How talented were high school football players from greater Stone Mountain last fall?
Ask Stephenson coach Ron Gartrell, whose 21 of DeKalb County's 104 scholarship players were the most of any school.
"We put a high priority on trying to get our kids' education paid for through scholarships," said Gartrell, whose team signed a school-record 29 in 2009.
Find out what's happening in Stone Mountain-Lithoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"A lot of them are home-grown guys who've been through our program and have done all the things they're were supposed to do. This group didn't disappoint. We're very pleased they stuck with the process and got their hands on pretty good scholarships."
Just shy of the record 130 DeKalb players who signed in 2010, this year's signees will compete at 46 colleges in 21 states, with 22 players going to Division I schools.
Find out what's happening in Stone Mountain-Lithoniawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Most noteworthy among Stephenson's nine players destined for Division I schools is Duke signee Jared Boyd, a defensive end whose 65 tackles, two interceptions and two kickoffs returned for touchdowns helped the Jaguars reach the state playoffs for an 11th consecutive season. South Florida-bound running back Willie Davis was DeKalb's seventh-leading rusher with 1,123 yards and 15 touchdowns, and Kent State-destined quarterback Jordan Tarver was among its best passers with 780 yards and four TDs. Alabama-Birmingham signee Colin Anderson chipped in eight field goals, including a 43-yarder.
Davis, who said he had 17 scholarship offers, wasn't surprised he landed one in the Big East Conference.
"I always pictured myself going to a big school like South Florida," he said. "I put in the hard work and knew something like this would happen."
Jaguars linebacker Jordan Mincy, who'll play next season at Savannah State, led DeKalb with 112 tackles, including seven for losses and two sacks. Kadetrix Marcus, a defensive back going to South Carolina, had 73 tackles and two interceptions.
The 2-AAAAA Jaguars (9-2) started last season 9-0, before losing the final game of the regular season to region counterpart M.L. King and being eliminated in the first round of state by Region 4-AAAAA Hillgrove. Seven Stephenson players competed for the West in the DeKalb County Coaches Senior All-Star game, but couldn't stop the East from winning 13-0 and evening the all-star series, 2-2.
Stone Mountain wide receiver Joe Harris, who'll continue his career at Atlanta Sports Academy, was a key reason Region 5-AAA, Division B Stone Mountain began last season 3-1 and ultimately finished 6-4. Redan cornerback Romahn Hemmingway, who's going to Savannah State, made 36 tackles, including 26 solos, in helping Region 6-AAAA Redan end up 5-5.
WHERE THEY'LL PLAY
STEPHENSON
DB Kadetrix Marcus, South Carolina
DB Jared Boyd, Duke
CB David Stevenson, Connecticut
RB Willie Davis, South Florida
C Tarik Cook, Central Florida
LB Regis Ball, Memphis
LB Jordan Mincy, Savannah State
PK Colin Anderson, UAB
QB Jordan Tarver, Kent State
DE Preston Smith, Mississippi State
DB Eric Dulin, Tusculum
CB Marquis Abernathy, St. Francis
OL Milton Stephens, Trinity
TE Shaheed Dent, Tuskegee
TE Xavier Barber, Miles College
LB Kris Mosley, Concordia College
WR Ike Helms, Tusculum
WR Detarrius McDonald, Concordia College
OL Malcolm Webb, Concordia College
WR Arman Steed, Concordia College
LB Patrick Smith, N. Carolina Central
REDAN
CB Romahn Hemingway, Savannah State
STONE MOUNTAIN
WR Joe Harris, Atlanta Sports Academy
