Da'Rick Rogers (No. 21) was named the Atlanta Journal Constitution All-Class Player of the Year.
“I think he is very deserving,” said CHS Head Coach Hal Lamb. “He had an unbelievable year and once the playoffs started he took his game to the next level.”
The 6-foot-3, 205 pound UGA recruit amassed 1,641 yards in 2009, breaking the Georgia record for most receiving yards in a single season previously held by Habersham Central’s Tavarres King, who set the record in 2007.
“It is a great honor but he would tell you that it takes more than just him,” said Lamb. “It takes the quarterback, offensive linemen, and it takes the other receivers blocking… it is a great honor for him but it was a offensive team effort as well.”
While Rogers’ regular season was outstanding, it was the playoffs that helped him standout over other competitors for the AJC honor.
In Calhoun’s five playoff games, Rogers accumulated 707 yards, an outstanding 141.4 yards per game. He also had 15 touchdowns.
Rogers showed he could find the end zone from anywhere. Along with his 10 receiving TD’s, he also scored twice on runs, once on a kick return, once on a fumble recovery and once on an interception.
“He is the best I have coached,” said Lamb. He has so much ability. God blessed him with a lot of ability.”
Lamb went on to say that his brother, Bobby Lamb, compared Rogers favorably with UGA wide receiver A.J. Green.
“He said they were very comparable and that they were the two best high school receivers he has ever seen,” said Hal.
Buddy is the head football coach at Furman College.
Rogers also has the ability to out jump any defender for the ball. It is reported that he has a vertical leap of 40 inches. He showed this skill several times throughout the playoffs.
Against Buford, the Wolves defended Rogers well, holding him to only 81 yards on nine catches, a great day for almost every other receiver in high school football but a slow day for Rogers. He did manage the only touchdown of the game for the Yellow Jackets.
Against Gordon Central earlier in the year Rogers touched the ball three times and found the end zone each time.
“He is a special ball player,” said GC Head Coach Chad Fisher. “He is the best player around here and I hope he does well at the next level.”
Rogers was also recently named the Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AA Offensive Player of the Year.
Others awarded
Calhoun’s Kedron Aker was also named the AJC All-State team as a defensive back.
The 6-foot, 210-pound senior recorded 76 tackles for the Yellow Jackets in 2009.
“Kedron had an outstanding year for us,” said Lamb. “He moved from outside linebacker to free safety and it was a great move for our defense and our team.”
Calhoun quarterback Nash Nance received an honorable mention by the AJC. Nance threw for 3,017 yards and 29 touchdowns this past season. He completed 203-of-297 passes and was only intercepted eight times. Nance also added 359 yards on 78 carries.
“I don’t know the records before I got [to Calhoun] but Nash had more yards throwing in one year since I have been here,” said Lamb. “I can’t say it for sure but it is probably a school record.”
Both Nance and Aker were named to the GSWAA All-State team, as well as Calhoun kicker Adam Griffith. Griffith connected on 10-fo-16 field goals and 70-of-75 PAT’s. His longest field goal was a 50-yarder.
The GSWAA also named Yellow Jackets running back Dustin Christian as an honorable mention. Christian rushed for 1,377 yards on 209 carries. He scored 21 times.
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