It is perhaps early to talk about breaking single-season state records, especially one as revered as Hutson Mason's 4,560 yards passing for Lassiter in 2009. But North Gwinnett QB John Urzua is on pace to break it - if the Bulldogs play 15 games this season.
The odds are probably against that, but North Gwinnett did it last season. And the Maxwell Ratings projected Tuesday that North Gwinnett will make the Class AAAAAA final again and face Colquitt County for the title.
Urzua, a senior and first-year starter, has thrown for 1,619 yards in North Gwinnett's 4-1 start. That's 323.8 yards per game - a pace for 4,857 yards over a 15-game season. Over 14 games, that would come to 4,533 yards - 27 yards below the total of Mason, who played 13 games.
And while most teams suffer a statistical downgrade during the playoffs, North Gwinnett's schedule won't get much tougher than it has been. The Bulldogs have played four projected playoff teams and one projected region champion.
Urzua is one of three new members of GHSF Daily's Player of the Year Watch this week. He joins South Cobb QB Kylil Carter and Hughes DE D'Andre Walker.
1. QB/DB A.J. Gray, Washington County:Gray played less than two quarters in a 71-0 victory over Glenn Hills but rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown on six carries and was 3-of-4 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown. For the season, he has rushed for 591 yards and 10 touchdowns on 66 carries (8.95 ypc). On defense, he has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Washington County (5-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. Gray is committed to Georgia Tech.
2. RB Eric Swinney, Sandy Creek:Swinney rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and caught a TD pass in a 24-17 victory over Auburn (Ala.). He became Sandy Creek's all-time leading rusher. For the season, Swinney has 722 yards rushing and eight touchdowns on 111 attempts (6.5 ypc). Sandy Creek (5-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA. Rated the consensus No. 10 running-back prospect in the nation, Swinney is committed to Ole Miss.
3. RB/QB/DB Deshawn Waller, B.E.S.T. Academy:Waller rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries, was 3-of-7 passing for 41 yards and caught three passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in a 58-28 loss to No. 1-ranked Greater Atlanta Christian. On the season, Waller has rushed for 988 yards and eight touchdowns on 110 carries (9.0 ypc). Sometimes a quarterback, Waller is 16-of-30 passing for 279 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He has made 18 tackles and intercepted two passes. B.E.S.T. is 2-3 against the No. 1-rated schedule in Class AA. Waller has offers from Georgia State and Indiana.
4. RB/DB Ruben Garnett, Aquinas:Garnett rushed for 126 yards on 11 carries and scored four touchdowns, one on a 29-yard pass, in a 55-35 victory over Mount de Sales. For the season, Garnett has rushed for 959 yards and 14 touchdowns on 112 carries (8.26ypc) and has three TD receptions. He has made 21 tackles in the secondary. Garnett has rushed for at least 125 yards with two touchdowns in every game. Aquinas (5-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class A. Duke reportedly leads to sign Garnett among 15 Division I offers.
5. QB Kylil Carter, South Cobb: Carter was 27-of-31 passing for 466 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries in a 42-39 victory over Newnan. In only four games, Carter has rushed for 680 yards and 10 touchdowns on 71 carries and is 70-of-106 passing for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns with no interceptions. Carter is on pace to pass for 3,173 yards and rush for 1,700 in the regular season. South Cobb is 2-2.
6. RB/LB Tra Minter, Schley County:Minter rushed for 155 yards and one touchdown on 36 carries in a 34-13 loss to defending Class A public-school champion Marion County. In four games, Minter is the state's leading rusher with 1,013 yards. He has scored 14 touchdowns, one on a kickoff return. On defense, he has made 32 solo tackles and 20 assists - five behind the line - and caused two fumbles. Schley County (2-2) has won only six games during Minter's sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Minter (5-9, 190) has offers from Appalachian State and Troy.
7. NG Corveon White, Lowndes:White's team did not play last week. For the season, White has 21 solo tackles, six assists, 17 tackles for losses totaling 104 yards and 10 sacks. White (5-10, 195) has no reported scholarship offers.
8. DE D'Andre Walker, Hughes: Walker had three sacks and forced a fumble in a 24-9 victory over Douglas County. For the season, Walker has 12 sacks for 53 yards in losses and another 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Walker also has forced three fumbles. Hughes is 3-1 and allowing 13.0 points per game against a schedule that includes three Top 10 teams. 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 John Urzua, North Gwinnett: Urzua was 14-of-22 passing for 378 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-41 victory over Mill Creek. For the season, Urzua is 105-of-157 passing for a state-best 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns against three interceptions. Urzua (6-3, 165) is a first-year starter and has no reported scholarship offers.
10. DL Trent Thompson, Westover:Thompson had eight tackles, one for a loss, in a 16-0 loss to Monroe. For the season, Thompson has 48 tackles, 17 behind the line, and three sacks for a 2-3 team. Thompson, an AJC Super 11 pick, is the consensus No. 2 recruit in the nation. He is committed to Georgia.
Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter. To join the mailing list, click here.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
