Whether it was with one breakout season or a multiyear career of stardom, these five local high school football players who were seniors in 2019 left a lasting mark with record-breaking contributions and award-winning performances. Perhaps as tough as any opponent they will face, their former prep teams now take on the daunting task of replacing them.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs (Dalton)
The question was certainly not unexpected - it was at least the 10th time it had been posed to him in the past month - but when asked how the Catamounts were replacing last season's leading rusher in Georgia, coach Matt Land still paused a bit to collect his thoughts.
While Dalton has had more than its share of stars over the decades, it had in current Georgia Tech freshman Gibbs a rare combination of speed, agility and surprising power that allowed him, despite the Cats' passing ability being severely limited last season, to rush for 2,554 yards and 40 touchdowns.
"Well, since we can't live in the past and none of those yards are transferable, we have to move forward," Land said with a laugh. "We've always had to replace big players, and the reality is you don't really replace them. The longtime answer is you don't look for one person. You put that responsibility on four or five guys and play to your team's strengths."
With that said, though, Land expects big things from senior running back Maurice Howard, who, as Gibbs' understudy a year ago had 407 yards on a whopping 10.4 yards per carry.
"Maurice is a different kind of runner," Land said. "He's actually more powerful than Jahmyr, though he's more of a downhill runner."
File photo by Cade Deakin / Dual-threat quarterback DeAngelo Hardy was named MVP of McCallie's state championship victory last season, with the 28-7 win against MBA his finale with the Blue Tornado.2. DeAngelo Hardy (McCallie)
The three-year starter at quarterback, who signed with Kennesaw State, had more than 2,600 total yards to lead the Blue Tornado to last year's TSSAA Division II-AAA state championship, and he was named BlueCross Bowl MVP for his performance in the 28-7 title victory against Montgomery Bell Academy in early December.
The competition for the starting quarterback job this year is between juniors Austin Breedlove and William Riddle, who have similar skill sets.
"As good as he was on the field for us, it's probably tougher to replace his leadership and grasp of what we were trying to do on offense," McCallie coach Ralph Potter said. "D-Lo was the heart and soul of what we did, so it's just going to be very different. Whoever takes over can't force things, and the people around them are going to need to take on more leadership roles."
Staff file photo by C.B. Schmelter / Aaron Swafford was a standout on offense and defense during his time at Meigs County, and his 2019 senior season culminated with the Tigers finishing as state runners-up in Class 2A.3. Aaron Swafford (Meigs County)
He guided the program to a 48-6 overall record as a rare four-year starter at quarterback who also played in the defensive secondary, helping the Tigers finish as Class 2A state runners-up last season. The Naval Academy signee was a three-time state Mr. Football finalist and won the award as a junior. He totaled more than 2,000 yards to help Meigs earn 12 wins last season.
Logan Carroll, a 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior, knows the offense well and will be surrounded by enough talent to allow him to pick and choose his moments to make plays as the Tigers will try for a fifth straight Region 2-2A title.
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Ladd McConkey, left, was a threat to score whenever the ball was in his hands during his 2019 senior season at North Murray. In addition to playing quarterback for the Mountaineers, he returned three interceptions and three kicks for touchdowns4. Ladd McConkey (North Murray)
McConkey put up one of the most impressive all-around seasons in recent memory in northwest Georgia while helping the Mountaineers to an 11-win season that included a Region 6-AAA championship and an appearance in the state quarterfinals for the first time in program history.
Formerly a receiver, he assumed quarterback duties and proceeded to pass for 1,771 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 924 yards and 10 scores. He was, however, equally dangerous elsewhere on the field. McConkey returned three of his seven kick or punt returns for touchdowns, averaging 51 yards per return, and as a safety he intercepted four passes, returning three of those for scores.
"Well, Ladd was a special player," North Murray coach Preston Poag said of the current Georgia Bulldogs freshman. "Let's face it, you can't replace that production with one person. You have to do it by committee, and for us, I think we have a group that can be very competitive and successful."
The Mountaineers have a returning 1,000-yard rusher in senior tailback D'Ante Tidwell, who will be an even bigger part of the offense this year. Tidwell, clocked at faster than 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash this summer, will be joined by two more speedsters, Noah Lunsford and Murray County transfer Cade Petty, while Seth Griffin will take over at quarterback.
Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Noah Martin was central to Baylor's success on defense last season, but now the Red Raiders must replace their leading tackler for the past two years with Martin having moved on to Samford University.5. Noah Martin (Baylor)
The Samford University signee finished among the area's leading tacklers with 101 total stops, including 22 for loss. A three-year starter who led the Red Raiders in tackles each of the past two seasons, he also intercepted three passes and was named the Division II-AAA East Region defensive MVP.
Heath Snodgrass (6-0, 210) started as a sophomore at strongside linebacker but missed last year after knee surgery, and junior Watson Brown (6-3, 200) was a backup to Martin. Those two will both play, combining to fill the role.
"Noah was the quarterback of our defense," Red Raiders coach Phil Massey said. "He was a very physical player who anchored the middle of our defense and knew where everybody else was supposed to be. He had the mentality of a player-coach on the field, and his aggressiveness and passion rubbed off on other players. That's tough to replace."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis. Contact LindseyYoung at lyoung@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.