There are 12 days of Christmas. But 43 bowls. And the vast number can seem overwhelming. Here are two to focus on that will likely feature area players.
Georgia Tech (6-6) is in a bowl for the first time since 2018. Georgia Tech beat two ranked opponents this year and turned heads with an impressive loss to archrival and No. 1 Georgia. Fifth-year senior tight end Luke Benson (Central Bucks West) played in all 12 games for the Yellow Jackets, starting five. He caught eight balls for 81 yards, including a 38-yarder against Wake Forest.
Georgia Tech takes on Central Florida in the Dec. 22 Gasparilla Bowl held in Tampa.
Fellow ACC member Virginia Tech (6-6) is back in a bowl after a one-year absence. The Hokies are seeking their first bowl win since 2016. Virginia Tech faces Tulane on Dec. 27 in the Military Bowl in Annapolis.
Fifth-year senior safety Nasir Peoples (Archbishop Wood) started in Virginia Tech’s final five games. He recorded 23 tackles, forced and recovered a fumble this fall. Peoples is a three-year starter who earned the honor of wearing coach Frank Beamer’s retired No. 25 jersey in Tech’s opener against Old Dominion.
Despite being conference foes, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech did not play each other in 2023.
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