There are some players that just rise to the occasion when it matters the most. That is certainly the case for many high school players across the country when it comes playoff time. However, there is a whole next level of performances, ones that solidify particular guys as legends in their home communities and energize coaches and fan bases of programs with playoff heroics. 2021 Georgia 5 Star quarterback signee Brock Vandagriff and 2022 5 Star athlete and top UGA target Malaki Starks turned in those performances of the legendary variety on Friday night, each leading their teams to State Championship births.
Malaki Starks, who plays quarterback for the Jefferson Dragons’ triple option based attack, had a monster night on both sides of the ball. Starks finished the evening with 30 carries for 320 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Also, the junior All-American threw a touchdown pass and also had an interception of the defensive side of the ball to help the Jefferson Dragons defeat perennial power Benedictine in the GHSA semi-finals. At this point its almost comical when you watch Starks play. Everyone in the stadium knows that he’s about to do something game-changing, play in and play out, and to this point in his career, nobody has been able to do anything about it. Georgia would love it if they could get Starks to stay in the Peach State and bring that winning mentality and clutch, explosiveness to Athens.
Brock Vandagriff continued his fairy tale high school ending for himself, his father who is also his Head Coach at Prince Avenue Christian School, and also his Wolverine teammates. Vandagriff and PACS once again laid the smackdown on their opponent for the 2nd consecutive week defeating Wesleyan 50 to 3, this on the heels of crushing multi time defending State Champion Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy last week 38 to 0.
Vandagriff of course lead the way with another stat filling performance that PACS and UGA fans have become accustom to seeing and, or hearing about each week for the last 2 seasons at least. The 5 Star Georgia signee finished his semifinal outing with 3 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing on the evening. Jeff Sentell of Dawg Nation was on-hand at the game Friday night and is reporting that Vandagriff finished 21 of 30 passing with roughly 270 yards. What Vandagriff has been able to pull out of the talent surrounding him at the small Single A private school has been truly remarkable and now he, his father, Troy commit and 3 Star receiver Logan Johnson and the rest of the PACS Wolverines will get a chance to capture GHSA gold at Georgia State’s home field in Atlanta on December 28th, just one week before Vandagriff is set to report to Athens and begin his Bulldog career.