Southern Sports Edition
All-Time ACC Greats
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We’re going to make a second part to the best ACC football players of all time.
We left off at Lamar Jackson (Louisville).
Maryland: The Terps were a founding member of the ACC in 1953. They joined the Big Ten in 2014.
Randy White (1972-74), the defensive tackle won the Outland Trophy (1974), Lombardi Award (1974), ACC Player of the Year (1974), First-team All-American (1973), Unanimous All-American (1974) and 2x First-team All-ACC (1973-74). He was also named the Liberty Bowl MVP in 1974 even though they lost to Tennessee.
Miami: They have so many great players like Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Sean Taylor, Jim Kelly, Edgerrin James, Vinny Testaverde and Clinton Portis.
These legends played when UM was an independent (1942-1990) or in the Big East (1991-2003).
Warren Sapp (1991-94) is the best Hurricane of all time. He won the Lombardi Award (1994), Bill Willis Trophy (1994), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (1994), Big East Defensive Player of the Year (1994) and Unanimous All-American (1994).
As a junior in 1994, he had 84 tackles and led the Hurricanes in sacks with 10.5. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting that year.
North Carolina: Julius Peppers (1998-2001) is currently ranked second all-time in UNC history with 30.5 sacks. He has 53 tackles for loss, 167 tackles, five interceptions, two fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, 13 passes deflected, and 42 quarterback pressures (hurries) and returned two interceptions and one fumble recovery for touchdowns.
He won the Lombardi Trophy (2001), Chuck Bednarik Award (2001), Bill Willis Trophy (2001), Unanimous All-American (2001), Second-team All-American (2000) and 2x First-team All-ACC (2000-01).
NC State: Philip Rivers (2000-03) broke almost every NC State and ACC passing record.
Rivers completed a conference record 1,147 passes on 1,710 attempts, with 95 touchdowns.
He finished his Wolfpack career with 13,484 passing yards, 13th all-time among Division I quarterbacks (he finished in second place at the end of his collegiate career).
He was the NCAA passer rating leader and completion percentage leader (2003), ACC Athlete of the Year (2004), ACC Player of the Year (2003), ACC Rookie of the Year (2000) and First-team All-ACC (2003).
Pitt: Tony Dorsett (1973-76) led the Panthers to win the national championship as a senior. He won the Heisman Trophy (1976), Maxwell Award (1976), Walter Camp Award (1976), Unanimous All-American (1973-76) and 3x First-team All-American.
Dorsett finished his college career with 6,082 total rushing yards, then the NCAA rushing record. That would stand as the record until it was surpassed by Ricky Williams in 1998.
Stanford: Christian McCaffrey (2013-16) has the most career all-purpose yards (6,987) and the most all-purpose yards in a season (3,864) in 2015.
He won the Paul Hornung Award (2015), Jet Award (2015), AP College Football Player of the Year (2015), Consensus All-American (2015) and Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2015).
SMU: Eric Dickerson (1979-1982) was a Unanimous All-American (1982), Second-team all-American (1981) and 2x Southwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year (1981-82).
Syracuse: Donovan McNabb (1994-98) was 3x Big East Offensive Player of the Year (1996-98), 4x First-team All-Big East (1995-98) and Big East Rookie of the Year (1995).
Virginia: Chris Long (2004-07) won the Ted Hendricks Award (207), Dudley Award (2007), ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2007) and Unanimous All-American (2007).
Virginia Tech: Bruce Smith (1981-84) won the Outland Trophy (1984), Consensus All-American (1984) and First-team All-American (1983).
Wake Forest: Brian Piccolo (1961-64) was the ACC Player of the Year (1964) and Second-team All-American (1964).
He led the nation in rushing and scoring in 1964. He’s most known for the movie about his life, Brian’s Song (1971).
Colquitt County Packers 2026 Preview
By: Ron Reagin
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Colquitt County Packers enter the 2026 season coming off a solid 9-3 campaign that included a 4-1 region mark and a second-round playoff appearance.
Under head coach Sean Calhoun, who is entering his fifth season at the helm, the Packers continue to rank among South Georgia’s most consistent programs and one of the toughest outs in the state’s largest classification.
2025 Season Recap: Colquitt finished 9-3 overall and tied for one of the top spots in Region 1-AAAAAA.
The Packers handled most of their schedule with physical play on both sides of the ball and showed they could compete with top competition.
Their three losses came against strong opponents, all of which made deep playoff runs.
Running back Jae Lamar, a Georgia commit, led the way with 1,015 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in just 10 games.
Quarterback Cohen Lawson threw for over 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in his second year as the starter, while wide receiver Antwan Lockett provided a big-play threat with 40 catches for 811 yards and 10 scores.
Key Returners and Leadership The biggest losses are Lamar and Lawson (who has transferred to Lee County). Both will be hard to replace.
However, Lockett is back to stretch the field, and the Packers have depth at the skill positions along with returning offensive linemen who should help maintain continuity up front.
Dual threat QB Khi Mitchell transferred in from Mt. Zion and should contribute early and often.
On defense, several experienced linebackers and secondary players return to keep the physical identity Calhoun has built.
Colquitt usually excels in special teams as well, producing strong field goal kickers, returners and a physical front with blocked punts and field goals every year.
Emerging contributors who saw significant snaps in 2025 will be asked to step into larger roles, including the competition at quarterback.
2026 Schedule Highlights: The Packers open with one of the toughest non-region games in the state, a road trip to defending Class 5A state champion Thomas County Central on August 21.
Home games against Monroe, Cook County, and Lee County follow, along with Florida tests against Lincoln and Rickards.
Region play includes trips to Richmond Hill and Camden County, a home date with Valdosta on October 16, and the season finale at home against Lowndes on November 6.
This is a challenging slate that features multiple quality opponents. Under the new PSRF playoff seeding formula, the strength of schedule should help Colquitt if they take care of business against the tougher teams on their schedule.
Outlook: Colquitt County has the experience, coaching stability, and talent to contend again in Region 1-AAAAAA.
Replacing the production of Lamar and Lawson will be a major focus, but the returning skill players, key transfers and depth give the Packers a chance to remain competitive on offense.
The defense should continue to play with the physical style that has defined the program under Calhoun.
South Georgia fans can look forward to the traditional matchups with Valdosta, Lowndes, and Camden. These games will tell the tale for the Packers’ postseason, similar to the other teams in this stacked region.
The Packers enter 2026 looking to improve on last year’s 9-3 mark and make another deep postseason run.
Mack Tharpe Stadium will be ready for another exciting fall. The Pack is loaded with opportunity.
Gator Bait
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Jason Strickland’s 2025 edition of the Ware County Gators was a senior led group that rolled into the GHSA playoffs with an 8-2 record in a very tough region and title aspirations.
After a first round dismantling of Flowery Branch the Gators moved on and ran into a juggernaut in the Creekside Seminoles. One of the top high school football programs in the nation took it to the Gators early and often. The result was a 9-3 final record for a great group of seniors at Ware County High School.
Now looking toward the 2026 season, the Gators will be young, very young.
Gone are Ja Mario Rice, DL Walker Hudson, DL Seth Seuss, LB Nick Grant, LB Avontae Ballentine, RB Jamir Boyd, RB Tayshaun Franklin, OL Landon Smallwood, OL Carson Hall, and OL Kyler Matthews.
There are others but needless to say that’s a long list of experience and talent that has moved on. The question is are the Gators gonna reload or rebuild?
Several quality players are back for the ‘26 season and Ware is a talent hotbed so the cupboard is definitely not empty.
Leading the 2026 Gators will be returning Quarterback Isaiah White. He was an All-Region player last year and should be one of the top players in south Georgia this year.
And he will have Ja’Londi O’Hara, and Gunter Fore back at wideout. Both were All-Region last year.
Several other pieces of the puzzle are back also on offense so the Gators should be ok. Replacing those 3 All-Region linemen will be key.
Returning are RT Jaylen Sturdivant and OL Kydarian Bennett. These guys will be the leaders with a bunch of young Gators vying for playing time behind them.
At running back look for Moomoo Mckoy and Jimmy Taylor to step in and fill some big shoes from last year. Coach Strickland thinks both of these guys could be special. Great ability and good speed. Coach called them slashers. The offense will be good and look for White to have an All-State type of year.
The defense will be a work in progress with most of the front 7 graduating. There is talent all over and while these aren’t the biggest group of Gators we’ve seen on defense, they are fast and strong.
Jamarion Keyhay returns at linebacker and is a team leader. Add in Rod Lewis and Jameer Barkley who are coming back from injury and this defense could be good.
Davion Jones returns at corner and will also handle kick returns and punt returns.
One big returning piece to the puzzle is Jeffery Gonzalez. The veteran will handle the kicking and punting for Ware and should be one of, if not, the region’s best.
Landon Smallwood will be missed at snapper and there are three young ones trying to fill those big shoes.
Ware County Gators 2026 Schedule
8/7 vrs Brunswick (scrimmage)
8/21 @ Bainbridge
8/28 @ Coffee
9/11 vrs Richmond Hill
9/18 vrs Groves
9/25 @ Statesboro
10/2 vrs Richmond Academy
10/9 @ Evans
10/23 vrs Jenkins
10/30 @ Wayne County
11/6 vrs Benedictine
The 2026 edition of the Gators will be fun to watch. The backfield could be electric. Add in the returners on the O-line and at wide receiver and Coach Strickland has a lot to work with.
Defensively the Gators will be just as fun. With a good returning group of leaders, the Gators will fly all over the field with stunts and slants, using that speed and power.
Add in very good special teams play and the Gators will be a force in the region and a dangerous group of reptiles come playoff time. The Gators are reloading!
Wayne County Yellow Jackets 2026 Preview
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Wayne County Yellow Jacket Football Program is a very proud program full of tradition and fan fever.
The Yellow Jacket program has fallen on hard times the last few years and is looking to get back to being a perennial state power.
Two seasons ago the Yellow Jackets hired John Mohring who had been the head coach at Calvary Day. Mohring did not survive his second season in Jesup.
Mohring resigned midseason after an 0-4 start to the 2025 season. Mohring’s only full season came in 2024 in which the Yellow Jackets ended up 1-9 and that one win was a forfeited win over Appling.
So overall, Mohring’s short stint in Wayne County saw the Yellow Jackets go 1-13 under his leadership.
After Wayne moved on from Mohring they stunned Warner Robins 32-10 but were unable to build any momentum after that and finished 1-9.
If you do the math the Yellow Jackets come into 2026 with a 2-18 record in the past two seasons and remember one of those games was not an actual win but a forfeit by Appling for playing an ineligible player. Appling did win the game on the field.
The Yellow Jackets made a big time hire snagging Scott Roberts away from Swainsboro.
Roberts had two stints with the Swainsboro Tigers. First in 2008-2009 and then again in 2017 through 2025.
Roberts comes to Jesup with an overall record of 92-43. Most importantly the Yellow Jackets are looking to Roberts to supply some stability to the program; Roberts will be the fourth Yellow Jackets Head Coach in four seasons.
Wayne County will not have an easy road in 2026 to right the ship. The Yellow Jackets will play in Region 1-5A for the next two seasons. Region 1-5A will consist of Benedictine, Jenkins, Ware County, Statesboro, Groves, Richmond Academy, and Evans.
Wayne’s 2026 schedule is as follows:
8/21 v. Liberty
8/28 @ Bradwell
9/4 Bye
9/11 @ Appling
9/18 v. Richmond Academy
9/25 @ Evans
10/2 v. Jenkins
10/9 v. Groves
10/16 Bye
10/23 @ Benedictine
10/30 v. Ware
11/6 @ Statesboro
This is a pretty tough schedule for a program in rebuild mode. However, it is not completely unmanageable. I can see a possibility for a 6-4 season for the Yellow Jackets if they find some fortunate bounces in a couple of games.
A 6-4 season would likely mean a playoff berth for the Yellow Jackets and their first trip since 2023.
I definitely see four concrete wins on the schedule for Wayne and as I said, with a little luck six wins is a possibility.
Even if Wayne only wins four games it would be a great step forward. The Yellow Jackets would double their total win number from 2024 and 2025 combined.
Scott Roberts will return Wayne County back to respectability at the bare minimum.
Brantley County Herons 2026 Preview
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Brantley County Herons Football Program is one in transition and is looking for stability.
This offseason former Brantley Head Coach David Shores accepted a job on the Camden County staff and resigned from being the Herons head man.
Shores was a splash hire two offseasons ago in Nahunta and came with big time experience at Camden, Lowndes and Brunswick.
In two seasons Shores went 2-18 with the Herons, including a winless 2025 campaign.
Enter new Head Coach Matt Hickox. Hickox is a Brantley County Alum and is coming over from Pierce County. Hickox spent seven seasons in Blackshear serving as the Bears Defensive Coordinator and won two state titles at Pierce in 2020 and 2023.
Hickox is looking to provide some stability to the Heron program as he is now their 3rd coach in 4 years.
In reclassification the Herons find themselves in Region 3-3A. This region is tough at the top with Appling, Pierce and Toombs but leaves room for the Herons to possibly be a playoff team if they can handle business against everyone else, which is very possible.
Outside of the aforementioned big three the rest of the region lines up with Beach, Islands, Johnson, and Tattnall.
The Herons will take on these region foes along with Bacon County, Lanier County and Claxton.
The Brantley Herons 2026 schedule is as follows:
8/21 @Bacon
8/28 v. Lanier
9/4 @Claxton
9/11 Bye
9/18 v. Islands
9/25 @ Appling
10/2 v. Toombs
10/9 @ Johnson
10/16 Bye
10/23 v. Pierce
10/30 v. Tattnall
11/6 @ Beach
The Herons have a tough first half of the schedule but I expect the Herons to be a playoff contender.
I am not sure this will be the year for the Herons to make a return to the playoffs but they will be in the mix down to the wire.
I definitely see at least four wins on the schedule for Brantley, which would be a huge step in the right direction coming off of an 0-10 season.
Effingham Rebels 2026 Preview
By: Joe Delaney
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Coach John Ford and the Effingham County Rebels are hard at it.
They are out to show that last year’s 9-3 record and a narrow one-point playoff loss was no fluke.
Coach Ford was upbeat about the coming 26 season. And while there are definitely holes to fill from a great group of graduated seniors, this is a team on the rise in southeast Georgia.
In my conversation with Coach Ford, he was dialed into coach speak. “We’re taking it one day at a time’ and “we’re working hard to make something happen today and every day.”
Sure, you’ve heard that before but in listening to Coach Ford you could tell that’s where the Rebels were, working hard and focused.
It doesn’t hurt that Effingham County itself is one of the fastest growing areas in the state and that makes the turnover more manageable.
In 2026 the Rebels will have a schedule that includes opening games at Richmond Hill and at home against Tift County.
That’s a tough way to start and the Rebels will have to be on their game early.
From there it’s into region play with Brunswick and Glynn Academy looming. It is a workable schedule and being tested in those two opening games should have the Rebels ready for games down the road.
On offense Effingham has a very good running back in Jamere Doe-Davis. He is a great center piece to work from and expect him to shoulder the load early and often.
He will run behind a completely revamped offensive line as all five of the O-line graduated. This and the quarterback position will tell the tail for the offense.
Three youngsters are currently in the mix to start at QB. Whoever takes the job will be young and inexperienced and need to mature quickly.
One thing the new quarterback will have is a talented and experienced group of wide receivers.
Back are Isaiah Brown, Malik Letman, and Trayvis Hunter. Look for Coach Ford to lean on these 3 quality wideouts. They all have good speed and hands.
Defensively the Rebels should be stout. Back on the defensive line is Deyvon Aaron and RJ Brown. Behind them at linebacker are Genard Albright, and Jackson Eubanks.
This should be a very good front seven and couple it with the entire secondary coming back and the defense should carry the team early.
2026 Effingham County Rebels schedule:
8/21 @Richmond Hill
8/28 vrs Tift County
9/4 vrs New Hampstead
9/18 @ Lakeside
9/25 vrs Bradwell
10/2 @ Glynn Academy
10/16 vrs SEHS
10/23 vrs Grovetown
10/30 @ Brunswick
11/6 vrs Greenbrier
Look for the Rebels to field a very good football team in 2026.
While it may be difficult to match last year’s total. The early toughies on the schedule should make this team mature quickly.
The keys will be the offensive line play and a solid season from the new QB. If those fall into place this could be a very tough out come playoff time.
Prediction on SEC Teams To Make College Football Playoff
By: Capers Childs
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The fall season is college football fans’ favorite time of the year.
Many could argue that college football is more exciting than professional with all the high-stakes and unpredictability.
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) represents a different kind of college football, rooted deeply in the south, with the teams who have the most passionate fans, loads of NFL talent, and the most elite competition in the country.
The College Football Playoff is the ultimate goal for every major college football program. However, because there are a limited number of spots available, teams must perform at a high level throughout the regular season while competing against some of the toughest opponents in the country.
And because the SEC is considered the toughest conference in college football, several of its teams earn playoff spots.
The four SEC teams that I think are the most likely to make it in the college football playoffs in 2026 are the University of Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Texas A&M.
First is the University of Georgia. This has been a dominant program since Kirby Smart took over as head coach in 2015.
He holds an overall record of 117-21. UGA’s success is also built on elite in-state recruiting, and their massive financial investment. Not only this but their fan support is unreal.
Georgia’s ability to recruit top high school athletes year after year has allowed the Bulldogs to remain one of the best teams in the nation. Even after losing players to the NFL draft, they continue to bring talent in. This is what makes Georgia a safe bet to reach the CFP.
Next, the University of Alabama football has pretty much always been known to be successful. Nick Saban was the primary reason for the modern success of the program. During his time at Alabama, he won 6 national championships, secured 9 SEC titles, and developed a record number of players for the National Football League (NFL) Draft.
Although Alabama is adjusting to the game after Nick Saban’s departure, this isn’t changing the way they compete. The Crimson Tide continue to recruit at an elite level and their experience and talent make them a strong contender every season.
The University of Texas has claimed four consensus titles along with multiple other historical claims. They open the season with a difficult stretch of non-conference games against Texas State, Ohio State, and UTSA. The pressure is going to be on for Steve Sarkisian to improve on last season’s success and lead Texas to another CFP appearance. They’ve definitely got the roster to do so this season.
Texas has also recruited exceptionally well over the past couple of years, and they have one of the deepest rosters in college football. If the Longhorns can navigate their difficult schedule this season, I believe that they have the talent to compete for both an SEC championship and a playoff spot.
Texas A&M is another team that has potential to make the College Football Playoff. Texas A&M has recruited some of the nation’s top talent in recent years and has the depth needed to compete in the SEC. If the Aggies can play consistent football throughout the season and win a majority of their SEC matchups, I think they have the talent to compete with any team in the conference.
The talent that they have on their roster make them one of my top four playoff picks.
However, in the era of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), keeping a talented roster has become one of the biggest challenges in college football.
Team rosters are changing year after year, but Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Texas A&M have been stable in that department which gives these four schools an advantage heading into the 2026 season.
Now the question is whether Louisiana State University will earn a spot in the CFP or not. LSU could be the biggest dark horse in the SEC this season.
With Lane Kiffin leaving the University of Mississippi for LSU, they could make a promising run. Kiffin has proven that he can compete with the best teams in the conference, and his arrival is huge for this Tigers’ program. I believe LSU has the potential to challenge the SEC’s top teams and compete for a playoff spot in 2026.
Overall, I think Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Texas A&M have the best chance of making the 2026 College Football Playoff. However, with Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers, they could be a surprise.
Richmond Hill Wildcats 2026 Preview
By: Joseph Stuckey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Richmond Hill Wildcats football team is looking to take a big step in 2026, building off of their success in 2025.
The Wildcats play in the newly added 7-A class, which is GHSA’s highest classification. Their region is one of the most competitive in the state and consists of: Camden County, Colquitt County, Lowndes, and Valdosta.
Last year they made the state playoffs as the 4 seed coming out of Region 1 in 6-A (was GHSA’s highest classification at the time). The Wildcats would take an early exit after drawing national power Buford High School in the first round on the road.
This year, they look to play well during the regular season and use the GHSA’s new power-ranking formula for playoff seeding to their advantage.
To do this, they will rely heavily on senior quarterback Gunner Mobley. Last season, he got region honorable mention, and during the season he threw for over 1400 passing yards and was responsible for 13 touchdowns. He was also named a top-5 quarterback in the greater Savannah area.
The schedule sets up pretty well for the Wildcats. By being in GHSA’s highest classification, most of their games outside of region play will be against lower-classification teams and should favor the Wildcats.
They will take on a nearby opponent in the Effingham County Rebels. In this game, On3 gives the Wildcats an 86% chance to win this game. Effingham County is a solid opponent that hosted a first-round playoff game last year in GHSA’s second-highest classification (5-A).
They will also take on another nearby opponent with Liberty County; according to On3, this game should be all Wildcats as they are given a 99% chance to win this game.
The Wildcats will also take on Jenkins out of Savannah, who has become one of the toughest opponents for any team can face in the 912 area code. Another one of South Georgia’s perennial powerhouses is also on the schedule for Richmond Hill.
The Wildcats will take on the Gators of Ware County in what is sure to be one of the top games of the year in South Georgia.
The Wildcats will also compete in a border-battle game as they take on Wando High School, which is located near Charleston, South Carolina. This is the only out-of-state game on the schedule for the Wildcats in 2026.
Richmond Hill will also take on West Georgia powerhouse East Coweta in what is sure to be one of the top games of the week in the state. On3 has this game at basically a coin flip, with it being listed as 41-59 favoring East Coweta.
Finally, to end the season, the Wildcats will take on the South Georgia Gauntlet; their region play will consist of games against Colquitt County, Camden County, Lowndes, and Valdosta in that order to end the season.
The bonus here is that each of those teams has the potential to be a playoff team, which should boost Richmond Hill’s power ranking under the new GHSA formula.
I see Richmond Hill as a team that, based on its strength of schedule, is able to compete for a top 16 seed and could potentially host a home playoff game in the first round of the GHSA state playoffs.
Frederica Academy Knights 2026 Preview
By: Jeff Doke
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When the 2025 Frederica Knights season ended in the state playoff semifinal round, the outlook for the future was bright regardless of the most recent game.
Unfortunately, the offseason between 2025 and 2026 was not kind. Several departures have taken the Knights from state title contenders to where some are questioning whether they will even make the playoffs.
Those people have obviously never dealt with Coach Brandon Derrick.
Known for “doing more with less” on the gridiron, Coach Derrick has got his work cut out for him as he enters his fourteenth season at the helm. Instead of the nine returning starters from the 20256 campaign they were expecting, Frederica will instead see five starters return. The four lost starters are significant, most notably starting QB/FS Stanton Beverly.
“(Stanton)’s gonna go to Valwood. So, yeah, so I lost a two year starter, all state quarterback and free safety.”
These will be uncharted waters for the coach, who has never had to face a former player on the field of play. Adding insult to injury, reports out of Hahaira are that Beverly will be the starting QB for the team when the Knights come calling on September 3rd.
At the end of the day, this means that two-year backup Braxton Sykes moves into the QB1 role a year ahead of schedule.
Entering his Junior year, Sykes was competent in the QB role when called into action in 2025, but was showing significant strides as a Wide Receiver in the meantime.
This summer, his primary focus has been travel baseball, but has been all-in on the QB role while at practice.
“We will be more pass oriented than we have been in the past,” says Coach Derrick. “with Stanton we could run the option. Braxton, he’s more pass oriented. He’ll have to run some and do a lot of RPO stuff, but I think he’s a solid player. He does a good job, he’s got a pretty good understanding of what we’re doing. It’s gonna be the decision making. The more he practices, the more he plays, the faster his decisions will be made, he’ll make better decisions.”
Those decisions will have to be made without two offensive weapons that his predecessor had; TE JC Wessel and WR Jayden Gibson who have left the team for different reasons.
Gibson has moved to the Atlanta area and will not be available for what should have been his senior season with Frederica.
Wessel, on the other hand, made a decision for what his family considers a better option for his future – transferring to Bolles Academy in Jacksonville, Florida.
“(JC and his dad) think he’ll be coached up better by one of the tight end coaches down there that they’ve brought in.” Several Bolles players are being recruited by D1 NCAA programs.
In addition to these losses on offense, DE Eric Alford also is no longer with the Frederica Academy Knights.
While roster depth is always an issue with Frederica (they will start 2026 with 27 players), this year’s squad will still be heavy on the upperclassmen.
OLB Eli Middleton and DE Clay Sproule will lead the class of eight seniors that will include stars RB Jordyn Rollins and CB/WR Jaylen Baldwin. Newcomer to the Senior class will be Sal Vinci who will be taking over placekicking duties from the recently graduated Mary Ford Fitzjurls.
In addition to the upperclassmen, look for freshmen WR/DB Henry Dorminy and DE/OL Hayes Brock to make immediate contributions.
Coach Derrick knows it won’t be easy, but honestly it never is in the GIAA.
“We’re going to put the best product we can on the field. We’re planning a really tough schedule. Hopefully our seniors, like I tell them every year, grab the steering wheel and drive the bus. I drive the bus, it’s bumpy. You drive the bus, it’s a lot better.”
The 2026 Frederica Knights season kicks off August 14th at home against Bethesda Academy.
New Camden County Wildcats Baseball Coach
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When Camden County High School began searching for its next head baseball coach, it wasn’t simply looking for someone to fill a vacancy.
The Wildcats were looking for a leader capable of building on the program’s proud tradition while taking it to new heights. It appears they found exactly that in Joey Ray.
Officially introduced as Camden County’s new head baseball coach earlier this month, Ray arrives in Kingsland with one of the most impressive resumes of any coach currently leading a high school baseball program in Georgia.
His career has been defined by winning, player development, and competing at the highest levels of the game, making him an exciting addition to the Wildcat athletic department.
Ray takes over a Camden County program that has consistently produced talented players and enjoyed its share of success over the years.
Following the tenure of former head coach LaDonis Bryant, Ray inherits a team that hopes to become a regular contender for region championships and deep state playoff runs.
If history is any indication, Wildcats fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
Before arriving at Camden County, Ray spent six successful seasons at Flowery Branch High School, where he transformed the Falcons into one of North Georgia’s most consistent programs. During his tenure, Flowery Branch compiled 116 victories, reached the state playoffs five times, and posted four 20-win seasons.
The Falcons also advanced to the state semifinals in 2018 and followed that with an impressive 24-9 campaign in 2021.
Success, however, has followed Ray throughout his coaching career. Before his time at Flowery Branch, he established Milton High School as one of Georgia’s premier baseball programs.
Under his leadership, the Eagles captured five region championships and reached the state championship series in consecutive seasons. The pinnacle came in 2013 when Milton claimed the Georgia Class 6A State Championship, a milestone that cemented Ray’s reputation as one of the state’s elite baseball coaches.
What makes Ray’s resume even more impressive is that his impact extends well beyond Georgia high school baseball.
Since 2013, he has been actively involved with USA Baseball, helping identify and develop some of the nation’s top young talent. He served as an assistant coach for the USA Baseball 12-and-under National Team in 2016 and was later selected as an assistant coach for Team Navy in Major League Baseball’s Prospect Development Pipeline League.
The PDP League serves as one of the country’s premier showcases for high school players with professional baseball aspirations, giving Ray valuable experience working with many of the nation’s top prospects.
Those experiences should prove invaluable for Camden County players hoping to continue their baseball careers beyond high school.
Ray’s coaching accomplishments have also earned the respect of his peers across the state. He has been named Region Coach of the Year five times and has received two Georgia Dugout Awards, recognition reserved for coaches who consistently demonstrate excellence both on and off the field.
But perhaps the greatest strength Ray brings to Camden County is his reputation for building complete programs rather than simply winning games.
Successful high school baseball isn’t built solely on talent. It requires discipline, player development, strong relationships, and a culture that emphasizes accountability every day—not just on game day.
Those qualities have become hallmarks of Ray’s coaching career and are exactly what Camden County hopes will help elevate the Wildcats to another level.
The expectations surrounding Wildcat baseball have always been high. Camden County has long been known for producing outstanding athletes and competing with many of Georgia’s top programs. With Joey Ray now leading the dugout, there is renewed excitement about what the future holds.
Winning championships is never easy in Georgia’s highly competitive baseball landscape, but Camden County has made a statement with this hire. By bringing in one of the state’s most accomplished and respected baseball coaches, the Wildcats have positioned themselves to compete at the highest level for years to come.
A new era has officially begun at Camden County High School, and if Joey Ray’s track record is any indication, Wildcat baseball fans have every reason to believe the best may still be ahead.
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