University of Georgia Athletics
The Patriot Package
September 20, 2014 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. --- On Sept. 20, 2013, Sony Michel and Isaiah McKenzie led American Heritage High School to a shutout victory. One year later, the two Plantation, Florida, natives stole the spotlight once again in another shutout, this time leading No. 13 Georgia to a 66-0 victory over Troy.
The longtime teammates and fellow Patriots at American Heritage put up a combined 267 yards and four touchdowns for the Bulldogs in their third collegiate game on Saturday afternoon in Athens.
Michel committed to play for Georgia before McKenzie received his offer, but McKenzie was undeterred. He told his teammate that he would undoubtedly be a Bulldog if given an offer. And that he did. In fact, McKenzie signed before he even had the chance to visit Athens.
"He had it in his heart to come to Georgia," Michel said.
Michel and McKenzie have now traded out their Patriot black and gold for Georgia red and black, but their focus has not changed—continue to improve each day. Both players have made significant contributions in each of the first three games of the season.
In Saturday's win over Troy, Michel tallied 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries, in addition to a 5-yard catch. McKenzie rushed for 54 yards on two carries and returned a punt for a 53-yard touchdown. They were the No. 1 and No. 2 leaders in all-purpose yards for the Bulldogs.
Though both Michel and McKenzie were excited by the other's performance on Saturday, they also were not surprised. Great plays are what they have come to expect from each other.
"It's just like old times," McKenzie said. "I love to see (Michel) score touchdowns. It makes me happy. Even if I'm not scoring, he's scoring, so it makes me happy."
Michel says he will, like the rest of the team, give himself no more than 24 hours to celebrate the victory over Troy. When Sunday afternoon rolls around, it will be time to focus on Tennessee. Although he and McKenzie have different assignments on the field, they will have one shared goal in next week's game, and for the remainder of their careers at Georgia.
"We had fun in high school and now we're getting the opportunity to have fun in college and enjoy those moments," Michel said. "We're just trying to build more moments."
