High School Football
Cream Of The Crop
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Georgia has always produced great football players and this year is no different. Let’s take a look at some of the top players in the class of 2026.
LB Xavier Griffin, Gainesville: He’s a five-star recruit and the top ranked player in the state. He’s 6’3, 200 pounds and he has committed to Alabama. He’s an outside linebacker with speed to rush the passer and he can also play the run.
Last season he played in 8 games and had 43 total tackles, 29 solo, 13 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. The Red Elephants were 7-4 in 2024 and they are looking to make a state title run in 5A this season.
CB Jorden Edmonds, Sprayberry (Marietta): Edmonds is the second ranked player in the state and a five-star player. He has also committed to the Crimson Tide. He’s 6’2, 175 so he’s a tall corner back.
In 2025 he had 35 catches, 670 yards and 4 touchdowns. On defense he had 35 total tackles, 24 solo, 1 TFL and 3 pass deflections. The Yellow Jackets aren’t a traditional powerhouse but they were 11-2 last season. They should make a deep playoff run in 2025.
LB Tyler Atkinson, Grayson: Atkinson is a five-star recruit and a Georgia commit. He’s a 6’2, 210 lbs. tackling machine. He helped lead the Rams to a 14-1 record and 6A state championship last year.
In 2024 he had 166 total tackles, 77 solo, 32 TFL, 13 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
As you see, he was all over the field. I’m not sure how he can top that as a senior but he will try his best to lead Grayson to repeat as state champs.
Edge Tristian Givens, Carver (Columbus): Givens is a five-star player and he’s committed to Texas A&M.
He’s 6’4, 215 lbs. and he wreaks havoc in the backfield. Last season he had 29 TFL and 12 sacks. He helped lead the Tigers to the AA state championship in 2024.
He also plays basketball and his team reached the AA Final Four. He averaged 8.4 ppg and 5.4 rpg.
DL Bryce Perry-Wright, Buford: We have another five-star player and Texas A&M commit. As a junior he had 57 total tackles, 30 solo, 13 TFL and 9 sacks. Perry-Wright is 6’2, 250 pounds and he can play defensive tackle or defensive end.
The Wolves are always state title contenders so I expect them to compete for the 6A championship in 2025. Last year they finished 12-2.
S Jordan Smith, Houston County: Smith is a four-star recruit and he’s committed to UGA.
Last season he had 85 total tackles, 69 solo, 3 TFL, 2 interceptions, 7 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble. He’s 6’2, 185 lbs. and he’s a hard hitter.
The Bears were 8-5 in 2024 and they are looking to make a deep playoff run in 5A.
Edge Jordan Carter, Douglas County: Carter is committed to Texas A&M. The Aggies are raiding some talent out of Georgia.
He’s 6’4, 235 pounds so he has the prototypical size for a defensive end. As a junior he had 62 total tackles, 35 solo, 17 TFL and 13 sacks.
The Tigers were 11-3 last season and came within one game of reaching the state championship. They lost to Grayson 35-28 in 6A the state semifinal.
Carter has another four-star teammate, WR Aaron Gregory that is also committed to A&M.
Ware County Gators 2025 Preview
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2024 football season for the Ware County Gators was one of transition, determination, and flashes of promise for the future.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Jason Strickland, the Gators finished with a 6-6 record overall and a 3-2 mark in the competitive AAAA Region 1.
While the journey wasn’t always smooth, Ware County earned a spot in the postseason, securing a first-round playoff victory before falling in the second round.
Playing one of the tougher schedules in the state, the Gators managed to average 29.8 points per game while allowing just 20.5, a testament to their balanced approach on both sides of the ball.
The Gators enter their 2025 campaign as a season of change and growth, with a major change at quarterback. With former signal-caller Luke Hooks having graduated, the team is turning to junior Demitris “Isaiah” White to take the reins.
White, now in his first year as a starter, last season showed flashes of potential while on the field.
Ware County will open their season at home on August 15 against a tough Appling County squad, followed by a matchup with Coffee on August 22. The team will then travel to Bainbridge on August 29 before enjoying back-to-back bye weeks to regroup and adjust.
The midseason stretch includes matchups against Lincoln, Benedictine, and New Hampstead, setting the stage for a strong finish against Region 1 foes Perry, Warner Robins, and Wayne County.
The offense last season was led by standout running back Jamir Boyd, who averaged 58.7 yards per game and scored 12 total touchdowns. Boyd’s ability to pick up tough yards and break away for explosive plays gave the Gators a steady presence in the backfield.
White will also be able to lean on a pair of versatile weapons: Tayshaun Franklin, who lined up at both tight end and wide receiver and Jalondi O’Hara, a consistent threat on the outside.
Franklin averaged 56.8 yards per game and tallied 8 touchdowns, while O’Hara contributed 48.5 yards per game and 7 scores. Together, the trio gave the Gators a balanced offensive attack that kept defenses guessing.
Defensively, Ware County will be anchored by dominant defensive lineman Walker Hudson, who turned in one of the best individual performances of the season last year with 9.5 sacks and 44 total tackles. His presence in the trenches created havoc for opposing quarterbacks and helped the Gators maintain pressure throughout games.
Supporting Hudson were linebackers Seth Suess and Jamarion Keyhea, who added 36 and 33 total tackles, respectively.
The defense consistently kept Ware in games, holding opponents to just over 20 points per contest on average.
After a hard-fought regular season, the Gators punched their ticket to the playoffs, where they picked up a solid win in the first round.
Their season ended in the second round, but the experience gained by the younger players bodes well for the future.
Coach Strickland’s squad showed plenty of grit, bouncing back from tough losses and continuing to battle week in and week out.
With core contributors returning and valuable playoff experience under their belts, the Gators appear poised to take the next step in 2025.
With talent across the board and momentum heading into the offseason, Ware County’s future looks bright as they aim to climb back toward state title contention.
Killer Bears
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
2024 was a continuation of the powerhouse that Head Coach Ryan Herring built in Blackshear for the Pierce County Bears program that reached the quarterfinals for the 5th consecutive year.
The 2024 Bears finished up an 11-2 season falling in the quarterfinals to the eventual AA State Champion Carver by a final of 44-7 after knocking off Jackson and Columbia in the first two playoff rounds by a combined score of 87-24.
Pierce County had the only regular season blemish on the road against Appling County in a battle to the tune of 13-6.
While 2024 was another magical season, 2025 will have some challenges in Ryan Herring’s 7th season.
Last year, Caden McGatha was a one-man wrecking crew with almost 1,700 passing yards, nearly 1,600 rushing yards to go along with 42 combined touchdowns on the season (23 passing, 19 rushing).
The Recruit Georgia 2A Player of the Year saw his high school career come to a close after the 2024 season, so it’ll be a changing of the guard under center for the Bears going into 2025.
In addition to McGatha, Pierce had a total of six former Bears sign to play college ball after the 2024 season that will need to have the shoes filled.
Who to do that? Some of the expected targets are Marquez Leggett at running back, who scurried for over 300 yards on the ground last season on just 36 carried on the year.
The receiving core has to replace the top two receivers in Joe Drew (502 rec yds/3TDs) and Jones Herrin (326 rec yds/4TDs) but do return Nigel Brown and Chance Williams who had 5 receiving scores each last season.
Defensively the Bears saw graduation for eight of the top tacklers for the club including Dixon Morris who racked up 8 TFLs on the year. On the back end, Chance Williams looks to be a two-way standout for the black and blue after 3 interceptions a year ago.
Garrett Stevenson locks down the final stage of the game on special teams after connecting on 48 of 53 PAT attempts last season. While just 2-7 on field goals a year ago, the leg is unquestionably there. One of those two came from 48 yards out against Brooks County.
While there are many questions when talking what 2025 will look like for Pierce County football, there is one thing that has been consistent for almost two decades…Winning.
Ryan Herring enters year seven in Blackshear and hasn’t won less than 11 games since his arrival in 2019 (11-1 in year 1). Herring has made an indelible impact, but it goes beyond one person.
Pierce County has made postseason play every year since 2011 and has won a playoff contest in 12 of those 14 years with state championships in 2020 and 2023.
Winning is in the fabric of the DNA around Pierce County and even through a changing of the guard of sorts, Pierce will always be a pre-season favorite to continue the legacy that will begin August 22nd against Coosa Christian when Bear Country floods to Bear Stadium and looks to start another magical season in Blackshear.
Pirates Prepping for 2025
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
High School football season for the Brunswick High Pirates is right around the corner and with the Pirates coming off a great season with a team loaded with talent, I can’t wait to see how Reigning 2024 All Region 1-AAAAA Coach of the Year Garrett Grady is leading his team into this season.
Brunswick finished up last year with 6 Offensive All-Region 1st Team selections, which were QB Grant Moore, TE Heze Kent, WR Waseem Murray, OL Chase Richardson, OL Kasiyah Charlton, and WR Jamarious Towns.
The Pirates also had 6 Defensive All-Region 1st Team selections, which were DL Lance Brown, LB Caleb Butler, LB Jeremiah Robbins, CB Sekhi Ashley, LB Kregg Richardson, CB Aviyon Addison, and J’Shawn Towns, who was the 2024 All Region 1-AAAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
The off season didn’t start off as the Pirates had expected. They are missing one big piece of their program right now, Coach Grady said “We were without our Defensive Coordinator Coach Thomas Tedder this Spring. Our thoughts & prayers are with him and his family. We are going to Coach and play at the highest level to honor him. He had a medical emergency and is still recovering.”
Although Brunswick had a few key playmakers graduate this year, they still have a loaded roster of players that are fired up to play their hearts out for Coach Tedder.
The team is also continuing to quickly develop and get better every day. When I asked Coach Grady about how the team was shaping up prior to this year’s Spring Game he told me “I thought the entire Spring Practice we got better over the 10 days we were allowed to practice. The effort was great and our coaches did a phenomenal job coaching and teaching our guys fundamentals.”
“During the Spring Game our guys competed at a high level and communicated well on both sides of the ball.” said Coach Grady following the Pirates 2025 Spring Game, which was held earlier this month.
Starting Quarterback Grant Moore who has Multiple D1 offers from Schools such as Murray State, Samford, Eastern Kentucky, did not participate this year, because he is in the final stages of coming back from a shoulder injury that happened this past baseball season.
With Moore not playing it left a lot of time for other quarterbacks Keagan Walker and Eli Overton to show off their skills and get some good reps in front of a good crowd.
The Pirates might not have had their star quarterback in the game, but they did have both of their star running backs, Josiah Gibbons who has offers from West Virginia, Tulane, East Carolina, Arkansas State, Liberty, and Kennesaw State, and Nigel Gardner who has offers from Eastern Kentucky, Arkansas State, and Eastern Carolina.
Those two have the privilege of having a wall of an offensive line led by UCF Commit Kasiyah Charlton, and Chase Richadson who has many Big D1 Offers from Georgia Southern, Kentucky, Army, Navy, West Virginia, Appalachian State, Georgia State, and many others.
Besides the depth in the run game, Moore will also have 2 monster weapons at his disposal in the passing game. Wide receiver Waseem Murray is coming off an amazing 2024 season for the Pirates where he was able to receive solid offers from Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, and Northwestern State.
The other big target Grant will have in the Passing game is 6’5 265 lb, 4 Star TE Heze Kent. Kent is going into his senior season with the Pirates and has received a total of 47 Offers to play college football.
He has his options narrowed down to the Top 5, and will be accounting his commitment between Florida, Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Texas on July 12th, 2025.
So, we’ve covered the talent all around the offensive side, but we can’t forget about stud CB Aviyon Addison, who just received his first offer from Arkansas State.
I see Addison having an amazing 2025 season and making a run for that defensive player of the year spot.
Brunswick High will scrimmage at home against the Ware County Gators. Then the season starts on the road on August 15th in Kingsland against the Camden County Wildcats and will finish their regular season at home against the South Effingham Mustangs.
Here is a look at the full Brunswick High Pirates 2025 Schedule:
8/8: vs Ware County
8/15: @ Camden County
8/22: vs Wayne County
8/29: BYE
9/5: vs Effingham
9/12: @ Evans
9/19: vs Greenbrier
9/26: @ Glynn Academy (Brunswick)
10/3: vs Bradwell
10/10: @ Statesboro
10/17: @ Lakeside
10/24: BYE
10/31: vs South Effingham
Air Wildcats
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
This fall’s football season will be the second for head coach Travis Roland with the Camden County Wildcats. And what a difference a year makes.
Both Roland and Offensive Coordinator Grant Alford arrived in Kingsland following the 2023 season. That season saw the Wildcats make it to the final four of the state playoffs and then the retirement of Hall of Fame coach, Jeff Herron.
The cupboard was not bare by any stretch of the imagination upon the new coaches’ arrival, but Roland and Alford brought with them a completely different style of football.
The Wildcats have been evolving into more of a passing offense as compared to Herron’s vaunted Wing-T, smashmouth style of football.
Earlier this month, at Chris Gillman Stadium in Kingsland, the Wildcats put on their annual Blue/White Spring Extravaganza. It was definitely an offensive showcase where the football was put into the air with regularity.
The format of the contest was basically a scripted scrimmage with series featuring the Attack (first team) offense against the Attack defense from different distances and situations.
It started with drives from the offense’s own 30-yard line for the opportunity to pick up multiple first downs, followed by series from the defense’s 35-yard line, and then some goal-line work from the 10-yard line.
These same scenarios were played out with the Bite (second team) offense and defense, and the Claw (third team) offense and defense.
The most exciting part of the evening was watching two players battle for the QB1 spot.
One contender for the position is rising senior Parks Riendeau, who has been the unquestioned leader of the team and has been the starting quarterback for the past two seasons.
The other is rising junior Will Jackson, who transferred to Camden from a school in central Florida back in December. At 6’4” and 205lbs, Jackson has prototypical size for the QB position and he already has multiple offers from Division 1 schools, including South Carolina, Arkansas and Virginia Tech.
Rieandeau displayed complete control of the offense, his group scoring touchdowns on each of his first two possessions.
One a scoring pass to rising senior receiver Jeremiah Bass, and the other a touchdown toss rising junior and all-around star athlete, Sean Green.
Riendeau’s poise and decision-making skills will make him tough to beat. He knew exactly where to go with the ball each opportunity, and utilized his two senior running backs, Julien Daily and Antwan Williams, with confidence.
Jackson also got his opportunity to operate the Attack offense, and if he was a little tentative at first, his athletic ability was on full display.
Jackson has a similar ability that his NFL namesake, Lamar Jackson, possesses. With what appears to be no more than a tiny flick of the wrist, he is able to launch a football 40 yards down the field with accuracy and precision.
He also threw multiple touchdown passes to emerging star senior receiver, Tyler Mapel.
Whichever player is given the keys to this Wildcat Offense; he could be in for a record-breaking year.
Camden County kicks the fall season by hosting the Brunswick Pirates in Kingsland on August 15th and won’t hit the road until a trip to Richmond Hill in week 8, on October 3rd.
The full Camden County football schedule for 2025 is:
Friday, Aug. 8: Benedictine (scrimmage), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 15: Brunswick, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 22: East Lake, Fla., 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 29: West Broward, Fla., 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 5: Ribault, Fla., 7:30 p.m.
BYE
Friday, Sept. 19: Royal Palm Beach, Fla., 7:30 p.m. (Homecoming)
Friday, Sept. 26: Valdosta, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3: at Richmond Hill, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10: Lowndes, 7:30 p.m.
BYE
Friday, Oct. 24: at Colquitt, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31: at Tift, 7:30 p.m.
Immortal Wildcats
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Camden County High School will celebrate its rich athletic history with the inaugural induction class of the Camden County Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 10, 2025.
The event will take place at the CCHS Fine Arts Building in Kingsland, Georgia, honoring individuals and teams who have made a lasting impact on Wildcat athletics.
This inaugural class of inductees represents some of the most accomplished athletes, coaches, teams and contributors in Camden County’s history. This year’s class will include the following five inductees:
1960 Ralph J. Bunche High School State Championship Football Team: The Ralph J. Bunche Hornets made history by winning the first high school football state championship in Camden County history.
The school, which opened in 1951 to serve Black students in the area, started playing football in 1954 as part of the Georgia Interscholastic Association.
After semifinal appearances in 1958 and 1959, the Hornets broke through in 1960, dominating Henry County Training 45-2 to claim the Class A state title. Following integration in 1970, Ralph J. Bunche High School became part of Camden County High School, but the Hornets’ championship legacy remains a cornerstone of local sports history.
1985 Camden County High School Girls Track and Field Team: This team made history as the first-ever state champions in any sport at Camden County High School.
Their victory paved the way for future Wildcats, demonstrating that Camden County athletics could compete at the highest level. Their success remains a significant milestone in the school’s athletic legacy.
Frank Smith – “Mr. Wildcat”: Frank Smith was more than just a fan—he was the heart and soul of Camden County football.
Known affectionately as “Mr. Wildcat,” Smith was a dedicated supporter who never missed a game, home or away, for over 40 years until his passing in 2012.
As the longtime president of the CCHS Quarterback Club, his passion for Wildcat football was unmatched. His legacy is honored every year with the Frank Smith Classic, held at Chris Gilman Stadium during the Wildcats’ first home game in September.
Jeff Herron – Legendary Head Coach: Few names in Georgia high school football carry as much weight as Jeff Herron.
Over his 32-year career, Herron built a reputation as one of the best coaches in the country, compiling an overall record of 334-69, including 312-54 in Georgia.
His remarkable 85.3% winning percentage ranks second in Georgia history and among the top 35 in national high school football history.
During his 15 seasons at Camden County, Herron transformed the Wildcats into a powerhouse, winning three state championships (2003, 2008, 2009).
Under his leadership, Camden dominated the region for 12 consecutive years, set a state record with a 58-game regular season winning streak, and was ranked in the USA Today Top 25 six times. ESPN even named the Wildcats the Program of the Decade in Georgia (2000-2010).
Beyond Camden, Herron won state championships at Oconee County (1999) and Grayson (2016). His coaching excellence is now being recognized on a national scale—this summer, he will be inducted into both the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Hall of Fame and the National High School Football Hall of Fame.
Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell – Camden’s NFL Star: A true Camden County legend, Lyvonia “Stump” Mitchell left his mark at every level of football. After a standout career as a Wildcat running back, he continued his dominance at The Citadel, where he still holds school records for rushing yards in a season (1,647) and career (4,062).
In 1981, Mitchell was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round of the NFL Draft. He played in the league for a decade, spending nine years with the Cardinals (1981-1989) before finishing his career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990.
Following his playing days, Mitchell transitioned to coaching, leading Morgan State University (1996-1998) before taking on NFL coaching roles with the Seahawks, Redskins, Cardinals, Jets, and Browns. His long and distinguished career in professional football is a testament to the talent that has come from Camden County.
The Camden County Athletics Hall of Fame will serve as a tribute to the incredible athletes, coaches, and supporters who have shaped Wildcat sports. This inaugural class represents a mix of historic achievements, legendary figures, and community icons, each of whom played a vital role in building Camden County’s athletic tradition.
With this event, Camden County will not only honor its past but also inspire future generations of Wildcats to leave their own mark on the field, track, and beyond.
Pro Bowl Sting
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The NFL world flocked to Orlando last weekend to watch the game’s best in the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. The “game’s best” applies in a couple of different scenarios.
The obvious is that of Jared Goff, Fred Warner and Bijan Robinson, some of the best in the NFL, but also applies to the names Jaci Kitchings and Jadyn Williams.
Jaci and Jadyn are two seniors that wrapped up their careers at Southeast Bulloch with the school’s fourth consecutive state championship back in December but represented the NFC squad in the first NFL Girls Flag All-Star Game.
The inaugural event put on by the NFL saw thirty high school girls from all over the country (even two from Alaska) which included the two SEB Yellow Jackets competing in a flag football All-Star game to kick off the festivities on Sunday at the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games.
The NFL rolled out the red carpet for the Girls Flag Football All-Star Game participants including Kitchings and Williams.
The two Jacket players were flown down to Orlando on Friday before the Sunday afternoon game and not only got gear for the event, but the opportunity to take in some of the local attractions in Orlando and events with the NFL Pro Bowl players.
“They have had the best experience,” said SEB Head Flag Football Coach Marci Cochran. “What a great event by the NFL and I’m super excited they both got to participate.”
Jaci and Jadyn found out that they were named to the thirty-girl roster just before the semifinals of the GHSA state tournament and were ecstatic to get the news but had unfinished business to take care of.
They would find themselves in familiar ground on the stage in Atlanta after an overtime thriller having won their fourth consecutive state championship and capping off an 82-1 record in their SEB careers.
Southeast Bulloch Flag Football burst on the scene in 2021 when the program began (when Kitchings and Williams were freshmen) and have won the state championship each of the first four years of the program’s existence and winning 82 out of 83 games played in program history. The lone loss in program history came this year against the private school sector in Calvary Day out of Savannah.
I got to catch up with SEB Head Coach Marci Cochran as she watched Jadyn and Jaci play in the All-Star game in Orlando and looking back on the last four years she said “After starting four years ago and lost our first game this year which was devastating but in the long run it helped us win another state title. Four in a row which is more than any other team in the state of Georgia. We’re super excited about the growth of our program and adding a middle school program last year which helped us too.”
Coach Cochran has seen every snap that both Jadyn and Jaci have taken in their flag football careers and have become not only trendsetters on the national level at the Pro Bowl Games but also helped set the fantastic foundation of the SEB program.
“They’re the first seniors that have completed all four years, so they’re very special to us and we hate to be losing them,” Cochran said holding back tears. “Jaci has grown so much. Her development and dedication are awesome. Jadyn was always a really good player, but to watch her learn the game and understand the game is fun and to watch both of them grow from freshmen to seniors is really impressive.”
The NFL has made a concerted effort from the NFL League Office all the way down to the different teams investing in the sport of flag football at all levels, but especially at the high school level.
“For the sport as a whole, the Falcons itself sponsor a team in Alabama and there’s a couple other states that they’re starting to dive into to be able to start flag football there,” said Cochran. “Just the money and support they give for all these schools to be able to provide a flag football program without it having to come out of their own pocket is huge. It’s expensive to start a new sport, so their involvement in flag football has been awesome.”
While Kitchings and Williams will get to do it one more time as SEB heads to Canton, Ohio for the National Flag Football High School Tournament, the experience at the NFL Pro Bowl Games really put a nice bow on a historic career for these two and would have been hard to believe a couple years ago said Coach Cochran.
“To see them get to play down here (in Orlando) and see this opportunity. To be in this stadium, to have the game broadcasted on ESPN even with the Goodyear Blimp. Who would have ever thought that four years ago? So, it’s really special to be down here with them.”
The GOAT
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Legendary Camden County High School football coach Jeff Herron may have hung his whistle up for good at the end of the 2023 season, but those that know this man like I do understand that he has never been one to stand on life’s sideline.
Coach Herron is the living embodiment of “Team First”, but all of us that call Camden home are thrilled to see him get the individual honors that he so justly deserves.
This week the National High School Football Hall of Fame announced that it will induct Jeff Herron into its newest class.
Coach Herron roamed the sideline for 32 years as the head man at high schools in Georgia and South Carolina, compiling an overall record of 334 – 69. His record of 312 – 54 in Georgia alone, a winning percentage of 85.3%, is good enough for second best in the state’s history and 34th best in national high school football history.
Herron was named Region or Area Coach of the Year 25 times and the Georgia Coach of the Year 9 times in those 32 years. He was the Atlanta Falcons High School Coach of the Year in 2009. He has led 19 region champions, had 10 final four appearances and five state championships.
He is the only head football coach in Georgia High School Association (GHSA) history to win state titles at three different schools. He won his first state championship while at Oconee County in 1999, three at Camden County in 2003, 2008 and 2009, and his final at Grayson High School in 2016. That 2016 team at Grayson went 14-1, winning the GHSA 7A State Championship and the Public-School National Championship.
Coach Herron’s Camden County Wildcat teams also won 12 straight region championships, and hold the state record with a 58-game regular season winning streak, and a 28-game overall winning streak.
During his tenure, the Wildcats were ranked in the USA Today Top 25 six times and selected by ESPN as the program of the decade in Georgia for the 2000-2010 decade.
He also coached Walton (1989), Cedar Shoals (1990-93), Wheeler (1995-96) and Prince Avenue Christian (2013-15) in Georgia, and at T.L. Hanna (2017-18) in South Carolina.
In 2022, Jeff Herron was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Emory & Henry College in Virginia, where he was a starter and four-year letterman.
He was the team captain for the 1981 season when he was named a 2nd Team All Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) player.
In September of 2024 it was announced that Coach Herron will also be inducted as part of the 2025 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Hall of Fame class, which will also include former Charlton County High School head football coach Rich McWhorter, former Dougherty County and Troupe County head coach Charles Flowers, and basketball coaches Anzy Hardman and Rufus McDuffie.
The GACA induction will be on May 31, 2025 in Dalton, Georgia.
Its going to be a busy summer for Coach Herron. Two weeks after the GACA ceremony, he will be inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame on June 14th in Canton, Ohio.
All of us in Georgia’s southeasternmost county are eternally grateful for everything Coach Herron has accomplished as a coach, but we are most indebted for his role as a teacher, and a leader of young people when we needed it most.
The best news of all…Jeff Herron goes into the National High School Football Hall of Fame, and into coaching eternity, as a Camden County Wildcat.
Cats QB Ones
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Let me start by saying there is no quarterback controversy. I repeat there is no QB controversy whatsoever.
Now that we have addressed that what we can say is that the Camden County Wildcats will have great QB play for at least the next three years.
Currently, the Wildcats will have Parks Riendeau returning for his senior season as the signal caller for Camden.
The Cats have also had a talented young QB transfer in. William Jackson is now on campus in Kingsland, GA. Jackson is a four-star recruit that stands at 6’4 196 pounds, has a cannon for an arm, and is a killer in the rushing game.
Jackson transferred into Camden County High School from Winter Park High School in the Orlando area at the beginning of this current Spring Semester.
The great thing for Camden fans is Jackson is only a sophomore. Jackson has offers from Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Arkansas and Marshall to name a few. He has also taken visits to Ohio State, Florida, USF, Auburn, Miami and Florida State. The offer list will only grow over the next few years.
Jackson played in four games as a freshman for Winter Park. He went 18-27 for 145 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also rushed seven times for 68 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Jackson should thrive when it is his turn in Coach Roland’s Spread offense as Riendeau did as a junior.
Riendeau threw for over 1800 yards and 21 touchdowns. He only threw 5 interceptions all season. At one point, Riendeau led all of 6A in passing yards.
He also led Camden to the GHSA 7A Final Four in 2023 under then Head Coach, Jeff Herron running the Wing-T offense.
Riendeau has been on the varsity roster since he was a freshman.
The Camden County Coaching Staff has told SSE the plan is to have Riendeau lead the Wildcats in 2025 and then have Jackson take over for 2026 and 2027.
Region 1-6A is the region Camden plays in and it is the best region in the state top to bottom. Region 1-6A consists of Camden, Colquitt, Lowndes, Valdosta, Richmond Hill and Tift County.
The future is bright in Kingsland, GA for the Camden County Wildcats.
Pirates Voyage
By: Teddy Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Brunswick High Pirates 2024 football campaign came to an end at the hands of the Coffee County Trojans in the second round of the AAAAA state playoffs, finishing 10-2 for the season.
The Pirates opened the season with a loss to Camden County, but then reeled off 10 consecutive wins before losing to Coffee.
The 10 wins included a region championship (with a perfect 8-0 region record), a City Championship (beating Glynn Academy, 49-7), and a #1 seed in the state playoffs.
Coach Garrett Grady’s BHS Pirates scored victories over Wayne County, Effingham County, Evans County, Greenbrier, Glynn, Statesboro, Lakeside, South Effingham County, Bradwell Institute, and Villa Rica (1st round of playoffs).
Accolades and awards were also plentiful for the 2024 Pirates.
This year’s squad set a BHS regular season scoring record with 460 points (that’s 46 points per game), eclipsing the 459 scored by the 1999 Pirates, which made it to the state championship game before losing to Lowndes.
1999 was also the last time Brunswick High made it past the second round of the state playoffs.
Including Brunswick’s two playoff games, Coach Grady’s 2024 Pirates scored 517 points—more than 43 per game.
Defensively, BHS gave up 237 points—fewer than 20 per game.
More than a dozen Pirates were named First Team All-region.
Unofficial stats show senior running back William Heck was the leading rusher for BHS, running for 1417 yards.
Junior quarterback Grant Moore passed for 2191 yards and 21 touchdowns, with only 3 interceptions.
Tight end Hezekiah Kent, also a junior, was Moore’s favorite target with 36 receptions totaling 680 yards.
Other All-region selections on offense included senior Jamarious Towns and sophomore Waseem Murray. Towns had 33 receptions for 635 yards. Murray totaled 31 catches for 642 yards.
Juniors Chase Richardson and Kasiyah Charlton anchored the offensive line and also earned All-region honors.
Senior linebacker J’Shawn Towns was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year in region 1-5A. Towns was the leading tackler for the Pirates, recording 111.
Other All-Region Pirates on defense include senior linebackers Caleb Butler, Jeremiah Robbins, and Gregg Richardson; senior defensive lineman Lance Brown; senior defensive back Sehki Ashley; and junior defensive back Aviyon Addison.
Butler recorded 84 tackles for the Pirates, and Robbins had twelve tackles for losses.
The BHS defense scored eleven touchdowns this season.
Coach Grady noted that interceptions returned for touchdowns and fumbles returned for touchdowns were keys to the Pirates success.
Selections to the All-Region second team included: Nigel Gardner, Josiah Gibbons, Aiden Watford, Garrett Wiggins, and Chris Wingster on offense; Chris Kimp, Antwan Kirk, Zay Knowles, Chozen Owens, Josh White, and Adrian Volland on defense.
Gardner, a sophomore, rushed for 874 yards and seven touchdowns.
Gibbons, also a sophomore, scored eight touchdowns while averaging over 14 yards per carry.
Pirates noted for Honorable Mention in region play included Evan Ali, Chris Cullins, Samir Dobbins, Xavier James, Jack Kennedy, Trent Lee, Tyler Ray, Andrew Riley, Antwan Thomuse, Nick Wisneski, and Jeremiah Woodward.
Even with all of the accomplishments, Coach Grady acknowledged the loss to Coffee “kind of leaves a bad taste in your mouth.”
Still, 10 wins is a good season, and Coach Grady lauded the hard work of his coaching staff and players and are already working hard for next season.
“We have to hit the weight room and improve in the trenches,” Coach Grady commented.
It says here the Pirates will do even better next season than they did this season, making a deep run in the state playoffs.
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