By Larry Hartstein
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The football pipeline otherwise known as the state of Georgia extends to the Super Bowl.
Five New Orleans Saints and four Indianapolis Colts played high school or college football -- or both -- in Georgia. And for the most part, they're impact players.
The Saints' Jon Stinchcomb (Parkview High, UGA) started every game at right tackle and made the Pro Bowl as a reserve. Defensive end Charles Grant (Miller County High, UGA) started every regular-season game, posting 5.5 sacks, before a triceps injury ended his season. Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove (Georgia Tech) had five sacks and a forced fumble while playing in every game.
Safety Chris Reis (Roswell High, Georgia Tech) and cornerback Leigh Torrence (Marist High) made 17 and 10 tackles respectively, mainly on special teams. Torrence went on injured reserve in November with a shoulder injury.
For the Colts, center Jeff Saturday (Shamrock High, now a DeKalb County middle school) started every game and made the Pro Bowl as a backup. Defensive end Robert Mathis (McNair High) was voted a Pro Bowl starter after getting 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
Linebacker Philip Wheeler (Shaw High, Georgia Tech) made 61 tackles in the regular season, plus three in the AFC Championship Game. Corner Tim Jennings (UGA) made 57 tackles and two interceptions.
With the Pro Bowl coming up Sunday, a week before the Super Bowl, Mathis, Saturday and Stinchcomb will be honored but won't play.
Georgia's strong representation at Super Bowl XLIV comes as no surprise. A 2008 study by USA Today found that Georgia high schools sent the fourth-most players to the NFL, behind only California, Texas and Florida
Monday, January 25, 2010
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