Johnson: Top five performers from week six
Friday night’s match-up between Mill Creek and Grayson featured two of the Atlanta area’s powerhouses.
A few highly-ranked and committed names stood out and a few names to know down the flashed on Friday night.
Top 15 junior Caleb Downs is as advertised
Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek safety Caleb Downs showcased what he could do with the football in the first few games of the 2021 season. On Friday night, he showed why he’s one of his class’s best defensive backs. Downs is ranked the 15th ranked player in the class of 2023.
The preparation behind Downs’ success was evident a few times on big hits. He diagnoses and closes extremely well. He brings thump when he comes up in run support.
Downs plays with a nasty that is rare in a safety. He is constantly communicating and will let the opposing team know that he’s a bad dude.
After he intercepted a pass in the fourth quarter to close the win, Down stood in the middle of the field and took a bow.
Schools like Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, North Carolina and Notre Dame are chasing the services of Downs.
Senior Georgia OL commit Griffin Scroggs plays nasty
Loganville (Ga.) Grayson Griffin Scroggs showcased his mauler mentality on Friday night.
Multiple times the whistle echo could be heard just as Scroggs finished a block. He’s a mean football player. Playing on the interior of the offensive line in the SEC requires as much.
There were multiple players needing to be held back after play being blocked by Scroggs. He seems to have a knack for getting under defensive linemen’s skin.
2023 DB Michael Daugherty showcases his versatility
During Friday’s game, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson Michael Daugherty lined up in at least four different positions. He played deep safety and multiple linebacker spots.
He has shown that he can cover. On Friday, Daugherty made his presence felt in the run game. He is also a vocal voice on the field when the Rams are lining up pre-snap.
Daugherty is considering schools like Auburn, Georiga, Clemson, LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee among others.
West Virginia commit Mumu Bin-Wahad impacts the game in multiple ways
The stat sheet showcased the impact Loganville (Ga.) Grayson Mumu Bin-Wahad had on Friday’s game. He had two interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown.
Both interceptions came in big moments. The pick-six came with the Rams trailing 21-0 in the third quarter.
Bin-Wahad snagged another interception late in the third quarter.
Bin-Wahad showcased backend leadership throughout the night. He was the first voice outside of a coach speaking praise to teammates after a third-down stop and he was one of the first to urge intensity as the game started going the Mill Creek direction.
Mill Creek’s Makhail Wood breaks loose
Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek Makhail Wood, a 2023 wide receiver, led Mill Creek in receiving with four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
He showed the versatility to score his two touchdowns. Wood caught a contested ball in the end zone for his first score. He then showed some burst as he caught a short pass and sashayed away from the talented Grayson defense.