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SAVANNAH, Ga. - On Dec. 28, 2023, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) released its 2023 All-State football teams. For each classification, from 7A - 1A, the AJC voted on All-Classification Player of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Coach of the Year for each classification, All-Offensive, All-Defensive, and Honorable Mention selections. 

 

Twenty-four players and one coach made the cut, and three scored top awards. Two players claimed Defensive Player of the Year. They were HV Jenkins High School Defensive end senior Lorenzo Cowen for Class 5A and in Class 3A Savannah Christian Preparatory School Defensive lineman junior Elijah Griffin. Awarded the Coach of the Year for Class 1A D1 was Cherard Freeman of Bryan County.

PHOTO TOP ROW (L-R): AJC Logo, Lorenzo Cowen

PHOTO BOTTOM ROW (L-R): Elijah Griffin, Cherard Freeman

 

Below are the twenty-four local players and one coach who made the cut. 

 

Atlanta Journal-Constitution  All-State

 

Class 7A

Honorable mention

ATH Nick Bliss, Richmond Hill, Sr.

 

Class 6A

Honorable mention

RB/LB A.J. Butts, Effingham County, Sr.

 

Class 5A

Defensive player of the year: Lorenzo Cowan, Jenkins

 

Offense

OL - Elyjah Thurmon, Bradwell Institute, 6-3, 285, Sr.

 

Defense

DL - Lorenzo Cowan, Jenkins, 6-4, 225, Sr.

 

Class 4A

Offense

QB - Luke Kromenhoek, Benedictine, 6-4, 200, Sr.

OL - Zach Pearson, New Hampstead, 6-5, 275, Sr.

OL - Jacobe Ward, Benedictine, 6-4, 336, Jr.

 

Defense

LB - Wilkes Albert, Benedictine, 5-10, 205, Sr.

 

Honorable mention

LB Herbert Scroggins III, Benedictine, Jr.

QB Rashawn Truell, New Hampstead, Jr.

WR Jaylen Hampton, New Hampstead, Sr.

 

Class 3A

Defensive player of the year: Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian

 

Offense

QB - Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day, 6-3, 195, Sr.

TE - Mike Smith, Calvary Day, 6-4, 245, Sr.

 

Defense

DL - Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian, 6-5, 280, Jr.

LB - David Bucey, Savannah Christian, 6-1, 200, Sr.

 

Honorable mention

ATH Kenry Wall, Savannah Christian, Jr.

QB Barton Mixon, Savannah Country Day, Jr.

RB Zo Smalls, Savannah Christian, Jr.

TE Logan Brooking, Savannah Christian, Jr.

WR Caden Arnold, Calvary Day, Sr.

 

 

Class 1A D1

Coach of the year: Cherard Freeman, Bryan County

 

Offense

ATH - Austin Clemons, Bryan County, 6-0, 210, Sr.

 

Defense

LB - Tanner Ennis, Bryan County, 5-10, 190, Sr.

 

Note: the AJC has the largest circulation in the state of Georgia.

 

PHOTO CREDIT:  Schools social media pages

 

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