RINGGOLD, Ga. -- Martez Eastland doesn't mean to be rude, and the soft-spoken Ringgold High School football star would never want people to think he goes around angry all the time.

It's just that, well, it's Friday and Eastland is in no mood for small talk. Anybody who knows the 6-foot, 235-pounder understands this and gives the big man his room. There's football to be played in a few hours, and Eastland is in game mode.

"I just love the game of football. I love being on that field; I love every minute of it," Eastland says, trying to explain to a visitor why he plays with such reckless abandon. "You never know when a play might be your last. I just can't explain the way I play.

"On game days I really don't talk to people. I have to get my mind right and focus on what I have to do. It's all I do on game days is think about the game."

It's not lost on Eastland, the 2008 Times Free Press All-North Georgia Offensive Player of the Year, that tonight's Region 6-AAA region playoff game at Central-Carroll might be his last prep game. The Tigers (7-2) will be finished if they lose. With a win they will make the state playoffs for the first time in Eastland's career.

Despite frequent pain from a variety of injuries, the versatile athlete is having his most dominant season with close to 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards to go with 18 touchdowns. Regarded by scouting services as one of the top three senior fullbacks in the country, Eastland rushed for more than 300 yards in one game and made two late interceptions to seal another win. He has starred at running back, quarterback, receiver, defensive end, linebacker and safety.

"He's one of those kids who comes along once in a lifetime," Ringgold coach Robert Akins said. "I've been in this business 30 years, and he's the best athlete I've had. It's really special when you have a kid who is that talented and works as hard as he does. He loves the game and he loves to compete. The main thing, and it's been evident since I've been coaching him, when he gets between the lines, he's one of those kids who won't accept losing."

Akins only wishes he could clone Eastland. The coach's biggest challenge on game nights is determining where to play him. Then again, Akins can't go wrong with any choice.

"We've put him up against our best offensive lineman in the past, and he's the best one there," Akins said. "We've put him up against wide receivers, and he's the best one there. And he's the best defensive back. I can honestly say anywhere I put him on the football field, he's the best."

Eastland's dedication to the game was questioned earlier in his career, when he was seen as a player who was out of shape and would take plays off. Now, as his career is close to wrapping up, no one questions his desire or toughness.

"He hurt his knee a little bit before the season, he had a concussion one game and he's had sore ribs all season," Akins said. "At times when he gets hit I can tell it bothers him, but he's always ready to go. One game earlier this season he got hit in the ribs in the first half and he was hurting. At halftime he looked at me and said, 'Coach, put the ball in my hands.' I did, and we won the game going away."

Mark Mariakis has witnessed the maturation up close, closer than the Ridgeland coach would have liked. He, like Akins, understands Eastland is a rare athlete.

"My word, we've seen him line up anywhere from quarterback to tailback to receiver and more," Mariakis said. "He's one of the few kids who can carry a team on his back. He brings a great combination of power and elusiveness to a game. He's got a great little sidestep move he can put on you. He's not just a power back."

The only question remaining is where will Eastland play next year. Eligibility concerns have eased after he passed the school's graduation test, and he's just a few points shy on the ACT test of fully qualifiying. At worst, according to Akins, he will be a late qualifier. The news has ramped up recruiting efforts, with SEC schools Georgia, Auburn and Tennessee leading the way.

Northwest Georgia prep coaches likely will hold a little celebration when he's gone.

"Martez Eastland is one of the best I've seen," Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe coach Todd Windham said. "The thing that makes him so exceptional is his ability to play at such a high level at any position. You look at guys like Eddie Moore, Gerald Riggs Jr. and Josh and Daniel Bullocks. They were all great players, but I don't remember anyone being as good in so many areas.

"We've never really found a way to stop him. I tell you, graduation in this case will be our best defense."