10 players who stood out in talent-drenched Douglas County-Buford game

The top five showdown — which also drew attendance from Florida State coach Mike Norvell and Georgia State coach Dell McGee — was headlined by elite prospects on both sides of the ball.

Here are 10 of the top performances (in alphabetical order) from what will likely be the most talent-rich game in Georgia this regular season.

“We knew that he could do that,” Douglas County coach Johnny White said. “He knew he was going to get ready, he got his shot and he took advantage of it.”

Dyce helped limit a Buford offense built to run the football. He played downhill all night, delivering strong hits in the backfield on runs between the tackles. The senior led the Tigers with nine total tackles and logged 0.5 tackles for loss.

Dyce also flashed impressive horizontal speed, chasing outside runs and screen passes to the sidelines for minimal gain.

“Dyce runs our defense; he puts us in the right position,” White said. “I’m grateful and blessed to be able to coach kids like that.”

Echols might have spent more time in the backfield than any other linebacker Friday night. He had four total tackles with two sacks and two tackles for loss.

The senior linebacker started every play in the middle of the defense and often finished in the middle of the action. Echols also stopped several potential explosive plays with open-field tackles on defense and special teams.

Green is expected to specialize in the defensive backfield in college, but he is far more than a safety for Buford. Green made several plays from his safety position, including two tackles, but he also impressed with a 30-yard return on special teams and 37 yards of total offense.

The senior’s combination of elusiveness and physicality made him a punishing and electric force as a punt returner and as a running back. Green scored Buford’s first touchdown in a fourth-and-goal situation from a yard out and ended the game with another physical run.

Gregory displayed versatility as a speedy deep threat and a physical target against an ultra-talented Buford secondary. He hailed in five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Gregory’s biggest gain of the day came on a post route against man coverage, where the Texas A&M commit gained a couple steps on his defender and pulled down a contested catch of 56 yards. Gregory also shook a cornerback in the red zone for a toe-tap 6-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-goal.

Houston and the rest of Buford’s offensive line became more effective as the game matured. The Wolves didn’t run the ball at will, but they did score several short yardage rushing touchdowns behind Houston.

Buford even finished the game behind the senior’s muscle, as Green ran behind Houston to get the final first down needed to run out the clock.

Kelly was nothing if not quick. He didn’t waste time identifying plays and he didn’t waste time making them, either. Kelly made impressive stops between the tackles, but he was especially remarkable when using his horizontal speed to chase down outside runs and short passes to the flats.

Kelly also stood out on offense as Douglas County’s leading receiver. He caught eight passes for 80 yards.

“Rah’Keith Kelly is a unicorn,” White said. “He can play running back, he can play slot, he returns kicks, he returns punts. He can do anything.”