and he also came up big with an INT on the goal line to thwart a Brooks scoring drive.
Drew Folsom, QB, Cook
Folsom completed 14 of 26 pass attempts for 266 yards and 4 TDs to lead the Hornets to their biggest win at their new home stadium, a 32-28 victory over rival Brooks County.
Zymorian Jackson, DB, Crisp County
Jackson had two big interceptions in the Cougars’ Week 3 41-25 win over Lovejoy – he returned both for touchdowns, distinguishing him as one of the outstanding defensive performers early in the 2022 Georgia high school season.
Justice Haynes, RB, Buford
The senior workhorse stepped up for his Wolves team when they needed him most. Tied with North Cobb at 14-14 and less than a minute left in regulation, Haynes scored on a 6-yard carry, his 19th of the night and his third TD of the game. It was that score which sealed the 21-14 win for Buford. Haynes averaged a first down every time he carried the ball, rushing for 191 yards. In addition to the game-winning touchdown, Haynes also scored from 49 and 41 yards.
Kam Davis, QB, Dougherty
Davis displayed the true effort of what it means to be a dual-threat quarterback, taking whatever measures needed to win the game for his team this past Friday night against Stockbridge. The junior five-star rushed for 235 yards and 2 TDs on 17 carries and completed 12 of 23 passes for 267 yards and 3 TDs. He accounted for all five of the Trojans’ TDs in their 33-30 win.
Prentiss Noland, QB, Hughes
“Air” Noland showed his ability to take over a game as he passed for 4 TDs and ran for another score in the Panthers’ 62-12 win over Benjamin Mays. He finished with 13 of 20 passing for 343 yards.
Nate Russell, QB, Cartersville
Russell, a freshman, was thrust into the heat of battle in the worst possible situation: His Purple Hurricanes were losing 20-0 to home team Allatoona when starting QB Paul Gamble left the game with an apparent ankle injury. The ninth-grader Russell his team with 2 TD passes plus a rushing TD, giving Cartersville an exciting come-from-behind win on the road to extend the Purple Hurricanes’ record to 3-0 on the season. Russell completed 9 of 14 passes on the night. It’s worth noting that two additional TDs by the freshman were taken off the board due to penalties.
Isn’t That Special
Each week, we’ll salute the top special team plays around the state. Here are the players who were certainly special on this Week 3 Friday night of the 2022 Georgia high school season.
Charlton County freshman K Garett Stevenson was perfect on all 8 of his PAT attempts (8/8) in the Indians’ 56-12 win over West Nassau (FL).
Charlton County sophomore Elyiss Williams also came up big for the Indians and head coach Russ Maurray by blocking a West Nassau punt and then scooping and scoring a TD for one of his team’s many TDs on the night.
White County FG K Hayden Vandagriff connected on field goals of 35 and 34 yards and was a perfect 4/4 on extra point attempts to help his White County team to a 34-7 victory over Chestatee.
Crisp County’s Trae Walker had three kickoff returns totaling 159 yards and a TD. (He also added 6 catches for 123 yards and a TD.)
Model High kicker Daniel Veillon booted a 27-yard FG in OT to break a 14-14 tie and give his team the 17-14 win.
Oconee County kicker Bo Gaines kicked FGs of 24 and 43 yards, plus he hit both of his extra point attempts in his team’s 20-0 shutout victory over Putnam County.
Lowndes High freshman kicker Aiden Andrews connected on FGs of 40 and 41 yards and was 5/5 on his point-after attempts in the Vikings’ 43-18 win over North Miami Beach at the Concrete Palace.
