Central Georgia High School Football 2019: Preseason All-Central Georgia team, and the next best 15 players to watch
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Welcome to The Sports Report of Central's Georgia's first preseason All-Central Georgia team.
As is always the case with such teams, it wasn't easy. This year, Central Georgia is loaded with upper-level quarterbacks, receivers and defenders.
The team has an odd number, as did the third team back in January of the All-Central Georgia teams, one or two more for particularly loaded spots and maybe one less for another. A large number of coaches didn’t return questionnaires, along with incomplete returns make a tough task even tougher, and maybe a little easier, too.
Peach County’s Jaydon Gibson
Photo: Hudl
Quarterback
Jaydon Gibson, Peach County
5-11, 180, Sr.
The 4-3A region offensive POY and HM All-State for the 3A runner-up was among the top 30 in the state with more than 2,300 yards (72 pct., 19 TDs), also rushing for more than 400 yards with nine TDs.
Running backs
Amaad Foston, John Milledge
6-0, 200, Jr.
After gaining nearly 2,200 yards with 27 TDs, the third-team All-Central Georgia pick is getting major-college attention.
Jahlen Rutherford, Warner Robins
5-9, 186, Jr.
Rutherford cracked 1,000 yards last year and plays a little stronger than his size. He'll get a little more work this year.
Keveon Robbins, Hancock Central
5-9, 170, Jr.
A versatile athlete whose 1,376 yards were in the top 40 in the state and second-best among returning backs, earning second-team All-Central Georgia as well as a GACA all-star spot.
Offensive line
Jabari Brooks, Washington County
6-2, 295, Sr.
The first-team All-Central Georgia pick graded at 92 percent last year with 72 knockdowns, also earning first-team AJC Class AA.
Terrance Ferguson, Peach County
6-4, 290, Jr.
The third-team All-Central Georgia pick has been a power-5 prospect since his raw freshman season, and graded out at 83 percent last year.
Octavius King, Peach County
6-1, 315, Jr.
The GACA all-star and second-team All-Central Georgian had 45 pancakes and graded at 82 for the state finalist, plays quicker than his size.
Amarius Mims, Bleckley County
6-7, 300, Jr.
His stock has exploded after not even being a full-time OL starter or making all-region. He is a physical specimen, and quite athletic for his size.
Manny Thompson, Warner Robins
6-5, 230, Sr.
The first-team All-Central Georgia pick was the main blocker for an offense that gained more than 6,800 yards.
Wide receivers
Marcayll Jones, Warner Robins
5-10, 170, Sr.
The first-team All-Central Georgia pick caught 116 passes for a state-record 2,071, plus 26 touchdowns for the Class 5A runner-up. He has committed to Memphis.
Jontavis Robertson, Jones County
6-1, 185, Sr.
The first-team All-Central Georgia pick had 53 receptions for 921 yards, good for 20th in the state. and 10 touchdowns in 11 games last season. He is a power-5 prospect and among the top 90 in the state.
Jaylon Barden, Westside
6-0, 175, Sr.
The Pittsburgh commit was 52nd last year with 760 yards on 42 catches, with five TDs, good for second team All-Central Georgia. The top-125 prospect is on a passing team with a few quality targets.
Tight end
Zaahir Salahhuddin, Baldwin
5-11, 200, Jr.
The third-team All-Central Georgian was an all-region pick in 3-4A as an H-back/tight end.
Athletes
Demeke Colbert, Upson-Lee
6-1, 185, Sr.
The third-team All-Central Georgia selection played quarterback before moving to receiver (558 yards, 7 TDs), also returning kicks.
Justin Harris, Peach County, Sr.
6-0, 190, Sr.
An honorable mention All-Central Georgia and Macon TD Club Super & pick who impacts at safety as well as return specialist.
Keilyn Tyus, Lamar County, Sr.
A Macon TD Club Super 7 pick, Tyus is getting looks at wideout and defensive back.
Defensive line
Spencer Dacus, West Laurens
5-11, 250, Sr.
The first-team All-Central Georgia pick had 10 TFLs and seven sacks, and is an elite wrestler and powerlifter.
Dublin’s Romello Height
Photo: Hudl
Romello Height, Dublin
6-5, 215, Sr.
The honorable mention All-Central Georgia pick has been a power-5 recruit, and committed to Miami. He's a top-70 in-state prospect who is a combo DL/LB.
Jalon Shine, Veterans
6-1, 250, Jr.
The honorable mention All-Central Georgian was HM All-State with the AJC at athlete.
JaQualin McGhee, Peach County
6-4, 255
The HM All-Central Georgia pick is listed as a top 125 Georgia prospect.
Linebackers
Sergio Allen, Peach County
6-2, 230, Sr.
The All-Central Georgia defensive POY and Clemson commit was a consensus all-stater and a state POY, after 130ish tackles and seven sacks. He's a top-25 state prospect.
JaQues Evans, Dublin
6-2, 230, Sr.
A key two-way player who was All-Central Georgia at tight end, and honorable mention All-State at TE and LB, a top-100 state prospect.
D’eryk Jackson, West Laurens
6-1, 235, Sr.
The second-team All-Central Georgia pick led the WL defense with 120 tackles, plus six TFLs and five sacks. He's committed to Kentucky.
Demarcious Robinson, Warner Robins
The leader of a young defense had 129 tackles and nine TFLs, plus an interception.
Wesley Steiner, Houston County
6-2, 230, Sr.
The Auburn commit and second-team All-Central Georgia pick began last season at RB, and moved after a hand injury, averaging 4.7 tackles a game. He's among the top 15 prospects in the state.
Defensive backs
Enrico Harden, Mary Persons
5-11, 175, Sr.
A first-team all-region pick is the second leading tackler back for the Bulldogs
Daelan Smith, Peach County
5-9, 185, Sr.
The second-team All-Central Georgia selection graded at 86 percent and ad 65 tackles, returning one of two INTs for a TD.
Talique Allen, Peach County
6-0, 195, Sr.
Allen is part of a loaded secondary, having committed to Western Carolina.
Kicking specialist
Daniel Gibbs, Veterans,
5-8, 150, Jr.
The first-team All-Central Georgia pick missed only one PAT ad went 5 for 10 on FGs, including a program record 49-yarder.
ANOTHER FANTASTIC FIFTEEN
(Regardless of position)
Tony Butts, Hancock Central, Sr.
5-10, 260, Sr.
Honorable mention All-Central Georgia.
QB Hunter Costlow, Jones County, Sr.
5-11, 200, Sr.
Was 20th in Georgia with 2,413 yards, for 30 TDs and only 8 INTs, earning HM All-Central Georgia.
QB Victor Dixon, Westside
6-3, 215, Sr.
Perhaps underrated, the third-team All-Central Georgia pick passed for 2,116 yards, 20 TDs and eight interceptions.
Jeff Felton, Dooly County, Sr.
Honorable mention All-Central Georgia
RB Noah Hill, Baldwin
5-10, 180, Sr.
The honorable mention All-Central Georgia and first-team all-region choice averaged 5.35 yards a carry en route to 1,024 yards.
OL Conner Griffin, Jones County
6-2, 285, Sr.
The Greyhound is a top 225 prospect in Georgia, and is headed to Middle Tennessee State.
DL Adam Lamar, Central
6-3, 270, Jr.
Third-team All-Central Georgia after 53 tackles and 11 TFLs.
DL Marquavious Lawrence, Hancock Central
6-0, 215, Jr.
Third team All-Central Georgia with 70 tackles and four sacks.
DB Patrick McDonel, John Milledge
6-1, 170, Jr.
Third team All-Central Georgia for the GISA Class AAA finalist, had six interceptions.
LB Jayland Parker, Westside
6-2, 210, Sr.
The Colorado commit is a top-75 prospect in Georgia.
DL Nathan Trevino, Northside
6-2, 230, Sr.
One of the few defensive returnees for the Eagles, Trevino is a playmaking honorable mention All-Central Georgia
OL Weston Wallace, Gatewood, Sr.
6-4, 340, Sr.
The top 175 recruit in the state just committed to Colorado State
ATH Thad Webb, Upson-Lee
5-9, 170, Sr.
Injury-prone because of his versatility and aggressiveness, Webb still had 53 scrimmage plays for nearly 1,000 yards, also serving as a returner.
QB Dexter Williams, Mount de Sales
6-1, 200, Sr.
The Indiana commit and HM All-Central Georgia was the 7-A offensive player of the year after 2,580 yards total offense and 32 touchdowns. He's among the top 175 player in the state.
LB Elisha Williams, Dodge County, Sr.
Honorable mention All-Central Georgia.