Honor Roll
Jacob Allen, Flowery Branch: Nine tackles, six for a loss, a sack and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown in a 49-7 win over Cedar Shoals.
Bruce Clark, Dawson County: 10 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown in a 27-22 loss to Chestatee.
Kanler Coker, Flowery Branch: 14 of 24 for 179 yards and two touchdowns passing, 41 yards rushing and a touchdown in 49-7 win over Cedar Shoals.
Imani Cross, North Hall: Had 24 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a 55-15 loss at Gainesville.
Jordan Degraff, Chestatee: Completed 6 of 9 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns and had 67 yards and two scores on the ground in a 27-22 win over Dawson County.
Tyler Dominy, Dawson County: 23 of 31 passing for 301 yards and a touchdown in a 27-22 loss to Chestatee.
Kevin Ellison, Habersham Central: Rushed 18 times for 96 yards and a score to set the school record for career rushing yards at 2,811 in a 34-20 loss to Clarke Central.
Tony Fayson, Chestatee: Caught three passes for 132 yards and a touchdown in a 27-22 win over Dawson County.
Jeremy Haley, Flowery Branch: Had 12 carries for 89 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-7 win over Cedar Shoals.
Tray Harrison, Gainesville: Caught three passes for 110 yards and a touchdown in a 55-15 win over North Hall.
Ryan Kennedy, White County: Rushed 14 times for 89 yards and a score to go with his 55 yards receiving on four catches in a 27-24 loss to Oconee County.
Zach Martin, Dawson County: Rushed 33 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-22 loss to Chestatee.
Drequn Sewell, Jefferson: Had 29 carries for 139 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-29 win over Hart County.
Bryant Shirreffs, Jefferson: Was 17 of 23 passing for 317 yards and four touchdowns in a 43-29 win over Hart County.
Dustin Scott, Jackson County: Ran 31 times for 189 yards and a score in a 21-12 loss to East Jackson.
Compiled by David Mitchell
Gainesville sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson put on a show in the Red Elephants’ 55-15 thrashing of rival North Hall on Friday.
He ran and passed over, around and through the Trojan defense, to the tune of 351 yards and five touchdowns on 18 of 25 passing to go with 96 yards and three scores on the ground.
For putting together that stunning performance on such a big stage, Watson has been named The Times Player of the Week. It is his second selection of the season. He was first selected Player of the Week after his performance in a 40-3 win over White County on Sept. 2.
Gainesville coach Bruce Miller praised Watson’s preparation in the week leading up to the game which, he said, was the key to the outcome on the field..
“The biggest thing was that he watched a lot of film going up to the game,” Miller said. “He spent a lot of time preparing and learning, and he pretty much controlled the game for us.”
Watson had a hand in all eight touchdowns for Gainesville (2-1, 0-0 8-AAA South). And while no one can seem to figure out if it is a school record or not, Miller said that he was sure it was close.
“It’s got to be,” he said.
Though he may have made it all look easy on Friday, casually flicking passes to receivers down field, Watson said that he expected a difficult game and credited the success to his team’s preparation.
“I thought it was going to be a hard game throughout all four quarters,” Watson said. “I thought North Hall was going to bring it, which they did, but we just capitalized and executed our plays. Everybody on the offense and defense, and the coaches, did their job.”
As a freshman a year ago, Watson passed for more than 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns, totals he is well on his way to eclipsing through three games in 2011.
On the young season, Watson has already passed for 700 yards and seven scores to go with his team-leading 225 yards and five scores on the ground.
Miller described his young signal-caller as “mature beyond his years,” and pointed out that three plays that resulted in touchdowns were called by Watson at the line.
He said those abilities are not commonly found in players as young as Watson.
“It’s just his presence, calmness and composure that’s so impressive,” Miller said. “We’re so fortunate he’s ours.”
But even a performance such as the one on Friday left Watson unsatisfied, another trait Miller said that he was impressed with.
“He really wants to keep improving,” Miller said. “He’s like a sponge. He keeps learning and soaking it all up.”
After the game, Watson stressed his belief that his team could get better.
“I think we can get a lot better,” he said. “Get better on the penalties and holding, and go back to the high school and watch film. Just work on the things we need to work on.”
Gainesville will play at Franklin County (1-2) on Friday.