It's hard to stand out on a team as balanced rushing and passing, offense and defense, as No. 1-ranked Colquitt County, but senior running back Sihiem King made a spectacle of himself last week, rushing for more than 300 yards in a victory over previously unbeaten Valdosta.
King is only 5 feet, 8 inches and 175 pounds, but he is strong for his size. He can bench press 265 pounds, squat 500 and power-clean 315, according to Zach Grage, Colquitt County's offensive coordinator. Grage also marvels at King's running instincts and balance.
But what really makes King tick, Grage said, are things that aren't readily seen on Friday nights. It starts at practice.
"Sihiem is also one of the best practice players I have ever coached," Grage said. "No matter the drill, he performs at full speed and will sometimes get on our scout team players if they try to take it easy on him. I preach getting the most out of your ability on every rep because you never know when it could be your last, and I think he really takes this to heart."
The other is his pride in the Packers.
"Growing up a Packer his entire life, and watching his two older brothers [B.J. Howard and Tevin King] play running back ahead of him, he knows the importance the community puts on our program," Grage said. "He knows that young people around town may only get to see him play one time, and he does not want to let them down."
King is up to No. 3 this week in GHSF Daily's Player of the Year Watch. New to the Watch this week are Grayson DT Justin Young and Griffin backfield teammates Malik Miller and Anforne Stroud.
1. QB/DB A.J. Gray, Washington County:Gray intercepted three passes in the first half, returned one 67 yards for a touchdown and another 40 yards, in a 52-0 victory over Butler. He has returned three interceptions for touchdowns on the season. Through six games, Gray has rushed for 785 yards and 14 touchdowns on 83 carries (9.4 ypc) and is 40-of-67 passing for 893 yards and nine touchdowns. His offensive statistics from Butler are not available. Washington County (7-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. Gray is committed to Georgia Tech.
2. RB Shannon Brooks, Pickens:Brooks rushed for 274 yards and four touchdowns - one a 99-yard run - on 13 carries in a 69-34 victory over LaFayette. Brooks also threw a 65-yard touchdown and caught a 45-yard pass. For the season, Brooks leads the state with 1,729 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 143 carries (12.1 ypc) in Pickens' 6-1 start. Brooks also has seven receptions for 159 yards and a touchdown. Brooks is committed to Minnesota.
3. RB Sihiem King, Colquitt County:King rushed for a career-high 308 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries in a 48-20 victory over previous No. 3 Valdosta in a Region 1-AAAAAA game. King has rushed for 1,030 yards and 16 touchdowns on 134 carries (7.7 ypc). He has scored at least one touchdown in every game this season. Colquitt County (8-0) is ranked No. 1 in AAAAAA. King has more than 10 scholarship offers, including those from Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Georgia Southern.
4. RB Eric Swinney, Sandy Creek:Swinney rushed for 189 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries in a 31-21 victory over Troup. For the season, Swinney has rushed for 1,094 yards and 13 touchdowns on 170 carries. Sandy Creek (7-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA. Rated the consensus No. 10 running-back prospect in the nation, Swinney is committed to Ole Miss.
5. RB/DB Ruben Garnett, Aquinas:Garnett's team did not play last week. For the season, Garnett has rushed for 1,223 yards and 18 touchdowns on 147 carries (8.3 ypc) and has three TD receptions. He has made 25 tackles and intercepted a pass. Garnett has rushed for at least 125 yards and a touchdown in every game. Aquinas (7-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class A. Duke reportedly leads to sign Garnett among 15 Division I offers.
6. DT Justin Young, Grayson: Young had three sacks, one other tackle for a loss, two QB pressures and four solo tackles in a 28-0 victory over Central Gwinnett. On the season, Young has 13 sacks, the most in Gwinnett County, six other tackles for losses, 14 QB hurries, an interception, a forced fumble, a defensive touchdown and 49 tackles. Grayson (7-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAAAA. Young, rated the No. 38 defensive-tackle prospect nationally in the 247Composite rankings, has committed to Georgia.
7. Lorenzo Smothers, Marion County:Smothers caught six passes for 80 yards and scored the winning touchdown in a 13-6 victory over No. 5 Hawkinsville in a Class A game. He made five tackles on defense. For the season, he has rushed for 588 yards on 53 carries (11.1 ypc) and caught 26 passes for 501 yards, giving him 1,089 yards from scrimmage. He has scored 20 touchdowns - 12 rushing, seven receiving and one returning a punt. He has 33 tackles and two interceptions. Marion County is 7-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class A. Smothers (5-8, 165) is a junior without reported scholarship offers.
8. DE D'Andre Walker, Hughes:Walker had two sacks, seven tackles and a fumble recovery in a 20-13 victory over South Cobb. For the season, Walker has 16.5 sacks for 99 yards in losses and 17 other tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Walker also has forced three fumbles. Hughes is 6-1 and ranked No. 4 in Class AAAAAA. Walker is the consensus No. 17 prospect in Georgia and No. 11 weakside defensive end nationally, according to 247Sports. Auburn, Tennessee and Georgia reportedly are his leaders.
9. QB Anforne Stroud, Griffin: Stroud was 20-of-25 passing for 232 yards and four touchdowns in a 46-13 victory over Spalding. For the season, Stroud is 88-of-149 passing for 1,638 yards and 15 touchdowns with two interceptions. He has rushed for 372 yards and four touchdowns on 47 carries. Griffin is 7-0 and ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA. Stroud, who started in Griffin's secondary last season, has no reported scholarship offers.
10. RB Malik Miller, Griffin: Miller rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries in a 46-13 victory over Spalding. For the season, Miller has rushed for 1,059 yards and 19 touchdowns on 121 carries. He has 13 receptions for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Griffin is 7-0 and ranked No. 3 in Class AAAA. Miller (5-9, 200) has no reported scholarship offers.
Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter. To join the mailing list, click here.
About the Author
