THE DREAM TEAM FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
The Ringgold Tigers have produced some outstanding linebackers that have put up big numbers over the years and they had several more step up this past season, including the senior outside linebacker. Baldwin was all over the field for the Blueand-white in 2022 and became a leader on a unit that went into the season with more questions than answers. He finished the year with 120 total tackles, 56 of which were solo and eight that went for a loss. He was a turnover-causing machine with five forced fumbles and an interception to go with three pass breakups. Recruit Georgia named him to their honorable mention list for Class AAA, while the coaches in Region 6-AAA voted him as their overall Defensive Player of the Year.
DL — Brody Benton (LFO) As a senior leader on the Warriors’ young, but hard-hitting defense, he helped anchor the front four with 36 total tackles, including 1.5 stops for a loss, to go with a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
DL — Riley Broome (Ringgold) The senior made the All-region 6-3A second team after posting 28 solo tackles and assisting on 44 more stops, in addition to making four tackles for loss and causing a pair of fumbles.
DL — Brady Gray (Ringgold) One of the leaders of a revamped Tiger defense, the senior turned in an AllRegion first team final season with 35 solo tackles, 35 assists, six tackles for loss and three sacks to help get the Blue-and-white to the postseason.
DL — Brent Lee Raby (Ringgold) Clogging up the middle at nose guard, the junior had 15 solo tackles, 24 assists, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery and was voted to the All-region second team in 6-3A.
DL — Conner Whitman (Gordon Lee) Despite missing a handful games with an injury, the senior still made second team All-region at the position with 57 tackles (34 solo), four for a loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
LB — Beau Boozer (Ringgold) The hard-nosed middle linebacker enjoyed a big final season for the Catoosa County Tigers. He had 52 solo tackles and 71 assists with seven going for a loss and three forced fumbles to earn first team honors in 6-3A.
LB — Bryce Hart (Ringgold) Few sophomores in the area made the kind of impact that Hart did for the Tigers in 2022. A heat-seeking missile on the outside, he was voted first team AllRegion with 59 solo tackles, 50 assists and 19 tackles for a loss.
LB — Levi Harwell (LFO) The junior posted another outstanding season
After a junior season that earned him a second team All-region 7-AAAA nod at linebacker and at tight end, the senior turned in a memorable final year in Boynton. Travillian posted four games with 10 or more total tackles, including a 14-tackle performance in a win over Ringgold and 12 solo tackles in a dramatic one-point home win over Sonoraville, in which he had three tackles for loss and recorded two of his six sacks on the season. He finished the year with 76 tackles, including 60 of the solo variety, with 11 going for a loss. He also picked up an interception, had two fumble recoveries and forced a pair of fumbles. Named honorable mention All-state by Recruit Georgia, he was also the Co-defensive Player of the Year in 7-AAAA. on the gridiron for the Red-and-white, finishing the year with 85 tackles (21 solo, 64 assisted) and two forced fumbles, while also getting credit for a half-sack.
LB — Braylon Pritchett (Ridgeland) The sophomore exploded onto the high school scene and made an impact right away. His 81 total tackles (49 solo) and four tackles for a loss earned him a second team selection in Region 6-3A.
LB — Payton Simpson (LFO) Another tackling machine for the Warriors, the junior had 33 solo stops among his 113 tackles on the year. He also had three fumble recoveries and a forced fumble to earn second team All-region status.
DB — Kade Cowan (Gordon Lee) In addition to running the show at quarterback, the senior was a standout All-region first team defensive back with 74 tackles (46 solo, one for loss), four break-ups, two forced fumbles and one interception.
DB — Gabe Helton (LFO) First team
honors in Region 6-3A went to the senior, who collected 81 tackles (32 solo). He also had a pair of touchdowns as a running back and caught seven passes for 100 yards and a score in just seven games.
DB — Max Owens (Heritage) First team All-region as a receiver (13 rec., 314 yards, 4 TDS), the junior was just as good in the secondary as he made 34 total tackles, with five for a loss, to go with five interceptions, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
DB — Dawson Pendergrass (Lafayette) An outstanding athlete that took over at quarterback due to injuries, he not only put up close to 1,000 yards on offense, but was first team All-region in the secondary with 65 stops, two picks and five break-ups.
DB — Kishaun Taylor (Ringgold) An outstanding all-around athlete, he was named first team as a defensive back in 6-3A with 58 tackles (46 solo), eight break-ups and three picks, while also recording nearly 800 all-purpose yards and three scores.
ATH — Donnie Brown (LFO) The
senior’s passion for the sport was apparent on every snap. He helped out his team with 38 total tackles, two for a loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery, while adding over 200 yards and two scores on offense.
ATH — Jaden Morris (Lafayette) The Senior Iron Man Award winner in 6-3A rarely left the field, making 59 tackles (51 solo) with eight for a loss, two sacks, four pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and a blocked punt, plus 311 yards receiving and one TD.
ST — Grant Langford (Lafayette) Every good special teams unit needs a great catalyst and Langford did his part with consistent long-snapping. It earned the senior a first team AllRegion award at the position from the 6-3A coaches.
ST — Bryson Sullivan (LFO) Named first team All-region and first team AllState by Recruit Georgia and the AJC, the senior boomed 45 punts for a 45-yard average with a long of 66 yards. He also made 18 of 22 PATS, was 1 of 2 on field goals and had 15 touchbacks.