Bishop Media Sports Network
War Chant
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Florida State opens their season at home on August 30, 2025, hosting Alabama at a newly renovated Doak Campbell Stadium.
In my opinion, this game is a litmus test for FSU’s season.
So far this off-season, FSU starting quarterback, Tommy Castellanos has been verbally battling with the Alabama defense.
This could turn out to be a positive or a catastrophic mistake on Castellanos’ part.
Aug 30 vs Alabama: A daunting opener against one of college football’s elite. FSU enters as substantial underdogs—Vegas favors Alabama by about 12.5 points. A loss seems likely, but a competitive showing could set a different tone.
Sep 6 vs East Texas A&M: A home game versus an FCS team. A near-certain win.
Sep 20 vs Kent State: Another winnable home non‑conference game, with high confidence in a victory.
Sep 26 @ Virginia: Virginia projects around 6.5 wins—FSU first road test, Nole should get the win.
Oct 4 vs Miami: The storied Florida State–Miami rivalry resumes. This matchup remains evenly matched—Miami holds a one-game edge historically. Expect an emotional game with FSU keeping it close, but the Canes have more talent. Noles take the L.
Oct 11 vs Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh projects around the 6.5-win mark. FSU should control at home, though not a guaranteed win.
Oct 18 @ Stanford: A late-night cross-country trip poses logistical challenges. Still, Stanford struggled in 2024 (3–9) and faces instability in coaching. If FSU handles travel, this is a likely win.
Nov 1 vs Wake Forest: Wake is forecasted around 4.5 wins. On home turf, FSU should prevail.
Nov 8 @ Clemson: A high-stakes rivalry game. Clemson is favored in the conference polls. FSU will get manhandled on both lines of scrimmage. Loss.
Nov 15 vs Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech projects around 6.5 wins. Another winnable ACC home fixture.
Nov 21 @ NC State: NC State also projected near 6.5 wins. Road environment adds difficulty, and another L.
Nov 29 @ Florida: The season finale against the Gators is a rivalry away game. Florida is the more physically talented team. The Noles leave Hogtown with an L.
Vegas has set FSU’s win total at 7.5 games for the 2025 season—many oddsmakers favor the under. Analysts widely project a 7–5 or 8–4 finish, highlighting FSU’s relatively soft schedule outside of marquee matchups.
One popular perspective: beating all assured opponents (East Texas, Kent State, Virginia, Stanford, Wake, Virginia Tech, Pitt) yields seven wins.
Winning one of the bigger matchups (Miami, NC State, Clemson, Florida) pushes them to a potential eight. Dropping all big tests will leave them at or below bowl eligibility.
In short: under new coordinators Gus Malzahn (offense) and Tony White (defense), Florida State’s 2025 campaign looks like a rebound opportunity. Avoiding the bottom of the ACC and reaching bowl eligibility is likely.
A strong push in November or early ACC games could ignite something more—but at least reaching 7 wins would represent real progress from The Seminole’s disastrous 2024.
I can see FSU winning eight games; I also can see them losing seven. Coach Norvel has an uphill battle in 2025 with keeping the games competitive on the field and keeping the noise down off the field.
FSU fans, buckle up. This season will be a bumpy ride. Let’s hope some of those are good bumps.
Geaux Tigers
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 LSU Tigers enter the season with both urgency and optimism.
After consecutive seasons falling short of the College Football Playoff, head coach Brian Kelly faces pressure to turn promise into postseason success. Fortunately for Tiger fans, the pieces might finally be in place.
Despite losing standout talents like left tackle Will Campbell and wide receiver Kyren Lacy, the Tigers return a battle-tested quarterback, a retooled and aggressive defense, and a mix of transfers and rising stars who are ready to bring LSU back to the national spotlight.
Senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is back for his final season and ready to prove he is more than just a bridge between Jayden Daniels and the future of the program.
In 2024, he passed for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, showing he can compete with the best in the country. However, turnovers and red zone issues hurt in key moments.
With a strong group of receivers and a deep backfield, Nussmeier has everything he needs to lead an offense that scored 24 or more points in all nine of its wins last season. In each of the four losses, they failed to reach that mark.
The offseason loss of Kyren Lacy was a tragic blow, but LSU is still loaded with playmakers at wide receiver. Aaron Anderson returns after a breakout 2024 campaign where he totaled 61 receptions for 884 yards. Transfers Nic Anderson from Oklahoma, Barion Brown from Kentucky, and Destyn Hill from Florida State bring elite speed and big-play ability.
At tight end, Trey’Dez Green and Oklahoma transfer Bauer Sharp will battle for the starting role. Sharp caught 42 passes last season and brings experience to the position.
Sophomore running back Caden Durham returns after rushing for 753 yards and 6 touchdowns. He is expected to take the lead role in a backfield that also features 235-pound power runner Kaleb Jackson.
Replacing a top five NFL Draft pick like Will Campbell at left tackle is no easy task, but Tyree Adams has the size, experience, and potential to take on the role. DJ Chester returns at center, and Braelin Moore, a transfer from Troy, is expected to fill a starting guard spot.
The offensive line ranked among the best in the SEC last season in both sack prevention and run blocking. Despite a few new faces, the expectation remains high.
LSU’s defense improved from 108th to 61st in total yards allowed last season. This year, the goal is to climb even higher and generate more turnovers.
The Tigers were undefeated in games where they recorded an interception and had a losing record when they failed to do so.
Newcomer Patrick Payton from Florida State brings 16 career sacks to the defensive edge and could make an instant impact.
Whit Weeks returns at linebacker after making 125 tackles in 2024. Harold Perkins Jr., one of the most talented defenders in the country, is recovering from an ACL injury and is expected to return to his dominant form.
In the secondary, Virginia Tech transfer Mansoor Delane, DJ Pickett, and Ashton Stamps form a deep cornerback rotation.
LSU has lost five straight season openers since the 2019 national championship season.
This year, they open at Clemson in a game that could shape the narrative for the rest of the season. They also face tough road trips to Alabama, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss, with a critical home game against Florida.
I think that in order to be a serious playoff contender, the Tigers likely need to go at least 4-1 in those five marquee games.
Brian Kelly enters his third year at LSU with a team that looks more physical and complete than in previous seasons. With a seasoned quarterback, explosive skill players, and a defense full of emerging talent, the Tigers have the tools to make a serious run at the College Football Playoff.
If LSU can avoid early stumbles and stay healthy, this could be the season Tiger fans have been waiting for.
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.
Atlanta Buzz
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The college football season kicks off this month. We are going to take a look at Georgia Tech and see what we should expect in 2025.
The Yellow Jackets finished the 2024 season 7-6. They lost the season finale to #7 Georgia in eight overtimes, 44-42.
Surprisingly, they created rings to celebrate the season. They did defeat two top 10 teams, #10 Florida State and #4 Miami but that’s not a reason to get rings.
Expectations are higher going into this season. The media has picked them to finish fourth in the ACC. The last time they were picked in the ACC preseason poll to finish higher than fourth was in 2015.
“Before I got here we were 3-9 (in 2021). And then 5-7 (in 2022). It’s a steady progression,” senior safety Clayton Powell-Lee said. “So just knowing that I was a part of that foundation and knowing where this team is going to, where this program is going to skyrocket to? You better buy in now because we gonna be gone in a minute.”
They have some talented players returning on both sides of the ball. On offense they have quarterback Haynes King, running back Jamal Haynes, wide receiver Malik Rutherford and guards Keylan Rutledge and Joe Fusile returning.
“I think the biggest difference is the buy-in. Everyone is bought in, especially starting off in the spring with the guys coming in and NIL (name, image and likeness) taking a big turn — you’re never gonna have the same team over the years. It’s just inevitable,” Haynes said.
“Then us building a bond over the spring and the summer, you definitely see the change in the program. Then on top of that, we have a great locker room. And as long as you have a great locker room, you have great people surrounding your team, you’ll have a great team.”
On defense they have Powell-Lee, corner back Ahmari Harvey, linebacker Kyle Efford and defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg returning.
They have also added talent in recruiting and the transfer portal. Some of the players they added through the transfer portal are WR Evan Haynes (North Carolina), DL Akelo Stone (Ole Miss), CB Jon Mitchell (Penn State), S Jyron Gilmore (Georgia State), S Savion Riley (Colorado), Edge A.J. Hoffler (Clemson), LB Melvin Jordan IV (Oregon State), OT Andrew Rosinski (North Carolina) and WR Debron Gatling (South Carolina). Their 2025 transfer portal recruiting class is ranked 32nd nationally.
“Look, we got good football players, right? We got good football players that work their butts off,” Tech coach Brent Key. “So, they should have confidence, right?”
The schedule does not look tough. They only have two opponents that are ranked in the preseason top 25, #6 Clemson and #4 UGA.
They will start the season on Friday, August 29th at Colorado. The Buffaloes lost several talented players to the NFL Draft like Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and QB Shedeur Sanders.
They play FCS Gardner-Webb in Week 2.
On paper Tech should be favored against teams like Temple, Wake Forest, Duke, Syracuse, Pitt and Boston College.
I’m not a fan of the rivalry game with Georgia being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic this season.
I believe they will win eight games if they stay relatively healthy.
Schedule
8/29 @ Colorado
9/6 Gardner-Webb
9/13 #6 Clemson
9/20 Temple
9/27 @ Wake Forest
10/11 Virginia Tech
10/18 @ Duke
10/25 Syracuse
11/1 @ NC State
11/15 @ Boston College
11/22 Pitt
11/28 #4 Georgia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium
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.
Mr. Glass?
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Florida starting quarterback DJ Lagway has suffered a new lower-body injury that’s forced him into a walking boot heading into the Gators fall training camp.
Lagaway’s injury marks the latest offseason ailment, and one of the many; Lagway has a hurt throwing shoulder and a lower body injury, which dated back to his high school time and was never disclosed.
Accordingly, Lagway had limited participation in the Gators’ spring training camp in March and April. He did not throw passes, instead simulating his footwork, handing the ball off to running backs.
Per Billy Napier, Lagway aided the coaching staff with communicating with quarterbacks and occasionally called plays during team drills.
At SEC Media Days in Atlanta on July 16, Lagway asserted his shoulder and lower-body injuries were behind him and that he anticipated being available for fall camp.
DJ Lagway enters his first season as Florida’s unquestioned starting quarterback in 2025 after 12 appearances and seven starts as a freshman, with 59.9 completion percent of his 192 passing attempts for 1,915 yards.
He counted 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He finished the year with a 95.6 deep passing grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked No. 3 among 150 qualifying FBS passers.
UF won every game Lagway started and finished in 2024; the only loss on his first-team record came against No. 2 Georgia, when he exited just before halftime with a hamstring injury, while Florida held a 10-3 lead.
Lagway was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, ESPN, and various other outlets for his performance in 2024. He earned a spot on the Maxwell Award preseason watch list; a trophy delivered annually since 1937 to the College Player of the Year.
I don’t think it’s this bad, but I do think there’s cause for concern. We know heading into this SEC schedule, especially since it’s the hardest in the nation, there’s likely more injuries to come. Especially if he isn’t 100% healthy by August 30th.
Backup QB development right now might be the most important thing happening at practice for the Florida Gators.
Lagway missed one week when it looked like it was a much more serious injury.
Then the guy has a tender shoulder and hernia surgery this spring thus they take it slow with him and we have people panicking that he’s made of glass.
So far he’s missed one game in his career because of injury, for some that’s a reason to jump off a cliff.
For me, Lagway is QB1 and expectations are high.
No Two Ways About It
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If there is anyone stubborn and talented enough to try and make NFL history as a two-way player, it is Travis Hunter.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ top draft pick is doing something that has not been seriously attempted at the professional level in a very long time. He is playing both offense and defense, lining up at cornerback and wide receiver.
That isn’t just bold. It is a logistical and physical challenge that most players would not even consider. But Travis Hunter is not most players.
Through the first week of Jaguars training camp, the early signs are encouraging. Hunter has split his time almost evenly between offense and defense and he is already flashing big-time ability on both sides of the ball.
On Monday, he caught a touchdown from Trevor Lawrence on a scramble drill, made a diving catch during one-on-one reps, and even threw his body into blocking assignments.
His training camp numbers are solid too. He has been targeted 11 times on offense and caught 10 passes. On defense, he has allowed just two completions on five targets and has broken up three passes.
The Jaguars knew what they were getting.
General manager James Gladstone said from the start that this was not an experiment. This was the plan. They drafted him with the full intention of letting him play both sides of the ball. As Gladstone put it, Hunter helps fix the numbers. He gives you the value of an extra player on the roster.
But is that really sustainable over a full NFL season?
Analyst, and former NFL defensive back, Ryan Clark raised a fair concern this week. He questioned the math behind the idea that one player can fully take on the responsibilities of two.
In his words, one player might be able to give you the impact of one and a half players. But expecting anyone to do the work of two full-time starters at a high level is a stretch.
I think the answer is not to expect Hunter to do everything all the time. The answer is balance and discipline. Hunter does not need to be on the field for 70 snaps every week to be considered a true two-way player.
The Jaguars need to use him like football’s version of Shohei Ohtani. In baseball, Ohtani does not pitch every day. He focuses on his hitting most of the time and takes the mound only every few days.
The same logic can apply to Hunter. Let him start at one position and use him situationally at the other. It is not about proving a point. It is about making a difference when it matters most.
Jaguars head coach Liam Coen seems to understand this. He has said Friday’s scrimmage will serve as an evaluation point.
It’s not about making a final decision. It’s about seeing what the current plan looks like in a real football setting and adjusting from there. The coaching staff has already started tailoring his practice and meeting schedule to fit both roles. That kind of flexibility will be key to making this work.
This is not some side project for Hunter. He is not just dabbling at a second position. He is capable of excelling at both.
He has the footwork, instincts, and football IQ to be a true shutdown corner. And he has the route-running, hands, and vision to be an impact receiver.
Yes, there will be days when it is too much. There will be moments when the physical toll or mental demands catch up to him. But if the Jaguars are careful with how they use him and focus on situations that play to his strengths, Travis Hunter can absolutely succeed.
He might not be two players. But he has a chance to be something even rarer. One of one.
And in the modern NFL, that kind of versatility is priceless.
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.
