Here are our Top 10 performers from the 2024 Georgia high school football state championships.
Top Offensive Performances
Calhoun freshman quarterback Trace Hawkins led the Yellow Jackets to the Class 3A state championship, the school’s fifth title overall, with a standout performance versus Jefferson. Hawkins completed 16-of-25 pass attempts for 184 yards passing. He also rushed for 47 yards on nine carries, one of which resulted in a 21-yard rushing TD.
Grayson running back Elijah Miller had three rushing TDs on 20 carries, rushing for 109 yards total. He added two catches for 11 yards receiving to pace the Rams to a 38-24 win over Carrollton in the Class 6A state championship game.
Hebron Christian quarterback Tom Stallworth rushed for four TDs to lead the Lions to a 56-28 upset win over Prince Avenue Christian in the Class 1A-3A Private state title game. Stallworth completed 9-of-15 passes for 172 yards and ran 20 times for 84 yards with four TDs.
Prince Avenue Christian quarterback Ben Musser rushed for 176 yards with three TDs, including an 80-yard romp for the Wolverines’ first TD of the game. Musser also completed 15-of-23 pass attempts for 159 yards and one passing TD to lead his team against eventual state champion Hebron Christian.
Milton quarterback Luke Nickel showed why he is one of the best – if not the best – QBs to come out of Georgia high school football this year with a near-perfect performance in the final and biggest game of his high school career. The Miami-bound signal caller completed 21-of-22 pass attempts for 413 yards and four TDs.
Milton running back TJ Lester had 25 carries for 201 yards rushing with three TDs to help the Eagles defeat Hughes 56-35 and win their straight state championship.
Carver (Columbus) wide receiver Kei’Maurii Miles had a night to remember with seven catches for 179 yards and three TDs to help his team win the Class 2A state title game 52-14 over Burke County.
Top Defensive Performances
Grayson linebacker Tyler Atkinson had seven solo tackles, including three tackles for loss and two QB sacks, to stuff the Carrollton offense and lead his team to the Class 6A state title.
Top Special Teams Performances
Calhoun kicker Carlos Lopez was 2-for-2 on field goal attempts, successfully kicking a 39-yard field goal and a 48-yard field goal. He was also successful on two extra point attempts to help the Yellow Jackets to a 20-7 win over Jefferson in the Class 2A state title game.
Top Overall Performances
Toombs County cornerback and wide receiver Mike Polke made an impact in the Class 1A-Division I state title game, coming up big in all three phases of the game. He caught a 47-yard touchdown pass to extend Toombs County’s lead over Northeast from 7-6 to 14-6. Polke later returned a kickoff 92-yards for a TD at the end of the first half to extend the lead from 14-12 to 21-12. He completed the hat trick with an interception in the first half to help stop a Northeast drive.
