2007 Grad Inherits Team with Two Talented Quarterbacks
Central Carrollton alumnus Umbrah Brown is returning to take over the Lions football program after Darius Smiley left to take the head coaching position at defending Class 3A state champion Sandy Creek.
Even though Brown has spent most of his time coaching on the defensive side of the ball, it’s what he’ll have on the offensive side at Central Carrollton that makes his new job so attractive. The Lions feature two of the top quarterbacks in Georgia, along with one of the state’s most highly recruited running backs.
“I knew when I was offered the job that we had the personnel to do something special this year,” Brown said.
Included in that personnel is running back Jonaz Walton. The sophomore sensation is coming off a remarkable freshman season that saw him rush for 1,644 yards and 20 touchdowns on 187 carries. He also had 2 receiving TDs. Brown said he had a chance to see highlights of Walton’s ninth-grade performance, and he was impressed.
“When I saw the tape of Jonaz, I was excited knowing that I would be able to come in and work with such an exciting player, and make him an even more effective running back,” Brown recalled.
Walton is already receiving a ton of attention from college football recruiters. He already has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Tennessee.
One of the most intriguing quarterback battles in the state will take place at Central Carrollton this season, giving Brown both joy and the challenge of deciding between two highly talented signal callers.
The Lions’ returning starter is senior Devan Powell. The dual-threat quarterback completed 65% of his pass attempts for 1,773 yards and 17 TDs with just 4 interceptions last year. He also rushed for 591 yards and 12 TDs on 106 carries. Powell was a first-team All-Region 7-4A selection last season, and he has been playing the position since his freshman season. Having an experienced quarterback as the returning starter is a huge plus for Brown.
But being the incumbent may not necessarily mean the starting quarterback job is his. Not yet anyway. That’s because freshman JR Harris has high school football fans in Carrollton – and across the state – comparing him to another local quarterback who made headlines last season. That, of course, was then-freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis at Central’s cross-county rival, Carrollton High.
Brown says he was aware of Harris long before he accepted the job at Central Carrollton, and as with Powell, he’s excited to start working with the young quarterback.
“Everyone knows JR is special; there’s no question about his potential,” Brown said.
Harris is already receiving attention from college football programs across the country, before he has even played a down of football at the varsity level.
But that hasn’t stopped the questions Brown has faced since day one of arriving at
Central Carrollton: Who’s going to play quarterback this season?
“We are blessed to have two highly capable kids playing quarterback for us,” Brown said.
He acknowledged the experience that Powell brings to the table.
“Devin has the advantage of taking snaps under the lights,” he said.
Brown also said Harris’s potential can’t be ignored.
“What he possesses as a rising freshman is just incredible,” Brown said.
So Central fans can expect to see a two-quarterback situation in 2023, right? Not so fast.
“I don’t do depth charts in April,” Brown said, adding that “there will not be a situation where we play both of them. There’s going to be a starter, and there will be a backup.”
Brown continued talking about what likely will be one of the most watched position battles in Georgia high school football this offseason.
“We will give both of these guys a chance,” he said. “We’ll put them in situations to give them a chance to prove themselves.”
But the new guy in town said that standard will apply to every player in camp.
“I told our team in my first week that everybody has to earn their keep here, and that includes me,” Brown said.
While most of the attention will be on the battle at quarterback, there are other players to keep an eye on as the Lions head into the 2023 season.
Jonah Wilson is a sophomore who will see time all over the field, including at tight end, outside linebacker, and punter. He had a sack and 13 tackles as a freshman linebacker last season.
Also on defense, Brown singled out the team’s “Alpha leader,” Ty Brewer, who he said “has been the anchor on this defense and can play multiple positions.”
Welcome home, Coach Umbrah Brown. This could be a special season in Carrollton – for the Central Lions.
