Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock Doctor
We set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.
Head coach: Andy Dyer
Last season: 12-1, lost 12-7 to Colquitt County in 7A Georgia quarterfinals.
Last decade: 63-34 (varsity program began in 2010)
Famous alumni/players: Swimmer Lydia Jones (school's first state champion); wrestler Ernest Alexander (two-time state champ), Andrew Booth, one of football program's first 5-star recruits.
Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 1; 4-star recruits — 0; 3-star recruits — 4
Head coach Andy Dyer
File photo by Dennis Carter
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The defensive back checks in as the No. 2 corner on 247sports player composite rankings for the Class of 2019. He has 24 offers, including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Duke.
S Jalyn Phillips (6-1, 190, Sr.) —
The 3-star has landed over 50 Division I offers. Forms elite secondary along with Booth.
DE Colby Wooden (6-4, 230, Sr.) —
The talented edge rusher has over 25 Division I offers. That number should grow for one of the best defensive linemen in Georgia.
WR Braylen Weems (5-11, 170, Sr.) —
Weems should be a big-time playmaker for Archer along with
Semajé Banks, the team's leading rusher from last season.
QB Carter Peevy (6-3, 205, Jr.) —
The junior quarterback threw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns playing against some of the best defenses in Georgia last season.
Quarterback Carter Peevy
File photo by William Fagan
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vs. Milton
Aug. 31 —
at Spartanburg (S.C.)
Sept. 7 —
vs. Mill Creek (Hoschton)
Sept. 21 —
vs. Buford
Oct. 11 —
at Grayson (Loganville)
Safety Jalyn Phillips
File photo by William Fagan
• Archer returns many key players from last season's 12-1 team. Georgia is a high school football hotbed as the Peach State has three Top 25 teams and six Top 40 teams. The 7A field is again going to be one of the most competitive in the country.
• The Tigers defense can line up with anyone in the country. They're loaded in alll three phases and one of the biggest strengths for coach Dyer is senior leadership. They surprised a lot of people last season going from 4-7 to 12-1 in a one-year span. They won't sneak up on anyone this year.
• Circle Oct. 11 as Archer faces No. 5 Grayson on ESPN in one of the season's biggest games.
