Every season high school football fans are treated to the talents of the area's top players -- and this year should be no different. The talent pool is once again overflowing, meaning some exciting Friday nights lie in wait over the next few months.
With that in mind let us take a look at what could be some difference makers in 2016.
These players include a mix of the supremely-talented and collegiate-bound stars -- but there are also plenty of high school All-Stars included that may not sniff the next level. However, these players are still the lynchpins for their teams and are just as important...
Michael Babers
Senior, running back (1,300-plus yards rushing in 2015), Habersham Central -- A back capable of doing it all, blessed with vision, speed and power. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield. He could help lead the Raiders back to prominence this season.
Kyle Bacus
Senior, running back/defensive end, North Hall -- His combination of speed and toughness made him explsoive at running back last season and coaches expect him to be even better this year. And while he may be undersized for a defensive end his speed could make him unblockable.
Mac Bennett
Senior, tight end/defensive line, North Hall -- An All-Region defensive performer last season, Bennett is a difference-maker on both sides of the ball and will add leadership to both offense and defense.
Cole Chancey
Senior, halfback (1,021 yards rushing, 9 TDs), Commerce -- Yet another talented ball carrier in the Tigers' backfield, Chancey could help Commerce's triple option dominate in 2016.
Caleb Chandler
Senior, offensive lineman (30-plus collegiate scholarship offers), Jefferson -- Perhaps the most imposing lineman in northeast Georgia this season. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound monster will be a keystone in the Dragons' power ground game.
Nasser Clark
Junior running back/linebacker, White County -- This do-it-all standout has a chance to lead the Warriors in both rushing yards and tackles this season as they look to get back in the playoff hunt.
Dylan Connell
Senior, offensive/defensive line (four-year starter), Flowery Branch -- The Falcons stalwart will be a key piece for the Branch, as he looks to lead younger teammates on the line of scrimmage.
Kaleb Crain
Junior, quarterback/cornerback, White County -- After moving to the position from running back last season, Crain will be a hard-nosed runner with athleticism to spare.
Brad Davis
Senior, quarterback (2,287 yards passing, 16 TDs), Fannin County -- The lively-armed signal caller has led an explosive offense for the past two seasons and will be the lynchpin again as the Rebels look to get over the hump into the playoffs.
Bailey Fisher
Junior, quarterback (2,936 yards passing, 753 yards rushing, 46 total TDs), Rabun County -- An all-around athlete with a head for the game, Fisher took ownership of the Wildcats' attack as a sophomore and will be the man this season after the graduation of some key stars and leaders.
Ivan Flores
Senior, offensive line, East Hall -- He may not scare opponents with his size, but the senior more than makes up for it with his tenacity, and if he's firing, so is the Vikings offense.
Anthony Grant
Junior, running back/linebacker (743 yards, 9 TDs, 7.4 yards per carry), Buford -- Coaches at Buford believe he (along with teammate Christian Turner) has the ability to be one of the best backs the program has produced. High praise indeed. And the duo spells trouble for any opposing defense.
Chris Griggs
Senior, running back, Jackson County -- With several youngsters filling out the line-up this season, the Panthers running back will be looked to help carry the attack and lead a push toward the playoffs.
Keith Harris
Junior, linebacker (89 total tackles), Gainesville -- A whirlwind of motion and energy, Harris was seemingly everywhere the ball went as a sophomore and should only be better this season on a defense full of experience.
Javonne Hughes
Senior, running back, Winder-Barrow -- He filled in for graduated standout Cece Green last year and helped lead the Bulldoggs to two big wins when Green was injured. Now it's his turn to shine.
DJ Irons
Junior, quarterback, Gainesville -- Taking over at one of THE positions in northeast Georgia, Irons has the athleticism to shine. Can he continue the success of the last three Red Elephants quarterbacks? If he does, expect GHS to be amongst the favorites in region and state again.
Markese Jackson
Senior, receiver/quarterback (averaged over 100 yards receiving per game in 2015), East Hall -- You want a playmaker? Look no farther than Jackson, who routinely torched defenses last season and could also occasionally do so from the quarterback spot this season.
Drew Jordan
Senior, defensive end (Duke-commit, 45 tackles, 6 for loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble), North Gwinnett -- On a team known more for wide open offense, Jordan shone and will be a key piece if the Bulldogs are to get back in the postseason after a rare miss in 2015.
Nick Lyles
Junior, running back, Chestatee -- The War Eagles are looking to rebuild, and it will likely be around the abilities of Lyles, who has the athleticism to shine.
Stephon Massillon
Senior, running back, Apalachee -- The Wildcats are looking to rebuild, and Massillon will be the key piece on offense if they are to bounce back from a tough stretch.
Zach Matthews
Senior, running back, Lumpkin County -- After an inconsistent 2015 in which he bounced around positions Matthews is back at running back, where he dominated in 2014, and he could be set to do so again in 2016.
Cameron McCarthy
Senior, offensive line (6-4, 250 pounds, 4.1 GPA), Johnson -- The Knights will be back in region play this season, and McCarthy will lead the charge. He has interest from several collegiate programs and has the size to dominate opposing defenders.
Tyrese Osborne
Senior running back/linebacker, West Hall -- After graduating several talented running backs, Osborne will take over the leadership role in 2016 after showing last season that he had the ability to be just as explosive.
Austin Parker
Junior, quarterback (2,485 yards passing, 214 yards rushing, 24 total TDs), East Hall -- The steady hand that helped put all the pieces together for the Vikings' high-flying offense in 2015 -- one that averaged just over 30 points per game. And he will still have a bevy of options to distribute the ball to in 2016.
Tyler Taylor
Senior, linebacker (collegiate offers from Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, amongst others), Lanier -- A disruptive force, the only reason more people weren't talking about Taylor last season was because of All-American teammate Derrick Brown. Now it's time for Taylor to take the headlines.
Will Thomas
Senior, fullback (1,069 yards rushing, 8 TDs), Commerce -- A wrecking ball with legs, the fullback in the Tigers' system must be ready to pound and then pound some more. Thomas will -- and then take advantage when the opposing defense gives out.
Cameron Turley
Senior, quarterback (2,358 yards passing, 18 TDs, 3 INT), Mill Creek -- The Hawks made their hay on defense last season, but the athletic Turley was underrated and will look to take the starring role this season after guiding Mill Creek to the state semifinals in 2015.
Christian Turner
Junior, running back/linebacker (788 yards rushing, 10 TDs, 9.4 yards per carry in 2015), Buford -- Coaches at Buford believe he (along with teammate Anthony Grant) has the ability to be one of the best backs the program has produced. High praise indeed. And the duo spells trouble for any opposing defense.
Demetrius Walker
Senior, running back/linebacker, Banks County -- The Leopards are rebuilding their offensive line but Walker has the ability to help younger teammates and could be the workhorse Banks' progression is built on.
Coey Watson
Junior, quarterback (2,171 yards passing, 473 yards rushing, 28 total TDs), Dawson County -- Already starting his third season as signal caller, the now grizzled veteran has developed into a leader and has the athleticism to burn teams with his arm or legs.
Dontae Wilson
Senior, offensive/defensive lineman (15-plus collegiate offers), Jefferson -- Another mountain of a lineman for Jefferson, Wilson can and will mash anything in his way, which is good news for...
Colby Wood
Junior, running back (2,119 yards, 33 total TDs), Jefferson -- We ran out of superlatives to describe his sophomore season. Speed, vision, strength and a nose for the goalline made him dangerous. And running behind a strong offensive line made him an absolute nightmare for opposing defenses.
