Two names the Cedartown Bulldogs will rely on for both sides of the ball and another who was given an honorable mention nod were honored by Recruit Georgia as the site released their fifth annual Class 4A pre-season all-state list this morning.

Jayden Johnson and CJ Washington were both named to the All-State defensive team ahead of the start of the 2020 season, and the Bulldogs’ Jai Barnes was named to the honorable mention list.

Washington, who has already committed to the University of Georgia, is expected to be a big force on both sides of the ball, especially on offense as a running back.

Johnson is also expected to be a threat on the team again this year. He took over as quarterback for the majority of the 2019 season when Taji Hudson was knocked out of the Rockmart game with an injury that kept him sidelined for the rest of the year. He’s already committed to the University of South Carolina.

The Bulldogs are set to start the season with Johnson, Washington and Barnes and many more up and coming talents on Sept. 4 when they travel to Carrollton in what would have been one of two Corky Kell Classic games that have now been separated from their original home in Barron Stadium. The Bulldogs will spend the first two weeks on the road, facing rival Rockmart on Sept. 11.

It’ll be the first game for new head coach Jamie Abrams, who was selected to take over for former head coach Doyle Kelley. He’ll look to improve upon a 5-6 season that saw the Bulldogs make it to the first round of the playoffs, but fall to Marist.