Six Canes selected to pre-season all-state squads

Georgia High School Football Daily released its Class AAAA Preseason All-State Team Friday and four Cartersville Purple Hurricanes’ seniors highlight the roster.

In all, six Hurricanes have been named to pre-season all-state teams over the past two weeks.

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, offensive lineman Nick Root, defensive lineman Darian Poellnitz, and placekicker/punter Jonathan Cruz were selected for the GHSFD preseason honor.

Lawrence is on pace to break former Gainesville High School and Clemson University quarterback Deshaun Watson’s state high school records. Lawrence's career stats per MaxPreps.com include 10,601 yards and 120 TD passes with a QB rating of 124. As a junior in 2016, Lawrence threw for 3,904 yards and 51 touchdowns as he led his team to its second straight Class 4A state title. The Hurricanes have a 40-1 record with Lawrence taking snaps.

Cartersville running back Rico Frye was also mentioned in the GHSFD release. The senior transfer from Creekside who played at Starrs Mill before that, has 4,886 yards rushing (11.6 yds/carry) and 55 touchdowns in his career despite being limited to only six games last season due to injury.

Frye, along with Cartersville wide receiver E.J. Turner were selected last week to the recruitgeorgia.com preseason all-state team. Lawrence, Root, and Cruz also made that list.

Turner, a Rutgers commit, is expected to be the top target for Lawrence. He hauled in 36 passes for 635 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016.

Poellnitz (6-0, 260) has starred at defensive tackle and defensive end for the Canes in back-to-back title seasons.

Root (6-1, 260), also a three-year starter, has tremendous versatility on the offensive line for Cartersville. The multi-sport athlete is a top wrestler and leading competitor in the discus throw and shot put in Class AAAA.

Cruz has proven his value consistently in his career with the Hurricanes. He has at least one D-I offer from Jacksonville State with plenty of leg and accuracy from 50+ yards.

Clockwise from top left: Lawrence, Frye, Cruz, Root, Turner, Poellnitz.

Georgia High School Football Daily Class AAAA 2017 Preseason All-State Team

OFFENSE

QB - Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville, Sr.

RB - Jalyn Shelton, Ridgeland, Sr.

RB - Steele Chambers, Blessed Trinity, Jr.

RB - Colby Wood, Jefferson, Sr.

TE - J.D. Bertrand, Blessed Trinity, Jr.

WR - Ryan Carter, Heritage (Ringgold), Sr.

WR - Ryan Davis, Blessed Trinity, Jr.

OL - Sam Barczak, Sandy Creek, Sr.

OL - Lamarius Benson, Eastside, Sr.