Add another Lovejoy star to the list

Lovejoy, Ga. is always home to some of the top football talent in the southeast. The class of 2005 should be no different. The Wildcats have one of the South’s best offensive lineman in Chris Scott and one of the best defensive backs in Keith Fitzhugh, but there is another top prospect on the Lovejoy roster that has already garnered some impressive offers, running back Mark Pettaway.

“So far right now I have offers from LSU, Maryland, Ball State and UCLA,” Pettaway said. “LSU and Maryland came to my school and watched me practice and they told my coach that they were going to offer. Ball State and UCLA both called me and told me that they were offering.”

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Pettaway runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, has a 290-pound bench press and 430-pound squat.

“I don’t have a certain list of schools that I am interested in right now,” Pettaway said. “I’m just listening to schools and seeing what they have to offer. I’m going to let God guide me in my decision.”

As a junior Pettaway carried the ball for 830 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns via the rush.

“I’m getting a lot of attention from Tennessee, Michigan and Oklahoma too. They have all called, but I keep missing them. I have seen Oklahoma’s number on the caller ID about five times, but I just haven’t gotten to them yet. I haven’t heard that much from Georgia, I have probably only gotten about five letters from them, but if they offered, they would definitely be high on my list.”

Pettaway said that despite being invited to numerous camps over the summer he has no plans to attend any with such a hectic schedule.

“I’m looking for a school with great academics and a great football program. Everyone is looking for a ticket to the league so I am looking for a school that can give me that opportunity. I don’t have any specific timeline for a decision right now. I just want to sit back, take my visits and let everything play out because I have to make sure that I make the right decision.”

A solid academic student, Pettaway carries a 3.0 GPA, but has yet to take the ACT or SAT.