Best player in school history: Region 2-AAA teams

Richard LeCounte, a two-time all-state selection, is the nation’s consensus No. 1 recruit at safety. (Ryon Horne/AJC)

Credit: Chip Saye

Credit: Chip Saye

Richard LeCounte, a two-time all-state selection, is the nation’s consensus No. 1 recruit at safety. (Ryon Horne/AJC)

Liberty County head coach Kirk Warner was asked a tough question recently. Who is the best player he has coached?

Was it Richard LeCounte, his 2013-16 star and five-star recruit who is already having an impact in Georgia's secondary as a freshman? Or Raekwon McMillan, a 2017 second-round NFL Draft pick from Ohio State who was LeCounte's teammate for a season?

Warner wouldn't go on record with that answer, but he did point out something simple but vital about LaCounte's resume that separates him: "He could change the game offensively, defensively or in the special teams."

For his career, LeCounte had 399 tackles (36 for losses), 13 interceptions, 13 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns. On offense for his career, he caught 86 passes for 1,683 yards and 23 touchdowns, rushed for 1,450 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had another 1,592 yards and seven touchdowns on returns.

McMillan isn't the only big-name player that LeCounte had to beat out to get GHSF Daily's nod as the best player in the history of the current Region 2-AAA schools.

Another good choice would be Appling County's Dexter Carter, a former first-round NFL Draft pick out of Florida State. Carter, a running back, went on to play seven years in the NFL and was part of a Super Bowl champion with the 49ers. Carter is now a coordinator at Grovetown.

But as a high school player, none produced in more ways for longer than LeCounte, who got all-state recognition all four of his seasons in Hinesville.

*Appling County: Dexter Carter (1985)

*Brantley County: Jamie White (1999)

*Liberty County: Richard LeCounte (2016)

*Long County: Brendon Scott (2014)

*Pierce County: Stetson Bennett (2016)

*Tattnall County: Ken Murphy (2011)

Best player in school history series

Region 1-A teams

Region 2-A teams

Region 3-A teams

Region 4-A teams

Region 5-A teams

Region 6-A teams

Region 7-A teams

Region 8-A teams

---

Region 1-AA teams

Region 2-AA teams

Region 3-AA teams

Region 4-AA teams

Region 5-AA teams

Region 6-AA teams

Region 7-AA teams

Region 8-AA teams

---

Region 1-AAA teams

Region 2-AAA teams

Region 3-AAA teams

Region 4-AAA teams

Region 5-AAA teams

Region 6-AAA teams

Region 7-AAA teams

Region 8-AAA teams

---

Region 1-AAAA teams

Region 2-AAAA teams

Region 3-AAAA teams

Region 4-AAAA teams

Region 5-AAAA teams

Region 6-AAAA teams

Region 7-AAAA teams

Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter. To join the mailing list, click here.