Lowndes High School RB Jacarre Fleming Named ITG Next Georgia Male Athlete of the Month for September 2023
Our September 2023 ITG Next Georgia Male Athlete of the Month, presented by Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance, is Lowndes High School running back Jacarre Fleming, known more popularly as “Smoke.” The senior was one of four standout student-athletes from the Peach State who were nominated for the award.
In addition to Fleming were three football players who have led their teams to unblemished records through the first four weeks of the season: Central Carroll quarterback JR Harris, Colquitt County quarterback Neko Fann, and Douglas County quarterback Sire Hardaway.
We asked you to choose from these four outstanding nominees, and after all the votes were counted, it was Fleming’s solid performance as the Lowndes Vikings’ primary running back that elevated him to the top as our Athlete of the Month.
Showing why he’s nicknamed “Smoke,” Fleming has run the 100 M in 10.7 seconds. He used that speed to help the Lowndes track team win the 2022 4×100 state championship in Class 7A. Entering this week’s game against East Coweta, Fleming’s performance through the first month of the season has been a big reason for the Vikings’ success. He had 41 carries for 298 yards rushing, averaging 7.3 yards per carry to help lead the Vikings to a 3-0 start. He ran for 6 TDs and came away with over 100 yards rushing in two of those first three games. In addition to his stellar play from the lion of scrimmage, Fleming also has played a part on the Lowndes special teams, returning kicks and punts.
In Week 4 against East Coweta, despite his Vikings dropping their first game of the season, Fleming had yet another outstanding performance. He again eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, accumulating 140 yards and 1 TD. He also had 80 yards receiving, including a catch for another TD. He now has 438 yards rushing (unofficially) and 7 rushing TDs on the season through four games. The TD reception was his first of the year, but it’s safe to assume he’ll play a bigger part in coach Adam Carter’s offense as the season moves forward. The first-year Lowndes head coach talked about the impact Fleming has on the team, wherever he is on the field.
“Jacarre has had a great offseason both in the classroom and on the field,” Carter said. “He has a huge personality that we all love to be around. His growth as a young man in a few short months has been tremendous, and his play speaks for itself. He can hit a big play every time he touches the ball. I am very proud of this young man and how he is working to be better in all aspects of his life daily.”
Jacarre told ITG Next that he’s pleased with his performance so far, but he knows he has to continue to work on his game.
“I’m off to a great start as a player, but I’m looking forward to growing more and more to become one of the best,” Fleming said. “Control what you can control.”
Congratulations to the Lowndes Vikings’ Jacarre “Smoke” Fleming, our September 2023 ITG Next Georgia Male Athlete of the Month, presented by Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance.
