Top Performances From Week 1 of the 2023 Georgia High School Football Season
Each week, coaches around Georgia will recommend players from their teams who deserve to be recognized as ITG Next Top Performers. Following are Week 1 selections for that honor.
Richmond Hill
The ITG Next Georgia Top Performer of the Week is ATH Nick Bliss, who was a one-man wrecking crew for the Wildcats in their in their 34-7 win against Effingham County. Bliss’s highlights:
- 86-yard kickoff return for a TD
- 55-yard TD return on a blocked punt
- 4-yard rushing TD
- 245 all-purpose yards
- 10 carries for 58 rushing yards
- 3 receptions for 42 yards
- 145 kick and punt return yards
Richmond Hill head football coach Matt Lezotte told us, “Nick Bliss had himself a night!”
Lee County
Running back Ousmane Kromah also had a night to remember in his team’s Week 1 come-from-behind win. The Lee County Top Performer’s night included 19 carries for 168 Yards and 2 TDs.
Parkview
Parkview head coach Joe Sturdivant gave ITG Next Georgia two Panthers as his Top Performers: DB Antonio White, a Rutgers commit; and DE Ira Singleton. White and Singleton each came up with big plays in Parkview’s 43-24 win:
- White: Blocked a punt that ended up a safety, then returned the Kell kickoff 65 yards for a TD. He also led the Panthers with 8 tackles, including 4 TFL.
- Singleton: 3 tackles, including 1 TFL; fumble recovery for a TD.
Colquitt County
Two Packers led the way in the Packers’ season-opening 48-17 rout of Dutchfork:
- QB Neko Fann: 15-for-26 passing for 226 yards and 4 TDs; 8 carries for 87 yards rushing and 1 TD.
- WR Ny Carr: 7 receptions for 174 yards and 2 TDs.
Benedictine
The Cadets were led by their two playmakers – two-way standout Bryce Baker and QB Luke Kromenhoek – who each had solid performances:
- LB/RB Bryce Baker: 2 rushing TDs on just 3 carries; 7 tackles, including 1 TFL and “two big hits,” according to head coach Danny Britt.
- QB Luke Kromenoek: 6-for-11 passing with 1 TD in just three quarters; 6 carries for 65 yards and 1 TD.
Walton
QB Jeremy Hecklinski led the Raiders in a huge season-opening 49-27 win over Grayson in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. Showing why he’s one of the best in a state full of great quarterbacks, Hecklinski had himself quite the night, completing 16-of-24 pass attempts for 289 yards and 4 TDs.
Hecklinski told ITG Next that there were really no first-game jitters, and he was quick to credit his teammates for their play on Saturday: “I felt very comfortable against Grayson. They have a very good D-line, but our O-line is better. My O-line gave the time to make throws and plays to help win the game. As well as our offense played, all the credit should go to the defense, though. Those boys played hard, relentless defense all night.”
Camden County
Jeff Herron singled out these Wildcats for their performance in their win over Columbia:
- RB Jaiden Dailey: 15 carries for 144 yards rushing and 1 TD
- DB Ja’Marley Riddle: 10 tackles, including 1 TFL; 1 PBU; 50-yard punt return (albeit called back due to penalty); 91 all-purpose yards with a TD
Warner Robins
Quarterback Chase Reese threw under pressure all night long, yet played well against Lee County, going 24-for-40 for 287 yards passing with 2 TDs.
Bainbridge
The Bearcats stunned everyone with a 55-3 blowout win over traditional state powerhouse ELCA. Head coach Jeff Littleton, in an understatement about his team’s performance against the Chargers, told ITG Next: “We played very well.” Littleton’s picks for Top Performers:
- RB Keenan Phillips: 17 carries for 206 yards and 3 TDs
- Kicker Nick Tyre: 6-for-6 on PATs, 4 kickoffs for touchbacks, 1 punt for 42 yards
- DB TaShan Carter: 3 tackles, 48-yard INT return for a TD
- LB Don’ Terious Williams: 6 tackles, 1 sack, blocked punt and recovery.
Baldwin
The Braves pulled off one of the biggest stunners of opening week by knocking off Peach County 34-13. The Top Performer honor for Baldwin goes to RB Micah Welch, who paved the way for his team with 2 rushing TDs and an 89-yard kickoff return for a TD.
Lowndes
The Vikings made Adam Carter’s debut as head coach a successful one with a big win for the Georgia side in the Georgia-Carolina Challenge at Mack Tharpe Stadium. Coach Carter’s picks for Top Performers from the victory over Christ School:
- RB Jaccare’ Fleming: 21 carries, 111 yards rushing, 3 TDs
- RB Aalim Brown: 21 carries, 78 yards rushing, 2 TDs
- QB Marvis Parrish: 9-for-13 for 114 yards and 1 TD, 8 carries for 35 yards
- LB Coleman Lewis: 13 tackles, including 1 TFL; 1 INT, 2 PBU
- DB Anthony Carter: 7 tackles, 1 INT
- DB Jaquan Thomas: 3 tackles, 2 INT
- K Aiden Thomas: 7-for-7 PAT, 1-for-2 FG
- P Carson Page: 39.6-yard avg, including long of 58 yards; placed one punt inside 5-yard-line; rushed for 2-point conversion
Northside Warner Robins
Head coach Ben Bailey is off to a good start in Year 1 as the Eagles’ head coach. His Top Performers from their 33-21 win over Jones County:
- WR Keron Milton: 5 receptions for 109 yards and 2 TDs
- S Ricardo Jones: 4 tackles, including 1 TFL; 1 fumble recovery; 2 INT
- K/P Noe Yanez: 2-for-2 FG, including long of 40 yards; 3-for-4 PAT; 42-ard punt avg, including long of 56 yards.
Houston County
- QB AJ Hill: 16-for-16 passing for 287 yards and 4 TDs; 1 rushing TD
