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The regular season may have come to an end but GPB Sports' quest to highlight overlooked Georgia high school football players continues.

Here are our nominees for the week of November 11, 2024.

 

Santana Balkcom, Northeast, MLB, SR

The 5'11 210 LBS senior middle linebacker Santana Balkcom has been one of Bibb County’s top defensive players for three consecutive seasons, first posting 58 tackles (36 solo), as a sophomore. He’s cleared 80 tackles each of the last two seasons and heads to the playoffs this season tied for the team lead in tackles with 87 and 50 solo tackles. Balkcom also leads the Raiders with 15 tackles for loss on the season- a career high- to go with 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. As a junior, Balkcom spent limited time on offense, catching two passes for 11 yards. Also a baseball player, he boasts a 3.0 GPA.

Check out Balkcom's highlights.

 

Ford Childers, Bleckley County, K/P, SR

Childers is a 5'8 147 LBS senior kicker and punter for the Bleckley County Royals that has 36 PATs from 42 attempts and 10 FGs from15 attempts on the season. Known as "Fireball Ford," he has the ability to make big plays for his team when they most need it. Childers put those skills on full display when he made a 32-yard field goal in OT vs. Dodge County and game-winning PAT with 19 seconds left in Royals' 21-20 region championship win against Swainsboro. The senior Royal has a long list of awards including Top Ten National Performer in Week One by Kohls Kicking, Player of the Game, Special Teams Player of the Week (four times), Second Place for Weightlifting for Single A and Special Teams Player of the Year for the Bleckley County Royals. He has a 3.5 GPA.

Check out Childers' highlights.

Twitter/X: @FordChilders

 

Romando Craddock, Stephenson, MLB/ATH, SR

The senior Stephenson Jaguar is a 6'1 220 LBS middle linebacker and athlete that has tallied a total of 75 solo tackles and averages 11.3 tackles per game on the season. This puts Craddock at

#28th in the state for tackles and 5th in Division 3A. A versatile player, Craddock is the back-up QB and has impressively played up to eight positions for the Jaguars. Not only is he dominant on the football field but also as a wrestler where he was named a 2024 state runner up for the 220 LB weight class. Craddock has a 3.26 GPA, is able to graduate in December, and has already completed a year of dual enrollment classes, earning him enough credits to be a sophomore upon entering college. 

His list of football awards include: 2024 GHSFD Preseason All-State, 2023 B2C 4A All-State Defense, 2023 AJC All-Metro DL, 2023 AJC All-Region 1st Team Defense DL and 2023 GHSD 4A All-State Honorable Mention.

Check out Craddock's highlights.

Twitter/X: @Romandocra58500

 

Cooper Born, Fannin County, MLB/ TE/LS, SR

Born is a 6'1 215 LBS senior Fannin County Rebel that just finished the regular season at 10-0, naming them region champs for Region 7-A Division 1. He is a three-year starter that has broken the all-time career tackle record for the team with a total of 308 tackles in three years. As a senior he has a total of 111 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and one interception. He is ranked #2 in Region 7-A Division 1 for tackles, and #34 in the state. 

Born is a 4.0 student, and hopes to continue playing football in college while studying criminal law and forensics.

Check out Born's highlights.

Twitter/X: @cooperborn14

 

Deotris Mize Jr., Mill Creek, CB, SR

The  6’1” 170 LBS corner back for the Mill Creek Hawks has 34 total tackles (29 solo), one tackle for loss, one interception and 11 PBUs on the season. Mize suffered from a torn ACL during his sophomore season but through hard work and perseveration he was able to work his way back up to starting CB this year, with the goal of playing college football at the forefront of his mind. He currently has no offers, but believes his work ethic, resilience, and skills would be a great match for any program.

Mize was a member of the 2022 State Championship team, and has several athletic awards including: Gwinnet Daily Post Defensive Honor Roll, Mill Creek Defensive Player of the Week and Game Captain.

Check out Mize's highlights.

Twitter/X: @Deotris_MizeJr

 

Cameron Fowler, Charles R. Drew, C, JR

Fowler is a 6'0 245 LBS junior center for the Charles R. Drew Titans. The only junior on an offense full of seniors, Fowler was responsible for 25 pancakes this season. In week eight, he was recognized as a Top Performer in the team's 34-0 win over Forest Park.

He currently has no offers due to his size but believes his skillset will make up for that.

Check out Fowler's highlights.

Twitter/X: @3starCam7908

 

Frank Jackson, Jonesboro, WR, JR

The 6'4 180 LBS Cardinal has 10 catches, five of which were TDs, on the season. Although Jackson is new to the team, he has meshed well and been effective on offense. Here are a few words from his position coach: "Frank is very intelligent , hard worker, a major deep threat outside WR that high points the ball , a physical blocker with good footwork as a 1st year football player transitioning from basketball. Coaches should jump on him early he has scored on majority of his catches."

Check out Jackson's highlights.

Twitter/X: @itsfrankjackson

 

Graham Burmeister, Woodstock, QB, SO

Burmeister is a 6'1 180 LBS dual threat quarterback for the Woodstock Wolverines. He has thrown for 1,892 yards with 14 TDs and has 468 yards rushing with seven TDs. His performance helped contribute to Woodstock's first round playoff slot, marking the team's first appearance since 2017.

Burmeister has earned player of the week multiple times throughout the season, and is a part of GHSF Daily's Class 5A passing leaders.

A three-sport athlete, Burmeister wishes to play football at the next level. He has a 3.5 GPA.

Check out Burmeister’s highlights.

Twitter/X: @grahamburmeister