Southern Sports Edition
Bulloch Academy Gators 2026 Preview
By: Joseph Stuckey
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Recently, I was able to get my first glimpse of the 2026 Bulloch Academy Gators football team.
They met up with the Jenkins County War Eagles in a thud-style practice. So, my observations do have to be taken with a grain of salt, as a thud practice is padded, but tackles don’t get taken to the ground.
The Gators return a lot of impact players, not just from last season but also several who made an impact during the 2024 GIAA 4-A State Championship run.
The Gators have made 3 straight trips to the Elite Eight and beyond (2023: Final Four; 2024: state title; 2025: Elite Eight).
The 2027 class of athletes at Bulloch Academy has the potential to be the best in school history when it comes to players advancing to the collegiate level.
On the Offensive side, for the 3rd straight year, #6 Sam Hubbard is set to lead Mark Lefebvre’s Wing-T attack. Over the summer, Sam committed to play baseball for Georgia Southern after graduation.
Bulloch Academy always has an impressive offensive line, and this year looks to be no different, as Griff Sumner and Slaton Roberts look to lead the big guys up front in the trenches.
Also, along the O-line is senior Colin Grooms, who is very versatile and may serve as a tight end at times and rush the quarterback on defense as an edge.
When naming offensive weapons, you have to start with the versatile athleticism of #17 Rocco Reiss, who you will see play numerous positions throughout the season.
Then the receiving corps includes the very athletic Nick Eason Jr. and Georgia Southern commit Billy Crider.
#20 B.J. Smart looks to be the one who will take the most handoffs at running back; you will also see Maddox Lee and Connor Perry get involved on the offensive side of the ball.
On the flip side of the ball, Chris Kearson’s defense is anchored right up front on the defensive line by Kennesaw State commit Braylon Cone.
You will also see several other players rotated around on the D-line, including Bo Crider and then the aforementioned Colin Grooms coming off the edge.
At linebacker, one guy that really caught my eye was #9 Tate Williams, who will look to clean up what little gets by Cone and company.
In the secondary, the 2 cornerstones are J.B. Roach and Nick Eason Jr., who will look to defend opposing teams’ passing attacks.
As far as kickoffs and punting, it looks like it will be #16 Case Woodrum handling kickoffs, field goals, extra points, and punts.
There are also a few younger players I am interested in seeing develop over this season.
Quarterback Landon Mitchell looks to be the future starter after this season and has shown potential.
A few other players I look to make an impact are Jame Lee, Hunter Chance, and Camden Mager.
The expectations are high for this team as they head into the 2026 campaign. Many around Statesboro have State Championship aspirations, and this team definitely has the talent to make another deep run into the playoffs.
McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers 2026 Preview
By: Jason Bishop
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Coach Warren Bradley enters his 8th season as the McIntosh County Academy Buccaneers Head Coach in his second stint holding that position.
Bradley took over the Bucs program in 2019 and has stabilized MCA’s football ranks. Before the hiring of Bradley, the Bucs employed 5 different head coaches in 7 seasons.
Bradley has not only stabilized the program, but he also has re-vitalized winning habits into the Bucs program and turned MCA into a perennial playoff team.
In 2025 the Bucs made the playoffs for the again under Bradley. MCA has made the playoffs every season in Coach Bradley’s tenure in his second go-round.
Last season the Bucs finished 5-5 in the regular season and that was good enough to get into the playoffs as four seed. MCA finished the season overall at 5-6, losing in the first round of the GHSA playoffs to #1 seed Johnson County, 34-7.
MCA enters 2026 with high expectations as they are returning starting RB Earnest McIntosh for his senior season.
The Bucs also find themselves in a new region. Region 3-1A will consist of MCA, Portal, Montgomery County, Emanuel County Institute and Claxton. This region lines up far easier than the last two seasons for the Bucs. While the region added Montgomery County, gone are the powerhouses of Metter and Screven County.
The Bucs will kick off the 2026 campaign at home at The Ship in Darien against Long County on August 21st.
Week two will also be at home against former region foe Charlton County.
The Buccaneers will take to the road in week 3 against Georgia Military and then in week 4 pay a visit to Liberty County to take on the Panthers.
MCA will return home on September 18th against Jeff Davis and then will host Screven County the following week at The Ship.
After a bye the following week region play kicks off for the Bucs against ECI in Darien
The Buccaneers return to the road on October 23rd against the Claxton Tigers.
MCA returns home on Halloween weekend to take on Montgomery County and then will wrap up the regular season on the road against the Portal Panthers.
MCA is a legit contender to win the region in 2026.
Keep in mind the GHSA will be transitioning away from ranking teams according to how they finished in their region and instead will use power rankings rank playoff participants. What this does is place huge importance on non-region tilts as well as the region games as far as seeding.
I am picking MCA to finish the 2026 season with a 9-1 record and to win Region 3-1A.
Worst case for the Bucs, by my estimation, will be an 8-2 mark finishing second in the region.
The Buccaneers have not made a deep run in the playoffs in some time. I think this year that changes. I believe MCA is definitely an Elite 8 team, at worst, in 2026.
Valdosta Wildcats’ Dynamic Duo
By: Ron Reagin
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Local restaurant and hangout, Big Nick’s was recently packed as friends, family, teammates, and coaches filled every seat and it was standing room only.
Valdosta High running backs Deron Foster and Marquis Fennell announced their college decisions in front of Valdosta’s faithful fans.
Foster, the every-down back, will head west to Oregon State. Fennell, the explosive playmaker, utility back, will take his talents to Stanford.
Before they head west, they will try to top last year’s performance for the Wildcats. The duo accounted for 64% of all touchdowns last season and 57% of total yards as juniors with both averaging over 100 yards per game in what was a tremendous offense top to bottom.
Deron Foster chose the Beavers over offers from Stanford, Liberty, and Georgia State. The decision came down to the opportunity to play for associate head coach and running backs coach Lee Marks, who has a strong track record developing backs, and new head coach JaMarcus Shephard’s vision.
Foster rushed for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, adding 148 receiving yards and two more scores. He posted nine 100-yard rushing games and sees himself stepping in early in Corvallis.
Marquis Fennell had a long list of suitors, including Colorado, Florida State, and Georgia Tech, but chose Stanford for the combination of football opportunity and elite academics. His mother, Leslie, played a big role in emphasizing the long-term value of the education.
Fennell had a monster junior season with 2,505 all-purpose yards, including 1,480 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground, plus 764 receiving yards and 10 scores through the air.
He expects to be a versatile running back who can impact games from the backfield or out wide to present multiple problems for opposing defense.
Both backs rushed for over 1,000 yards. The last time the Wildcats had 2 rushers over 1,000 yards, was back in 1988 with Isaac Cesar and James Roberts.
Head coach Shelton Felton praised both as great players and even better young men and leaders.
“You’ve got Live at 5 (Foster), you’ve got Category 4 (Fennell),” Felton said. “They are really great kids on and off the field… I’m blessed to have those two as part of my program.”
Both players expressed relief at getting their commitments done early, though Foster admitted he’s not quite ready to move on from the Friday night lights. “There’s nothing like high school ball,” he said.
With unfinished business after falling just short of a state title, both are motivated for a bigger senior season in 2026.
“We all know we have unfinished business,” Fennell said.
This commitment night caps a special chapter for Valdosta’s backfield while setting the stage for what should be another strong year for the running back duo and the Wildcats.
Buford Wolves 2026 Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Buford is one of the most elite football programs in the state of Georgia and possibly the nation. They have won 15 state championships, with only one coming before the year 2001.
They also have multiple state championships in baseball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, gymnastics, softball, volleyball, wrestling and girls’ track.
Last season they opened Philip Beard Stadium. It has a seating capacity of 10,000 at a cost of $62 million.
The Wolves finished last season going 15-0 and winning the state championship. They were also the consensus national champions.
They have a lot of talent on the team. Junior Edge Luke Nabors (6’4, 210 lbs.) is a four-star recruit. He has over thirty offers from teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, South Carolina, Florida State, Penn State, Texas, Clemson, Oregon, Indiana and Tennessee.
Junior WR Seven Rashad (6’5, 175 lbs.) is a three-star recruit.
Senior LB Ethan Hauser (6’3, 200 lbs.) is a three-star recruit that’s committed to Vanderbilt. They have another three-star LB, Brayden Watson who’s committed to Michigan.
Senior QB DJ Hunter (6’1, 190 lbs.) is taking over as the starter in 2026. He was the backup to Dayton Raiola (Oregon). Hunter is a dual-threat so he should be a new weapon for the offense. He’s a three-star player and he’s committed to James Madison.
Seniors CB Silas Nuckles (6’0, 175 lbs.) and S Jameer Cantrell (5’10, 175 lbs.) are also three-star recruits. Cantrell is committed to Arkansas.
Bryant Appling has been the head coach at Buford since 2019. He has a record of 90-8 and he’s the first coach in GHSA history to win state titles in his first three seasons (2019-21).
Buford graduated 21 players from last seasons national championship team. They are expected to reload the talent but I think that will be tougher than expected. They are the #1 team in the 7A preseason poll.
Their schedule is listed below:
8/22: vs. Gainesville
9/4: @ Mallard Creek (North Carolina)
9/11: vs. Miami Central (Miami, FL)
9/18: @ #3 Grayson
9/25: @ Seckinger
10/9: @ Dacula
10/16: vs. Collins Hill
10/23: @ Mill Creek
10/30: vs. Discovery
11/6: vs. Central Gwinnett
They have a few tough non-region games to start the season.
Week 1 is a nationally televised game on ESPN against Gainesville. The Red Elephants advanced to the 5A state championship last season. They have moved up to 6A this season.
Former Grayson head coach Santavious Bryant has taken over the same position in Gainesville. He was 37-5 in three seasons at Grayson and he won a state championship in 2024. They have one of the most talented rosters in the state.
Miami Central in Week 2 will also be a tough game. The Rockets were 10-2 in 2025. South Florida is known for speed and they have very good players.
Week 4 at #3 Grayson will be the toughest test of the regular season. The Rams expected to repeat as state champions last year but lost in the state quarterfinals.
After this game, the rest of the schedule is easy. Seckinger (Buford, GA) is the newest school in Gwinnett County. They opened in August 2022 and they made their first playoff appearance last season.
Region 8-AAAAAAA play begins October 9th at Dacula. Mill Creek is the second-best team in the region but I don’t think they can challenge Buford.
I expect Buford to lose two regular season games. At worst they will be 7-3 if they lose to Gainesville, Miami Central and Grayson. I think they’ll be tough to beat in the playoffs.
Grayson Rams 2026 Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The GHSA preseason football rankings have been released. Grayson is ranked #3 in class 7A.
The Rams went 14-1 in 2024 and won the 6A state championship. They started 2025 ranked #1 and held that spot for most of the season. Their only loss came in the state quarterfinals, 34-14 to Carrolton.
Head coach Santavious Bryant led the Rams to a 37-5 record the last three seasons. He left to take over as the head coach at Gainesville after the season.
Grayson promoted defensive coordinator Greg Carswell to head coach.
“For a first-time head coach, this is a dream come true,” Carswell said. “I thank God for preparing me the six seasons I’ve had the opportunity to coach here on and off. I’m honored to be chosen to lead these young men. I love these kids so much and will take pride in pushing this program to the pinnacle of high school sports.”
They are coming off a 12-1 season, so we do not expect much to change with a new head coach.
“The standard at Grayson will never change,” Carswell said. “We have a relentless effort and approach to reach the highest level of success this program can reach. We will always play hard physical and dominate the trenches, but the fire, passion and energy that will exude from a coach Carswell team will be unmatched.”
They still have plenty of talent on the roster. Senior IOL Jordan Agbanoma is a four-star recruit and the tenth ranked player in the state for the class of 2027. Agbanoma is 6’2 and 300 pounds. He’s currently committed to Nebraska.
His teammate, KD Jones is a three-star IOL that is also committed to the Cornhuskers. Jones is 6’5, 303 pounds.
Junior Edge Elijah Tillman is 6’7, 215 pounds. He’s also a four-star recruit but that’s based more on his measurables. He should be a key contributor in 2026.
Senior CB Preston Glasco (6’2, 190 lbs.) is a three-star recruit and he’s committed to UConn.
Senior S Jalen Welch (6’3, 190 lbs.) is also a three-star recruit and he’s committed to Syracuse.
Senior DL Waylon Wooten (6’2, 300 lbs.) is committed to Georgia.
Senior QB David “Deuce” Smith (5’11, 190 lbs.) is a dual-threat. He became the starter after four-star QB Travis Burgess was injured last season. He passed for 2,355 yards and 24 touchdowns.
The season begins August 12th in the Corky Kell/Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) against North Gwinnett. The Bulldogs were 12-2 last season and they made it to the state semifinals.
Six of Grayson’s first seven games are on the road. Week 2 they travel to Sandy Creek. The Patriots have moved up to 4A but they were undefeated (15-0) and won the 3A state championship in 2025.
After a bye week the next game is at Langston Hughes. The Panthers are one of the top teams in 5A. They were 12-1 last season and they have a lot of talent.
On September 11th they travel to Brunswick. The Pirates were 9-3 last year and they have made the move to 6A this season.
The first home game of the season is the following week against #1 Buford. The Wolves were undefeated and won the 6A state title in 2025.
They face Carol City (Miami) October 2nd.
Region play begins after that with games @Archer, @Newton, South Gwinnett and Rockdale County.
I think Grayson will finish the regular season with a couple of losses but they will be tough to beat in the playoffs.
Valdosta Wildcats 2026 Preview
By: Ron Reagin
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Few things matter more in the new Post-Season Ranking Formula (PSRF) era than building the right schedule.
In the Valdosta Wildcats’ case, wins also carry more meaning as they are racing to be the first high school program to reach 1,000 wins.
Valdosta’s 2026 slate looks like a smart, strategic effort designed for this new system to maximize wins both in the regular season and postseason.
Here is the Wildcats’ confirmed 2026 schedule:
Aug. 7: Worth County (Scrimmage)
Aug. 21: @ Jones County
Aug. 28: vs. Howard
Sept. 4: vs. Bradwell Institute
Sept. 11: vs. KIPP Atlanta Collegiate (Homecoming)
Sept. 25: vs. Stockbridge
Oct. 2: vs. Booker High (Sarasota, FL)
Oct. 16: @ Colquitt County
Oct. 23: vs. Camden County
Oct. 30: @ Lowndes (Winnersville Classic)
Nov. 6: vs. Richmond Hill (Senior Night)
The Wildcats will play six home games, three road games, and four tough Region 1-AAAAAAA contests.
Non-Region Breakdown: Valdosta’s non-region schedule looks well-balanced.
The road trip opener to Jones County and home games against Stockbridge and Booker High (Sarasota, FL) provide quality competition that should boost both OWP and OOWP.
Booker, a consistent playoff team in Florida, could prove to be a strong addition.
The home games against Howard, Bradwell Institute, and KIPP Atlanta Collegiate are winnable matchups that should help build the win column without being too soft.
But as we all know too well, you can never overlook an opponent that has nothing to lose. Those types of teams historically pull out all the stops to beat Valdosta.
The Region 1 Gauntlet: Region 1-AAAAAAA remains one of Georgia’s strongest regions year after year.
The late-season stretch: @ Colquitt County, vs. Camden County, @ Lowndes, and vs. Richmond Hill will be critical.
In a small five-team region, every result carries heavy weight under PSRF. Avoiding a late-season loss will be critical in maintaining a strong playoff seed.
From the unbiased broadcast booth, a 9-1 record with three region wins feels like the most realistic strong outcome.
That should position Valdosta comfortably inside the top 20 statewide with a favorable seed. However, most Valdosta fans will not be happy with anything but a championship.
The expectation to win, especially after a region championship and semifinal run last season, is even higher this year.
Strengths: Six home games help accumulate wins for the 35% winning percentage component.
Quality non-region opponents (especially Booker, Stockbridge, and Jones County) combined with a tough region give Valdosta a legitimate strength-of-schedule advantage without sacrificing winnable games.
Risks: As we’ve alluded to with the new PSRF, late-season swings are very real. The final four games are all region contests. A tough stretch in October and early November could drop the Wildcats several spots in the rankings even with a winning record. This risk is one that all Region 1 teams will be trying to avoid.
Overall, Valdosta’s 2026 schedule appears well-constructed for the PSRF era. It balances winnable home games with enough quality competition to reward a strong season.
Valdosta fans should be excited, as this slate gives the Wildcats a legitimate chance at a high seed and deep playoff run.
Atlanta Falcons Flying Upward?
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Right at a month away from Flowery Branch, Ga being a bustling well-oiled machine with Preseason Training Camp for the Falcons opening the last week of July, much has changed for “the birds” since wrapping up the 2025 season.
Not only does the franchise have a fresh look with the newly refurbished uniform combinations debuted in early April, but with virtually an entire new hierarchy on the football side, how so much change is dealt with will be interesting to follow this year.
Atlanta began the change with a change in the leadership of the team with Rich McKay, Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris all being either fired or “reassigned” after the 2025 campaign. Enter a familiar name as Matt Ryan, former Atlanta quarterback great (and many, including me, that believe was the last true starting quarterback for the franchise) taking the reigns as the Director of Football and building the roadmap that gets Atlanta back to division titles and beyond.
The first moves were bringing in Head Coach Kevin Stefanski and General Manager Ian Cunningham.
The roster also undergoes a good amount of change from a year ago.
Kirk Cousins was released in mid-March, Darnell Mooney’s contract was terminated, Ruke Orhorhoro was traded to Jacksonville just to name a few of the departures from a year ago from the ATL.
So, who fills those holes? Strangely there seem to be more additions than subtractions (at least in numbers).
Tua Tagovailoa was signed to the quarterback room for the Falcons. Tagovailoa spent the past six seasons with the Miami Dolphins but has struggled to stay healthy at times and has also struggled with turnovers.
Once Michael Penix Jr gets fully healthy after rehabbing back from a partially torn left ACL which he suffered last November, Penix and Tua will battle for the QB spot, with the expectation that it’s Penix’s to lose.
One addition that has gotten overlooked this offseason that I think could have an enormous impact for the Birds this year is the return of Olamide Zaccheaus at wide out.
The former Virginia Cavalier spent the first four NFL seasons in Atlanta with 8 scores in the four years.
Zaccheaus bounced around with the Eagles in 2023, Washington for the 2024 season before spending 2025 with the Bears. Zaccheaus has steadily grown his numbers over his career and could slide into the vacated role the Falcons have with Darnell Mooney’s contract being terminated to free up $7.4 million.
Both sides of the trenches have also seen some additions with trade acquisitions.
On the offensive line, the Falcons traded a 6th round 2027 draft pick to the Chiefs in exchange for a 7th rounder and offensive tackle Wanya Morris to bolster the offensive line depth that has been severely lacking for several years now.
On the defensive side, a swap of pass rushers with Jacksonville saw Ruke Orhorhoro headed to Duval in exchange for defensive tackle Maason Smith. The 6-5, 306-pound D-Lineman brings 3 career sacks in 2 years with the Jags in limited playing time, but the upside is off the charts for Smith.
There are a few other supporting cast acquisitions for the red and black this offseason, but the main question is “how do all of these new pieces fit together?”
To me, it all hinges on one thing. The quarterback (I know, that’s not really a state secret in the NFL). If the Falcons want to take the step in the right direction, they have all the pieces on offense with Bijan Robinson, along with new contracts for Kyle Pitts and Drake London.
The fans saw the enormous step forward last year on the defensive side of the ball, but it all comes back to one thing…Can the Flacons get consistent quarterback play at a high level?
In my mind, it must come from Michael Penix Jr. He had a roller coaster rookie year that ended with the injury but got to knock off the rookie rust.
Now he must get healthy and be the signal caller that the Falcons have desperately searched for since trading Matt Ryan to the Colts in 2022.
Give Him A Raise?
By: Capers Childs
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Every time Ronald Acuña Jr. steps to the plate, Braves fans are reminded that Atlanta may have one of the best deals in baseball. He’s one of baseball’s biggest stars, and he can change a game with just one swing or one stolen base.
However, injuries have repeatedly threatened his career. And the question remains: Should the Braves pay him more despite the risks?
Ronald Acuña Jr. is a star outfielder for the Braves. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and quickly established himself as one of the most talked about players in the sport.
He is best known as the only player in baseball history to hit more than 40 home runs and steal more than 70 bases in a single season.
Acuña is also a five-time All-Star, a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 2018 National League Rookie of the Year. His power, speed, and athleticism make him a rare talent that few players are able to match.
Acuña’s impact goes far beyond statistics. Whenever he is in the lineup, the Braves have a greater chance of winning.
Fans enjoy watching him play, and his jersey is one of the most recognizable in baseball. As the face of the franchise, he has become a huge part of the Braves’ success over the past several seasons.
Players who can influence games like this are difficult to replace, making Acuña one of the organization’s most valuable assets.
However, a major risk of keeping Acuña on the team is his injury proneness. In both 2021 and 2024, he tore his ACL and that forced him to miss significant playing time.
An injury like this can affect a player’s speed, agility, and overall athleticism, which is detrimental to someone whose game relies heavily on his quickness and explosiveness.
Just as Acuña seemed unstoppable, another injury would strike, raising questions about his future durability. Because of this, some people argue that giving him a larger contract could be a gamble.
Still, elite players are rare, and Acuña has consistently shown that he can overcome adversity. After recovering from his first ACL injury, he returned to have one of the greatest seasons in baseball history and won the National League MVP Award.
His ability to bounce back demonstrates his talent, his determination and work ethic.
The Braves know exactly what kind of player and teammate they have in Acuña, which makes investing in him less risky than taking a chance on an unknown player.
Injuries may always be part of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s story. But when he is on the field, few players can match his talent, energy, or influence on a game.
For the Braves, paying Acuña more would not simply reward past success…it would be an investment in the future of the franchise and the player who has become its face.
Southern Soccer Explosion
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
For decades, soccer in the United States was viewed as a niche sport. It was something kids played on Saturday mornings before eventually moving on to football, baseball, basketball, or another traditional American sport.
If you asked most sports fans where soccer was strongest in America, they probably would have pointed to California or the Northeast. Not anymore.
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfolds across North America, one thing has become increasingly clear. The Southeast is rapidly becoming the center of soccer growth in the United States.
Just look at the host cities. Atlanta, Miami, and other Southern venues have become major destinations for World Cup matches and fan events.
Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium has established itself as one of the premier soccer venues in the world, regularly drawing crowds that rival those seen in Europe and South America. Miami has become an international soccer hotspot, attracting global attention through both club and international competition.
What’s remarkable is how quickly this transformation has occurred. Twenty years ago, many sports fans across the South viewed soccer as an afterthought. Football ruled Friday nights, Saturdays, and Sundays. Baseball was woven into the fabric of communities across Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Carolinas. Soccer simply wasn’t part of the sports conversation.
Today, that’s changing. Youth soccer participation throughout the Southeast continues to grow. Communities like mine here in Camden County have thriving recreational and travel soccer programs.
Weekend tournaments routinely bring hundreds of families together, filling hotels, restaurants, and sports complexes. Young athletes who once may have focused exclusively on football or baseball are now dedicating themselves year-round to soccer.
The growth isn’t limited to youth sports.
Atlanta United helped prove that professional soccer could thrive in the South. Since entering Major League Soccer, the club has drawn some of the largest crowds in the league and created an atmosphere that rivals many traditional American sports franchises.
Nashville SC has experienced similar success, while Charlotte FC has quickly developed a passionate fan base of its own.
The result is that an entire generation of young Southern sports fans is growing up viewing soccer differently than previous generations.
And then there’s the World Cup. The excitement surrounding the tournament has given soccer another significant boost.
Southern cities have embraced the event with enthusiasm, welcoming fans from around the world and showcasing the region on an international stage.
I think for many Americans, this World Cup is the first opportunity to experience the energy, passion, and global significance of soccer up close.
What makes the Southeast uniquely positioned for continued growth is that soccer isn’t replacing traditional sports. It’s joining them.
Football remains king throughout much of the South. College football Saturdays still dominate the sports calendar. High school football remains a cultural institution in communities large and small. But soccer has carved out its own place alongside those traditions.
In many ways, soccer fits perfectly within the Southeast’s sports culture. Fans appreciate passionate competition, community pride, and family-friendly events. Soccer delivers all three.
The sport’s accessibility also makes it attractive. All a child really needs is a ball and a patch of grass to begin developing a love for the game.
The World Cup will eventually leave North America, but its impact is likely to remain. Young players inspired by what they’ve seen this summer will sign up for youth leagues.
Families will continue attending professional matches. Communities will continue investing in soccer facilities and programs.
The Southeast’s sports identity is evolving. Football will always be at the heart of it. But soccer is no longer an outsider looking in.
It has become part of the conversation, part of the culture, and increasingly, part of the future.
The rest of the country may still be catching up, but the evidence is becoming impossible to ignore: when it comes to the growth of soccer in America, the Southeast is leading the way.
All-Time ACC Players
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We’re going to take a look at some of the best ACC players of all time.
I want at least one player to represent each team. Some of them may have played in a different conference before their respective school joined the conference. This will also be part one because there are 17 schools and I can’t fit them all in one article.
Boston College: Doug Flutie (1981-84) won the Heisman Trophy and was a Unanimous All-American in 1984.
He led the Eagles to a 10-2 that season and they finished ranked #4 in the Coaches Poll. That also features one of the most famous game winning Hail Mary’s at #12 Miami.
In his career he passed for 10,579 yards and 67 touchdowns. He also rushed for 739 yards and 7 scores.
Cal: Marshawn Lynch (2004-06) was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and a First-team All-American in 2006. In 2005 he rushed for 1,246 yards and 10 TD’s.
In 2006 he rushed for 1,356 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his career he averaged 6.6 ypc. He also caught 68 passes for 600 yards and 6 scores.
Clemson: Deshaun Watson (2014-16) was a 2x Davey O’Brien Award winner, 2x Manning Award (2015-16), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2016), ACC Player of the Year (2015), 2x ACC Athlete of the Year (2015-16) and First-team All-ACC (2015).
In 2016, he led the Tigers to a National Championship win over #1 Alabama. He was named the CFP National Championship Offensive MVP.
In his career he passed for 10,163 yards and 90 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,934 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Duke: Clarkston Hines (1986-89) is the only player in ACC history to lead the league in receiving yards three consecutive seasons. He had over a thousand yards and double-digit touchdowns in his final 3 seasons. As a Blue Devil he caught 189 passes for 3,318 yards and 38 scores.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. Hines was a Unanimous All-American (1989), First-team All-American (1988), ACC Male Athlete of the year (1990), ACC Player of the Year (1989) and 3x First team All-ACC (1987-89).
Florida State: The Seminoles have several players that could be considered the best in program history. I’m going to go with Peter Warrick (1995-99).
He helped lead the 1999 Seminoles to an undefeated season and the national championship. He played in 9 games that year because he was suspended for 2 games. He still had 71 catches, 934 yards and 8 TD’s. He also rushed for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns.
He won the Paul Warfield Trophy (1999), Unanimous All-American (1999), Consensus All-American (1998) and 2x First-team All-ACC (1998-99). In his career he had 207 receptions for 3,517 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Georgia Tech: Joe Hamilton (1996-99) was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014. He won the Davey O’Brien Award (1999), NCAA Quarterback of the Year (1999), ACC Player of the Year (1999), Consensus All-American (1999), ACC Offensive Player of the Year (1999), 2x First team All-ACC (1998-99) and 2x Gator Bowl MVP (1999-00). He also finished second in 1999 for the Heisman Trophy.
Hamilton passed for 8,862 and 65 scores. He also rushed for 1,758 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Louisville: Lamar Jackson (2015-17) won the Heisman Trophy in 2016. He was a Unanimous All-American (2016), ACC Athlete of the Year (2018), 2x ACC Player of the Year (2016-17) and 2x ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2016-17).
Jackson had 9,043 passing yards and 69 TD’s. He rushed for 4,132 yards and 50 touchdowns.
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