’23 POY Watchlist

We are entering our 6th season following high school football in NW/W Georgia.

Our favorite time of the Year is our POY/COY awards at seasons end. We have grown from 500 votes in season 1 to almost 13000 votes last season.

We have 20 players on our Preseason Watch list but nothing would make us happier than to see someone win POY that is not on this list.

Note: POY is only for the Class of 2024 (Senior)

Previous POY Winners

2018: Jam Griffin (Rome Wolves)

2019: Jahymr Gibbs (Dalton Catamounts)

2020: Luke Holloway (Fannin County Rebels)

2021: Clay Hyatt (Haralson County Rebels)

2022: Seth Griffin (North Murray Mountaineers)

2023 Preseason Watch List in Alphabetical Order

Jordan Beasley RB/LB (Bowdon Red Devils): This guy played everywhere last year for the State Champion Red Devils. Accounted for 687 all-purpose yards with 18 TDs. Had at least 1 touchdown receiving, rushing, and passing. Averaged 7 TT per game on defense. Charleston Southern Commit.

Ethan Blome RB (Adairsville Tigers) Had 1600 total yards last season for the Region winning Tigers. Averaged over 8 yards a carry and scored 16 TDs. Went over the 100+ yard mark in 8 of the Tigers 12 games last season. Picked up offers from Shorter and Reinhardt earlier this Summer.

D’Marion Floyd RB/DB (Darlington Tigers): 1st Team All Region RB for the Tigers last season who went over the 1000 yard mark. Athletic guy that is also a standout basketball player.

Reece Fountain QB (Rome Wolves): Starting his 4th year as starting QB for the Wolves. Passed for over 3000 yards with 28 touchdowns in ’22. Has 6400 career passing yards and could set the all-time school mark this season.

Javarius George Ath (North Paulding Wolfpack): The two way star had over 1000 all purpose yards last season for the Region winning Wolfpack. Has a two hands full of offers including Middle Tennesse State and Western Kentucky.

Hudson Gray WR (NW Whitfield Bruins): Sure handed WR with speed. He led 7AAAA in receiving last season with 58 receptions for 808 yards. 1st Team All Region in ’22. Army Offer.
LJ Green ATH (Heard County Braves) Do you need a guy that can shoot hoops, run track, play offensive or defensive at a top level while carrying a 4.0GPA? This is the guy. Athlete of the Year last year in 4-1A Div 1. Had 621 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns on 41 receptions. Holds several offers including Ga State and Southern Illinois.

Devin Henderson DB (Cass Colonels): The returning Region 7-5A DPOY. Great athlete that cover you like a glove. Can plug him in at any of the offensive skill positions, including QB. Liberty Commit.

Bryce Hicks RB (Carrollton Trojans): The Region 2-7A returning POY. Outstanding RB with great hands and speed. Recently ranked as one of the Top 10 RB prospects in the 2024 class. 2400 all purpose yards last season with 33 TDs. Passed, caught, and ran at least 1 TD. Has offers from Penn, Elon, Alabama St among others.

Toby Maddux RB/LB (Trion Bulldogs): 1466 all purpose yards with 18 TDs last season as RB2. Maddux has put on some muscle and is geared for an outstanding senior campaign. One of the best 2 way players on our list. 2X State Champion wrestler.

Walter Matthews TE (Hiram Hornets) : Its hard for a TE to win an award like this because they don’t usually put up the big numbers to catch the eye of the voters. If anyone can do it will be Matthews. The 6’7 250 athletic TE is one of, if not the, top college level recruit in NWGA. Committed to USC.

Caleb Odom WR/TE (Carrollton Trojans): Listed at 6’6 and the #3 TE in the country. I actually forget he is a TE when he plays because he moves and runs routes like a WR. Was named 1st Team All Region last year after leading 2-7A in receiving with 1121 yards and 13 TDs. He is set to commit later this afternoon (July 15).

Jaxon Pate QB (Sonoraville Phoenix): The reigning 7-4A OPY is back for his senior season under center for the Phoenix. Can get it done with his arm or his legs. Accounted for over 2300 yards of total offense in ’22 with 22 touchdowns. Has totaled over 5100 yards in his two seasons as a starter. Multisport guy, outstanding baseball player.

Judson Petty ATH (North Murray Mountaineers): Had over 2000 all purpose yards in ’22 with 24 TDs. Another guy that passed, caught and ran for a TD last season. Picked up a Rinehardt offer earlier this Summer.
Devan Powell QB (Central Lions): This guy has quietly gone about being one of the top returning stat leader in NW/W Ga. 1st Team All Region QB last season in 7-4A. Had 2300 all purpose yards with 29 touchdowns. Has an offer from Alabama State.

Trey Townsend QB (Calhoun Yellow Jackets): The 6’2 senior passed for over 2000 yards and had 20 TDs in ’22. Has a very good core of returning players around him in ’23 and should have a big season. Recently picked up and offer from Eastern Kentucky.

Justin Terrell DT (Rome Wolves): We have never had a straight defensive guy win the POY. As a matter of fact last year was the 1st year we have had a defensive guy get at least 5% of the vote. Terrell could change that this year. The NC State commit is going to be tough to block.

Brent Washington RB/LB (Rockmart Yellow Jackets): One of the most productive per touch guys in ’22. Scored 10 touchdowns only only 65 touches. Outstanding LB prospect that averages over 10 TT per game. Has offers from MTSU, App St. Southern Illinois among other.
Sacovie White ATH (Cass Colonels): UGA commit. Returning 7-5A Special Team Player of the Year that can get it done all over the field. No official stats on Maxpreps but I guarantee he had a bunch of yards.

Caden Williams RB (Calhoun Yellow Jackets): Rushed for over 1000 yards last season for the Jackets. One of the toughest North South runners to tackle in our Area. Absolute bruiser. Committed to Liberty.