Takeaways from final regular season week football in Georgia

Jeremy Johnsonby:Jeremy Johnson•11/09/22•

JeremyO_Johnson

Playoff football has arrived at the high school level in Georgia. The final week of regular season games unfolded last Friday.

We took in a game full of future college football players as Grayson hosted Parkview. Grayson had already wrapped up their region championship. A few four-star prospects sat out. LSU commit Michael Daugherty did not play. 2025 four-star cornerback Jaylen Bell was also in street clothes on the sidelines.

Parkview came away with the win. They showcased a few prospects that could be key to their playoff run. Here are a few takeaways from the final regular season Friday.

Five-star WR Mike Matthews’ unselfishness is key for Parkview

Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview 2024 five-star wide receiver Mike Matthews is highly touted as a pass catcher. Matthews is the No. 2 ranked wide receiver in the class of 2024 according to the On3 Consensus.

Friday night, Matthews didn’t need to do much as a pass catcher. He did catch two passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

It was the threat of Matthews that routinely forced one-on-one coverage elsewhere. The Parkview offense mustered up 253 yards passing. Matthews also blocked downfield to help the Tigers in the run game. He also played a lot on defense. Parkview has sprinkled Matthews in with rising future Power Five prospect Zelus Hicks throughout the fall at safety.

Friday saw Matthews in the game a lot as a safety. He stuck his head in a few times to help stop the run. He also broke up some key passes down the field.

Matthews did it all with pride. He could be key to whatever happens with Parkview in the playoffs regardless if he has big numbers.

Four-star TE Kylan Fox growing into the voice of his team

Loganville (Ga.) Grayson 2024 four-star tight end Kylan Fox continues to see growth. He blew up into a national recruit over the summer.

Friday, he showcased his pull with the Grayson team. Fox has all the physical tools to be a big-time tight end or edge at the next level.

But when a huddle needs to be broken down, when a teammate gets a little out of hand or someone needs some encouragement, it’s Fox’s voice you hear.

He’s continued to grow his game in that aspect.

2024 four-star cornerback Jalyn Crawford brings the noise

Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview 2024 four-star cornerback Jalyn Crawford is a talented cover corner. On Friday, he brought some thump in the run game.

Crawford has built a reputation as a hard hitter. He slammed through the block delivered by a Grayson running back creating a pile that stopped the play. Crawford didn’t get credit for the tackle but his physicality makes it difficult to attack the edge of Parkview’s defense.

2026 EDGE Tyler Atkinson a tackling machine

Loganville (Ga.) Grayson 2026 linebacker Tyler Atkinson came into high school with a boatload of Power Five offers.

He’s been productive. Atkinson has played much of the year as a linebacker. Many schools have offered him as an edge. Atkinson has made it work. On Friday, anything within reach he snagged. He’s already a sure tackler.

It will be worth watching how his role expands into the playoffs and into his sophomore season. With another offseason of growth and weightlifting, Atkinson could look a lot different than he has this season, which has already been really good.

2024 four-star Zion Ferguson has the playmaker gene

Loganville (Ga.) Grayson 2024 four-star cornerback Zion Ferguson, an LSU commit, made his bones late last season with tough coverage on five-star Travis Hunter.

Ferguson has steadily grown since, physically and in his play. He turned in a highlight on Friday night.

On Friday, he essentially ran the route for the wideout and stepped in front of a pass and picked it off. Ferguson plays with a flare befitting of a big-time defensive back.

Players to know