With 11,750 of the 22,191 votes, Towns County’s Dustin Barrett earns the ‘Last Finalist’ spot for Football POY consideration. He was one of a handful of players up for the final spot. The finalist pool of 8 is now set, and consists of: Dustin Barrett (Towns), Reid Giles (Rabun), Javin Gordon (Stephens), Rett Hemphill (Jefferson), Gavin Markey (Jefferson), Nolan Matthews (Lumpkin), Zeke Whittington (Habersham), and Tysean Wiggins (Commerce).

What’s Next? The BLITZ internal voting panel, made up of local media members, former officials and coaches, etc will vote on the finalists Heisman-style to determine the winner.

Dustin Barrett – Towns County JR RB #1

STATS: 962 rush yds, 12 TD; 271 rec yds; 50 TKL, 4 INT; 38.4 Punt Avg

Reid Giles – Rabun County JR RB #15

STATS: 1,348 rush yds, 16 TD; 393 rec yds, 2 TD, KOR TD; 88 TKL, 8 TFL, 2 INT, 1 FF, 1 FR, 4 PD

Javin Gordon – Stephens County SR RB #5

STATS: 1,064 rush yds, 17 TD; 558 rec yds, 3 TD; 51-yd Pass TD; KOR TD

Rett Hemphill – Jefferson SR ATH #5

STATS: 140 TKL, 12 TFL, 5 Sacks, 7 INT (1 TD), 1 FR, 2 BLK; 372 rush yds, 7 TD; 158 rec yds, 1 TD

Gavin Markey – Jefferson SR QB #9

STATS: 1,551 pass yds, 16 TD, 9 INT; 1,659 rush yds, 24 TD

Nolan Matthews – Lumpkin County JR RB #6

STATS: 1,270 rush yds, 14 TD; 82 rec yds, 1 TD; 2 KOR TD, 515 KOR yds

Zeke Whittington – Habersham Central SR WR #5

STATS: 978 rec yds, 13 TD; 139 rush yds; 31 TKL, 1 INT, 4 PD, 1 FR

Tysean Wiggins – Commerce SR RB #44

STATS: 1,640 rush yds, 18 TD; 120 rec yds, 1 TD

LAST FINALIST: FOOTBALL POY
*final results