Northeast Georgia players continue to be trend-setters when it comes to piling up some huge numbers offensively.
Four area players still lead their respective classifications heading into this week’s games, and moving up the ranks as well.
Rabun County junior wide receiver Jaden Gibson now leads the entire state, and Class 2A obviously, in receiving with 605 yards. Danny Curran of Lassiter is second with 588 yards and leads Class 6A. Collins Hill’s Travis Hunter is third and leads Class 7A with 553 yards.
Georgia-commit and Rabun County senior quarterback Gunner Stockton leads Class 2A with 1,278 yards but has climbed into fourth-place in the state after a huge game last week. Aaron Philo of Prince Avenue Christian leads the state with 1,728 yards.
Towns County senior Kyle Oakes continues to set the pace in Class A Public with 726 yards after another 240-yard performance last week. He now sits fifth in all classifications. Houston County’s Simeon Askew leads the state in rushing with 961 yards.
Luke Bornhorst is already improving on last year’s breakout season. The senior Chestatee quarterback leads Class 4A with 1,034 yards.
Dawson County’s Bailey Dameron, who led Class 3A in receiving heading into Week 5, dropped into second place behind Stephens County’s Cam Lacy. Dameron, who is 13th overall in the state, has 447 yards, just 57 yards behind Lacy.
Towns County’s Collin Crowder has moved into second place in Class A Public in receiving, and 35th overall in the state, with 344 yards. But he is just 1 yard behind classification leader K.J. Reid of Social Circle.
Tyler Crow of East Jackson has moved up to 15th overall with 615 yards rushing, which is good for second in Class 3A behind J.L. Lackey of Hart County, who is second overall in the state with 796 yards.
HOT (AND COLD) STARTERS: Buford has won 11 straight region openers on the field, though they were forced to forfeit a win over Banks County in 2012. Their last loss in a region opener was in 2009 at Lovett. The Wolves open Region 8-6A on the road against Central Gwinnett. ... Staying in 8-6A, last year’s region-opening win for Habersham Central over Winder-Barrow snapped an 8-year string of region-opening losses. The two teams open region play this year in Mt. Airy. ... Cherokee Bluff opens defense of its 7-3A title on the road against a streaking Gilmer squad, which has won two straight. But Bluff was the only 7-3A team in 2020 to go undefeated on the road (3-0) and has won 6 straight on the road. ... North Hall has won five straight region openers. The Trojans last loss to open region play was in 2015 to Stephens County in 8-4A. They open on the road against West Hall. ... Speaking of the Spartans, they have dropped three straight region openers going back to a win over Chestatee in 2017 in 7-4A. ... East Hall, who travels to Cedar Shoals tonight to open 8-4A play, is just 2-4 in region openers on the road since 2009. ...
DON'T GIVE THESE GUYS TIME: Jefferson, which plays host to Flowery Branch in both teams Region 8-4A opener, is coming off a bye week. And when the Dragons are rested, they are even more dangerous. Since Gene Cathcart took over as coach, the Dragons are 5-0 following an off week. They also have won 15 straight home games going back to a season-opening loss to Oconee County in 2019.
HOME COOKING: Commerce is still trying to get acclimated under new coach Mark Hollars. However, the Tigers have won 8 straight regular season home games as they get ready to take on Mt. Paran tonight. ... Habersham Central is 3-1 in its last four games at Raider Stadium. ... Rabun County, who takes on Pickens (SC) tonight, is 13-2 in its last 15 home games with the two losses coming to defending Class 2A champion Callaway in the 2020 semifinals and to 2020 Class 4A state runner-up Jefferson. In fact, the Wildcats have won 12 straight at home vs. unranked opponents going back to a state quarterfinal loss to Fitzgerald in 2018. ... Dawson County and White County open their 7-3A schedules in Cleveland. The Tigers should take notice because the home team has won the past four matchups in the series.
(Stats obtained from coaches and Georgia High School Football Daily)
