Here’s what went down Friday night:
Two blowouts vs. Atlanta Public Schools
Two of the preseason top 10 private school teams took on Atlanta Public Schools Friday night with mixed results. In one of the biggest upsets of the night, No. 4 Landmark was demolished by Business Engineering Science and Technology (BEST) Academy, an all-male public school located on Atlanta’s west side, 53-7. BEST, which competes in Class AA, features several Division I prospects and made the state playoffs last season for the first time in the program’s five-year history. Landmark is competing this season without three big-time performers from last year – quarterback/safety Joey Blount (Virginia), running back/linebacker Lofton Tidwell (UGA walk-on) and junior receiver/safey Nick Toomer (transferred to Sandy Creek).
On the other side, No. 3 Wesleyan took care of business, blasting Therrell, 63-14. Quarterback Banks Ramsey threw four touchdown passes in the first half and ran for another, and then sat out the second half as the Wolves built at 56-8 halftime lead. Therrell, which competes in the same Class AA region (6) as B.E.S.T. Academy, is located on Atlanta’s south side of town.
No. 1 ELCA survives
Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, the preseason No. 1 private school and two-time defending state champion, built a 21-0 lead over Class AAAAA Eagle’s Landing and hung on to win 21-14. The Chargers got two short touchdown runs from sophomore Nate McCollum and a 40-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Jakes from sophomore Brayden Rush.
Fellowship is back again
Last season’s surprise team is proving last year was no fluke. Fellowship Christian went 13-1, with the lone loss at the hands of ELCA in double overtime in the state finals. Friday night the Paladins pulled away from Atkinson County, 47-14. Cameron Gill, Merrick Haigler and James Milhollin each scored two touchdowns.
Prince Avenue take battle of Top 10s
Christian Parrish scored three touchdowns for the Wolverines, ranked No. 2 in the preseason poll, in a 35-17 win over No. 9 Aquinas. Parrish’s first touchdown came on a 79-yard halfback pass from Brock Vandagriff late in the first quarter. He also grabbed a 53-yard scoring pass from quarterback Grant Roland in the third quarter and scored the Wolverines’ final touchdown on a 15-yard scoring run with six minutes left in the game.
