ATLANTA — Ware County senior punter William Bates was recognized as the all-classification Punter of the Year by Score Atlanta in a ceremony held last weekend.
The honor was announced Sunday, December 8 at the Teamsters Local 728 event hall in Atlanta during the firstever Score Atlanta High School Football and Flag Awards ceremony.
Bates had a remarkable season averaging 45.6 yards on 46 punts. His longest punt was 60 yards. In addition to punting, Bates excelled in kicking, successfully converting 9-of-12 field goals, with a long of 49 yards. He was 51-for-51 on PATs.
All-Classification All-State team OFFENSE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Chattooga RB Zayden Cook
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Prince Avenue Christian RB Andrew Beard
KICKER OF THE YEAR: Colquitt County’s Brett Fitzgerald
Quarterbacks
Luke Nickel (Milton) Julian Lewis (Carrollton)
Running Backs
Ousmane Kromah (Lee County) Brayden Tyson (Brookwood)
Offensive Line
Alex Payne (Gainesville) Mason Short (Evans) Brandon Anderson (North Cobb) Cortez Smith (Parkview) Josh Petty (Fellowship Christian)
Tight Ends
Elyiss Williams (Camden County) Heze Kent (Brunswick)
Wide Receivers
CJ Wiley (Milton) Landon Roldan (North Oconee) Travis Smith Jr. (Westlake)
Athlete
Todd Robinson (Valdosta)
Kicker
Noah Godhard (Blessed Trinity)
DEFENSE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jonesboro S Cortez Redding
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Pebblebrook S KJ Green
Edge
Herbert Scroggins (Benedictine) Andre Fuller (Grayson) Waylon Allen (ACE Charter)
Defensive Tackles
Gregory Jackson (Union Grove) Elijah Griffin (Savannah Christian) Sichan John (Hebron Christian)
Linebackers
Savion Husband (Mays) Braxtyn Davies (Northgate) Tyler Atkinson (Grayson)
Corner Backs
Christopher Hatfield (Long County) Terrious Favors (Carver-Atlanta) Jontavius Wyman (Jonesboro)
Safeties
Tae Harris (Cedartown) Kortnei Williams (Northeast-Macon)
Punter
William Bates (Ware County)
