Peachtree Ridge Poised for Run at State Playoffs

Note: This is the second in a series previewing the 2011 high school football season for Suwanee high schools.

For a young football program, Peachtree Ridge has had more than its share of success. Now in its ninth year, the school has already been to the state championship game twice.

However, 2010 was a down year for the Lions. They finished the season with a 6-4 mark and failed to make the playoffs. Coach Mark Fleetwood has made it clear that isn't acceptable for this school.

"Peachtree Ridge has built a proud tradition and that's something we want to return to," Fleetwood said. "We were very disappointed last year. So one of our goals for this year is to get back to the playoffs."

That's never an easy task when you play in Region 7-AAAAA. With teams like Peachtree Ridge, North Gwinnett, Collins Hill and Norcross, 7-AAAAA is like the SEC of Georgia high school football.

But Fleetwood says the Lions are in much better shape than they were at this time last year, when they had only one returning starter on offense.

"We had a very good offseason and should be more productive and more consistent on offense," he said.

The Lions' returning quarterback will be senior Billy Best, (5-9, 185), who Fleetwood calls a "headsy player."

Peachtree Ridge will again run a multiple offense with some one-back sets and some four-wide formations. No matter how they line up, look for speedy Diandre Atwater (5-9, 190), son of former NFL standout Steve Atwater, to get plenty of carries. The Lions also have a bruising fullback in Raham Dixon (5-11, 210) to help put some punch into the ground game.

Three veteran offensive linemen also return in seniors Joey Pratt (6-1,240) and Nick Perotta (6-0, 230) and junior Daniel Stephens (6-3, 260).

One of Best's favorite targets, Ahmaad Harris (5-7, 150), also returns at wideout.

Defensively, the Lions secondary is fast and experienced, with four starters returning in seniors Christian Goodlet (6-1, 185), Farrell Snow (6-0, 190), D'Aaron Hill (5-11, 175) and Alex Gray (6-3, 205).

Fleetwood spent much of the offseason looking to replace the front seven, most of whom graduated last year. The only returning starter up front will be junior Tony Porter (6-2, 280), who can play both offense and defense.

"We have three or four players in the mix who should be able to step in and help us right now," Fleetwood said. All three are junior linebackers, Darian Pogman (5-11, 180), R.J. Murray (6-0, 185) and Devin Davidison (6-1, 205).

If the Lions can find two or three reliable down linemen on defense, they should be able to punch their ticket to the state playoffs once again.

----

The Lions open in the Corky Kell Classic vs. Walton on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Georgia Dome. For the 2011 Peachtree Ridge High schedule, click here.