Tag: High School Football

Former Washington DT Kedric Golston discusses taking over one of Virginia’s top HS programs

The longtime for Washington DT talks taking over one of Virginia’s top HS programs.

Kedric Golston was Mr. Washington. The legendary Joe Gibbs selected him in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL draft. Golston spent all 11 of his professional seasons in the burgundy and gold. He survived multiple head coaches, general managers, defensive coordinators, and defensive line coaches.

It wasn’t as if Golston was a star. He played in 142 NFL games with 53 starts, finishing with 224 career tackles and seven sacks. Golston was mainly a rotational player and special-teams standout. But Golston was a beloved leader in the locker room and on the field.

After retiring, Golston became a successful businessman in the DMV. He also got the coaching bug. After becoming a high school assistant, Golston was named the new head coach at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn earlier this month — mere minutes from Commanders’ headquarters. Stone Bridge is one of the top football programs in the state of Virginia and the alma mater of Washington defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.

In a recent interview with Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington, D.C., Golston spoke of his new job.

“Obviously, I’ve grown, I think there’s a couple of things you have control over,” Golston said when asked how the differences between him as a player and a coach.

“You don’t have control over your God-given athletic ability. But you can control your attitude and your effort. Some people start on third base; some people start on first base. But ultimately, it’s can each one of my players reach their ceiling and continue to improve day in and day out.”

Stone Bridge opened in 2000 and has 23 consecutive winning seasons, including three state championships.

 

4-star recruit Marco Jones starts youth football camp, raises money for epilepsy support

Marco Jones, a four-star Div. I football recruit who had epilepsy as a kid, supported Helmets4Helmets at his inaugural youth football camp.

Marco Jones fits the recruiting profile of a high-level Division I program. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he has the versatility to play both linebacker and tight end for San Ramon Valley High School (Danville, Calif.). He’s described by recruiting experts as athletic with good instincts. He has played varsity baseball in both of the last two seasons.

But in one way, he doesn’t fit the description of the kid typically recruited by the likes of Michigan, Texas, and Alabama: Jones was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 3 years old.

He suffered grand mal seizures as a kid before his epilepsy cleared at age 13, according to CBS News Bay Area. But while the condition is behind him, Jones continues to help those who have epilepsy.

Last weekend, he hosted the inaugural Marco Jones Skill Camp for football players ages 8 to 13, per CBS. The camp on Sunday was dedicated to Helmets4Helmets, which raises money to provide kids with helmets that protect them from falls when suffering an epileptic episode.

According to the organization’s website, Helmets4Helmets was launched by brothers Brock and Bryson Thompson when they were 8 and 6 years old. Bryson began having seizures from epilepsy when he was 4, and his insurance would not cover the price of the prescribed helmet.

The website states, “This floored the family and the boys decided no one else should have to deal with this.”

Family friend Zach Strief, a former player on the New Orleans Saints, agreed to get them a helmet signed by Drew Brees to auction off and raise money to help buy helmets for other kids.

“Luckily I grew out of it,” Jones said to CBS. “But there’s some people who aren’t as lucky to grow out of it and so it’s a foundation that gives helmets — soft helmets — to kids with epilepsy to protect them if they have a seizure; protects their head if they fall.”

According to the outlet, at Jones’ camp, players did speed and agility drills and played dodgeball. The outlet said most participants did not have epilepsy.

His mother, K.C. Jones, told CBS that Marco inspires people with or who have had epilepsy.

“Now, if they see that someone like Marco — that everybody knows — says ‘Oh, I had epilepsy too,’ it makes them maybe feel a little bit more normal,” she said.

Meet the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards All-USA TODAY Defensive Football Team

Each of the 25 athletes will have a chance to be named Defensive Football Player of the Year.

The nominees for National Defensive Football Player of the Year highlight just how great—and competitive— the 2023 high school season was, with the 25 players listed below each creating headlines every Friday night, Saturday afternoon, or any time the team stepped onto the gridiron.

A literal Super 25, the list comprises of big-name talents who have moved on to top college programs, plus a few from future graduating classes to keep an eye on this season.

From this team of top performers across the country, the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards will choose one Player of the Year in August — a perfect pregame celebration ahead of the anticipated 2024 season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the 2023-24 HSSA ALL-USA TODAY Defensive Football Team.

Oak Grove High School’s PJ Woodland (11) runs the ball during the 7A tournament game against Brandon High School in the 2023 high school football championships on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2023 in Brandon, Miss.

Keylan Abrams, EDGE, DeSoto High School (Texas) — JR

Tyler Atkinson, LB, Grayson High School (Georgia) — SO

Armondo Blount, DL, Miami Central High School (Florida) — SR

KJ Bolden, S, Buford High School (Georgia) — SR

Sammy Brown, LB, Jefferson High School (Georgia) — SR

Zabien Brown, DB, Mater Dei High School (California) — SR

Kedrick Burley, EDGE, St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Florida) — SR

Anquon Fegans, S, Thompson High School (Alabama) — JR

Elijah Griffin, DL, Savannah Christian Preparatory School (Georgia) — JR

LJ McCray, DL, Mainland High School (Florida) — SR

TayQuon McKinney, EDGE, Louisville High School (Mississippi) — JR

Koi Perich, S, Esko High School (Minnesota) — SR

Brayden Platt, LB, Yelm High School (Washington) — SR

Dorian Pringle, LB, Washington High School (Ohio) — SR

Ronnie Royal III, DB, Gulf Shores High School (Alabama) — SR

Devin Sanchez, DB, North Shore High School (Texas) — JR

Justin Scott, DL, St. Ignatius College Prep (Illinois) — SR

Aaron Scott Jr., DB, Springfield High School (Ohio) — SR

Colin Simmons, EDGE, Duncanville High School (Texas) — SR

Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, LB, St. John Bosco High School (California) — SR

Deshawn Warner, EDGE, Desert Edge High School (Arizona) — SR

Ari Watford, EDGE, Maury High School (Virginia) — JR

Justin Williams, LB, Oak Ridge High School (Texas) — SR

Marcelles Williams, DB, St. John Bosco High School (California) — SR

PJ Woodland, DB, Oak Grove High School (Mississippi) — SR

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

2023-24 USA TODAY High School Sports Awards All-USA TODAY Offensive Football Team

Meet the HSSA’s 2023-24 ALL-USA Offensive Football Team.

The nominees for National Offensive Football Player of the Year highlight just how great—and competitive— the 2023 high school season was, with the 25 players listed below each creating headlines every Friday night, Saturday afternoon, or any time the team stepped onto the gridiron.

A literal Super 25, the All-USA HSSA Team has big-name talents who have moved on to top college programs, plus a few from the Class of 2025 to keep an eye on this season.

From this list of top performers across the country, the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards will choose one Player of the Year in August — a perfect pregame celebration ahead of the anticipated 2024 season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the 2023-24 HSSA All-USA Offensive Football Team.

(USA TODAY)

Micah Alejado, QB, Bishop Gorman High School (Nevada) — SR

Brandon Baker, OL, Mater Dei High School (California) — SR

Jason Brown Jr., RB, O’Dea High School (Washington) — SR

Navi Bruzon, QB, Liberty High School (Arizona) — SR

Terry Bussey, ATH, Timpson High School (Texas) — SR

Cam Coleman, WR, Central High School (Alabama) — SR

Kahnen Daniels, RB, West Point High School (Mississippi) — SR

Caden Durham, RB, Duncanville High School (Texas) — SR

Ike Garcia, OL, Corner Canyon High School (Utah) — SR

Jeremy Hecklinski, QB, Walton High School (Georgia) — SR

Alvin Henderson, RB, Elba High School (Alabama) — JR

Ju’Juan Johnson, QB, Lafayette Christian Academy (Louisiana) — SR

DJ Lagway, QB, Willis High School (Texas) — SR

Isaiah Marshall, ATH, Southfield A&T High School (Michigan) — SR

Jaylen Mbakwe, DB, Clay-Chalkville High School (Alabama) — SR

Aaron Philo, QB, Prince Avenue Christian School (Georgia) — SR

Josh Ringer, RB, East Central High School (Indiana) — SR

Ben Roebuck, OL, St. Edward High School (Ohio) — SR

David Sanders Jr., OL, Providence Day School (North Carolina) — JR

Keelan Smith, TE, Liberty North High School (Missouri) — SR

Josiah Thompson, OL, Dillon High School (South Carolina) — SR

Nitro Tuggle, WR, NorthWood High School (Indiana) — SR

Ryan Williams, WR, Saraland High School (Alabama) — SR

Elyiss Williams, TE, Camden County High School (Georgia) — JR

Aneyas Williams, RB, Hannibal High School (Missouri) — SR

From the HSSA

Nominees for both the regional and national programs are posted as they are selected. Regional nominees represent the best in their respective areas, while national nominees are  recognized as the top high school athletes nationwide.

Sign up for email updates for your region or nationally to keep up with nominee selections, the awards programs and special announcements.

Follow our main Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and Threads pages for more.

The highest-rated high school football recruits since 2000

A top name has a chance to shine in 2024?

Back in 2020, USA TODAY High School Sports looked at the top-rated recruits since 2000, per 247Sports composite averages. Since then there has been new name added to the impressive list, one that comes with a perfect rating— which now makes six total in that unique category.

As we has said before, these players weren’t just one example of high school dominance; they were “The” example of high school football dominance. However, these are the football legends since 2000. That means the historical hierarchy with the likes of Bo Jackson, Marcus Dupree, John Elway, Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, and more, are not included. (Had the rating system been in place “back in the day” … well, it’s safe to assume there would be a lot more than six players with a perfect composite average.)

With that in mind, let’s check out the unmatched talents that took on almost legend-like lore under the lights on Friday night since 2000…

Legendary high school coach Rush Propst steps down from Pell City

Rush Propst has stepped down at Pell City.

Rush Propst, perhaps the best-known high school football coaches in the nation, has stepped down from a position he took on just last year.

Propst, who became nationally known as the head coach of Hoover High School (Hoover, Alabama), has had success mixed with controversy throughout his nearly three decades on the sidelines. The ‘Two-A-Days’ program, a reality show that ran for three years on MTV, chronicled life at Hoover and made Propst one of the most widely-known figures in prep sports.

But the show also drew criticism for Propst’s hard-charging and unapologetic style.

His decision on Friday to step down from Pell City High School (Pell City, Alabama) after one year was a bit of a surprise (even with a reported lack of support from the school’s board of education). Last year saw Pell City go 1-10 but seven of their losses came by seven or fewer points.

Five of those losses were by fewer than four points. It was progress, especially for a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2017.

According to AL.com, a special meeting of the Pell City Board of Education was called to accept Propst’s resignation.

In a post on social media on Friday, Propst outlined his reasons for leaving the post:

“It has never been my desire to cause controversy or division in this community. I believe Pell City’s brightest days are ahead of it but I’ve concluded that I am not the right person to lead this program at this time.”

 

 

High school football coach steps down after unsanctioned tackling drill

High school football coach resigns over tackling drill.

A high school football coach in Washington state has stepped away from his role following a controversial tackling drill at practice.

Mark Smith has resigned from being head coach at Shelton (Shelton, Washington), a position he has held for 25 years. At issue is that Smith allegedly allowed a tackling drill this spring that was conducted without helmets or pads.

According to reporting from King 5 television station in Washington about the “unsanctioned” tackling drill, the football players were taken into the wrestling room where they participated in the drill. Several players were allegedly injured according to King 5, including injuries to the head and a dislocated finger.

The practice took place on Jan. 31. Once news of the practice became known, an investigation was undertaken by the school district.

“Coach told the other players no one was tackling me and they needed to do better. I was running to the other wall and got off a tackle from another kid and another kid grabbed from the back and picked me over his head and slammed me on my head,” one player said according to King 5.

Shelton is looking to bounce back following a 3-6 season in 2023.

Smith’s resignation was accepted by the school board on Tuesday. The search for a new head coach is currently underway.

14 of the greatest single-season RB performances in high school history

Rushing into history…

There weren’t enough players on defense to stop them. They scorched the turf on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons, leaving behind tracks of a legacy that many probably can’t comprehend as being athletically possible.

The top running backs in high school history have racked up yards and touchdowns that look like year-end team statistics. However, these were solo acts of legendary status, taking the accepted 1000-yard achievement and multiplying it sometimes by four!

Ahead of the pack are these 14 backfield juggernauts, talented individuals with single-season performances that have reigned supreme in high school rushing history.