High School Football Standouts in North Atlanta

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January 2026

by Maria Smith

North Atlanta High School football alumni, Chase Linton and Xaden Benson, learned more than just the game between the goal posts at Eddie S. Henderson Stadium on Friday nights. They discovered how the values of grit, discipline, and community can shape young men from Atlanta’s Upper Westside, and how far that foundation can take them.

Linton, now wearing No. 85 in his first year at the University of Georgia, was a dominant force for the Warriors in North Atlanta High School football, becoming one of the state’s most coveted edge rushers. The 6-foot-4 outside line blocker and special teams player has shown rare explosiveness and a relentless work ethic in Athens. The former four-star recruit helped lead North Atlanta to back-to-back playoff runs and has seen action on the dominant Dawgs defense this year. His journey from neighborhood fields to Sanford Stadium stands as proof that the Upper Westside Atlanta athletes can forge elite talent.

Benson’s path started in the same Upper Westside neighborhood and took him all the way to the hallowed halls of Harvard University. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, the 6-foot defensive back has become an integral part of the Crimson defense during 2025, his sophomore season. A First Team All-Region standout on both sides of the ball in high school, Benson’s leadership, versatility, and academic prowess have defined his career so far. His commitment and dogged determination reflect not only athletic excellence but also impressive academic drive.

Different schools. Different paths. One shared starting point. Together, Linton and Benson represent what’s possible when opportunity meets preparation, and when Atlanta’s Upper Westside keeps showing up, play after play.

Photo credit (Benson): Harvard Athletics

Photo credit (Linton): University of Georgia Athletic Association