Latest News
All-state football player charged in Valdosta shooting
An all-state Valdosta High football player is charged with three felonies in connection with the shooting of three men last month, the Valdosta Daily Times reported Monday. Omar White, a junior committed to the University of Colorado, is charged with felony aggravated assault, felony aggravated battery and felony possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, the newspaper reported.
35 former Georgia high school players invited to NFL Combine
Thirty-five former Georgia high school players got invites to the NFL Combine, which will be held Tuesday through Monday in Indianapolis. Grayson has the most representatives among Georgia schools with three – linebacker Owen Pappoe and linemen Wanya Morris and Isaiah Land.
Godfrey to be inducted into Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
William “Buck” Godfrey will enter his third Hall of Fame in the state when he is inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 24 in Macon after 30 years heading the Southwest DeKalb High School football program. Godfrey is one of eight to be inducted, a group that includes Atlanta Braves great Andruw Jones and former Georgia football coach Mark Richt.
McEachern hires former Griffin, Westlake coach Reid
McEachern named Florida quality-control assistant Kareem Reid as its football coach Tuesday afternoon. Reid will replace Franklin Stephens, who took the Burke County job last month. Reid was head coach at Griffin (2019-20) and Westlake (2016-18)) before taking college jobs at Central Florida in 2021 and Florida last season.
Warner Robins hires Sams; offseason openings hit 75
Warner Robins named Rome offensive coordinator Shane Sams as football coach Tuesday, bringing to 45 the number of GHSA offseason hires. There have been 75 openings. Sams is a former Warner Robins quarterback who was the Demons’ offensive coordinator during state runner-up appearances in 2017 and 2018.
Sandy Creek’s Garvin retires after winning Class 3A championship
Brett Garvin, who led Sandy Creek to the Class 3A football championship last season, retired officially Monday after 31 seasons on high school sidelines, the past 22 at one of metro Atlanta’s best programs. “It’s been on my mind,” Garvin said. “It’s been a long time at the same school, and I feel like maybe the kids at Sandy Creek deserve some new blood. Obviously, going out on top is the way to go.”
Two Sprayberry grads among eight Georgia players in Super Bowl
Eight former Georgia high school players, including two from Sprayberry High, are on rosters for Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Chiefs and Eagles in Glendale, Arizona. The Sprayberry pair – Jerick McKinnon of the Chiefs and Trey Sermon of the Eagles – are running backs. “How cool is that, man?” said Billy Shackelford, the high school coach of both. “I’m like a proud papa.”
Buford to play top-10 national program St. Frances of Baltimore
St. Frances Academy, a consensus top-10 national program from Baltimore, will be playing at Georgia state power Buford in a season opener Aug. 18, Prep Gridiron Logistics announced Thursday morning. That likely will stand as the top interstate game for a Georgia team in 2023, but several others are lining up top out-of-state opponents.
North Gwinnett announces Godfree as new head coach
Eric Godfree was announced as North Gwinnett’s football coach Tuesday morning in a move expected since Godfree’s resignation at Parkview last month. Godfree replaces Bill Stewart, who took a job as a Georgia Tech analyst.
Whitefield Academy hires Savannah Christian defensive coordinator as new head coach
Whitefield Academy announced the hiring of Savannah Christian defensive coordinator Robert Walsh as head football coach Monday. Walsh was at Savannah Christian for five seasons and had been Savannah Christian’s boys basketball coach through the 2022 season.
Collins Hill, Shaw hire new head coaches; three more jobs open
Collins Hill promoted defensive coordinator Drew Swick to head football coach this week, Shaw hired Johnny Garner from Carver of Columbus, and jobs at Alexander, South Paulding and Savannah came open. Swick is a Collins Hill alumnus who has coached entirely at his alma mater, starting with the 2015 season. He played at Presbyterian.
GHSF Daily presents trophies to Hudl Improvement Tracker Coaches of the Year
Georgia High School Football Daily presented its Improvement Tracker state Coach of the Year awards to nine coaches Tuesday at the annual Atlanta Falcons Luncheon in Macon. The award sponsor is Hudl. The annual event, put on by the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association, recognizes coaches that win state and region championships.
Newton offensive coordinator Skelton promoted to head coach
Newton promoted offensive coordinator Josh Skelton to head coach Friday, bringing to 32 the number of offseason GHSA football hires. There have been 67 openings. Skelton has been on Newton’s staff since 2012. It has been his only employer since leaving Jacksonville State. The former cornerback also played at Stephenson in DeKalb County.
Godfree resigns after nine seasons as Parkview head coach
Parkview head coach Eric Godfree resigned late Tuesday after nine seasons at his alma mater and is expected to be announced as head coach at another school soon. Godfree, who took over for longtime Parkview coach Cecil Flowe in 2014, led the Panthers to region titles in 2018 and 2019 and a 70-37 overall record.
Blessed Trinity hires Dudley as head coach
Blessed Trinity hired Ed Dudley as its football coach Monday. Dudley, a Georgia head coach for 29 seasons, has led programs at Buford (1992-94), Walton (1995-2008), Ware County (2009-13) and most recently Winder-Barrow (2018-22).
Head coaches named at Grayson, Pope, Seckinger, Chattahoochee, Dacula, Walker, Central-Macon
Grayson hired Gainesville assistant Santavious Bryant as head football coach Thursday evening, filling one of the state’s most attractive jobs, while Grayson’s defensive coordinator, Danny Carlisle, was announced as Chattahoochee’s coach Friday morning. Pope, Seckinger, Dacula, Walker and Central-Macon also made hires Thursday or Friday.
Burke County hires McEachern’s Stephens to replace Parker
Burke County has hired McEachern coach Franklin Stephens, an alumnus and former player, to replace the retiring Eric Parker. Stephens has coached at four schools, leading each to multiple region titles. He led Tucker to Class 4A championships in 2008 and 2011.
Gordon Central hires former Collins Hill head coach Gregory
Lenny Gregory, who led Collins Hill to a Class 7A football championship in 2021, was announced as Gordon Central’s coach Thursday morning. Gregory resigned at Collins Hill in December, citing philosophical differences with the administration.
Allatoona’s Varner retiring; led football team to 2015 state title
Allatoona coach Gary Varner, whose 2015 team was the first in Cobb County Schools history to win a football state championship, is retiring. Varner started Allatoona’s program in 2008 and won 129 games, four region titles and the 2015 Class 5A championship.
O’Sullivan resigns after three seasons at Centennial
Centennial football coach Sean O’Sullivan resigned Wednesday to take another unnamed coaching position. O’Sullivan, who worked previously at North Atlanta, has rebuilt two struggling programs in his five seasons as a coach.