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Friday, Sept. 17, 2021
2.5 multiplier gaining momentum
Plan for separate private playoffs loses support
Georgia’s largest private high schools won’t be playing for their own championships separate from public schools next year after all, it appears.
 
Now, the trending idea within the GHSA’s reclassification committee is to increase the current enrollment multiplier 25% to 2.5, which would bump private and city schools even higher in classification.
 
The reclass committee met Thursday in Thomaston, and the only certainty is that the group will meet again ahead of the Oct. 3-4 executive committee meeting, where proposals must be approved. No decisions have been made, and the private schools remain unhappy.
 
Most significant Thursday was reclass committee chairman Curt Miller’s decision to drop his support of the proposal he initiated last month, which was to have the GHSA’s nine largest private schools compete for their own championships independent of public schools.
 
Those private schools are Benedictine, Blessed Trinity, Greater Atlanta Christian, Marist, Pace Academy, Lovett, St. Pius, Westminster and Woodward Academy. Miller asked for a show of hands in support of that idea, and he got none among the 19-member committee, including his own.
 
Miller then suggested bumping the out-of-zone multiplier to 3.0, a move that private schools strongly rejected, according to minutes of Tuesday’s meeting.
 
Several ideas were discussed, but the most popular came from committee member Randy McPherson, the Lowndes athletic director and former football coach. McPherson suggested a 2.5 multiplier with no cap on the number of classes that the multiplier might catapult a school.
 
That proposal would mean city schools such as Buford and Valdosta could wind up in Class 7A and private schools such as St. Pius and Blessed Trinity could move up into 6A or higher.
 
A multiplier counts out-of-zone students more than once when determining enrollment. For example, a school with 1,000 students overall, and 500 from outside the school’s zone, would be counted as having 1,500 students using a 2.0 multiplier and 1,750 students using a 2.5 multiplier.
 
The 2.5-multiplier plan found favor Thursday by an unofficial vote of 11-5 with three abstentions. No committee member representing private schools supported the idea. They instead are pushing for a competitive balance model that would classify individual sports teams based on their track record, meaning football and baseball teams from the same school might be in different classes based on how they perform.
 
Nothing discussed or voted upon Thursday was binding. The reclass committee will make an official proposal next month. Any changes to the reclassification format must be approved by the GHSA’s executive committee, which includes voting members from each of the GHSA’s 64 regions. The current classification cycle runs through this academic year.
Askew, Hunter move to top
Houston County senior Simeon Askew has rushed for more than 125 yards in each of his team’s four games this season, and his 257-yard effort last week against Statesboro in a 24-20 victory put him atop GHSF Daily’s state rushing leaderboard.
 
“Simeon is a big back [5-10, 210] that can run between the tackles and has explosive burst after contact,” Houston County coach Ryan Crawford said. “He has good hands catching the ball out of the backfield and has a very high football IQ. We expect big things from him each week to help our youth at other skill positions grow and find more playmakers.”
 
Prince Avenue Christian’s Aaron Philo continues to lead the state in passing yards, and Collins Hill’s Travis Hunter retook the lead in receiving after gaining 224 yards last week against Rome.
 
GHSF Daily’s leaderboard will run each Friday through the regular season.
 
Rushing
752 - Simeon Askew, Houston County [6A leader]
720 - Justin Williams, East Paulding
705 - Johne'ss Davis, Athens Christian [A Private leader]
642 - A'khori Jones, Mount de Sales
606 - Jaiden Credle, Carver-Columbus [4A leader]
590 - Duke Watson, Mary Persons [3A leader]
561 - Jacob Davis, Discovery [7A leader]
561 - Chip Cooper, Worth County [2A leader]
558 - Tre Hawkins, Athens Academy
547 - J.L. Lackey, Hart County
540 - Alan Jones, Monroe Area
539 - Ousmane Kromah, Lee County
527 - Solomon Locke, Christian Heritage
513 - Jahvon Butler, Bleckley County
513 - Nazir Berry, Spalding
508 - Silas Mulligan, White County
507 - Charlie Pace, Colquitt County
506 - Dallas Johnson, Eastside [5A leader]
493 - Jordan Trevino, Southeast Whitfield
487 - Kyle Oakes, Towns County [A Public leader]
478 - Joseph Jean, Grovetown
477 - Solomon Rayton, Arabia Mountain
476 - Dominic Elder, North Oconee
469 - D.J. Rogers, Pepperell
465 - Peyton Streko, West Forsyth
457 - Dilon McCoy, Bremen
454 - Jayden Brown, Miller Grove
450 - Donovan Johnson, Calvary Day
449 - Rob Brown, Trion
448 - Malachi Hosley, Northside-Columbus
446 - Joseph Hampton, Evans
440 - C.J. Allen, Lamar County
438 - Eli Downing, East Laurens
436 - Selatian Straughter, Monroe Area
430 - Dre Booker, Providence Christian
420 - Brady Ensley, Southeast Whitfield
419 - Cheik Keita, Stephenson
418 - Jason Williams, Harlem
418 - Gavin Hall, Hebron Christian
417 - Ra'Shard Myers, Warren County
415 - Javon Graham, Fayette County
414 - Sammy Brown, Jefferson
413 - Dennis Mims, Appling County
412 - Niejay Gaston, Washington
410 - Cartevious Norton, Ware County
408 - Tyson Everett, Stephens County
405 - Jai'den Thomas, Westlake
405 - Asa James, Woodland-Cartersville
401 - Christopher Morgan, New Manchester
401 - Marcus McFarlane, North Gwinnett
399 - Malcolm Brown, Warner Robins
397 - Travis Moss, Warren County
396 - Clay Hyatt, Haralson County
395 - Trey Ransom, Jackson County
394 - Zayden Walker, Schley County
389 - Dayshawn Lawson, Wilcox County
388 - Jacorious Boyd, Harlem
386 - Malik Harper, Thomasville
372 - Jamie Felix, Camden County
372 - Micah Blackwell, Franklin County
372 - Kevin Rochester, North Hall
365 - Kori Dumas, Ringgold
360 - Tevin Gartrell, Lincoln County
355 - Tylan Johnson, Johns Creek
 
Passing
1,379 - Aaron Philo, Prince Avenue Christian [A Private leader]
1,100 - Robbie Roper, Roswell [7A leader]
1,088 - John Alan Richter, Jones County [5A leader]
1,046 - David Dallas, Trinity Christian
902 - Zane Touchton, Pelham [A Public leader]
901 - Jai'que Hart, Lithia Springs
900 - Pauly Seeley, New Hampstead [4A leader]
900 - Connor Jones, Providence Christian
898 - Dylan Lonergan, Brookwood
873 - Gunner Stockton, Rabun County [2A leader]
869 - Tyler Hughes, Marietta
864 - Armar Gordon, Perry
849 - Logan Cross, Social Circle
847 - Cole Peterson, Whitefield Academy
838 - Mason Kidd, Mountain View
815 - Shaihi Brown, Eagle's Landing
806 - Owen Brooker, Northwest Whitfield
803 - Sam Horn, Collins Hill
802 - M.J. Morris, Carrollton [6A leader]
791 - Chip Cooper, Worth County
785 - Fabian Walker, Chamblee
768 - Jack Cendoya, Mount Pisgah Christian
764 - Bryson Harrison, Lassiter
755 - Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day
749 - Geimere Latimer, Sandy Creek [3A leader]
748 - Vinson Berry, Luella
747 - Colin Houck, Parkview
737 - Brayden Mauldin, Paulding County
710 - Austen Whitworth, Hart County
707 - Thomas Castellanos, Ware County
703 - Devin Henderson, Cass
698 - Patrick Lowe, Pope
697 - Devin Riles, Carver-Columbus
689 - Kasen Weisman, South Paulding
688 - Ben Stowe, Stephens County
683 - Neko Fann, Colquitt County
681 - Holden Geriner, Benedictine
679 - Zach Holtzclaw, Dawson County
679 - Qamar Grant, Pebblebrook
675 - A.J. Swann, Cherokee
674 - Christon Lane, Warner Robins
666 - Christian Thomas, Christian Heritage
656 - Jeremiah Jackson, Mitchell County
655 - Lonnie Ratliff, Duluth
652 - Cayman Prangley, Kennesaw Mountain
651 - Bryce Archie, McEachern
648 - Ty Watkins, South Forsyth
646 - Jacurri Brown, Lowndes
644 - Tae Snead, LaGrange
640 - Ethan Washington, North Gwinnett
627 - Keegan Stover, West Forsyth
623 - Malachi Singleton, North Cobb
622 - Ben Guthrie, Alpharetta
619 - Robert McNeal, Bowdon
611 - Christian Lewis, Calhoun
 
Receiving
484 - Travis Hunter, Collins Hill [7A leader]
474 - Danny Curran, Lassiter [6A leader]
460 - Matthew Miller, Providence Christian [A Private leader]
459 - Jaden Gibson, Rabun County [2A leader]
439 - Bailey Dameron, Dawson County [3A leader]
406 - Sacovie White, Cass [5A leader]
402 - Zion Ragins, Jones County
400 - Bailey Stockton, Prince Avenue Christian
395 - Ethan Christian, Prince Avenue Christian
395 - Damare Franklin, Veterans
392 - Marek Briley, North Gwinnett
383 - Kaleb Webb, McEachern
362 - Savion Riley, Kennesaw Mountain
362 - Zion Taylor, Parkview
353 - Walter Blanchard, Brookstone
346 - Malachi Kelly, Hart County
341 - J'Marius Johnson, Luella [4A leader]
340 - Cam'ron Lacy, Stephens County
332 - Ted Hurst, Johnson-Savannah
322 - Keshawn Weathers, Towers
322 - Oscar Delp, West Forsyth
316 - Christian Curry, Hardaway
316 - Ray Morrison, Northwest Whitfield
315 - Za'Quan Bryan, Benedictine
312 - Tyler Hunnicutt, Mount Pisgah Christian
307 - Khris Thomas, Lowndes
307 - Ethan Crite, Roswell
305 - Jordan Thornton, Chamblee
295 - Terrell Carmichael, Carrollton
288 - Tristan Smith, LaGrange
288 - Deuce Petty, Warner Robins
284 - Quentin Thomas, Eagle's Landing
284 - Cameron Overton, Marietta
282 - Daveon Walker, Warner Robins
277 - Sean Reese, Mountain View
275 - Jonathan Gallinaro, Mount Vernon
275 - Justin Wilson, Mountain View
275 - Nazir Berry, Spalding
273 - Ja'myez Thompson, Mitchell County [A Public leader]
273 - Toriano Bias, New Hampstead
272 - Taylor Carrell, Murray County
265 - Wyatt Brumlow, Christian Heritage
264 - Davion Leslie, Lithia Springs
263 - Takare Lipscomb, Carrollton
261 - Derrick Moore II, Archer
258 - Tanner Langley, Bowdon
258 - K.J. Reid, Social Circle
256 - Jevell Fugerson, Lee County
254 - Nakai Poole, Norcross
254 - Joshua Dallas, Trinity Christian
253 - Cooper Craig, Whitefield Academy
251 - Jameel Avery, Chamblee
Ka’Various Perry, LaGrange
Ka’Various Perry, a senior offensive lineman at LaGrange, is the scoutSMART Student-Athlete of the Week. Perry, a three-year starter, has a 5.22 weighted GPA and has taken seven AP classes and 15 college-credit classes. Perry has nine pancake blocks in the first three games for an offense averaging 458 yards per game. “Ka'Various is an intelligent young man with a bright future,” LaGrange head coach Matt Napier said. “He is a hard worker and excellent football player, and as a three-year starter for our team, he has had a tremendous impact on our on-field success. More so, he is a great representation of our football program and LaGrange High School in every way. Our entire community is excited to see the impact he will have once he leaves and goes on to college and down the road in whatever he chooses to pursue as a career path.”
 
GHSF Daily, in conjunction with scoutSMART, will be announcing a statewide All-Academic team for 2020. The ideal candidate will be outstanding on the field and in the classroom. Please click here to send nominations to Diane Bloodworth.
Here is where Georgia teams stand in several national polls. The numbers on the left are this week's rankings; the numbers in parentheses are last week's rankings.
 
(Top 100)
19. (17) Buford
20. (18) Collins Hill
22. (36) North Cobb
42. (55) Warner Robins
50. (73) Milton
67. (89) Colquitt County
72. (93) Lee County
94. (100) Westlake
97. (96) Mill Creek
 
(Top 25)
8. (7) Collins Hill
18. (23) Buford
 
(Top 25)
8. (8) Collins Hill
15. (19) Buford
24. (NR) North Cobb
 
(Top 100)
18. (25) Warner Robins
44. (51) Mill Creek
46. (68) Colquitt County
58. (82) Buford
65. (87) Marietta
66. (NR) Collins Hill
70. (67) Grayson
87. (NR) Lee County
97. (NR) Milton
 
(Top 100)
23. (29) Buford
28. (42) Collins Hill
45. (67) North Cobb
47. (75) Milton
56. (55) Warner Robins
62. (69) Colquitt County
64. (85) Lee County
79. (NR) Cartersville
81. (79) Creekside
83. (83) Westlake
86. (93) Grayson
 
8. (9) Collins Hill
17. (NR) Buford
On TV
Today
*Beach vs. Windsor Forest, 7:30 p.m. WSAV-TV (Savannah)
*Mill Creek at West Forsyth, 7:30 p.m., GPB
*Union County at Pickens, 7:30 p.m., ETC TV 3 (Ellijay)
*Parkview at Marietta, 8 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)
 
On the Web
The NFHS Network will present live streaming of football games from around the state each week. To sign up for the network or watch the games, click here. The NFHS Network partners with more than 100 Georgia high schools to give their students the opportunity to train and learn to broadcast their school's sporting events. Contact the NFHS Network to find out how your school can serve its students and fans with sports broadcasting opportunities.
Super sophs
Three of the top 10 sophomore prospects in the country are from Georgia, according to 247Sports, which also puts 18 Georgians in the top 100. Only Florida, with 21, has more. Below are Georgia’s 18 with their national ranking.
 
3. WR K.J. Bolden, Buford
5. LB Sammy Brown, Jefferson
7. DL T.A. Cunningham, Johns Creek
16. RB Jerrick Gibson, Mundy’s Mill
18. TE Landen Thomas, Colquitt County
26. DL Justin Greene, Mountain View
27. DL Hevin Brown-Shuler, Pace Academy
32. ATH Martevious Collins, Rome
43. ATH Kameron Davis, Dougherty
44. WR Zion Ragins, Jones County
51. OL Waltclair Flynn Jr., Grayson
66. ATH Jadan Baugh, Columbia
68. ATH Joseph Stone, Grayson
74. OT Daniel Calhoun, Centennial
77. ATH KingJoseph Edwards, Hebron Christian
90. Eddrick Houston, Buford
91. OL Caleb Holmes, Creekside
95. LB Jaqualin Birdsong, Troup
Schley County has shut out its first three opponents. Schley tonight plays Marion County, which has been shut out twice. If Schley posts another shutout, the Wildcats will become only the second team since 2010 to open with four consecutive shutouts. Pelham did it in 2018. Which 1985 team shut out its first 11 opponents, setting a state record on the way to a fourth straight state championship? (Answer Monday)
 
Answer to Thursday’s question: Ware County set a state record in 2020 by beating ranked opponents over five consecutive regular-season games. The opponents were Richmond Hill, Thomson, Bainbridge, Benedictine and Coffee. Ware had a chance to beat six ranked opponents in six games but lost to eventual Class 5A champion Warner Robins 22-19.
 
Jostens is the leading provider of yearbooks, caps and gowns, class rings and championship rings and is the Official Championship Ring of the GHSA. Click here to learn more.
Thursday's scores
Benedictine 51, Wayne Co. 7
Brunswick 41, Islands 6
Carver, Columbus 43, Shaw 7
Denmark 20, North Forsyth 17
East Forsyth 27, Riverside Military 6
Pebblebrook 14, Riverdale 14
South Forsyth 35, Lambert 13
Westover 30, Early Co. 27
Woodward Academy 55, Mundy’s Mill 13
 
Today's games
Alexander at Paulding Co.
Alpharetta at Collins Hill
Apalachee at Clarke Central
Aquinas at Strong Rock Christian
Arabia Mountain at Decatur
Banneker at Jonesboro (T)
Beach at Windsor Forest (SM)
Berkmar at Discovery
Blessed Trinity at Eagle's Landing Christ.
Bradwell Institute at Appling Co.
Brooks Co. at Mitchell Co.
Bryan Co. at McIntosh Co. Academy
Burke Co. at North Augusta, S.C.
Cairo at Fitzgerald
Calhoun at Woodstock
Calvary Day at First Presbyterian
Cambridge at Creekview
Campbell at Roswell
Carrollton at Dalton
Carver, Atlanta at Redan (HS)
Cedar Bluff, Ala. at Trion
Cedar Shoals at Winder-Barrow
Cedartown at Heard Co.
Centennial at Riverwood
Central, Carrollton at Villa Rica
Central, Talbotton at Macon Co.
Cham.-Madonna, Fla. at Buford
Chattahoochee at River Ridge
Chattahoochee Co. at Manchester
Cherokee at Cartersville
Cherokee Bluff at Lakeside, Atlanta (A)
Chestatee at North Hall
Coahulla Creek at North Murray
Coffee at Glynn Academy (GL)
Columbia at Therrell (L)
Columbus at Jordan (CM)
Crawford Co. at Terrell Co.
Crescent, S.C. at Franklin Co.
Cross Keys at Notre Dame Academy
Dacula at Mountain View
Dade Co. at Mt. Zion, Carroll
Deerfield-Windsor at Sav. Christian (P)
Dougherty at Turner Co.
Douglass at Salem
Dublin at Swainsboro
Dunwoody at Norcross
Dutchtown at Union Grove
East Jackson at East Hall
East Paulding at Douglas Co.
Effingham Co. at Howard (ED)
Evans at Washington Co.
Fannin Co. at Banks Co.
Fayette Co. at Hampton
Forest Park at Tri-Cities
Forsyth Central at Gainesville
Frederica Academy at Brantley Co.
Gordon Central at Gordon Lee
Grayson at Harrison
Greater Atl. Christ. at Cedar Grove (GO)
Greenbrier at Loganville
Greene Co. at Jasper Co.
Griffin at Lovejoy (TO)
Groves at Savannah (GC)
Hancock Central at Georgia Military
Hart Co. at Westside, S.C.
Hawkinsville at Montgomery Co.
Hebron Christian at George Walton Acad.
Hephzibah at Josey
Heritage, Conyers at Colquitt Co.
Heritage, Ringgold at Darlington
Hiram at Flowery Branch
Holy Innocents' at Loganville Christian
Hughes at M.L. King (AV)
Irwin Co. at Tift Co.
Jackson at Crisp Co.
Jackson, Atlanta at Bremen
Jackson Co. at Walnut Grove
Jefferson Co. at Butler
Jenkins Co. at Claxton
Johns Creek at Sequoyah
Johnson, Gaines. at Eastside (SH)
Kendrick at LaGrange (C)
Kennesaw Mountain at Kell
Lafayette Christian at Pinecrest Academy
Lakeview Academy at Towns Co.
Lakeview-Ft. Ogle. at Ringgold
Landmark Christian at Trinity Christian
Lanier at Peachtree Ridge
Lanier Co. at Baconton
Liberty Co. at Statesboro
Lincoln Co. at Harlem
Lithia Springs at Lee Co.
Locust Grove at Eagle's Landing
Long Co. at Jeff Davis
Lovett at South Atlanta (L)
Marion Co. at Schley Co.
Mays at Westlake
McDonough at North Clayton (SC)
Meadowcreek at Duluth
Metter at Portal
Mill Creek at West Forsyth
Monroe Area d. Clarkston, forfeit
Morgan Co. at Lakeside, Evans
Mount Vernon at Athens Christian
Mt. Zion, Jonesboro at Luella
Murray Co. at LaFayette
Newnan at Harris Co.
Newton at McEachern
North Cobb at Etowah
North Cobb Christ. at Fellowship Christ.
North Gwinnett at Archer
North Paulding at Brookwood
Northeast at Monroe (M)
Northgate at East Coweta
Oakleaf, Fla. at Camden Co.
Oglethorpe Co. at Social Circle
Ola at Woodland, Stockbridge
Osborne at Allatoona
Pace Academy d. McNair, forfeit
Parkview at Marietta
Pataula Charter at Central Christian
Peach Co. at Mary Persons
Pelham at Toombs Co.
Pierce Co. at Clinch Co.
Pike Co. at Upson-Lee
Putnam Co. at Westside, Augusta
Rabun Co. at Saluda, S.C.
Randolph-Clay at Cook
Richmond Hill at Northside, W.R. (MT)
Ridgeland at Cass
Rockmart at Sonoraville
Rome at South Paulding
Rutland at ACE Charter
Sandy Creek at Westminster
Savannah at Groves (GC)
Screven Co. at Emanuel Co. Institute
South Cobb at Pope
South Gwinnett at Shiloh
Southeast Bulloch at Grovetown
Southeast Whitfield at Armuchee
St. Francis at Lumpkin Co.
Stephens Co. at Habersham Central
Stockbridge at Jones Co.
Stone Mountain at North Springs
Stratford Academy at Mount Paran Christ.
Tattnall Co. at Bacon Co.
Tattnall Square at Savannah Country Day
Taylor Co. at Greenville
Temple at Pepperell
Thomasville at Oconee Co.
Tiftarea Academy at Charlton Co.
Treutlen at Johnson Co.
Troup at Spencer (K)
Tucker at Southwest DeKalb (HS)
Twiggs Co. at Glascock Co.
Union Co. at Pickens
Veterans at West Laurens
Vidalia at Richmond Academy
Walker at Community Christian
Ware Co. at Bainbridge
Warner Robins at Houston Co. (FF)
Washington-Wilkes at Elbert Co.
Wesleyan at Prince Avenue Christian
Westside, Macon at Hillgrove
Wheeler at Lassiter
Wheeler Co. at Dooly Co.
Wilcox Co. at Telfair Co.
Woodland, Carters. at Chamblee (ND)
 
Saturday's games
Creekside at Drew (SC)
Glenn Hills at Laney
Hilton Head, S.C. at Jenkins (SM)
 
Stadium abbreviations: (A) Adams; (AS) Albany State; (AV) Avondale; (C) Callaway; (CM) Columbus Memorial; (ED) Ed Defore; (FF) Freedom Field; (GC) Garden City; (GL) Glynn County; (GO) Godfrey; (HS) Hallford; (K) Kinnett; (L) Lakewood; (M) Mills; (MT) McConnell-Talbert; (ND) North DeKalb; (P) Pooler; (SC) Southern Crescent; (SH) Sharp; (SM) Savannah Memorial; (T) Tara; (TO) Twelve Oaks
Georgia schools play numerous games against out-of-state competition. GHSF Daily will track the scores of those games each week to see how Georgia fares against the rest of the nation.
 
Vs. Alabama**********4-4
Vs. Florida**********7-4
Vs. Mississippi******1-0
Vs. North Carolina***5-0
Vs. Ohio*************0-0
Vs. Pennsylvania*****1-0
Vs. South Carolina***4-7
Vs. Tennessee********3-2
Vs. Virginia*********1-0
Total***************26-17
 
Last week's scores
Blessed Trinity 28, Charlotte Cath., NC 10
Buford 44, Myers Park, N.C. 17
Cairo 21, Escambia, Fla. 7
Early Co. 31, Charles Henderson, Ala. 9
Milton 28, St. Joseph’s, Pa. 21
Rabun Co. 59, Murphy, N.C. 14
Strom Thurmond, S.C. 21, Josey 12
Thomas Co. Central 20, Godby, Fla 12
Trion 37, Howard, Tenn. 6

This week's games
Burke Co. at North Augusta, S.C.
Cedar Bluff, Ala. at Trion
Chaminade-Madonna, Fla. at Buford
Crescent, S.C. at Franklin Co.
Hart Co. at Westside, S.C.
May River, S.C. at Thomson
Oakleaf, Fla. at Camden Co.
Rabun Co. at Saluda, S.C.
Hilton Head, S.C. at Jenkins (Sat., SM)
GHSF Daily will select 10 games each week for a Predict the Winner contest, presented by ALL-STAR QB. Predictions must be submitted by 5 p.m. each Friday. Limit one entry per email address. Contest winners will be announced on Mondays at the start of each new contest and will receive the ASQB-LITE model game, the company's most popular. Click here to play!
Team of the Week: Ringgold
The Ringgold Tigers, who rallied from 21-14 and 28-21 deficits in the second half to beat North Murray 31-28 Friday night in the teams’ Region 3-6A opener, received their Georgia Team of the Week plaque Thursday at their school. Landon Eaker kicked a 43-yard field goal with two seconds left to break a 28-28 tie. Ringgold (seniors and captains pictured above) ended a four-game losing streak against one of its main rivals and improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2011. The state Team of the Week award is sponsored by Siemens and World Electric.
Player of the Week: Peyton Streko
Peyton Streko, a junior running back at West Forsyth who rushed for 267 yards and scored six touchdowns in a 51-35 victory over Walton in a Class 7A game last week, had his Georgia Player of the Week plaque from GHSF Daily delivered to head coach Dave Svelha at his school Wednesday. Streko (above) is the No. 3 rusher in Class 7A with 465 yards, and West Forsyth is ranked for the first time since 2012. The state Player of the Week award is sponsored by Sports Turf and AstroTurf.
Today’s interviewee is Roswell quarterback Robbie Roper, who leads Class 7A in passing yards with 1,100. Roswell is 3-0, ranked No. 6 and averaging 43.3 points per game entering its home game tonight against Campbell, which also is 3-0. This interview was done for GHSF Daily by Jeff Sentell of DawgNation.
 
Robbie Roper, Roswell quarterback
1. You had a solid junior season with 24 passing touchdowns in 11 games. That’s 2.1 TD passes per game, but you now have 14 touchdowns in three games this fall. That's almost five per game. How do you feel about being the leading passer in Class 7A, and to what do you attribute the big leap in production? “Last year, we really didn’t throw the ball as much. For all of our first year, we had new coaches all around us. We knew for this second year we’d see a pretty good leap forward in passing yards. We thought we could have a good year in general as a team and with more passing yards for our offense. It was really the same scheme, just giving me more leeway in my second year. If I see something now where they are pressing us on the outside, I can change it and get my guy in something that would be better for that play. They just gave me a lot more leeway to make changes for this offense, As far as leading 7A right now, I am really excited about it. I really just hope I can keep all of this good stuff for our team going throughout region play and for the whole season.”
 
2. You transferred to Roswell before your junior year. Transfers are now commonplace in high school football. Why did your move to Roswell make sense? “Roswell was definitely a more well-known program for putting players into college [such as] Malik Willis at Liberty, John Cophenhaver at North Carolina. Just people like that on the offensive side. I saw the coaches that came in place here when I saw that [former Roswell coach] Matt Kemper had gone to Etowah, and I looked at the coaches who were hired. I saw that the system was going to be more passing and more ‘air raid’ here. Then I just looked at the guys who were here with [receiver] Marquis Willis and Mike Fitzgerald and the offensive line we had. I knew I would have a good chance to succeed. I just looked at it as a chance and just as a good opportunity. There really weren’t many cons to it.”
 
3. You've put up all these numbers so far in Class 7A ball. What is the reaction you've seen on the recruiting front? “I’ve definitely had more colleges in contact with me. That is based on just my ability this year to extend plays. That is what they all wanted to see. Make throws on the run. Get out of the pocket. I almost have as many rushing yards now as I did all of last year. I’m just a big competitor. I had to transfer, come in here, compete and win the job. I will compete every day and will do anything to win. That’s what I have to offer all of them.”
 
4. What's your assessment of Roswell this season vs. last year? “For all of our coaches last year it was all their first year except for our head coach under the system. Just getting everyone familiar and I mean [four-star junior cornerback prospect] Ethan Nation is starting to play offense more at receiver this year. We’ve just got younger guys who are starting to step up more this year.”
 
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Note: All scores are courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets. If a score is not accurate, it was reported incorrectly.

All games are on Fridays unless noted. All game schedules are subject to change.
Stadium key: (P) Pooler
New sports fiction book geared toward teen athlete readers
Mike Tierney, a former longtime sports editor and writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, has drawn from his experiences as a basketball coach in the Decatur school system to write the sports teen fiction book "Perfect To A Fault" about a high school player who goes through an entire season without missing a shot. Mike now coaches at Notre Dame High in the Los Angeles area, where he briefly worked with Ziaire Williams, the No. 10 pick in the NBA draft. Order the book by clicking here.

GPSA helps students grow in athletics, education and life skills
Georgia Storm Prep Academy, named for owner and head coach Storm Johnson (a former UCF standout and NFL running back), is a pre- and post-graduate football program. The program includes a complete academic program with NCAA approved classes, athletic training and competitions against other Prep programs and JUCOs to gain additional exposure. We will provide the best opportunity for student-athletes to grow and mature within athletics, education, and life skills while in attendance. For information, call 678-346-8144 or contact us via email by clicking here.
 
Fundraise from anywhere with Double Good virtual app
The Double Good virtual app provides an excellent way to stay focused on your team while providing the funds you need to participate at the highest level. Our platform is 100% contactless, and our popcorn ships directly to your supporters. You could have results like these football programs which profited: Eastside - $26,000; East Coweta - $27,000; Milton - $25,000; Westlake - $39,000; and Woodstock - $24,000. For more information or to get started, contact Westlake head coach Robert May via email by clicking here.
 
Let’s build your financial game plan
At Thrivent, we believe everyone deserves a financial plan. But money can seem complicated and life gets busy, especially during football season. I know this first-hand, as a financial advisor who is also blessed to coach high school football in this state. Whether it’s investment guidance, budgeting, life insurance, debt management or retirement planning, I can help. Please reach out with any questions or needs. Have a great season! Contact Andrew Frerking by phone at 404-772-0909, via email by clicking here, or on the web at www.thrivent.com
 
Greater Georgia Basketball Officials enrolling new members
Greater Georgia Basketball Officials, one of the leading GHSA officials organizations, assigns officials to more than 25 high schools in the state. Our group is comprised of dedicated and professional men and women looking to give back to the game of basketball. If you are interested in joining Greater Georgia (GGBO), please contact Mike Oglesby via email by clicking here or by mail at Greater Georgia Basketball Officials, 3770 Cliff Crest Drive, S.E., Smyrna, GA 30080.
 
'Nobles Strong' out in paperback
Jon Nelson followed the story of the Irwin County Indians' 2019 season for GPB Sports and the chronicling of the eventual Single-A Champs is now in book form. Head Coach Buddy Nobles was given a cancer diagnosis before the season started. An entire community - on the field and off - united with the Nobles family and the Indians for a season no one touched by the story would ever forget. Order the book by clicking here.
 
Temple looking for game on Oct. 1
Temple High School of Class 2A is looking for a game on Oct. 1. Will travel (split the gate) or play at home (split the gate). If interested, contact coach Scotty Ward via email by clicking here.
 
Ware County seeks home game for Oct. 1
Ware County High School is looking for a home game on Oct. 1. If interested, contact head coach Jason Strickland via email by clicking here on athletic director Matt Collins by clicking here.
GHSF Daily classified ads
Reach 23,000 readers per day in GHSF Daily’s classified ads. Rates are $50 per week. Ads must be a maximum of 75 words and include a headline and contact information. Click here to contact us.
About Us
Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced and owned by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 35-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.