Lassiter' Mason shatters the state's passing record

By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Lassiter quarterback Hutson Mason learned Saturday morning that he had broken the state's record for most passing yards in a season.

Mason threw for 445 yards in Friday's 62-37 win over North Forsyth in the first round of the Class AAAAA playoffs. For the season, Mason has 3,714 passing yards, shattering the previous mark of 3,710 yards set by Charlton County's Jeremy Privett in 2003.

"It was shocking to wake up on Saturday morning and get a text message saying I broke it," Mason told the AJC. "At the same time, it hasn't really hit me yet. It probably would've hit me harder if I knew while walking off the field with my teammates after Friday's win."

Lassiter's coaching staff reviewed film into the wee hours after the game to confirm the record. Last year as a junior, Mason passed for 3,705 yards -- falling just short of the record. This year, with Lassiter's revamped offensive line and new receiving targets, many were skeptical if Mason could make a run at it again.

"This goes to show you can't listen to other people and all of their doubts," Mason said. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Mason has offers from Indiana, Miami-Ohio, Florida Atlantic, and Georgia Southern. He also is hearing from Mississippi State, Alabama and Tennessee.

"I've really been having some great conversations with Mississippi State's coaches, and something may happen there," Mason said. "If we keep going further into the playoffs, then a lot of things may happen with the colleges."

Tebow speech inspire win

Westside-Macon players listened to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow's famous speech dubbed "The Promise" before Friday's 33-7 win over Mt. Zion-Jonesboro. Westside was reeling from a loss to Thomas County Central two weeks ago that cost the team an undefeated season and the Region 1-AAAA championship.

‘We talked about the Tebow speech after that, and we made a promise that no one would outwork us," Westside coach Shedrrick Risper told the Macon Telegraph. Tebow gave the speech after Florida's loss to Mississippi during the 2008 season, and the Gators rebounded to win the BCS championship.

Showdown awaits

Lowndes (10-1) plays at Camden County (9-2) in one of the biggest second-round games in state history. The two teams have combined to win five of the past six Class AAAAAA championships, and both have held the No. 1 ranking this year. Lowndes warmed up with a 52-14 win over East Coweta on Friday, as Khary Franklin had 10 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

Rare upsets

Unranked Flowery Branch's 17-14 win over Ridgeland, ranked No. 10 in Class AAA, was one of only a few upsets in the first round. Flowery Branch gained momentum when Billy Thompson blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone by teammate Corey Sanderson for the team's first score.

The state's biggest upset was Brookwood's 20-10 decision over McEachern, No. 6 in Class AAAAA. Unranked Brookwood needed the win to move above .500 for the season, at 6-5.

Around the state

*Richmond Academy won its first playoff game in nearly 40 years with a 27-21 decision over Glynn Academy.

*Apalachee (11-0) preserved its perfect record with a double-overtime win over Starr's Mill. Apalachee's Guy Hunt booted a 29-yard field goal after Starr's Mill missed a kick in the 27-24 win. Apalachee's workhorse, Jon Lee, rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns, according to The Athens Banner-Herald.