The last time many of you heard from me, I was making a call to the bullpen at halftime of the 7A State Championship Game. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was to have my voice go out, missing the opportunity to work the second half of Milton’s historic state championship victory over Colquitt County.

Thanks to the many of you who’ve reached out to check on me. I’m fine. Still battling that same chest cold that resulted in my voice quitting on me but otherwise fine. I feel very fortunate to be surrounded by such a great team at GPB and that Jon Nelson was able to step in and get the job done. 

The turning the page and new chapter has begun for all the senior players who this week signed their National Letters of Intent to play college football. Below you will find my All-Football Fridays in Georgia Signing Day Team. I’ll explain later, but first a few thoughts on the 2018 season.

I don’t think I’m exaggerating that this was our greatest season yet on GPB. I thought our decision to choose games two weeks in advance resulted in our most dramatic schedule yet. From a Football Fridays In Georgia record 117 points scored in our opening game and Rome’s 66-51 victory over Carrollton. To our first-ever visit to Cherokee County and Creekview’s win over Sequoyah on the way to the Grizzlies winning their first 12 games before losing to eventual state champion Lee County in the state quarterfinals. 

Marietta's Harrison Bailey

To Harrison Bailey and Arik Gilbert’s unbelievable performance in Marietta’s victory over North Paulding as Bailey, the junior quarterback sensation who has since committed to Tennessee, passed for 370 yards in the first half, and Gilbert, the No. 1 ranked junior athlete in the nation, caught five touchdown passes.

To Flowery Branch’s near upset of eventual two-time state champion Blessed Trinity when the Falcons came-up short going for two points and the win in overtime. To one week later, Roswell going for two points and the win and getting it with less than two minutes to play in their upset win at Walton.

To Archer’s second-round playoff shootout win at Parkview, ending the Panthers undefeated season with their first loss of the year. To Dutchtown’s arrival on the big stage and giving two-time state champ Rome all they could handle in the quarterfinals. 

To probably the best schedule of eight state championship games in total that we’ve ever televised, including what has to be the greatest final ever with Bainbridge capping their epic playoff run from a 5-5 regular season finish to a 47-41 three overtime 5A State Championship Game win over Warner Robins, which had beaten the Bearcats 38-0 just two months earlier.

Rome's Jamious Griffin

Now my season awards. Just one man’s opinion (from the teams we televised on GPB).

Offensive Player of the Year – Rome RB Jamious Griffin

Defensive Player of the Year – Milton LB Jordan Davis

Special Teams Player of the Year – Colquitt County Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald

Coach of the Year – Bainbridge Head Coach Jeff Littleton

Play of the Year (Tie) – Cedar Grove Jadon Haselwood’s final high school reception was a state championship winning touchdown catch with less than five seconds to play in the Saints victory over Peach County in the 3A Final. In Class A, Bainbridge nose tackle Roman Harrison hurdling the line to block Warner Robins potential state championship winning field goal, giving his team the chance to win the state title in overtime, which they did.

So, here’s a look at the Football Fridays in Georgia Signing Day Team. There are a few caveats. 

No. 1, these are only players from teams that were televised on GPB this season. This isn’t intended to be an All-State Team.

No. 2, these are players who signed letters of intent this week. For example, Jadon Haselwood, the top wide receiver in the nation, is not on the list because he hasn’t signed yet. 

So now that I got all the legalese out of the way, here they are:

Blessed Trinity's Steele Chambers

Offense

First Team

QB – Jordan Yates – Milton – Georgia Tech

RB – Steele Chambers – Blessed Trinity – Ohio State

RB – Jamious Griffin – Rome – North Carolina State

WR – Dominick Blaylock – Walton – Georgia

WR – Ramel Keyton – Marietta – Tennessee

WR – Xavier Roberts-Donaldson – Rome – Kennesaw State

TE – Jackson Lowe – Cartersville – Tennessee

OL – Wanya Morris – Grayson – Tennessee

OL – Trente Jones – Grayson – Michigan

OL – Nick Pendley – Creekview – Mississippi State

OL – Will Rykard – Colquitt County – UAB

OL – Jakai Clark – Grayson – Miami

OL – Griffin Carder – Lee County – Georgia Southern

Second Team

QB – Austin Kirksey – Walton – Nevada

QB – Dylan Fromm – Warner Robins – Mercer

QB – Zach Calzada – Lanier – Texas A&M

RB – Aaron Beasley – Heard County – Tennessee

RB – Travis Tisdale – Lowndes – Kentucky

RB – Cade Radam – Creekview – Kennesaw State

WR – Malik Washington – Parkview – Northwestern

WR – Logan Berryhill – Camden County – South Florida

WR – Kenyon Jackson – Grayson – Texas A&M

TE – Tyler Fromm – Warner Robins – Auburn

Defense

First Team

DE – Kevin Harris – Grayson – Alabama

DE – Colby Wooden – Archer – Auburn

DT – Roman Harrison – Bainbridge – Tennessee

DT – Rashard Cheney – Cedar Grove – Minnesota

LB – Owen Pappoe – Grayson – Auburn

LB – Tyron Hopper – Roswell – Florida

LB – Trezman Marshall – Clinch County – Georgia

LB – J.D. Bertrand – Blessed Trinity – Notre Dame

CB – Andrew Booth – Archer – Clemson

CB – Jalen Perry – Dacula – Michigan

SAF – Joe Charleston – Milton – Clemson

SAF – Jalyn Phillips – Archer – Clemson

Second Team

DL – Tru Thompson – Grayson – Florida State

DL – Isaiah Chaney – Cartersville – Wake Forest

DL – Deangelo Carter – Lee County – Minnesota

DL – Jacoby Sharpe – Lanier – Temple

LB – Kevon Glenn – Dutchtown – Florida State

LB – Allen Walker – Milton – Louisiana Tech

LB – Rashard Revels – Colquitt County – UAB

LB – Marcus Anderson – Colquitt County – Georgia State

LB – Jordan Veneziale – North Paulding – Kennesaw State

DB – Kenyatta Watson – Grayson – Texas

DB – Jalen Alexander – Grayson – Duke

DB – Jeremiah Smith – Grayson – Georgia Tech

DB – B.J. Gibson – Walton – Navy

DB – Trey Franklin – Warner Robins – Buffalo

DB – Camari Louis – Colquitt County – Kennesaw State

Special Teams

Kicker/Punter – Cory Munson – Northside-WR – Western Kentucky

*Ryan Fitzgerald – Colquitt County – Would be on this list except for the fact that he has not yet signed.

And the Survey Says … Tennessee is the most represented program on the Signing Day Team with five players. Clemson is next with three. Oddly enough there were only two players that signed with Georgia and the same number for Georgia Tech. Among the other state schools, Kennesaw State won top honors with four signees.

From the far reaches,  the furthest is Nevada with some honorable mentions for Buffalo, Temple, Michigan and Minnesota.

Noticeable absences included South Carolina, Ole Miss, LSU, North Carolina -- who traditionally do a little better with our GPB televised teams.

So that will just about do it. There will be a few more signings with the traditional National Signing Day still on the calendar the first Wednesday in February but by-and-large this new early signing period has pretty much stolen the thunder from that day.

Already looking ahead to our 2019 season on GPB. Can’t wait.