Madison County Red Raiders

Most people call him Tavarres King.

But after watching recent film footage, Madison County head coach Randell Owens was calling him “dadgum Houdini.”

Owens said his Raiders will be seeing one of the best in King Friday in Mt. Airy when they lineup against Habersham Central’s standout senior wide receiver.

“I don’t know what the gurus of college recruiting and all the scouts say, but he’s the best I’ve ever seen as far as pure speed and quickness and ability to go up and get the ball,” Owens said of the UGA signee.

King will play Between the Hedges next fall after he finishes terrorizing defenses across Northeast Georgia this year. Owens said that the 6’1” King has been a weapon for Habersham Central for three seasons now, remembering when his Raiders had to blanket King with double coverage when he was just a sophomore to prevent a crucial catch in a 2005 game with Habersham Central. King almost came down with the reception.

“Good Lord, they went right to him … In a clutch situation as a sophomore, he was their go-to guy as a sophomore,” Owens said.

“Lord, oh mercy, what a player.”

Owens also remembers hearing King’s name called multiple times as he cleaned-house during an awards ceremony at a 2006 summer camp at Furman that boasted some of the best players in the Southeast. King then helped Habersham Central win 10 games that fall and reach the state quarterfinals. This year, the Mt. Airy Raiders are off to a 3-1 start behind King’s leadership and offensive production.

The senior had 154 yards receiving in Habersham Central’s 41-8 win over Rockdale County on Sept. 21 and followed that up with a school-record 11 receptions this past Friday for 150 yards in the Raiders’ 28-0 win over Winder-Barrow.

“How are we going to defend him? I don’t know … I’m still looking at film trying to figure it out.”

In comparison to another one of the region’s top players who Madison County just faced, Owens said King makes Clarke Central standout Darreion Robinson “look slow.”

But King, who possesses a great burst and is also shifty, not only catches footballs. He also blocks downfield with a vengeance, is a good student and a team leader.
Owens said the four-star recruit is basically everything a coach looks for in a football player.

“He’s the real deal. Looking at him on film, all I can say is that Georgia is getting them a heck of a receiver,” Owens said. “I wish he was there now.”

Of course, Habersham Central (3-1, 1-0) — the coaches’ preseason favorites to win the region — has more players than just King.

In fact, on the other side of the ball, linebacker Daniel Franklin has committed to Big 12 and national power Oklahoma while Owens said that his Raiders won’t face a better offensive line all year than Habersham’s. Behind that offensive line is Bo Hatchett, a sturdy, smart signal caller, and a power runner in Zach Chitwood.

Against Habersham, Madison County’s defense must contend with what is a well-balanced attack with many weapons.

“You have to go so hard to stop their running game, that it leaves you vulnerable to play-action,” Owens said.

Madison County enters Friday nursing a three-game losing streak, the first ever in Owens’ tenure in Danielsville. Still, the Raiders are in position to secure the fourth spot out of their subregion — and a coveted place in the region playoffs Nov. 9 — if they can win three of their next four games. Madison County could earn the third spot if it wins out.

Owens said the challenge this week in practice will be making sure the team focuses on that rather than harping on the recent struggles, especially a high caliber opponent like Habersham Central looming.

“Don’t lose the next game sitting around pouting about the last game,” Owens said.
As for King, Owens is glad this is the last time the Raiders will have to deal with the prolific receiver.

“I can’t wait for him to sign with Georgia and be off our schedule,” Owens said