Hooch's Ward to Play Football at Mercer

Chattahoochee High School's Avery Ward has accepted a full scholarship to play football at Mercer University, where he plans to major in engineering. Mercer, the only private university in Georgia with an NCAA Division I athletic program, will join the Southern Conference as a full member in July.

Ward, a two-sport athlete throughout high school, is a four-year football and basketball letterman. In football, Ward, a wide receiver, was a member of the 2010 AAAA State Championship team as well as the 2011 Region 7AAAA championship team. His honors include Region 6-AAAAAA All Region First Team Offense WR, CHS Football Team Council Leader, two-time CHS Football 100% Player of the Week, CHS Defensive Player of the Week, CHS Offensive Player of the Week, three-time North Fulton Offensive Player of the Week Nominee, North Fulton Defensive Player of the Week Nominee and two-time Palmer Dodge Student Athlete of the Week.

In basketball, Ward was a member of the 2012 CHS Region Championship and State Elite 8 teams and his honors include winning the Coach's Award, Region 6-AAAAAA All Region Honorable Mention, CHS Best Offense Award, and selection to the All Star Classic Team.

Pictured with him are, seated, his parents Allen Ward and Twela Ward.  Standing, from left, are CHS Athletic Director Milo Mathis, CHS Head Girls' Basketball Coach Haaris Quraishy, CHS Head Boys' Basketball Coach Kasey Martin, CHS wide receiver coach Tryon Kirkland, sister Breona, CHS Head Football Coach Mike Owens, CHS defensive coordinator Vince Shrine, and CHS Principal Tim Duncan.