With all of the undeniable talent that we see on this year’s football roster, one fact sticks out like a sore thumb: the number of players we see who originate from Atlanta Classical Academy. A strong 7 additions to the skilled 2023-24 unit come from down the road at ACA. These incredible young men perfectly exemplify both schools’ philosophy of working hard in the classroom as well as the field.
Two of the impressive student athletes are the brother duo of Junior Tackle Ben Diedrich and Sophomore Defensive End Johnny Diedrich. Even though they currently attend North Atlanta, the sibling pair went to ACA until last school year. Despite their recent enrollment into the school and being newbies to our NAHS squad, both Diedrichs feel like they have integrated well within the team and are ready for battle day in day out. In spite of this smooth assimilation, the difference between the two schools has been incredibly noticeable by both Ben and Johnny. “Going from ACA to North Atlanta is a drastic change,” said Ben. “The cultures between the two may be incredibly dissimilar, but I am incredibly happy to now be a part of North Atlanta and our Warrior force”.
Another star brother pairing that have emerged from the ACA-NAHS channel are the Gardners. While Senior twins Colten and Conner have an incredibly well-known status across the school, neither of them are students at North Atlanta. Rather, the two still go to ACA to pursue their education and participate in various Dubs athletics, with Conner also playing soccer and Colton having a spot on the North Atlanta track team. Due to the constant back and forth the twins have to endure, the aforementioned differing societies both schools have shown to have a big impact on the Gardners, but not one that they mind at all. “It’s like bouncing all over the walls of a bouncy house,” said Conner, “But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Regardless of the origins of some of our players, the NAHS roster and staff completely appreciate each one of our former and current ACA attendees. They not only implement our philosophy of student athletics, but also come ready to play each time they step onto the gridiron. We greatly appreciate Atlanta Classical Academy for grooming the Diedrichs, Gardners, Nash (Vogelnantz), Sebastian (Miles) and Eli (Maclane) into the young men that we are so grateful to have representing our school under the Friday Night Lights.
