Four Gilmer High Bobcats received the top honor for their efforts on the football field.
The Georgia Athletic Coaches Association’s all-state football teams were unveiled last week. The GHS senior trio of quarterback Issac Rellinger, fullback Wyatt Stokes and offensive lineman Blane Banks, as well as sophomore linebacker Douglas Callihan were named to the Class 3A squad.
The GACA selects two all-state teams per classification, and Gilmer’s players earned their spot among the best in Class 3A’s region’s 5, 6, 7 and 8. The all-state selection committee was comprised of region champion head coaches from Class 3A.
“I have never in all my years had four guys named to the GACA all-state team,” said head coach Paul Standard. “All four of those guys are well deserving. Rellinger and Banks were four-year starters, Stokes was a three-year starter and Callihan is a two-year starter as a sophomore.
“It’s an individual award, but it wouldn’t have happened without great teammates around them to enable them to have the year they had to be recognized as all-state. It’s a credit to these four individuals and our program. It’s a huge feather in the cap for Gilmer football that we’ve gotten this type of recognition.”
Rellinger, Stokes and Banks played pivotal roles in the Bobcats’ explosive offensive attack. Gilmer averaged 299 rushing yards per game and surpassed 400 yards on the ground versus Ridgeland (424), Pickens (413) and Heritage (407).
Stokes was the Bobcats’ top rusher in 2024 and continually ran into the middle of opposing defenses. He capped his final season at GHS with 1,015 yards on 202 carries and 12 touchdowns.
Rellinger’s season was cut short because of an injury in the first quarter of Gilmer’s week eight matchup against Calhoun. He operated the Bobcats’ triple option attack and rushed for 412 yard on 65 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also completed 15/36 passes for 418 yards and four more scores.
Callihan tallied 55 total tackles, which included five for a loss. He forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and broke up three more. He also took the field offensively at wing back and ran for 376 yards and four touchdowns on 48 carries. He was the team’s leading receiver with eight catches, 222 yards and two touchdowns.
This marks the third year in a row a Gilmer player has been selected to the GACA’s all-state team. Safety Will Kiker and linebacker Aspen Hataway received all-state honors previously.