November 19, 2025 — On Friday night, the Harrison Hoya Football team beat Marietta, 45-35, to advance to the second round of the 6A GHSA playoffs. Sophomore quarterback Aiden Watson turned in an outstanding performance for the Hoyas. He went 17 of 24 passing for 221 yards. In addition, he gained 188 yards on the ground and scored all six of his team's touchdowns. Overall, Aiden compiled 409 total yards of offense, contributing the vast majority of the Hoyas' 555 total yards.
"He did an amazing job of leading our football team on Friday," said Harrison Head Coach Luqman Salam. "Aiden's a humble, gritty leader, and he displayed a level of toughness that you don't often see in a sophomore quarterback. He has a high intelligence and makes good decisions, and allows his teammates to make plays."
In recognition of Aiden's stellar on-field play, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Georgia High School Football Daily visited the Harrison campus today to award him the Player of the Week Award.
"It's very unusual to have someone like Aiden get selected as Player of the Week. He's a sophomore and a first-year starter. He has now passed for 2,334 yards this season and ranks among the top passers in the state," said GHS Football Daily's Ted Langford at the award presentation in the Hoya Center.
"Comparisons are already being made to another standout dual-threat quarterback at Harrison, Justin Fields, who is now playing for the New York Jets. I was told that Justin was in the stands for last Friday's game and got to witness something that even he never accomplished in his high school career: gaining more than 400 total yards in a game. Aiden has a very bright future, and that's why he's our first Player of the Week for the postseason," Ted Langford concluded to loud cheers and applause from his teammates.
"He has matured wonderfully," Coach Salam said. "His progress since the start of the season has been nothing but upward. He stays calm and confident in any situation and knows where he’s going with the ball before the snap."
When asked about his composure even under the pressure of the game, Aiden gave the credit to long talks with his dad and his coaches about the responsibilities of being a quarterback. "I take deep breaths and close my eyes," Aiden said quietly. "One of the main things about being a quarterback is being level throughout the game, not being too high or too low. I've been practicing this for a long time, just like closing my eyes and kind of being in the moment."
Aiden's mother, Katrina, was also present for the award presentation. An eighth-grade ELA teacher at McClure Middle School, Katrina Watson also displays the calm, cool demeanor of her son.
"We love this community. It's a great community and a great family. It's been such a blessing to us," she said with a bright smile. "I was diagnosed with cancer when we first moved here, and the Harrison community wrapped its arms around us, not even knowing us. And that set the stage for just a beautiful relationship throughout the rest of those years. My oldest graduated two years ago from here and played football and baseball, and Aiden is following his footsteps. My husband, Rashad, and I couldn't be more proud!"
Congratulations to Aiden and the entire Watson family for this well-deserved recognition! Great job, Harrison Football and Coach Salam! Beat Carrollton this Friday!
