Each week ITG Next recognizes the best offensive, defensive and special teams performances by players across the state. Here are the highlights from the quarterfinal round of the Georgia high school playoffs.
Offense
Colquitt County QB Neko Fann leads off our Georgia high school quarterfinal highlights with a record-tying performance: He completed 15-of-20 pass attempts for 325 yards and 6 TDs; the latter equals the single-game high among Packers quarterbacks.
Hughes QB Prentiss “Air” Noland threw for 302 yards for the second straight week, completing 22-of-30 pass attempts with 3 TDs. Noland also ran for a TD to lead the Hughes offense and help advance his team to the semifinals.
Milton senior WR/DB Debron Gatling had a memorable night with 4 receptions for 100 yards and 2 TDs to help lead the Eagles to a big win over Grayson. Gatling also made our list of top defensive performers list (see below).
Roswell junior QB KJ Smith completed 11-of-20 passes for 242 yards and 3 TDs to lead the Hornets offense in their playoff win over Thomas County Central. Smith also had 44 yards rushing.
Ware County RB Dae’Jeaun Dennis rushed for all 5 of the Gators’ TDs in their 35-0 playoff victory over Calhoun Friday night.
Fitzgerald RB Sylon Davis had 3 rushing TDs, including a game-winning 1-yard run in OT to lift the Purple Hurricanes over Rockmart in the Class 2A quarterfinals at Jaycee Stadium in Fitzgerald.
Colquitt WR NY Carr had 5 catches for 182 yards and 2 TDs in the Packers’ 52-17 win over North Gwinnett.
Defense
Topping the list of defensive highlights in the Georgia high school quarterfinal round is Benedictine junior LB/RB Bryce Baker, who actually made an impact on both defense and offense in the Cadets’ 34-14 quarterfinal win over Stockbridge. From his LB spot, he had 9 tackles, including 3 TFL, with 2 QB pressures and a QB sack, and he added a rushing TD from his RB position.
Prince Avenue Christian DB Luke Leverett had a 98-yard INT return for a TD in the fourth quarter of the Wolverines’ 23-7 quarterfinal victory over Metter.
Roswell sophomore DE Koby Sakyi had 14 tackles, including 2 TFL, and a QB sack to lead the Hornets defense in their upset quarterfinal playoff win at Thomas County Central.
Milton DB DeBron Gatling had 2 INT against Grayson, including an 88-yard pick-6 to help lead his Eagle teammates to the quarterfinal win Friday night.
North Oconee’s Trey Lenhardt intercepted a Wayne County pass and returned it 70 yards for a TD to give the Titans their first points of the night in their win over the Yellow Jackets.
Special Teams
Milton KR Robert Billings returned 2 kicks totaling 60 yards in the Eagles’ quarterfinal win over Grayson Friday night.
Colquitt K Brett Fitzgerald was a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs and 1-for-2 on FG attempts in the Packers’ big playoff victory over North Gwinnett.
Gainesville KR Tre Reece returned a kickoff 95 yards for a Red Elephants TD in their win over Houston County.
Warner Robins K Daniel Barber kicked a game-winning 31-yard FG in OT to lift his Demons to a 31-28 victory over Creekside in the 5A quarterfinals.
Benedictine K Asher Sigmon connected on a 34-yard FG and a 30-yard FG and was 4-for-4 on PATs to help the Cadets defeat Stockbridge 34-14 and move closer toward their second consecutive state final appearance.
The final entry on our list of Georgia high school quarterfinal highlights is Cedar Grove junior Joseph Slaughter, who blocked a Calvary Day punt in the Saints’ 30-0 win.
