The Albany Herald’s 2017 Dynamite Dozen

ALBANY — Dandy Dozen. Twelve to Treasure. Terriffic 12-pack.

There are many catch phrases that can be assigned to a collection of top high school football players in a given area. Different media outlets use different names. At The Albany Herald, the name “Dynamite Dozen” has stuck.

They might not wind up being the 12 best high school football players overall come the end of the season. But these 12 players are worth keeping an eye on as the season begins in earnest this week.

Here is the Albany Herald’s Dynamite Dozen for 2017 (in alphabetical order):

Warren Breakfield

Sr. DL, Monroe

A 6-foot, 310-pound senior, Breakfield is the lone lineman, offensive or defensive, returning from last year’s Albany Herald All-Area Team. He had 58 tackles last season, including eight for loss.

TJ Harris

Sr. DB, Lee County

Harris, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back, has committed to Troy. The first-team All-Area pick had 40 tackles, eight pass break-ups and five interceptions.

Garrett Jones

Sr. TB, Deerfield-Windsor

A 6-foot, 205-pound senior, Jones ran for 1,400 yards in leading the Knights to their 10th straight GISA semifinal appearance.

Jack Kimbrel

Jr. QB, Deerfield-Windsor

Kimbrel, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound junior, had a solid first year as a starter last year, throwing for 1,200 yards.

Dan Land III

Sr. S, Westover

A second-team All-Area pick last year, Land, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, is the son of the former NFL player and Albany State head coach of the same name.

Griffin McDowell

Sr. OT, Lee County

McDowell, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound senior tackle, has committed to Mississippi State. He was a second-team All-Area pick last season.

Anthony McIntyre

Sr. LB, Mitchell County

McIntyre, a 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior, teams with junior Malik Barnes to form an impressive linebacking corps for the Eagles. McIntyre had 113 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery last season. Both McIntyre and Barnes were first team All-Area picks.

Jase Orndorff

Sr. QB, Lee County

A 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, Orndorff is back for his second season under center at Lee County, running plays for a team that will have the spotlight on it all season.

Treun Pace

Jr. WR-SS, Pelham

Pace, a 6-foot, 180-pound receiver and defensive back, had 54 tackles, four interceptions, an interception for return and a defensive touchdown last season as a sophomore. He is a returning first-team All-Area pick.

Kendrick Patterson

Soph. QB, Pelham

At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Patterson gives Pelham impressive size at quarterback for a sophomore. He had a strong ninth-grade season, earning second-team All-Area honors.

Otis Reese

Sr. S, Lee County

Perhaps the biggest name recruit on this list, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound safety had 65 tackles, including 10 for loss, five sacks and three interceptions last year. The returning first-team All-Area selection has committed to Michigan.

Jerkearstin Sims

Sr. WR/OLB, Terrell County

A 6-foot-3, 198-pound senior, Sims gives Terrell County a strong presence on both sides of the ball as the Greenwave look to stay in the mix for the GHSA Region 1-1A title.