High School Football
Low Country Brawl
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
One of South Georgia’s fiercest high school football rivalries reignites on August 15, as the Camden County Wildcats host the Brunswick Pirates in what has been called the “Lowcountry Brawl”.
Though separated by just 30 miles of I-95, these two powerhouse programs bring decades of pride, passion, and playoff aspirations to their annual clash. This year’s matchup could be one of the most anticipated yet.
The rivalry has seen 12 meetings over the past 20 seasons, with Camden County holding a 9-3 edge.
However, Brunswick has begun closing the gap, winning two of the last three matchups, including a gritty 21-17 victory in 2023 and a 16-10 win in 2022.
Last year’s opener was a shootout, with Camden County rallying from an early 14-3 deficit to defeat Brunswick 51-41.
A string of special teams miscues by the Pirates, which included four consecutive failed punts, allowed Camden to storm back and seize control before halftime. It was a game that showcased the unpredictability and intensity that define this rivalry.
Despite Camden’s historical edge and state championships in 2003, 2008, and 2009, Brunswick’s recent resurgence under Coach Garrett Grady has added new fire to the series.
Coming off a 10-2 campaign and an undefeated region record in 2024, Brunswick enters 2025 with sky-high expectations.
Senior quarterback Grant Moore returns after a stellar junior year, where he threw for 2,525 yards and 22 touchdowns, adding another three scores on the ground.
His top target? None other than Heze Kent, a 6’5”, 265-pound four-star tight end/wide receiver hybrid who recently committed to Florida.
Kent hauled in 16 touchdowns last season and will draw double teams all year, potentially freeing up fellow receiver Waseem Murray, a speedy route-runner primed for a breakout.
In the backfield, Nigel Gardner and Josiah Gibbons form a potent 1-2 punch, combining for over 130 rushing yards per game and 16 touchdowns in 2024.
Defensively, Brunswick leans on senior cornerback Aviyon Addison, a ball-hawk who led the team with four interceptions last season. His leadership and lockdown skills will be tested early against Camden’s explosive passing attack.
After a 7-4 season that saw them rack up over 400 points, Camden County enters 2025 with a retooled but experienced squad and renewed optimism under second-year head coach Travis Roland.
While the Wildcats lost star tight end Elyiss Williams (now at Georgia) and several key linemen, they return six starters on defense and boast one of the region’s most dynamic offenses.
Parks Riendeau is back for his senior season after spending the last two years as the starting quarterback. In 2025, though, he’ll be playing some QB, but also look for him to lineup at running back and receiver due to the arrival of Will Jackson, a true dual-threat quarterback transfer from Florida.
Jackson is already loaded with offers from major Power Five programs.
The Wildcats offense is loaded with elite weapons, including four-star wide receiver Sean Green, who’s already caught the attention of Florida State and Georgia.
Running backs Antwan Williams and Julian Dailey round out a dangerous backfield, while linebacker Xavier Brown (129 tackles in 2024) and cornerback David Coleman Jr. (East Carolina commit) anchor a defense looking to turn potential into production.
Coach Roland’s mission to restore Camden County’s dominance is gaining traction. With depth, leadership, and high-end talent, the Wildcats are a real threat to win Region 1-6A, and this rivalry game to start the season could be a tone-setter.
Beyond the records and star power, this is a game built on pride and legacy. Both schools have sent numerous players to the college and NFL ranks.
Jarrad Davis, Stump Mitchell, and Ryan Seymour represent Camden, while Darius Slay, Tracy Walker, and Justin Coleman each suited up for Brunswick. The pro pedigree further fuels the prestige of this matchup.
As the lights shine bright in Kingsland on August 15, fans can expect another chapter in a storied rivalry where momentum shifts fast, reputations are made, and bragging rights matter all year long.
It’s the Lowcountry Brawl, and it’s must-watch football to kick off 2025.
Battle Of The Boro
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 High School Football season kicks off with a bang across Bulloch County.
Not only does Bulloch Academy and Portal High clash in the Erk Russell Classic on August 16th, but the night before what’s been tabbed as the “Battle of Bulloch” gets the 6th all-time meeting between the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets and the Statesboro Blue Devils.
This is a series history that’s an interesting one in the sense of two schools separated by only eight miles, but the two have only faced each other five times previously and all coming since 2004.
The Jackets and Blue Devils clashed back-to-back years in 2004 and 2005 that saw SHS (who was ranked #2 in the state both years) dominate to a combined score of 57-0 over Southeast Bulloch.
The two wouldn’t meet again for 17 years when SEB’s Jared Zito and Statesboro’s Jeff Kaiser pitted the foes together in 2022.
The two programs have played each of the past four years now (including the 2025 matchup) since 2022 with the first two of the renewed rivalry coming as part of the Erk Russell Classic at Allen E. Paulson Stadium on campus at Georgia Southern.
Both of the matchups at the “Prettiest Little Stadium in America” went the way of the Blue Devils but in vastly different ways.
2022 was ALL SHS in every sense. The final score ended 55-14 and Statesboro dominated from the word go. The 2023 rendition was a much tighter affair Statesboro still pulled out the victory at Paulson, but it took a defensive stand by Statesboro on an eight-minute drive for SEB to secure the 12-7 win for the Blue Devils.
In 2024, Statesboro and SEB decided to move away from the Erk Russell Classic to have the series back to campus sites.
It started last year at Fred Shaver Field in Brooklet to open the 2024 season. After a Chris Jones scoop and score two plays into the game to give the Jackets a 7-0 lead in front of a capacity crowd in Brooklet, SEB would mount a 23-6 lead after rushing scores by Colby Smith and Jayden Murphy.
Statesboro battled back to cut it to 23-18 after a Ty Chambers rushing score. Three first downs later, Southeast Bulloch secured the first win in the series by a final of 23-18.
Despite the discrepancy in level that the programs play at (SEB a 3A program, SHS a 5A), both coaches have been adamite that this series is important to not only the teams, but the community.
Going into last season, Coach Zito from SEB talked in the preseason about needing to “make this series a rivalry, but we have to win to do that.” After the win for the Jackets, it feels like SEB has done just that.
While I love the Erk Russell Classic and the impact it has, I love that this series is back on campus sites. Last season at Fred Shaver Field was one of the most electric atmospheres I’ve seen in that stadium in the 5 years I’ve been calling games for the Jackets (rivaled only by maybe the home playoff game in 2021).
This season, I can only expect the same fantastic atmosphere at historic Womack Field in mid-August.
This rivalry doesn’t have the number of games, but the last two seasons have been incredible matchups, and with the programs both having skyrocketing trajectories it adds another layer.
Both of these programs are led by incredible coaches that are elevating the young men on and off the field.
When the lights get flicked on, and boot meets ball in the Boro, the Battle of Bulloch clashes again in what had built to a fantastic rivalry in Southeast Georgia.
Tiger Hunt
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We are only a few weeks away from the start of the 2025 high school football season.
Douglas County (Douglasville) is a talented team that has a chance to compete for the 6A state championship.
Last season the Tigers were 11–3 and advanced to the state semifinals. They lost to the eventual state champions Grayson, 35–28. They were 13–1 in 2023. They are led by head coach Johnny White.
Their best player is Edge Jordan Carter. Carter is a four-star recruit and the No. 11 player in Georgia for the Class of 2026. He is committed to Texas A & M. 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.
Wide receiver Aaron Gregory is also a four-star recruit and a Texas A & M commit. He’s 6’3, 170 lbs. so he’s a tall and athletic receiver. In 2024 he had 914 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. He also played defensive back and had 61 total tackles, 42 solo, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 pass deflections.
They have another four-star wide receiver, Devin Carter. Carter is 6’0.5, 170 lbs. and committed to Florida State. He is the third player on the team ranked inside the top 15 in the state for the 2026 recruiting class. His father, Dexter Carter, played running back at Florida State and he was drafted in the 1st round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He played for the 49ers and Jets.
Last season Carter had 41 receptions, 669 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Safety Jamar Owens is a three-star recruit and he’s committed to Indiana. He’s 6’0 and 180 pounds. Last year he had 70 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. He also had offers from Texas A&M, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Auburn, Texas, Florida State, USC and others.
Running back Zamarcus Lindley is a three-star recruit. In 2024 he had 1,224 rushing yards, 14 scores and he averaged 7.4 yards per carry. He also had 11 catches for 92 yards and a TD. The 5’11, 200 pound running back is being recruited by Memphis, Boston College, Duke, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State, USF, Navy, Southern Miss and others.
Junior offensive tackle Joshua Sam-Epelle is 6’9, 340 pounds. The four-star recruit is committed to South Carolina.
The season kicks off on Saturday, August 16th in the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes Benz Stadium. They play North Gwinnett and the Bulldogs were 12–1 last year.
They have some tough non-region opponents. They play Langston Hughes in the fourth game. The Panthers were 13–2 in 2024 and they made it to the 5A state championship game. They played last year and the Tigers won, 21-14.
They travel to Buford the following week. Buford won last season’s game, 31-14. The Wolves were 12-2 last year.
The Tigers are in AAAAAA Region 2 and they begin region play October 3rd against East Coweta. Carrollton won the game last year and they were 14-1. They lost some senior talent from that team. I expect for Douglas County to win the region.
The schedule is tough so they might lose a few games during the regular season. I believe that will help them once the playoffs begin. They should make another deep playoff run if the team stays healthy.
Schedule
8/16 vs North Gwinnett
8/22 @ Jonesboro
8/29 vs Newton
9/5 @ Langston Hughes
9/12 @ Buford
9/26 vs Columbia
10/3 East Coweta
10/10 @ Westlake
10/24 vs Chapel Hill
10/31 @ Carrollton
Hoping For New Sting
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When you play high school football for over 100 years and win a lot more games than you lose, the expectations are always high.
The town of Jesup, Georgia absolutely loves the hometown Yellow Jackets. And fall in the air in Jesup means FOOTBALL.
The Wayne County Jacket faithful are some of the most knowledgeable and gung-ho around. They live and breathe it.
That makes things a lot harder to stomach when you have a year like the Jackets had in 2024. It was ugly and brutal. And those are some of the nicest things a lot of people would say.
The Jackets lost nine games. A very tough pill to swallow.
Even worse was the fact that they were largely uncompetitive in the majority of those games. The Jackets scored a total of 51 points in 9 games while giving up 356. They gave up 40 points or more in six of those nine games. Like I said, it was ugly.
Coming off of a seven-win season the year before, hopes were high with a new Head Coach in John Mohring.
Mohring is a well respected young coach. Having been a small college All-American linebacker right up the road at Georgia Southern. He knows the X’s and O’s.
What he ran into was unexpected. The Jackets were young and played a very tough schedule. It showed particularly on offense.
The question is can the Yellow Jackets rebound? A lot of young kids got playing time in 2024. Let’s hope it helped because most of those same teams are on the 2025 schedule.
Throw in a 33-9 loss to Crisp County in the spring game and It’s time to batten down the hatches in Jesup.
Below is the 2025 schedule along with results from last year if applicable.
8/15 @ Glynn Academy: (lost 16-10) Red Terrors should be better this year than last.
8/22 @ Brunswick High School: (lost 49-7) Pirates are VERY good.
8/29 Appling County: These teams don’t like each other.
9/5 @ Pierce County: (lost 35-0) Pierce was 11-2 last year.
9/12 Richmond Hill: (lost 42-0) Always a powerhouse and growing.
9/26 Warner Robins: (lost 36-3) No rest for the weary
10/3 Perry: (lost 56-7) Ditto.
10/17 @ Benedictine: (lost 40-0) Cadets are always tough.
10/25 New Hampstead: (lost 40-7) a chance here?
10/31 @ Ware County: (lost 42-7) No chance.
It is an incredibly difficult schedule with teams with an overall record of 73-44 from last year.
Work hard and play hard. Good luck Jackets.
Tightening The B.E.L.T.
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
While the past two years record wise haven’t been what Head Coach Matt Dobson and the Statesboro High Blue Devils would have wanted, SHS has built a foundation to be able to springboard back to prominence in 2025.
The tradition wealthy Statesboro program has struggled for the last decade, not seeing a season finish over .500 since the 10-2 2013 campaign (SHS’ last year in the 4A ranks before being elevated to 5A).
That said, Dobson and the staff have elevated the Blue Devil program exponentially from what was inherited prior to the 2023 season.
The biggest turnaround in the program has been off the field. There has been such a shift in the culture and feel around the program that it’s palpable. The implementation of Dobson’s BELT (Best, Effort, Love, and Toughness) mantra has exploded through the program and turned into belief in the program that hasn’t been there since the early 2010s.
That said, the past two seasons have netted 4 wins each. Even with a 4-6 record last year, the Blue Devils finished one spot in the standings away from back-to-back playoff appearances.
Last year, however showed an incredible upward trajectory for the program and starts on the offensive side of the ball.
The biggest question mark going into the season this time last season was at quarterback. It was expected that freshman Beckham Jarrard would come in and lead the squad and Jarrard did just that in year one.
Jarrard threw for an impressive 1628 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and just 9 picks.
In addition, the frosh ran for another 207 yards and a pair of rushing scores. Not only did Jarrard put up fantastic numbers, but there was also a tangible control of Dobson’s offense that continued to grow and show the prowess beyond his years.
I genuinely believe that one of the most exciting things in South Georgia football this year could be watching the maturation process of Jarrard and seeing him continue to grow into the phenom and surpass expectations.
In addition to Jarrard, the rising sophomore has most of his targets returning in 2025.
Keon Childers and Gage Newsome burst onto the scene in 2024 as the top two targets for the Blue Devils.
Childers racked up almost 500 yards receiving with 5 scores as a junior and looks to continue to be the Swiss-army knife for SHS who also added 71 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground.
Newsome made the most out of his first season with Statesboro after transferring from Southeast Bulloch. Newsome led the team with 34 catches a year ago with nearly 400 yards and a couple scores.
The question surrounding Statesboro stems from the top two running backs graduating.
Ty Chambers (429 yds, 4 TDs) and Jaylyn Heath (379 yds, 4 TDs) both finished up their time at Womack Field last season and the Blue Devils will be looking for some new options to carry the ball.
Jarrard and Childers are the only two returners that rushed for more than 50 yards. Don’t be surprised to see Childers lined up more in the backfield in addition to some new names entering the rotation in 2025.
I think the biggest step forward for Statesboro will be in the trenches. The offensive line especially is expected to make an incredible step forward and be a key piece to the success in 2025.
The defense looks to be a strength of the Blue Devils led by Rashad Chavers (9 TFLs last season) and Xavier Spells (11 TFLs in 2024). While there’s a number of players that will go both ways, the defense can be an incredible piece of this team.
Again, the 4 wins each of the last two years isn’t what anyone around the program wanted, but there’s a ton of excitement and optimism around this team.
In my mind, the optimism is for a good reason. When Statesboro opens the season at Womack Field against cross-county rival SEB on August 15th, fans will see a Statesboro team that will be threatening the top of the region standings and getting back to the team of tradition with 5 state championships under their B.E.L.T.
War Chant
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a big one for the Charlton County Indians, and with a tough schedule, they won’t have much time to ease into it.
Head Coach Demario Jones enters his second season leading the Tribe, after finishing 5-6 overall in 2024.
The Indians were 2-3 in region play last year and claimed the fourth playoff seed before falling to Lincoln County in the first round of the Single A, Division II state playoffs.
Coach Jones will rely on the return of last year’s leading rusher, Omari Jones. The rising Senior averaged 63.8 yards per game and had six total touchdowns in 2024.
Rising Junior AJ Glover is expected to play QB for Charlton after backing up Ayden Crews, who graduated last spring.
Glover does have some playing experience after seeing action in 5 games last season, going 13 for 31 passing, with 4 touchdowns.
Things get going with a preseason scrimmage against Berrien, but the real action starts on August 15 when the Indians hit the road to face Brantley County.
After that, the Indians get a couple chances to settle in at home. McIntosh comes to Folkston on August 22, and then Jeff Davis visits on August 29.
That Jeff Davis game might come with a little extra edge since the Yellow Jackets were the only team to hold Charlton scoreless in a game last year, so expect the Indians to be fired up for that rematch.
From there, it is back on the road for two more non-region tests. The first is a trip across the Florida line to take on Yulee on September 5.
Then it is off to Toombs County on September 12, another strong program that will not make things easy. Those two games could tell us a lot about where this team stands heading into the most important part of the season.
And then comes region play, where the playoff hopes either get built or broken.
Charlton kicks off Region 2A Division II action on September 26 with a home game against Lanier County, who was winless in the region last year.
But things really heat up in October.
Clinch County comes to town on October 3 and you know the deal. They are always tough and always in the region title conversation. A win here could go a long way toward making a statement.
Then it is another home game; against Irwin County on October 10, and that one is no picnic either.
After a well-timed bye, the Indians head to Brooks County on October 24 for a contest against last year’s region champ. Brooks is a legit contender once again, and getting a win there would be huge.
The regular season wraps up with another road trip on October 31, this time to face Turner County, a team that is hungry to bounce back under their second-year head coach.
Top to bottom, this is a tough slate. The non-region schedule is packed with teams that will push Charlton to get better fast. Once region play starts, there is not a single game they can afford to take lightly. Every Friday night matters.
The key for Charlton will be to win at home, stay healthy, and try to grab one or two of those big ones on the road. If they can do that, they will be right in the thick of the playoff picture in November.
No doubt about it, the road will not be easy, but if this group can grow up quickly and find its identity early, they have a real shot to make some noise. One thing is certain, the 2025 season is going to be a fun and wild ride in Folkston.
Swash-Buc-Lers
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
McIntosh County Academy Head Coach Bradley Warren is about to start his 7th consecutive/10th overall season with the Buccaneers.
I was able to get a few minutes of his time to talk about what to expect from the upcoming season.
JD: The Bucs went 7-3 in the regular season but had a tough 9-0 loss in the first round of the playoffs. Is this year’s team using that loss as motivation or have they turned the page & started fresh?
Coach Warren: It’s for sure a turn the page & start fresh year. We graduated 18 seniors, eight of them were three-year starters. This will definitely be a fresh new look for the Buccaneers.
JD: Your starting quarterback from last year graduated. Who do you expect will take over as starter and what style of play does he have?
Coach Warren: Mekhi Jackson will be the starter. Big, powerful quarterback 6’3” 200lbs. He’s fairly fast and has got a good arm. He’s also an All-State Linebacker. He’s one of the toughest kids in the state.
Blake McMahan is a rising sophomore. He’s a good starting quarterback as well. When Mekhi needs a rest, Blake is going to come in. He’s also the starting Free Safety right now, so they’re going to have to tag-team the quarterback position.
We also have a rising freshman Jackson Shirah who can manage the game if called upon.
JD: You had some serious contributors graduate last year. Apart from Earnest McIntosh, who can fans look for to make an impact on the offense this year?
Coach Warren: We feel really good about the running back stable that we have. We have Earnest, we’re getting Demarien McNear back, he was out all last year with a knee injury.
He’s really good. We have Jayden Lotson who’s tough as well. Then there’s rising freshman Tyren Cummings. We’ve got four backs that can go 80 yards on you.
JD: Like last year’s squad, the 2025 Buccaneers are loaded with upperclassmen. How does that impact the locker room?
Coach Warren: This last senior class we had one exceptional leader on it in Nehemiah West. His presence, not being here has been felt. We’re a little bit struggling at leadership right now, but not in a bad way. We’ve got some guys that are being given the opportunity to lead and they’re having to grow up. We’re not where we want to be but we’re definitely headed in the right direction.
JD: Apart from Mekhi Jackson, who can we expect to be top contributors on defense?
Coach Warren: Javonte Cummings is an All-State defensive lineman. He’s very good. We feel like we’re going to be really competitive on the front, but we graduated our entire secondary.
We’ve had some kids that have had a really good summer there, but we’re really an untested secondary. We’re going to have to see what they look like.
JD: Earnest McIntosh was your leading rusher last year with 688 yards. Has he set a goal for himself for this year?
Coach Warren: I’m sure his goal is not to get injured. He’s gotten derailed with some just minor things the last two seasons.
He’s had a really great summer; I’ve been really pleased with him. He’s going to be a definite factor in the backfield and on defense.
JD: You finished 3rd in the region last year with two losses to region champs Metter & 2nd place Jenkins County. How do you think the 2025 Bucs will stack up to the Tigers & War Eagles?
Coach Warren: Metter graduated a lot on their front, but they’ve got a lot of skill kids back including their QB & RB. They’ll be tough.
Jenkins County has roughly the same thing. They graduated a lot on the front. They’ve got their quarterback back and some really good skill kids back.
There are 6 teams in the region that have the possibility of making the playoffs and two teams sitting at home, so we’re going to have to really play well to not get bumped.
This year’s team is going to have a lot of new faces and is going to get better as the season rolls along. I just hope that we can grow up and can develop our identity before it’s too late.
Knights 2025 Quest
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
This fall, as Frederica Academy takes to the gridiron for their fifteenth season, Coach Brandon Derrick is preparing for his thirteenth at the helm of the Knights.
It’s a coaching history that many would be envious of, what with two appearances in the state championship game – one resulting in a title – and qualifying for the playoffs every year but one.
The numbers don’t tell the whole story, however…at least not the win/loss numbers. There’s a much more impactful number that has been the albatross of the Derrick regime more seasons than not: roster size. And this year will be no exception.
“We’re probably (a roster of) 28, maybe 30 kids,” Coach Derrick told me recently. “ We had some give it up in the offseason. Football’s tough. It’s the toughest sport there is in high school, so they decided to play other sports.”
At the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Knights were set to have 18 starters returning for this season. Now it looks more like 16 returning with some rotational players stepping up to starting roles, especially on defense.
“I think we’re going to roll Jaylen Baldwin out to cornerback with Jayden Gibson,” speculates the Coach, “we’ll roll Wyatt (Parton) and Braxton (Sykes) into Safety. They both spent some time playing that position last year.”
Outside Linebacker is another position that will see some new faces to replace last year’s starters. Trey Dunston, a new addition to the team, will take the place of the upperclassmen that decided to stick with baseball instead of football.
Coach Derrick predicts that there will be five more players to rotate into that position this year.
As far as the Defensive Line goes, Senior Defensive Tackle Fuller Wimberly will be holding the line, with heavy contributions from Junior Jack Tronolone and an increased defensive presence from JC Wessell.
Clay Sprole, as well as a new member of the team, 6’2” 260 lb. Eric Alford, will be counted on to contribute at Defensive End.
“We’ve got some younger kids that will need to figure it out and learn how to play,” said the Coach. “If we’ve just got 25 kids, we’ll get ‘em ready to be the toughest 25 kids out there.”
On the offensive side, things should pick up where they left off last year with some big contributions from some big young men.
“You’re going to see a lot of guys moving around more. JC (Wessell) is going to be an integral part of it, because he’s a 6’7” 230lb. Tight End that just ran a 4.08. He’s especially going to be moving around a lot. You’re going to have to go find him, but he won’t be hard to find since he’s 6’7”.”
Quarterback duties will continue to be handled primarily by rising Junior Stanton Beverly, with some rotational relief from second year multi-position player Braxton Sykes.
Sykes will also contribute at Wide Receiver. Jayden Gibson will continue as starting Running Back, while WR Jordyn Rollins is still recovering from his major knee injury from last season. Rollins should be ready to go by the first of the season, and if so, will see a considerable uptick in touches from last year.
“If he’s healthy, he’ll be moved all over the place,” said Coach Derrick. “We’ve got to get him the ball 12-15 times a game. He’ll make a guy miss and has a chance every time to take it to the house.”
Coach Derrick continued with cautious confidence in the offense. “I think we’ve got a really set of skill set kids, the biggest challenge is going to be how we’ll rotate our offensive line and maintain a level of consistency. We’re one or two injuries away from it being catastrophic just because of our numbers. It is what it is.”
The Frederica Knights start their season ‘Under The Oaks’ against Savannah High School on August 15th. How ever many players suit up, you can be sure Brandon Derrick will have them ready.
New Way Forward
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
After a challenging 2-8 campaign in 2024, the Brantley County Herons are entering the 2025 High School Football Season with a young but battle-tested roster, and a head coach determined to turn things around.
Under the leadership of Head Coach David Shores, now entering another season at the helm, the Herons are focused on growth, discipline, and forging a new identity.
Last year’s squad struggled on both sides of the ball, averaging just 9.8 points per game while allowing 37.2, which left them with a staggering -27.4 point differential.
The team’s struggles came against both non-region and region opponents in GHSA Class A D1 Region 1.
Despite those numbers, the Herons believe the foundation has been laid, especially with a core group of returning players who bring both experience and hunger into 2025.
At the center of the offense is senior quarterback Kaden Hendrix, a 6’4”, 185-pound passer with a strong arm and leadership qualities the team leans on. Hendrix threw for an average of 95.4 yards per game last season and connected for six touchdowns, often under pressure behind a developing offensive line.
As a senior, Hendrix will be counted on to elevate his efficiency and help stabilize the offense. With a full offseason to work with his receivers and offensive coordinator, his development could be the key to unlocking more scoring opportunities this fall.
One of Hendrix’s top playmakers will be Mason Kicklighter, a versatile junior who splits time at running back and inside linebacker.
On offense, Kicklighter posted 34.9 rushing yards and 21.7 receiving yards per game while scoring three rushing touchdowns in 2024. His ability to catch out of the backfield makes him a matchup problem for defenses, and his 5.2 tackles per game on defense showcase his two-way impact.
Another name to watch is Eli Thomas, a Swiss Army knife listed as a strong safety and all-around athlete. He averaged 36.7 total yards per game last season and is expected to take on an expanded role in the offense and special teams this year.
While the defense surrendered over 37 points per game last fall, there are bright spots that give Shores reason for optimism.
Hayden Hickox, a returning inside linebacker, averaged 5.6 tackles per game and recorded two tackles for loss. His instincts and leadership will be crucial as the Herons look to tighten up their run defense.
Alongside him is Haden Kicklighter, another inside linebacker and fullback who posted a team-high 6.8 tackles per game, one sack, and a key fumble recovery.
Together, the Kicklighter-Hickox tandem gives Brantley a hard-nosed presence in the middle of the defense.
The Herons face a competitive slate this fall, opening at home on August 15 against traditional powerhouse Charlton County. Road trips to Windsor Forest, Vidalia, and region rival Fitzgerald will test their resolve, but matchups against teams like Worth County and Bacon County offer chances to pick up critical wins.
With two bye weeks (Sept. 12 and Oct. 10), the Herons will have windows to reset and recover. But make no mistake: every Friday night will be a proving ground for a team hungry to shed last year’s narrative.
Though the Herons are young, there’s a quiet confidence building in Nahunta. The players have endured tough seasons but now carry a chip on their shoulder—and a belief that better days are ahead.
If Brantley County can stay healthy, grow together, and find its rhythm on both sides of the ball, the 2025 season could be the first step toward a new era of Herons football.
2025 Schedule:
8/15 vs Charlton County
8/22 @ Windsor Forest
8/29 vs Pierce County
9/5 @ Vidalia
9/12 BYE
9/19 @ Jeff Davis
9/26 vs Worth County
10/3 @ Fitzgerald
10/10 BYE
10/17 vs Thomasville
10/24 @ Berrien
10/31 vs Bacon County
Battering Rams
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Grayson (Loganville) won their fourth state championship last season. They beat Carrolton in the 6A championship, 38 – 24. The previous state titles are from 2011, 2016 and 2020. Obviously the Rams are looking to repeat in 2025.
Grayson was 14 – 1 in 2024. The lone loss came in the season opener to Collins Hill, 20 – 19.
As you can see, this program has never won two consecutive state championships. They have some talented players that are looking to change that.
The Rams have five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. He’s the third ranked recruit in the state for the Class of 2026 and he’s committed to Texas.
He’s a 6’2, 210 lbs. tackling machine. In 2024 he had 166 total tackles, 77 solo, 32 TFL, 13 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.
Quarterback Travis Burgess is the eighth ranked player in Georgia in the Class of 2026 and a four-star recruit. He is committed to North Carolina. He’s a 6’5, 205 pound dual-threat quarterback. Last season Burgess completed 154 passes for 256 yards (60.2%) for 2,225 yards with 23 TD and 4 INT. Also carried the ball 58 times for 596 yards (10.3 YPC) and 4 TD.
He also plays basketball and runs track.
Anthony Davis Jr. is a four-star linebacker. In 2024 he had 105 tackles, 15 TFL, 3 sacks, 5 PBU and 1 interception. He’s 6’2, 200 lbs. and he currently has not committed to a school. He has received scholarship offers from Alabama, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, Georgia, Texas and Auburn.
DB/WR Hannibal Carter Navies is a three-star recruit and he’s committed to Kansas State. His father, Hannibal Navies (Colorado), was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 1999 with the 100th pick. He played nine seasons in the NFL with four different teams.
Edge rusher Lawrence Brown is a three-star recruit and a UNC commit. He played in 13 games last season and had 30 tackles, 12 TFL, 6 sacks and 28 QB hurries. Brown is 6’3 and 200 pounds.
The Rams have also added three-star transfer WR Dawson Quarterman from Miami, Fl. In 2024 at Norland (Miami) he had 35 receptions, 624 yards and 5 touchdowns in 10 games. He’s committed to East Carolina.
The season starts on August 15th at Collins Hill. The Eagles won the 2024 matchup but lost to Grayson in the playoffs, 38 – 14. Collins Hill was 11 – 2 in 2024 and they are still a talented team. I expect this to be a close game.
Week 2 is against a small private school, Rabun Gap-Nacoochee. Rabun is so close to North Carolina that they are in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association
Thompson is a 7A school from Alabama and they won the state championship last year. They lost to Grayson last season in overtime, 15 – 14.
Region play begins late September against Grovetown. Grayson is in AAAAAA Region 4. The region is not very good so I don’t expect anyone to challenge them in region play.
I believe Grayson is still the team to beat in 6A. I think Buford is a team that can challenge them.
Schedule
8/15 @ Collins Hill
8/22 vs Rabun Gap-Nacooche
8/29 vs Thompson
9/5 vs Mallard Creek
9/19 @ Grovetown
9/26 vs Newton
10/3 @ Heritage
10/9 vs Rockdale
10/24 vs South Gwinnett
10/31 @ Archer
