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DEL.ICIO.USTake Ten: Best double-dippers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
High school sports are quietly becoming more specialized for athletes. Some spend the entire year honing their skills at just one particular sport. Others try their hand at multiple sports. Here is a list of the top 10 football players who also excel at another sport. These athletes will sign football scholarships, but professional baseball careers and basketball scholarships are also at their disposal.
10: John Douglas, Aquinas: The 6-foot-3, 220-pound fullback has committed to Auburn. He will be the first scholarship freshman from Aquinas at a Division I-A school since 1973. He has good bloodlines, too. Douglas’ paternal grandfather was an All-American defensive end for the legendary Bobby Dodd at Georgia Tech and his maternal grandfather was an All-SEC first baseman at Georgia. Last season, Douglas hit .342 with 11 homers and 48 RBI as a first baseman/DH. On the football field this season, despite his team’s winless record, Douglas has 66 carries for 236 yards and four touchdowns. A versatile player, he has seven receptions and over 40 tackles on defense. He also handles the punting duties with a 34.9 average.
9: Recentae Harris, Tri-Cities: A talented receiver with 25 receptions, 500 yards and three touchdowns. He has the ability to make the big play with a spectacular catch at any time. The 6- foot-3, 190-pounder was just as amazing on the basketball court. He helped the Bulldogs basketball team win the Region 2-AAAAA championship last season by averaging 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 steals for a team that was 27-3 last season. He was named region player of the year by the league coaches.
8: Brandon Barden, Lincoln County: He is doing it all for the top-ranked Red Devils. The 6-5, 230-pounder plays quarterback, wide receiver and tight end for the legendary Larry Campbell. He has committed to play football next season at Virginia Tech. He’s thrown a football 71 yards on the run at a Furman QB camp. And he’s been clocked at 87-88 mph off the mound at a recent area baseball showcase event. Last season in baseball, he hit .507 with 10 home runs and 31 RBI as a third baseman.
7: Austin Kelly, South Cobb: He has bounced around between quarterback and wide receiver for the Eagles. The 6-3, 200-pounder has gotten several offers and was an important part of the team’s region championship basketball team. He has passed for over 300 yards this season and will again help the basketball team challenge in the state playoffs.
6: Zach Graham, Peachtree Ridge: He has committed to play basketball next season at Ole Miss. The 6-5 senior has used his quickness and athletic ability for the Lions at the quarterback position this season. Graham has passed for 742 yards and five touchdowns. In helping the Lions reach their first state basketball playoffs, he averaged a team-high 20.6 points and 5.2 rebounds.
5: Walter Hill, Gainesville: During the summer, he committed to play basketball at Georgia, but a few weeks ago had a change of heart. The 6-5, 210-pounder still plans on attending school in Athens, but instead will sign as a football player. Hill was switched to quarterback this fall for the Red Elephants, but will be a receiver at Georgia. This season, he has completed 76 passes for 1,289 yards and five touchdowns. In leading the Vikings to the state semifinals in basketball, he averaged 20 points and seven rebounds per game, and had a team-high 108 steals on the season.
4: Israel Troupe, Tift Co.: Another talented receiver who has committed to Georgia. With another solid spring of baseball, Troupe’s plans of playing in Athens could be derailed by a baseball career. He hit .354, with 26 RBIs as an outfielder and is considered the Southeast’s ninth-best wide receiver by Rivals.com.
3: Brandon Nolley, Hancock Central: At a small Class A school, coaches count on athletes to be standout in multiple sports. The 6-0, 217-pound senior has lived up to those expectations. A four-year starter on the Bulldogs football team, he plays quarterback and free safety. On the basketball team, Nolley plays point guard where he averaged 12 points, six rebounds and six assists for the playoff team.
2: Cameron Heyward, Peachtree Ridge: The son of the late former NFL running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward is a load to handle on both the football field and basketball court. The 270-pound Super 11 selection is one of the top defensive line recruits in the nation. He has 54 tackles, two sacks and an interception for the Lions. In helping the Lions reach the state playoffs for the first time in school history, Heyward averaged 12.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocked shots and 2.1 steals. Prior to transferring to Peachtree Ridge, Heyward helped the Whitefield Academy basketball team to the state finals.
1: Eric Berry, Creekside: A four-year starter at quarterback and safety for the Seminoles. Berry has elusive moves on the football field, which can be attributed to his speed. On the track, he was the 2005 200-meters state champion. Had a shot at repeating last spring, but a hand injury slowed him. The Super 11 player is having an amazing season for the fourth-ranked Seminoles. He has rushed for 894 yards and 11 touchdowns, and has thrown for 488 passing yards with three touchdowns.
Go on. Take Ten. Who’s the best two-sporter you know? Besides you.
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Take Ten
Comments
By james
October 25, 2006 02:20 AM | Link to this
I have two players to mention both for football and basketball.
Go bears
By Cartersville
October 25, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
I have one question about 1. Lyle Allen Football, Baseball Cartersville High School
By mark
October 25, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
If all these athletes are from the metro area Cartersville is in the metro area.
Lyle Allen has thrown for over 1,600 yards so far this season and have at least 4 games left. he plays several positions in baseball and will be drafted in baseball draft this year
By Chamfan
October 25, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this
Chamblee’s Roddy Jones is an excellent baseball player also. He batted around .325 and reminds you of another “Jones” in centerfield. Has been recruited by colleges in both sports and for both sports.
By Home Grown
October 25, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
Many inner city kids are great two sports stars, One kid in particular at North Atlanta High School Wr./DB Joseph Austin III.He not only great on the football field he may be the next High school kid from Atlanta city Schools to get drafted to the MLB, and he’s only a Junior.
By Mac
October 25, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
Attention Writer of this article: Derrick Mahone………Impress me and do an article on the student-athletes…….show me a list of players who are making all A’s and B’s in the classroom, and excelling even more in their respective sports. Let’s be honest…maybe one or two of these kids on your list may make it to the professional level……as for the rest of them….after high school and maybe college……THEN WHAT……so impress me with some stats that really matter
By come on now
October 25, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
Why does South Georgia never get no recongition for anything we do.
By Brian
October 25, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
Mac: How bout you dont change the subject. the article is about athletes who do well in more than one sport, that has nothing to do with academics
By FLSM
October 25, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
Cameron Newton and Addison Williams at westlake High School. Addison made it to the finals in the 100m, 200m and the 4X100 at the State championships this year. He has already committed to South Carolina to play football. Newton starts on the schools basketball team that went to the state finals last year.
By Big Man
October 25, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this
James you are correct! Bobby Rainey and Sidney Harris are as good if not better than some of the names mentioned. Top 5 football and basketball team and they comprise the starting backcourt and starting backfield.
By Joshua Gebhardt
October 25, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
Freshman Joshua Gebhardt not only plays on the varsity football at Landmark Christian School last week against Fellowship Christian he had two QB sacks and a fumble recovery. He will will probably start for the basketball team. Two weeks ago, he participated in the all-south frosh/soph b-ball. This was the day after a football game. He is 6’3” 185 and is still growing.
By Lee
October 26, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this
Note to Mac… I don’t know about any of the other athletes on the list, but I do know that Brandon Barden from Lincoln County High School is an honor student who (I’m 99% sure) has indeed made all As and Bs in addition to excelling in athletics throughout his high school career.
By Mike
October 26, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
There would be more players if selfish basketball coaches weren’t trying to keep their players from playing football.
By billybob
October 26, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
All these people always asking why there is no recognition for the people in south georgia. This is the “ATLANTA” journal constitution. That means it covers Atlanta and the metro areas.
By DawgDad
October 27, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this
Here is two to look at from North Gwinnett. I do not know all their stats (but they are high) Jim Moreland / Jr Football - Starting Free Safety Baseball - Starting Outfielder (being highly recruited) Josh Van Horn / Jr Football - Starting Strong Safety / Rover Ice Hockey - One of Top returning Starters of the State Championship team. (3 years starter - very difficult 2 sports to excell at)
Check them out…they are good!!!
By Steve
October 27, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
How ignorant. Is this how education works in Atlanta and metro areas. The title is 2 sport athletes in Georgia. Not Atlanta. Learn to read.
By momma
October 27, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
Jamal Austin - Football and Baseball at Harrison, Plus Travel baseball (Astros) at East Cobb, watch out for him, his parents must be proud. I’ve loved watching him grow up, GO HOYA’S
By LIONHEART
October 27, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Mychal Harrison of Westlake High School. ALthough his elbow injury has kept him from playing half of this football season, he rushed for over 1800 yds & recievd for over 450 yds last year as a junior. He helped the Lions to the state championship basketball game last year and he was the leadoff runner on the state championship 4x100 relay team. He also has a 4.0 gpa!
By Ms. Poole
October 27, 2006 11:24 AM | Link to this
I am soooo proud of Eric Berry,he is definitely number one in our book this is an award well deserved. Kudos also to Kamari Funderburke and Avery Drake other Creekside standouts that play along side of Eric on the field and on the track.
By Ted
October 27, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Sean Smith at MLK is an excellent 2 sport athlete (varsity football (db) and varsity basketball (pg). He also played baseball (ss and 2b) uptil this year. He is just an excellent all around athlete. Coaches are trying to get him to run track, he’s runing around 4.5. Keep your eyes on this guy.
By Jeff
October 27, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this
To even comprise a list of GEORGIA two sport athletes and not include Sidney Harris and Bobby Rainey is just ludicrous. Harris scored 44 points, with 10 three-pointers and 23 third quarter points in last year’s basketball state tourney and rushed for more than 1,000 yards on the gridiron. Rainey rushed for 350 yards last week on 37 carries and scored five touchdowns against Riverdale and has played on two Class-AAAA state tournament basketball teams. Those are just a few examples. How about Griffin’s Ahkeem McKinney? McKinney is an outstanding defensive end for the Bears and is the inside prescence on the basketball team. If you were doing a metro-area list, why not title it the Top-10 Metro Area Two Sport Athletes.