Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane

GACA 2A South All-State Football Team
Coach of the Year: Michael Youngblood, Thomson
Offensive player of the year: Jontavis Curry, Thomson
Defensive player of the year: Jalen Kilgore, Putnam County

Offense:
QB: Chip Cooper, Worth County; Dayson Griffis, Appling County; RB: D J Bell, Pierce County; Jamarion Williams, Appling County; Tre Tre Jefferey, Thomson; Jamarion Guyton, Pierce County; OL: Xavier Walker, Fitzgerald; Gabe Pearce, Fitzgerald; Marcus NeSmith, Appling County; Cain Coulter, Thomson; Bryson Wilson, Cook, Henry Peagler, Pierce County; TE: Dawson Griffis, Appling County; WR: Dee Fulton, Worth County; Ka’Monta Durden, Washington County; Carl Holmes, Laney; DJay Braswell; Washington County

Defense:
DL: Daniel James, Fitzgerald; Cadricus Stanley, Northeast; Chayce Smith, Appling County; Greg Edwards, Tattnall County; Jakori Jones, Cook; Wil Watts, Toombs County; LB: Jaquan Hart, Thomson; Damarion Simmons, Dodge County; Tank Morris, Toombs County; Travion Curry, Thomson; Rashod Daniel, Putnam County; Storm Hunt, Thomson; Marcellus Brigham, Thomson; DB: Jaquez White, Pierce County; D J Brown, Fitzgerald; Mykel Crayton, Appling County; ST: Josiah Davis, Berrien

DJ Brown, Xavier Walker signs with Reinhardt
It's Signing Day 2023 for RU Football!

Daniel James signs with Berry
Daniel James, Berry

CLASS 2A
Offensive player of the year: Jontavis Curry, Thomson
Defensive player of the year: Jalon Kilgore, Putnam County
Coach of the year: Michael Youngblood, Thomson

Offense
QB - Seth Griffin, North Murray, 6-4, 205, Sr.
RB - Keyjuan Brown, South Atlanta, 5-10, 205, Sr.
RB - Jontavis Curry, Thomson, 5-10, 180, Sr.
RB - Nick Woodford, Northeast, 5-9, 210, So.
WR - Colton Hood, Eagle’s Landing Christian, 6-1, 175, Sr.
WR - Malachi Jackson, McNair, 6-2, 180, Sr.
OL - D.J. Chester, Eagle’s Landing Christian, 6-5, 310, Sr.
OL - Gabe Fortson, North Cobb Christian, 6-4, 300, Sr.
OL - Henry Peagler, Pierce County, 6-3, 265, Sr.
OL - Xavier Walker, Fitzgerald, 6-0, 260, Sr.
OL - Johnny Williams, Northeast, 6-6, 310, Sr.
ATH - D.J. Bell, Pierce County, 5-10, 175, Sr.
K - Sully Croker, Providence Christian, 6-1, 160, Sr.

Defense
DL - Sam Albee, Fellowship Christian, 6-5, 235, Sr.
DL - Daniel James, Fitzgerald, 6-0, 210, Sr.
DL - Kenyon Partridge, Columbia, 6-3, 230, Sr.
DL - Sam Williams, Callaway, 6-3, 260, Sr.
LB - Jacob Cruz, North Cobb Christian, 6-4, 230, Sr.
LB - Dawson Griffis, Appling County, 6-1, 228, Sr.
LB - Tank Morris, Toombs County, 5-10, 200, Sr.
LB - Brent Washington, Rockmart, 6-0, 230, Jr.
DB - Josiah Davis, Berrien, 6-3, 190, Jr.
DB - Jalon Kilgore, Putnam County, 6-2, 200, Sr.
DB - Taye Seymore, South Atlanta, 6-1, 205, Sr.
DB - Dennis Sims, Rockmart, 5-10, 170, Sr.
P - Hayden Futch, Berrien, 6-1, 165, Sr.

Honorable mention
ATH Jadan Baugh, Columbia, Jr.; RB Djay Braswell, Washington County, Sr.; WR/DB Marcellus Brigham, Thomson, Sr.; QB Sam Bush, Athens Academy, Sr.; QB Chip Cooper, Worth County, Sr.; ATH Corbin Davenport, Fannin County, Sr.; LB Kyle Elphick, Fellowship Christian, Sr.; DL Kameryn Fountain, Washington, Jr.; RB Nick Germain, Mount Paran Christian, Sr.; QB Charlie Gilliam, Eagle’s Landing Christian, Sr.; WR Jensen Goble, Union County, Jr.; DL Elijah Gunn, Callaway, Sr.; DB Storm Hunt, Thomson, Jr.; RB Jaylen Johnson, Appling County, Sr.; DL Ethan Lopez, Athens Academy, Jr.; WR Carmelo Mays, Southwest, Jr.; QB Caleb McMickle, Fellowship Christian, Sr.; OL Gabe Pearce, Fitzgerald, Jr.; ATH Judson Petty, North Murray, Jr.; TE Exavious Reed, Callaway, Sr.; ATH Andrew Shockley, Banks County, Sr.; LB/TE Carson Sloan, Pierce County, Jr.; ATH Jaquez White, Pierce County, Sr.; LB Antonio Wilson, Spencer, Sr.; OL Bryson Wilson, Cook, Sr.

Former 'Cane accepts running backs coaching job at UCONN

1-AA All-Region Football Team
Player of the year: ATH Josiah Davis, Berrien, Jr.
Offensive player of the year: QB Chip Cooper, Worth County, Sr.
Defensive player of the year: DE/LB Daniel James, Fitzgerald, Sr.
Special teams player of the year: P Hayden Futch, Berrien, Sr.
Athlete of the year: LB/WR Lamarie Mitchell, Dodge County, Sr.

First-team offense
ATH - Duke Johnson, Dodge County, So.; QB - Drew Folson, Cook, Jr.; RB - Keyshawn McKever, Cook, So.; RB - Kayden Chester, Worth County, Fr.; FB - Sylon Davis, Fitzgerald, Sr.; FB - Khaleel Williams, Fitzgerald, Sr.; TE - Drew Moore, Fitzgerald, Sr.; TE - Jadarius Smith, Cook, Sr.; WR - Dee Fulton, Worth County, So.; WR - Parker Weaver, Worth County, Sr.; WR - Nyshon Wallace, Cook, Jr.; WR - Brandon Pope, Sumter County, Sr.; WR - Calvin Tillman, Fitzgerald, Sr.; C - Lavon Simmons, Fitzgerald, Jr.; C - Emanuel Sutton, Dodge County, Sr.; G - Xavier Walker, Fitzgerald, Sr.; G - Cody Spencer, Cook, Sr.; T - Gabe Pearce, Fitzgerald, Jr.; T - Bryson Wilson, Cook, Sr.

First-team defense
DE - Jacory Jones, Cook, Jr.; DE - Broshawn Snead, Sumter County, Jr.; DE - Ja’Michael Reynolds, Dodge County, Sr.; DE - Jeremiah Tillman, Berrien, Sr.; DT - Carlos Reliford, Berrien, Sr.; DT - Bryan Williams, Sumter County, Sr.; ILB - Demarion Simmons, Dodge County, Sr.; ILB - Aiden Lester, Cook, Jr.; ILB - Jaylen Fluellen, Worth County, Sr.; ILB - Randy Givens, Fitzgerald, Jr.; OLB - Robert Brown, Fitzgerald, Sr.; OLB - Aaron Kearse, Sumter County, Fr.; OLB - Brandon Brown, Fitzgerald, Jr.; OLB - Hunter Barber, Worth County, Jr.; DB - D.J. Brown, Fitzgerald, Sr.; DB - Keaston Taylor, Sumter County, So.; DB - Keegan Williams, Dodge County, Sr.; DB - Quantavious Friar, Worth County, Sr.

First-team specialists
P - Brooks Moore, Cook, Fr.; PK - Matthew Lopez, Berrien, Jr.

Second-team offense
ATH - Cameron Evans, Sumter County, Sr.; QB - Sultan Cooper, Fitzgerald, Sr.; RB - Demron Gordon, Dodge County; RB - Ja'Kory Wise, Sumter County, Jr.; C - Justin Jones, Sumter County, Jr.; G - Christian Riggins, Fitzgerald, Jr.; G - Bryant Foster, Sumter County, Jr.; T - T.J. Smith, Worth County, So.; T - Jacory Wright, Sumter County, Jr.; T - Clay Lee, Dodge County, Sr.

Second-team defense
DE - Roderick Morgan, Fitzgerald, Jr.; DE - Caleb Goins, Cook, Sr.; DE - Andrew Dixon, Worth County, Jr.; DE - Melchisedec McCluster, Sumter County, Sr.; DT - Darius Calhoun Berrien, Sr.; DT - Joshua Coleman, Sumter County, Fr.; ILB - Peyton Laney, Jeff Davis, Sr.; ILB - Quentin Cole, Worth County, Sr.; ILB - Braylon Terry, Sumter County, Jr.; OLB - Nick Goodwin, Cook, Sr.; OLB - Karonga Keita, Sumter County, Sr.; DB - Laphabian Boone, Fitzgerald, Jr.; DB - Kevin Tukes, Worth County, Sr.; DB - Anthony Tyson, Sumter County, Jr.

Second-team specialists
P - Ary Flores, Sumter County, Sr.; PK - Fabian Valdelamar, Jeff Davis, Fr.; PK - Fernando Fernandez, Cook, Fr.

Named HC at the University of West Florida

Today’s interviewee is Tucker Pruitt, coach of defending Class 2A champion Fitzgerald. Pruitt is in his sixth season as the Purple Hurricane’s head coach. His record is 48-18. Pruitt was Fitzgerald’s quarterback in 2001 and 2002 under his father, Robby Pruitt. Fitzgerald’s 2021 state title was the school’s first since 1948.

Tucker Pruitt, Fitzgerald head coach
1. Looking back on 2021 one more time, what was the story of that team, and what did it mean to the school and community given the history? “The story of last year's team was perseverance. We were not very good at the beginning of the year. We got shut out by Pierce 17-0 in game five and didn't even win our region. But our players and coaches kept working hard and kept getting better and kept believing in each other. We started playing a little better down the stretch and were able to defeat three region champs on the road [Fannin County, Putnam County, Swainsboro] before finishing it off beating our region champ [Thomasville] in Atlanta. The championship was obviously really special for our community because it had been 73 years and we had been so close on numerous occasions. For me personally, it was a dream come true. This is a championship that I chased as a player and came up short. When I got the job at Fitzgerald, they were coming off back-to-back state runner-up seasons, and there was only one thing left to do. Last year we were so close and lost in the championship game by five [to Callaway]. I am really glad that we were able to knock the door down, and I am very thankful for all the people that helped make it happen.”

2. How does the 2022 team look? How many starters are back, and what do you expect to be your team's strengths and question marks? “We have eight of 11 back on offense, so we are hoping to play well on that side of the ball right out of the gate. On defense we have three or four back, so there are a lot of holes to fill, and we are going to have to have some kids step up and grow up fast.”

3. You had a couple of high-profile players who graduated in DeNorris Goodwin and E.J. Lightsey. Godwin got 30 carries in the state championship game. Lightsey got 11 and was the leading tackler. Are there are a couple of players that might try to fill the roles of go-to player on offense and ringleader on defense? “On offense, Sylon Davis is back at fullback. He is a strong runner and a good blocker. Sultan Cooper, our quarterback, is back and ready to have a good season. The halfback spot will be more of a committee-type deal. We have a bunch of backs that we will roll in and out, and hopefully somebody will step up. On defense, Daniel James is a guy that we feel like can have that same E.J. Lightsey type of production. He was an all-state player last year, and he is really quick and strong. We are expecting big things from him this year.”

4. Class 2A will be much different this season. There will be six private schools coming up from Class A, including Eagle’s Landing Christian and Fellowship Christian. How do you feel about how the dust settled in reclassification? “In addition to the private schools, half of the AAA final four has moved down in Pierce and Appling and two other AAA region champions as well in Thomson and Rockmart. It is sure to be a competitive class, and we understand that if we want to be around in the end, we have to focus on us and make sure that we are the best team that we can be and then we will see where that stacks up. Whoever wins the championship on Dec. 9 will have definitely earned it.”