Peach State Products weekly recap: Top 5 games from former Georgia HS athletes

 Boston Celtics G Jaylen Brown (Wheeler): 35 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL

Brown led the Celtics to a dominant 136-107 win over the lowly Washington Wizards on Wednesday. He scored at least 30 points for the fifth time in nine games to start Boston's season. 

Boston is leaning on Brown to be the team's star power as superstar Jayson Tatum is expected to miss the entire season while recovering from an Achilles injury. Boston is 5-6 to start the season, but Brown is averaging 28 points per game.

Minnesota Timberwolves G Anthony Edwards (Therrell/Holy Spirit Prep): 35 PTS, 6 REB, 6 AST, 1 BLK

Edwards' scorching start to the season has not slowed down through his seven games played. Edwards, who started the season with a 41-point night, has since scored 30-plus three more times. 

That included his 35-point outing in a 120-113 win over the Utah Jazz on Monday. Edwards has averaged over 27 points in his seven games this season, and Minnesota is 5-2 in games when he played. 

Georgia Southern Eagles QB JC French IV (Blessed Trinity): 25/37, 352 yards, 1 TD; 12 rushes, 18 yards, 1 TD

French led Georgia Southern to a strong conference win at Appalachian State on Saturday night. The junior's season-high 352 yards passing helped the Eagles topple the Mountaineers 25-23 for the team's first road win this season. 

French surpassed 2,000 passing yards on the season in the win. Georgia Southern can start its first conference win streak of the season by beating Coastal Carolina on Saturday. 

Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Dalton): 15 rushes, 142 yards, 2 TD; 3 receptions, 30 yards, 1 TD

Gibbs led the Lions' offense in a 44-22 demolition of the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Gibbs displayed his dual-threat talents, scoring his first two touchdowns on a 14-yard reception and a 13-yard run. 

Gibbs' last touchdown was all about speed, as he simply blazed through Washington's defense and beat the second level to the end zone on a 43-yard run. Gibbs joined Barry Sanders, Randy Moss, Emmitt Smith and Jim Brown as the only NFL players in history to score at least 40 scrimmage touchdowns before turning 24. 

Houston Texans QB Davis Mills (Greater Atlanta Christian): 27/45, 292 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 3 rushes, 20 yards, 1 TD

Davis Mills led Houston to the second-biggest fourth quarter comeback in team history on Sunday. The Texans overcame a 19-point deficit and outscored Jacksonville 26-0 in the final 15 minutes for a shocking 36-29 win. 

Mills scored all three offensive touchdowns in the quarter, throwing the first two to cut Jacksonville's lead to 29-24. Then the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder took the lead for good with 30 seconds left on a 14-yard rushing touchdown. 

Minnesota G Anthony Edwards (Therrell/Holy Spirit Prep): 41 PTS, 1 AST, 7 REB, 1 BLK

Edwards wasted no time settling in for his sixth season in the NBA. The former No. 1 overall draft pick dropped 41 points in Minnesota's season-opening 118-114 win over Portland.

Edwards also sealed the win for the Timberwolves, nailing a stepback jumper in isolation with 6.8 seconds left. It was the 20th 40-point game of Edwards' career.

Michigan RB Justice Haynes (Buford): 26 rushes, 152 yards, 2 TD, 1 FUM, 3 receptions, 19 yards

Justice Haynes didn't reach 100 yards rushing for the first time in his last game, so the junior came back with one of his best outings of the season last Saturday. 

Haynes helped the Wolverines down bitter rival Michigan State 31-20. Haynes scored both of his touchdowns in the third quarter, taking a dominant 24-7 lead over the Spartans. 

Haynes' 857 rushing yards through seven games leads all Big Ten rushes and ranks No. 4 in the country. 

Vanderbilt DB CJ Heard (Woodward Academy): 8 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TFL

Heard might have made the biggest defensive play of Vanderbilt's 17-10 win over Missouri last Saturday. The sophomore blew up a handoff in Missouri's backfield and took the loose ball out of running back Ahmad Hardy's hands, giving Vanderbilt the ball at midfield with seven minutes to play. 

Vanderbilt used the short field to score the go-ahead touchdown in a massive, program-building win for the Commodores. 

Utah C Walker Kessler (Woodward Academy): 25 PTS, 4 AST, 11 REB, 4 BLK

Few players have had as dominant a start to the NBA season as Kessler. His best performance so far came in Monday's 138-134 overtime win over Phoenix, where he notched his first double-double of the season. 

Kessler was 9-of-12 shooting from the field and shot 6 of 7 from the free throw line. He did not miss a shot — including two 3-point attempts — in his first two games of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers RB Kimani Vidal (Marietta): 23 rushes, 117 yards, 1 TD, 1 reception, 2 yards

Vidal's rise to stardom has accelerated since the injuries of Chargers running backs Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris and Hassan Haskins. 

Vidal erupted again for Los Angeles on Sunday in a 37-10 win over Minnesota. The Chargers are 2-0 when Vidal sees double-digit carries and rushes for at least 100 yards. 

If Victor Wembanyama didn't exist, Anthony Edwards would likely lead national sports news cycles this morning. 

Edwards' 41-point night led Minnesota to a season-opening 118-114 win at Portland last night. Edwards shot 50% from the field and from beyond the arc, seven rebounds, an assist and a blocked. 

Edwards also sealed the win for the Timberwolves, nailing a stepback jumper in isolation with 6.8 seconds left. 

It was the 20th 40-point game of Edwards' career. The former Therrell and Holy Spirit Prep standout just tipped off his sixth season in the NBA.

Moussa Barry played more than four quarters before making his first catch, but it might have been the biggest play of his college career. 

Barry caught a walk-off 2-point conversion to lift Western Kentucky over Louisiana Tech 28-27 Tuesday night. Barry found a soft spot in Louisiana Tech's zone coverage and connected with quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. on a rollout pass to seal the win. 

Barry entered Tuesday night with 18 catches for 264 yards in seven games. The Hilltoppers improved to 6-2 and 2-1 in conference play, earning bowl eligibility and the No. 3 spot in the Conference USA standings. 

Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Dalton): 17 rushes, 136 yards, 2 TD; 3 receptions, 82 yards

With the national spotlight on Bijan Robinson throughout the week, Gibbs reminded the country why many consider him to be the top dual-threat back in the NFL. 

Gibbs led the Lions to a 24-9 domination of Tampa Bay with a career-high 218 yards of offense. He helped the Lions take an early 14-0 lead on a 78-yard touchdown sprint for his first score. 

Gibbs' second score immediately answered Tampa Bay's only touchdown and gave the Lions a two-possession lead for good. 

Carolina CB Jaycee Horn (Alpharetta): 2 INT, 2 PD, 1 tackle

Horn led Carolina's defense as it shut down the New York Jets in a 13-6 win on Sunday. 

Horn snagged his second and third interceptions of the season in the win. The cornerback saved a potential touchdown with his first, poking a pass out of the air with one hand in the end zone. 

Horn helped Carolina improve to 4-3, earning second place in the NFC South standings. 

Houston G Josh Okogie (Shiloh): 28 PTS, 3 AST, 3 REB, 2 STL, 3 BLK

Okogie's best game of the NBA preseason led Houston to a 133-115 win over Atlanta on Thursday. 

Okogie shot an impressive 53.3% from the field, including 2-of-5 shooting from 3-point range. Okogie saw the most minutes of playing time he's seen all preseason and made them count, leading the team in points and blocks.

Houston F Jabari Smith Jr. (Sandy Creek)

Smith Jr. took over for Houston just two days before Okogie's masterpiece. The 6-11, 220-pounder helped lift the Rockets over New Orleans for a tight 130-128 win. 

Smith Jr. shot 8 of 8 from the free throw line and 4 of 10 from 3-point range.

Both Smith Jr. and Okogie start their regular seasons Tuesday night when Houston visits Oklahoma City at 7:30 p.m.

Georgia QB Gunner Stockton (Rabun County): 26/31, 289 yards, 4 TD; 10 rushes, 59 yards, 1 TD

Stockton might have delivered the best game from any quarterback in college football last week, leading Georgia to a 43-35 win over Ole Miss. 

Stockton led the Bulldogs to score on every drive expect their final one, which ran out the clock to seal the game. It was Stockton's first five-touchdown game, and it kept Georgia near the top of the SEC standings.

Orlando C Wendell Carter Jr. (Pace Academy): 20 PTS, 3 AST, 13 REB, 1 BLK

Carter Jr. is entering his seventh season in the NBA, and the 26-year-old looks as good as ever through three preseason games.

The veteran center's best outing yet came in a 128-98 win over Philadelphia on Friday night. Carter Jr. led the Magic in points, rebounds and assists and co-led in blocks. 

Carter Jr. has averaged 14 points and over seven rebounds per game in three preseason appearances.

Seattle RHP Emerson Hancock (Cairo): 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 K, 3 BB

Hancock's first appearance of the 2025 MLB postseason went beautifully on Monday. The right-hander dealt two no-hit innings in Seattle's 10-3 win over Toronto in Game Two of the American League Championship Series. 

Hancock didn't log a save due to the seven-run lead, but he did close out the crucial win for the Mariners. Seattle is now two wins away from the first World Series appearance in franchise history. 

Hancock and the Mariners will fight for a Game Three win back at home at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Los Angeles WR Ladd McConkey (North Murray): 7 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD

McConkey made plays throughout Los Angeles' 29-27 win over Miami, but two of his catches truly changed the game. 

The speedy second-year receiver helped the Chargers take the lead for good on a "scramble drill" touchdown catch. Facing third-and-goal trailing 13-9, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert was forced out of the pocket and was searching for a target in the end zone.

McConkey emerged, finding a soft spot in Miami's zone defense for an easy touchdown throw for Herbert. 

McConkey's second catch sealed the win, as he shook a Miami defender after a short catch and sprinted for 42 yards to put the game away.

Kennesaw State QB Dexter Williams II (Mount De Sales Academy): 27/36, 290 yards, 4 TD; 6 rushes, 5 yards

Williams II led Kennesaw State to one of the loudest statement wins of Week 7 on Thursday. 

The senior quarterback's four-touchdown performance led the Owls to a 35-7 upset of 5.5-point favorite Louisiana Tech. Kennesaw State extended its winning streak to four games after starting 0-2 against a pair of Power 4 opponents.

Kennesaw State QB, who has Big Ten experience, balances football and dad duty

Williams II, who had the first four-touchdown game of his career, has the week off to prepare for a Tuesday night matchup at Florida International on Oct. 21.

Oklahoma City G Chris Youngblood (East Coweta): 25 PTS, 3 AST, 5 REB

Youngblood dominated his fourth NBA preseason game in a 116-101 Oklahoma City loss to Indiana on Saturday. 

The rookie led the Thunder in scoring off the bench, though he did see 31 minutes of playing time. Youngblood is averaging 14.5 points per game through four appearances this preseason. 

The undrafted free agent aims to show out again Tuesday night at Milwaukee.

Florida RB Jadan Baugh (Columbia): 27 rushes, 107 yards, 1 TD

Baugh played an integral role in one of college football's top upsets on Saturday, helping a 1-3 Florida team topple then-No. 9 Texas. 

Baugh imposed himself early and often with his physical running style, bulldozing through Texas' defensive front in the 29-21 win. The sophomore also scored the game's first touchdown, juking a Texas defender before scoring from 5 yards out. 

Baugh, in his second season with the Gators, eclipsed 1,000 career rushing yards on the run.

Carolina DL Derrick Brown (Lanier): 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit

Brown has anchored the middle of Carolina's defense for years, and the veteran defensive lineman was crucial to the Panthers' 27-24 win over Miami on Sunday. 

The elite run stuffer helped hold Miami to just 19 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Brown faced a lot of double teams on passing downs, but he still found his way to the quarterback with explosive starts and violent hands.

Brown finished with an 85.2 Pro Football Focus grade, the highest of any defender in the game.

Detroit RB Jahmyr Gibbs (Dalton): 12 rushes, 54 yards; 2 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD

Gibbs scored his fifth touchdown in five games this season as Detroit hammered Cincinnati 37-20 on Sunday. 

The third-year running back is known for his fast-twitch agility and breakaway speed, but Gibbs flexed his power with his 20-yard receiving touchdown in the win. It was Gibbs' first receiving touchdown of the season.

Jacksonville QB Trevor Lawrence (Cartersville): 18/25, 221 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 10 rushes, 54 yards, 2 TDs

Lawrence arguably had the top overall performance and the top play of any NFL quarterback this weekend in Jacksonville's 31-28 upset of Kansas City on Monday Night Football. 

Lawrence led the Jaguars to their first win over the Chiefs since 2009 with three total touchdowns, but none were more impressive than his last. Trailing 28-24, Lawrence led Jacksonville to the 1-yard line after gaining 59 yards in 75 seconds.

Lawrence took a snap for an apparent pass play but stumbled immediately. Instead of staying down, Lawrence collected himself and scrambled for the game-winning score with 23 seconds left.

Detroit CF Parker Meadows (Grayson): 2-for-4, 2 R

Meadows helped Detroit silence Cleveland's home crowd and its World Series hopes in a 6-3 wild-card win on Thursday. 

Meadows, who was 1-for-8 hitting through the first two games, reached on two key hits. The No. 9 hitter also scored the game's first run and scored in the Tigers' go-ahead four-run seventh inning. 

Meadows scored again in Detroit's Game 1 win over Seattle in the American League Division Series. Detroit will host for the first time in the 2025 MLB postseason at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Meadows will try to deliver again for the Tigers in a pivotal Game 3 against the champions of the AL West.

Georgia high school football played a big role in Florida's 29-21 upset of No. 9 Texas on Saturday afternoon. Perhaps no Georgia-grown Gator impacted the win more than running back Jadan Baugh, who rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. 

The Columbia High product helped Florida set the tone with the game's first score, a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Known for his power, Baugh flashed his agility, juking a Texas defender before scoring the touchdown. 

Baugh, a sophomore who got consistent touches as a freshman last season, also eclipsed 1,000 career rushing yards on the touchdown run. 

Baugh also caught three passes for 16 yards in Florida's first Power 4 win of the season. Baugh has 289 yards rushing on 49 carries this season, good for an efficient 5.9 yards per rush.

Parker Meadows had a rocky 1-for-8 start through his first two games of postseason action, but the Grayson product delivered when the Detroit Tigers needed him most. 

Meadows was 2-for-4 hitting with two crucial runs scored in the Tigers' season-saving win over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Detroit's No. 9 hitter scored the first run of the game and scored again in a vital four-run seventh inning that took the lead for good. 

Meadows' seventh-inning run was the last one Detroit needed to beat Cleveland. The Tigers also avenged their 2024 postseason elimination at the hands of the Guardians.

Meadows and the Tigers advanced to face Seattle in a five-game American League Divisional Series. The Tigers haven't won an ALDS since 2013. 

Here are the top five performances from former Georgia high school athletes over the past seven days.

Chicago Bears CB Josh Blackwell (Buford): 1 blocked field goal, 1 tackle

Blackwell only needed one play to make this week's list of top five plays, and it couldn't have come at a better time for Chicago. 

The fourth-year cornerback delivered for the Bears in the clutch, blocking Las Vegas' potential game-winning field goal in the final minute of a 25-24 win. 

Blackwell did his best Superman impression, racing around the Raiders' edge blocker and completely laying out to get hands on the kick. The Bears moved to 2-2 with the win. 

Blackwell is proving himself to be quite the special teams commodity for Chicago, as he also returned a punt for a touchdown in Week 18 last season. Blackwell, who was drafted by the Bears in 2022, signed a two-year, $5 million extension with the team this offseason. 

Minnesota Twins CF Byron Buxton (Appling County): 2/4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R

Buxton wrapped up a regular season full of career-highs this week with a dominant showing at Texas on Thursday. The two-homer game was his fourth of the season in a 4-0 win for the Twins. 

Buxton's season finished on Sunday as Minnesota was eliminated from playoff contention on Sept. 14. The Twins also fired manager Rocco Baldelli on Monday.

Buxton finished 2025 with season-highs in homers (35), RBI (83), runs (97) and a 5.0 fWAR. 

Chicago Bears S Kevin Byard III (M. L. King): 7 total tackes, 2 INT, 2 passes defended

Blackwell wasn't the only Georgia-grown defensive back to make key plays in Chicago's win. Byard's interceptions both led to field goals in the eventual 1-point win over Las Vegas. 

Byard also earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any player in the game at 93.5.

Byard leads the NFL with three interceptions through Week 4. The veteran safety is in his 10th NFL season and logged his 31st and 32nd interceptions on Sunday. 

CF Michael Harris II (Stockbridge): 2/3, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R

Harris arguably had the largest midseason turnaround of any player in Major League Baseball this season. He got one last offensive outburst in Atlanta's 3-2 win over Washington on Sept. 23. 

The win also extended Atlanta's winning streak to 10 games.

Harris hopes to carry that momentum into a 2026 season where Atlanta aims to regain its former glory. Harris' early-season struggles got lots of attention as the Braves performed well under expectation. 

But the DeKalb native still finished with the first 20-home run, 20-stolen base season of his career on Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals LB Demetrius Knight Jr. (Strong Rock Christian): 10 total tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass defended

Knight led the Bengals' defense in tackles for the first time in his four-game career. Cincinnati continues to struggle without star quarterback Joe Burrow, but the rookie linebacker is off to an incredible start in the middle of the defense. 

Knight's biggest play came late in the second quarter. He intercepted a potential touchdown pass on fourth-and-1 to keep the Bengals' offense within striking distance. 

Knight, a second-round draft pick from the University of South Carolina, will have plenty of tackling opportunities against one of the best run games in the league this weekend. The Detroit Lions' running back tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will challenge Knight as the Bengals continue to lean on their defense.