Fall all-area series: Here are the top 2023 Athens-area high school football players
In the next installment highlighting Athens-area fall sports, we take a look at football season.
A lot happened.
History was made by Prince Avenue Christian quarterback and Georgia Tech commit Aaron Philo, who is now the state's all-time passing yards leader with 13,922, passing Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The Wolverines won their third state title in the past four years with another victory against Swainsboro on the big stage, a rematch from last season's Class A Division I state championship.
Back-to-back champions: Prince Avenue Christian football secures second straight state title
Legendary: Prince Avenue football QB Aaron Philo breaks Trevor Lawrence's career state record
Jefferson running back/linebacker and Clemson commit Sammy Brown also etched himself in history, leading the Dragons to the Class AAAAA semifinals before exiting with an injured ankle. Brown was named the 2023 Butkus Award winner, given annually to the best linebacker at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of football.
Icon: Jefferson football star and Clemson commit Sammy Brown wins this national football award
Commerce running backs Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins both recorded over 1,000 rushing yards this season, helping the Tigers to the quarterfinals of the Class A-Division I bracket, and North Oconee remained undefeated until they fell to Benedictine in the quarterfinals of the Class AAAA bracket.
Historic: Two Commerce RBs surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the season in win against Social Circle
The area continues to produce quality talent. Here are the 2023 Athens high school football all-area players.
Co-Players of the Year: Aaron Philo, Prince Avenue & Sammy Brown, Jefferson
It's nearly impossible to pick just one out of the pool of talent in the Athens-area this season. These two seniors will be remembered long after they've left their hometowns.
In 14 games this season, Philo was 328 of 469 passing for 4,596 passing yards, 56 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also had 83 carries for 610 yards and 15 touchdowns.
In 13 games played, Brown recorded 255 carries for 2,289 yards and 36 touchdowns. He also had 11 receptions for 202 yards and four touchdowns and two passed completed for 71 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he recorded 153 tackles (80 solo, 73 assisted), with 12 for loss. He also had a sack, deflected a pass, four blocked punts and two interceptions. On special teams, he had 32 punts for 1,424 yards and two kickoff returns for 127 yards.
Apalachee
Howard Holloway, QB, 2024
Kenny Rodriguez, LB, 2024
Brett Sharp, LB, 2024
Kaiden Martin, OL, 2024
Favian Williford, RB, 2025
Damon Hale, DL, 2025
George Murray III, DB, 2027
Colin Eishen, WR, 2027
Athens Academy
Noah Prior, TE, 2024
Austin McGee, DB, 2024
Ricky Chastain, DB, 2024
Jeremiah Wingfield, LB/RB, 2025
Bryan McClendon, DB, 2025
Hampton Johnson, QB, 2025
K.J. Whitehead, DB/WR, 2025
Jamari Welch, RB, 2025
Athens Christian
Bryson Campbell, WR, 2025
Jordan Rosa, LB, 2025
Layden Bryson, QB, 2027
Bethlehem Christian
Josh Adams, QB, 2024
Nate Campbell, OL, 2024
Ethan Lopez, DL, 2024
Tristian Pucket, LB/TE, 2025
Clarke Central
Kendrick Curry, LB, 2024
Bartez Gillespie Jr., S, 2024
Jaden Cofer, WR, 2024
Jaylen Jackson, WR, 2024
Cooper Evans, K/P, 2024
Alexander Leahy, LB, 2024
Nick Paul, OL, 2024
Corey Watkins, RB, 2025
A.J. Lonon, DL/DE, 2026
Cedar Shoals
Anthony Hubbard, QB, 2024
Devin Hester, WR, 2024
Taiwan Green, RB/LB, 2025
Commerce
Joey Duncan, OL, 2024
Jaiden Daniels, RB, 2025
Tysean Wiggins, RB, 2025
Michael Duncan, OL, 2025
Jeremiah 'Pap' Mintz, DL, 2025
Mac Mullis, S, 2025
East Jackson
Nate Heiss, DB, 2024
Tyquese Gresham, DL/OL, 2024
Aaron Blackmon, LB, 2025
Drew Richardson, QB, 2026
Jackson County
M.J. Spurlin, RB, 2024
Jaydan Hibbert, WR, 2024
Peyton Scott, DL, 2024
Daniel Stites, LB, 2024
Jefferson
Sammy Brown, RB/LB, 2024
Zay Minish, RB, 2024
Brian Senter, OL, 2024
Chris Law, TE, 2024
Jaden Butts, DB, 2024
Gavin Markey, QB, 2025
Ashley Eckert, OL, 2025
Ty Oglesby, OL, 2025
Kelan Butler, DE, 2025
Rett Hemphill, LB, 2025
Justin Beatty, DB, 2024
Terry Willis, DB, 2024
Bryant Cox, OL, 2024
Dashaun Keith, DB, 2025
Madison County
Camden Smith, QB/DB, 2024
Zakhari Shiflet, RB, 2024
Braxton Walker, OL, 2024
Walker Simmons, OL, 2024
Will Huntsinger, OL 2024
Bryson Drake, LB, 2024
Wyatt Morris, DE, 2024
Casen Duggins, DB, 2024
Zach Esters, LB, 2024
Justin Smith, OL, 2025
Brady Collier, OL, 2025
Garrett Smith, LB, 2027
North Oconee
Brooks Thompson, DB, 2024
Mack Brice, LB, 2024
Carson Dominey, DL, 2024
Damoni Taylor, DB, 2024
J.J. Poole, K/P, 2024
Khamari Brooks, LB, 2026
Oconee County
Mac Ricks, CB/QB, 2024
Titus Watkins, QB, 2025
Caiden Wood, RB/LB, 2026
Oglethorpe County
Jake Turner, RB/LB, 2024
Darius Heard, WR, 2025
Reid Coley, DT, 2025
Jordan Johnson, DB, 2025
Brock Barrett, OL, 2026
Prince Avenue Christian
'Let's go to a bigger mountain:' Prince Avenue confident for next season's jump to Class AA
Like father, like son: Prince Avenue football OC Jon Richt is creating his own coaching legacy in the Athens area
Aaron Philo, QB, 2024
Austin Head, OL, 2024
Nick Hurley, TE, 2024
Jake Atha, OL, 2025
Mac Bradley, LB, 2025
Kyler Giddens, LB, 2025
Gaines Scoggins, DB, 2025
C.J. Dockery, WR, 2026
Westminster Christian
Dee Moore, RB/LB, 2024
Owen Davis, WR/DB, 2024
Henry Sanders, WR/LB, 2024
Andrew Costello, RB/LB, 2024
Noah Goodwin, TE/DE, 2026
Winder-Barrow
Ryan McNally, DB, 2024
Tyrone Allen, DL, 2024
Aidan Johnson, DB, 2024
Tyron 'Tank' Harris, LB, 2024
Mason Woods, OL, 2025
Aidan Scott, OL, 2025
Jamarcus Hester, LB, 2025
M.J. Dowdy, RB, 2026
Kenyan Glasper, WR, 2026
Jadaan Cooper, DB, 2024
Matt Grenier, DL/P, 2025
Cam Gresham, LB, 2025
Xavier McCoy, RB, 2026
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Prince Avenue, Jefferson headline Athens all-area football team
