Often the preseason favorites to star on high school gridirons will end the season among the state leaders in their respective categories. Sometimes, however, lesser-known players will rise through the ranks and etch their names into the history books. Here are 10 Georgia high school football players who have surprisingly established themselves among the state’s statistical leaders at their positions so far this season.
Tate Morris – McIntosh
Morris is currently second in Georgia in passing yards at 1,565. The main source of offense for the Chiefs, Morris has totaled over 2,100 scrimmage yards and 14 scores for McIntosh through just five games. He has already led his team to match last season’s win total with the entirety of region play remaining. Morris’s consistency may lead McIntosh to the playoffs for only the third time in school history.
Gavin Hall – Hebron Christian
Hall, Hebron Christian’s quarterback, has thrown for nearly 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. Why is he mentioned here? Because he surprisingly happens to be third in the state in rushing. Despite his label as a passer, Hall rushes more often than he throws, resulting in 300-yard-plus rushing nights against Chestatee and Commerce. No team has been able to contain the dual-threat QB, as evidenced by his 1,086 rush yards in five games.
Javaris Harris – Greene County
The Tigers rarely garner any attention, but as one of the Georgia high school statistical leaders, Harris is making this team known. Two big performances against Morgan County and Oglethorpe County (oddly both of the Tigers’ losses this season) have vaulted Harris into the top-10 statewide in receiving yards. The big-play threat averages over 15 yards per reception and has 7 touchdowns to his credit through five games.
Nicholas Baloga – Rabun County
The Wildcats are widely known for their offensive prowess, led by receiver Jaden Gibson and quarterback Keegan Stover. However, Nic Baloga may be having the best season defensively, racking up an average of 16 tackles per game, third statewide. He began the season strong with 22 total tackles against Haralson County and has never looked back. Teams should certainly gameplan around his looming presence.
De’Zavion Holman – BEST Academy
The Eagles have yet to win a game this season despite the efforts of Holman, who ranks among Georgia high school statistical leaders in sacks (first, 9) and tackles for loss (tied for second, 10). Holman has been a menace against opposing offensive lines, even posting 4 sacks and 4 TFLs in a single game against Towers. His team may not win many games this season, but his impact should certainly be recognized.
Jonathan Howard – Harlem
Howard has been everywhere for the Bulldogs. He has nearly 400 yards receiving, returns punts and kicks, and has totaled 4 interceptions defensively, tied for second in Georgia. Howard’s seven pass defenses have also come at crucial points in games, helping to preserve upset victories over Aquinas and Greenbrier. Statistics fail to quantify his true impact on the field, and Harlem stands to reap those rewards for the rest of a promising season.
Brady Kluse – Harrison
Kluse had 616 receiving yards in 11 games last season. He has nearly matched that mark with 581 yards and 8 touchdowns in just five games this year. Class 7A’s leading pass catcher broke out in the first game of the season against South Paulding with 142 yards and 2 touchdowns, providing a solid offensive presence for a team that has yet to score over 28 points in a game.
Trevor Morgan – Pickens
Morgan has been a hallmark of consistency for the Dragons. His 54 tackles are three less than Georgia commit CJ Allen’s current amount, and he has recorded either one or two sacks in every game played this season. That same consistency can be seen in his backfield impact, raking in at least a tackle for loss in each start. Several of his big plays helped the Dragons notch their first win of the season against Christian Heritage.
Edward Burr – Osborne
While Burr’s numbers aren’t eye-popping, his impact on the entire Osborne program has been remarkable. The Cardinals are off to a 5-0 start thanks in part to Burr’s 15 passing touchdowns, currently more than last season’s passing leader, Aaron Philo, at this point in the season. If Burr can take more easy completions and lessen his turnover output, the Cardinals may clinch the improbable playoff berth.
Jayden Mason – Calvary Christian
Sure, Calvary Christian does not play within the GHSA, so officially Mason doesn’t rank among Georgia high school statistical leaders. However, his rushing numbers are simply unfathomable and deserve to be recognized. The Knights’ back leads the state with a whopping 1,704 rushing yards in just six games. He has notched three performances of over 300 yards and has already scored 23 times. Even in blowout losses to Heritage-Newnan and Cherokee Christian, Mason combined for 502 yards and 4 scores. As it stands, Mason is the nation’s third-leading rusher.
