This is the second of eight GHSA football 2016 classification previews.
Tomorrow…2A classification
Thursday August 11th…3A classification
Friday August 12th…4A classification
Monday August 15th…5A classification
Tuesday August 16th…6A classification
Wednesday August 17th…7A classification
The 1A Private classification, now featuring twenty-four teams in its state championship bracket come November, will feature teams not as deep as past years, star power could make the difference.
Championship Favorites…
Eagles Landing Christian Academy are heavy favorites to repeat as 1A Private state champions. Let’s start with the negatives. They will need to replace their top four tacklers, the AJC Defensive Player of the Year in Chase Burdette, a three-year starting quarterback in DJ Hammond, Clemson offensive lineman Chandler Reeves and two other senior offensive linemen. This is where you ask us, or yourself, “They are heavy favorites?” Well, yes.
This roster is so deep from year-to-year, and playing in back-to-back title games delivers experience to a team that will play a lot of youngsters in 2016. Yet, 16-18 of their starters should be upperclassmen. Senior running back Trevor Gear, who has started since his sophomore year, brings back his nearly 1,600-yards rushing and 16 scores. As always, ELCA will have a strong backfield rotation. This year featuring: junior Josh Mays, junior Khaleb Hood and another great young talent yet to be revealed. Why? Because, ELCA.
Calvary Day has averaged 10.2 wins over the last five years. In a year where star power could be the separator between contenders, the Cavaliers have potential. Senior quarterback Sal Calderon led a freshman laden club to 9-2 mark in 2015 and the now sophomore group of Nolan Smith, Jeremy Smith and Jalen Leary have future all-state potential. Plus, the addition of multiple time state champion Rick Tomberlin as head coach could infuse the team with new energy.
Stratford Academy ended Calvary Day’s season in the first round of last season’s playoffs. As a team, the Eagles amassed nearly 4,000-rushing yards. Quarterback Sim Patrick, split-end Quintez Cephus and athlete O’Showen Williams are all gone, but they will absolutely repeat the performance. Returning are the next three men rushing yardage wise: Kasey Sanders, Tyler Jordan, and Siemoran Farrar. Plus, three offensive linemen are coming back. Yes, they will have questions to answer, but the men from Macon probably have the best returning collection of experienced players in 1A Private. Even compared to ELCA.
Contenders…
If not for three major transfers during the summer, Aquinas would be number two in the 680 The Fan FNF poll. Gone to Grovetown High School, via transfer, is last year’s leading receiver and top two running backs yardage wise. This, on top of the graduation of their third leading rusher and three-year starting quarterback. Oh, and four offensive linemen. So, how could they still be this highly thought of? Remember, the Fightin’ Irish have become a reload program. Blowing teams out leads to playing young guys. They return perhaps the best LB corps in the class, a second-team all-state athlete, three top flight wide receivers and a host of talented underclassmen.
Landmark Christian brings us back to the “lone-star leading-his-team conversation.” Of course, senior running back Lofton Tidwell will receive help from a host of talented young men, including senior athlete Joey Blount, but LT is their undisputed leader. The ground and pound War Eagle recipe that has served them so well over the last few years could finally punch a ticket to the dome.
Many will assume that without incredible two-sport star Taylor Trammell, three offensive linemen, and their three-year starting quarterback, Mount Paran will have a significant drop-off. We contend the amount of talent coming back will certainly keep the Eagles in contention. The two offensive linemen returning are all-state level (Brady Scott & Carter Smith). The new cast of skill guys are young, athletic, eager and experienced.
Playoff bound, higher seeds beware…
Speaking of replacing a top flight player. Savannah Christian will need to figure out life after Demetris Robertson, who spent the last few years as one of the top overall athletes in America. The strength for the Raiders will be in the trenches with three potential all-state caliber players (Zach Quinney, Dylan McMahon & Evan Reese).
Watch out for the emergence of a new young quarterback on the scene at Darlington. Griffin Brewster (6’2/ 170) may not be the starter to begin the season, but it appears to only be a matter of time. His growth could be expedited with the growth of young tight end Tate Ratledge (6’4/ 240). Of course, the Tigers will be led by junior running back Tijai Whatley; who was an all-state performer in 2015.
Pinecrest Academy will be led by all-everything Ryan McCarthy. The 6’3, 195-pound senior was all-state at both quarterback and linebacker. Having said that, the need for young new players to step up is paramount. This team will be light-years better in the second half of the season.
Last season, Wesleyan Head Coach Frank Pridgen told the Gwinnett Daily Post, “We’re going to have the biggest senior class we’ve ever had in program history with 25 kids.” That club was absolutely championship caliber and lost a hard fought contest to Jefferson County 23-21 in the playoffs. Banks Ramsey, back at quarterback, is joined by Harrison Cook, a host of younger players, and back-ups, who acquired so much experience in 2015. Still, they lost 25 seniors, and in the end, that will tell their story.
Top Ten challengers…
Prince Avenue, Athens Academy, Mt Pisgah and Pacelli.
Chris Mooneyham 