Area Dogs play well in final spring showing

ATHENS -– He caught two passes for 44 yards to lead all receivers in the first half. In fact, he was of the few Georgia receivers to really shine in a scrimmage marked more by drops (six) than catches.

Derek Rich was the Bulldogs’ third string tight end coming into Saturday’s G-Day spring scrimmage, but, by the way he played on the field, the North Hall High grad might as well have been a starter.

“He’s got some good hands, and he runs good routes,” Georgia quarterback Joe Cox said of Rich. “He had a good day today.”

Rich’s first catch went for 23 yards on a play-action release from Cox.

His second grab went for 21-yards after Rich ran a 16-yard route and snagged a pass from Logan Gray before rumbling five yards.

“It’s all up to the coaches whether he’ll get some playing time, but he’s got ability,” Cox said.

Meanwhile, Habersham Central graduate Tavarres King caught one pass for seven yards on the day.

The redshirt freshman said he was pleased with his performance, which included a lot of run blocking.

“It was smash-mouth, SEC football out there,” King said. “I feel I did pretty good. I played fast. I just need to keep learning the playbook so I can get faster.”

King played early and often and is battling for a starting position next fall – especially with the absence of Kris Durham, who injured his shoulder this spring and opted for season-ending surgery before the 2009 campaign.

King knows all too well about injuries, taking a medical redshirt last season after injuring an ankle four games into his freshman year with the Bulldogs.

Other area Bulldogs also made their way onto the field Saturday, including North Hall graduate Devin Hollander, who picked up a fumble.

Buford grad and early enrollee Dallas Lee also played early and often for the second team offense and could see playing time next fall.

Jefferson High grad and Georgia offensive lineman Chris Davis missed the game through injury (hip) but will be ready when fall practice begins and will likely resume his starting position.