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Aaron Philo ties Brock Vandagriff's Prince Avenue record, moves up all-time state TD list

BOGART — Aaron Philo moved up the all-time state passing touchdowns list on Friday as Prince Avenue rolled past Athens Academy for the fourth straight time.

The Wolverines quarterback threw for seven touchdowns — six in the first half alone — tying the school record for a single game set by current UGA football player Brock Vandagriff against Athens Academy in 2020.

Philo sits in seventh place for the most passing touchdowns in a career by a Peach State passer, moving past Bailey Fisher from Rabun County (2014-17) with 114.

"We talk about it, the sustainability and once you've reached this level, and the great thing about it is, right now, we have really good coaches, we have kids that work really hard and everybody's bought in, so we don't have to come out here and tell them how to practice hard," said Prince Avenue coach Greg Vandagriff. "Everybody believes and everybody wants to accomplish the same goal. And it's one big family. (Taking) it one week at a time)."

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Prince Avenue (3-0) won 52-21, it's 17th straight victory after going undefeated and winning a state title in 2022.

Philo, a three-star recruit with multiple scholarship offers, verbally committed in the spring to play for Georgia Tech. He said he plans to graduate high school in December and enroll with the Yellow Jackets in January.

"It feels good, but at the end of the day, the (win) is the only thing that matters," Philo said. "I'm really proud of our team, they did a great job tonight. ... But it's a good accomplishment. I've worked really hard, so it definitely feels good."

Prince Avenue senior Peyton Talmadge hauled in two touchdowns, including one for 43 yards to put the Wolverines up 21-0.

"It's great to know one of my brother's is setting history," Talmadge said of Philo. "There's no feeling compared to that. ... He's grown as a leader. Freshman year, we were just two little (guys), but now he sets an example ... really for all of us."

Other touchdowns were scored by CJ Dockery, Nick Hurley and Thorton Hester. A field goal bounced off the bottom of the upright and in for the final three Prince Avenue points of the night.

Prince Avenue Christian travels to Monroe Area next Friday while Athens Academy (1-2) hosts Mount Pisgah Christian.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Prince Avenue Christian QB Aaron Philo moves up all-time state TD list