A pair of Commerce Tigers seniors were named preseason all-state members in Class 1A Public. Offensive lineman Levi Pate and defensive back Caleb Mason were both recognized.

Both are coming off solid junior campaigns that helped lead the Commerce football program to the playoffs for the 21st straight season. The Tigers were 8-3 last season, and have advanced to the quarterfinals or further in three of the last four years.

Mason had three interceptions and a fumble recovery last season, collecting 27 tackles and two pass break-ups as well. On offense, he had seven receptions for 133 yards and a TD to go with 328 rushing yards and four TD. All said, he had a hand in five TD.

Pate recorded 24 tackles on the defensive side of the ball last year, forcing two fumbles.

Pate is one of the strongest players in the classification, as it’s been recorded that the two-way lineman has power clean bests of 365 lbs, 405 lbs in bench press and 615 lbs in squat. Those totals (1,385) is a phenomenal score. GHSF Daily reported that is no former UGA great and current NFL running back Nick Chubb, while at Cedartown in 2012, set a state weightlifting competition record totaling 1,430 with lifts of 395 in the power clean, 390 on the bench and 645 in the squat. Pate’s total isn’t too far off.