Georgia High School Football Spring Preview AJC 30 In 30 Series: Banneker Trojans
(This is part of the AJC’s “30 in 30″ series — with quick hits on top high school football teams across the metro area and state during spring football practice. We’re doing 30 football teams in 30 days. What about spring sports? Click here)
E-mail the AJC
Banneker will be hard-pressed to post its third straight winning season.
The College Park school lost about its entire offense to graduation, returning only three offensive linemen. The rest of the offense will be new, which is why coach Ed Gosa has been anxious about the start of spring practice on this past Monday.
The good news is that Banneker has a lot of young and talented players without much varsity experience. And they are familiar with the team’s offensive scheme.
Justin Henderson is projected to be Banneker’s No. 1 QB, while Amon Bridges and Friday George are top candidates as the starting running backs.
Why Henderson? He earned the promotion after serving at the junior varsity’s QB the last two years. Said Gosa, “Justin is a rising junior and his time has come. Justin gives us the best chance of success at the QB position. He is already knowledgeable about our offensive schemes and personnel.
“Justin is a proven winner, and I believe will have a solid junior year as our offensive leader.”
FAST FACT: Banneker had two players sign with Auburn in February, DB/WR Demetruce McNeal and S Shaun Kitchens.
Here are some Banneker players to watch:
- Charles Booker, DE, 6-1, 220: Three-year starter who ranked third in team tackles last year with 63, including 21 for losses and 5 sacks. No early scholarship offers, but has attracted interest from Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Southern Miss and Tulane.
- Larry Jefferson, DE/WR, 6-5, 225: Had 37 tackles, including 12 for a loss, last year as sophomore.
- Chaz Elder, WR/DB, 6-2, 190: Had 5 interceptions last year as sophomore.
- Elijah Evans, LB, 6-3, 210: Senior with a big-time motor.
- Dallas Loney, DB/WR, 6-0, 185: One of team’s fastest and quickest players.
- Justin Anthony, LB, 6-2, 215: Senior is role model with work ethic.
Team: Banneker Trojans
Spring Game: 6 p.m., May 14
Spring practice dates: May 3-14
Last year’s record: 7-4
Starters lost: 18
Head coach: Ed Gosa
Follow AJC Prep Zone on FACEBOOK … and Twitter
Note: This blog will cover topics and issues that have proven to be most important to our readers. For the AJC’s complete high school coverage, go here to read articles on all sports.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
12 comments Add your comment
Mays Ride
May 4th, 2010
11:53 am
I’m disappointed that banneker isn’t in our region this year, but if we meet in the playoffs revenge will be in our mind
pound 4 pound
May 4th, 2010
12:12 pm
Represent JAbo, this is the linebacker thats back at banneker from Washington high school.
pretty boy floyd
May 4th, 2010
2:44 pm
Welcome to third place in your SUB-REGION,behind north clayton and creekside
hard work no play
May 4th, 2010
11:36 pm
north clayton and creekside do not want see banneker!!!!!!!!
hard work no play
May 4th, 2010
11:42 pm
jay beau go hard or go home i no u go hard at all times just do not let up!!!!!!!!!
Why even have an article like this?
May 5th, 2010
7:54 am
You cannot cover ALL of the teams in the metro area, so why comment on the “chosen” few? t’s not like most of them will have anything to show at the end of November….
I was thinking the same thing. How do they decide
May 5th, 2010
8:53 am
who the high schools to use in this sill article. 30 programs over 100 metro schools. Half the teams that are discussed lay eggs in the play offs. Sounds bias to me.
Will Jones
May 5th, 2010
8:55 am
@why even have an article…….? Unlike you I am glad that they are reporting on prep schools. I under stand that they can’t cover over 300 teams in Ga. for one we don’t put enough monies into prep news for them to have finances. However I do feel you. I am in love with the Forest Park Panthers and we have not one ten games (literally) in the last ten yrs. So I don’t expect us to get much coverage until half way through this season when we have supprized a few teams like Banneker.
Riverdale Raiders Coaching Staff A Joke
May 5th, 2010
9:45 am
Enter your comments here
Riverdale Raiders Coaching Staff A Joke
May 5th, 2010
9:57 am
How is it possible for a school to have a history of losing continue to do the same thing season after season. I watch riverdale practice almost everyday last year and came to a quick conclusion that they would be lucky if they win 1 or 2 games. Last year record 2-8 and the 2 wins came aganist 2 teams that had 1 win between them. Leadership starts at the top and there is no leadership at the top. The headcoach at best would probably be a decent linbackers coach. His assistants with the exception of the offense line coach (Winn) is absolute garbage. The coaching staff quit on the team in at least 8 games last seasoning. This year i expect the same and i will not waste another penny on going to a rivedale game. Coaches you are cheating the team find a new gig this one isn’t working out.
EX-Riverdale Raiders Fan
May 5th, 2010
10:06 am
Santa wasn’t good to me this past xmas because i asked for new coaches at rvdl high and it didn’t happen. So with that being stated youall can expect the same ole garbage every friday night for 10 weeks. Why i ask myself and i come to the conclusion that it is only a pay check for the coaches and nothing else. The kids deserve better and you all are not the answer. All that talent from last season was wasted because of poor or inept coaches. 2-8 are you kidding me.
I played at Riverdale back in the day when we
May 8th, 2010
8:01 am
were not losing. Infact we never had a losing record during the 80.s