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Corky Kell Classic preview: Archer vs. Milton

Friday's slate at Georgia State Stadium includes a doubleheader of Buford vs. Tucker in the opener, followed by Archer and Milton.

ARCHER VS. MILTON

WHERE: Georgia State Stadium

WHEN: Friday at 8:30 p.m. EST

TV: The ATL

WEB: 11Alive.com | Facebook Live | YouTube

ARCHER TIGERS

Head Coach: Andy Dyer

Status: Lost in the 7A semifinals last season (falling to eventual runner-up Colquitt County)

Preseason State Ranking: No. 4 in 7A (Georgia High School Football Daily)

2017 Record: 12-1

2017 Legacy: Archer's defense surrendered 20 or more points to an opponent just once last season

REPLACING WILL CHOLO

**Dyer says the graduated Cholo "played the best of any defensive lineman in the state last year."

**In terms of filling the leadership void, Dyer says: "If history repeats itself, somebody will step up."

PLAYERS OF INTEREST

#12 QB CARTER PEEVY

**Dyer says the junior passer has great intangibles, including an unflappable presence for handling such a demanding position

**Peevy has the versatility and experience to run triple-option sets and execute 'Run-Pass Option' plays out of various formations

**Dyer on Peevy: "We're going to be able to cut it loose and let him run with the football."

#28 RB/DB SEMAJE BANKS

**Banks, a track athlete during the spring, recently posted a hand-clocked 40 time of 4.35 seconds (according to Dyer)

**Dyer says Banks' track workouts and weight-room commitment has made him stronger and more explosive

**Dyer: "We're expecting (Semaje) to really shine. ... The measure of a great running back is taking over in the fourth quarter."

#60 OL ETHAN LANE/#70 OL DEREK HARDEN

**This pair of juniors anchor an O-Line that encountered a slew of Division I-quality defensive linemen last season, including those bound for the ACC

COACH DYER ASSESSMENTS

**On the high expectations that come during the preseason: "Everything rises and falls on the leadership of this team."

**On the uncertainty that accompanies every season opener: "There have been no bad situations yet, so we don't know how we'll respond."

**On the need for scheduling formidable opponents in August/September: "If we're playing one-on-one basketball, I want to play Michael Jordan."

**On his secondary's keys for success versus Milton: "No deep balls and no (explosive) plays. They're the last line of defense."

______________

MILTON EAGLES

Head Coach: Adam Clack

Status: Lost in the 7A playoffs to Brookwood

Preseason State Ranking: No. 11 in 7A (Georgia High School Football Daily)

2017 Record: 9-3

MAN WITH A PLAN

During the offseason, Clack gave a hard sell to the people and powers-that-be of Milton, touting the importance of playing in the Corky Kell Classic, as a means of expanding the program's regional and perhaps national brand. ""It was something, kind of the vision that I pitched to Milton." It's all part of Clack's three-year plan of excellence, thus obliging him to now "coach to that standard."

THE NEED FOR SPEED

Back in April, Clack told Score Atlanta: "We're going to play with tempo on offense. A lot of urgency in everything that we do. Everything has an urgency to it. Not that we didn't do that before, but we have our own unique way of achieving that."

PLAYERS OF INTEREST

#13 QB JORDAN YATES

**The Georgia Tech commit offers intangible qualities beyond his supreme athleticism and knack for throwing the ball extremely well, says Clack.

**From an athleticism/versatility standpoint, Clack sees a lot of Russell Wilson in Yates. "He's a very good quarterback, who just happens to run well."

**Yates has a flair for executing 'RPO' plays in the Milton playbook, which afford quarterbacks the luxury of going pass or run on the same play call.

**How's this for a prediction: Clack says Yates "has the ability to be the best quarterback (Georgia Tech coach) Paul Johnson has ever had."

#32 RB AHMAD ECHOLS

**Echols assumes the mantle of responsibility in the backfield, replacing Solomon Vanhorse and his 1,200-plus yards and 10 touchdowns from last year

#2 TE DYLAN LEONARD

**Clack has high expectations for Leonard, who has flown under the proverbial radar, despite being 6-foot-5 and 200-plus pounds. "He is our sleeper."

**Clack predicts that Leonard will catch the eye of Division I recruiters this fall

COACH CLACK ASSESSMENTS

**On the need for rigid scheduling in the early weeks of the season: "This group is willing to take on all challenges; we know how to compete."

**On the Eagles' desire to go deeper in the 7A playoffs: It's all about learning "how to be winners."

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