By: Rachel Pillow
Photos By: Paul Perdue
We asked the coaches of Peachtree Ridge, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill and Lanier High Schools to choose the players to watch this season. These are their picks…
North Gwinnett Bulldogs – Drew Jordan
SENIOR| 6’3″ | 235 LBS | DEFENSIVE END
STATS: 45 TACKLES, 6 TACKLES FOR LOSS , 4 SACKS , 1 FORCED FUMBLES
Q: What are you most excited about for senior year?
A: I’m excited to finish this year with my friends and my team. As much as I’m looking forward to playing at Duke next year I have to get it done at home before I leave. My parents will play a big role in keeping me focused where I have to be to finish this year.
Q: Where will you be playing next year?
A: I recently committed to Duke University. I had several offers but ultimately chose Duke because of the way the coaching staff really made my family also feel at home. Knowing that I’m going to get a great education but also be able to play football was very important to me as well. They’re going to teach me more about life and who I am as a person.
Q: Do you want to play professionally?
A: I’d love to! But if I don’t get that opportunity then I’ll have things to fall back on. I’m leaning towards studying Business Entrepreneurship at Duke.
COACH BOB SPHIRE ON THE BULLDOGS IN 2016
North Gwinnett is coming off a season where we missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years with a 5-5 record. We are looking to get back to form with a strong nucleus of starters returning, but there are questions on both sides of the ball.
Strengths: Defensive Line/ LB Play, QB Play and Kicking Game.
Areas of improvement include: Offensive Line play, Wide Receiver & Defensive Back play, and overall consistency.
Collins Hill Eagles – Jonathan Postell
SENIOR| 5’11” | 195 LBS | RUNNING BACK
STATS: 176 RUSHES, 900 YARDS, 50 AVERAGE, 10 TDS
Q: What are you most excited about for senior year?
A: Playing my last year with my team and coaches. Having a good time and finishing
Q: Where will you be playing next year?
A: I have gotten some offers already, but I’m not stressing about the college decision yet. Right now I’m worrying about what’s happening with my team today – in high school.
Q: Do you play any other sports?
A: Yes, Track & Field – I run the 100, 200 and do Shot Put & Discus. Last year I went to state in Shot Put and Discus. I tried wrestling too for one year but decided to stick with Football and Track. In college I’ll only play Football though.
COACH KEVIN REACH ON THE EAGLES IN 2016
Team Goals: Win the region championship. Lead county or be at the top in both offensive and defensive categories. We want to get better every week and play our best game of the season every game.
Strengths: We have two experienced QBs this season, an experienced offensive line with returning running back and receivers.
What are you working on after last season? We can always get better in the special teams. Also, working on building that one heartbeat!
Peachtree Ridge Lions – Connor Heyward
SENIOR| 6’2″ | 215 LBS | WIDE RECEIVER
STATS: 39 RUSHES 144 YARDS, 27 REC 266 YARDS, 6 TDS
Q: What are you most excited about for senior year?
A: Cherishing these moments with my teammates and good friends that I’ve grown up with.
Q: Where are you playing next year?
A: There are about 15-20 offers on the table from all over the country. I’m looking for a very at-home feel. I’ll decide in January…maybe sooner if I see a school or program that really jumps out at me.
Q: Do you ever feel added pressure because of the success of your brother (Cameron Heyward, NFL Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive End)?
A: No, a lot of people worry that there is added pressure on me because of my brother, but there’s not. I’m making my own name for myself.
COACH MARK FLEETWOOD ON THE LIONS IN 2016
Team Goals: As with every season, our goal is to make the play-offs, win our region and win a State Championship.
Strengths: Defense will be the strength of our team, but I also believe we can accomplish some things on Offense. Fred Payton will be our QB and he is a returning starter.
What are you working on after last season? We have worked extremely hard in the weight room. Our overall strength as a team has improved tremendously. We changed our weight program around and I believe it will pay dividends.
Lanier Longhorns – Tyler Taylor
SENIOR| 6’3″ | 230 LBS | LINEBACKER
STATS: 120 TACKLES, 15 TACKLES FOR LOSS , 5 SACKS , 1 INTERCEPTION
Q: What are you most excited about for senior year?
A: I’m ready to get out there and play! I want to have a senior year that everyone is gonna remember. I don’t want to leave any ifs, ands or buts out there about how hard I play!
Q: Where will you be playing next year?
A: I haven’t committed to any schools yet, but I’m looking at LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, UGA and Auburn.
Q: How long have you been playing football?
A: For about 8 years now. I stopped for 3 years and decided to try soccer and was good at it…mainly because I’m big and fast – but football was more fun for me. I love basketball too though – I’ve pretty much tried every sport.
COACH KOREY MOBBS ON THE LONGHORNS IN 2016
Team Goals: Continue taking steps as a program of consistent success!
Strengths: Defensive Front, Offensive Line, Secondary.
What are you working on after last season? Consistency of Wide Receiver play and physical approach to the game.
