Central Georgia High School Football 2019: A scouting report on the area's GHSA and GISA schools
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
Here are previews for Central Georgia GHSA and GISA programs, and a tentative listing of GAPPS (Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools, the new name for the old GICAA) programs. Included is region, overall record and region record.
GHSA
ACE Gryphons
Region 7-A, 4-6
The Gryphons are again playing a non-region schedule, but again play two 7-A teams, GMC and Glascock County. ACE lost 63-0 to GMC and beat Glascock County 47-10, one of four wins. Repeating the 4-6 record would be an accomplishment, but avoiding losses by 38, 40, 45, and 63 is the sign of progress.
Baldwin Braves
Region 3-4A, 7-6/4-0
The Braves went from 0-5 to region champs to the quarterfinals. They'll surprise nobody this year. There are some major holes to fill, especially on defense, where the likes of Donte Justice, Milton Adams, and Tre Trawick are gone. But returnees like RB Noah Hill (1,204 yards), DB Javon Bullard, LB Jabrial Jackson, and OLs Toybous Scott and Johnoah Watkins along with the versatile Zaahir Salahuddin, plus the experience of last year's slow start and huge finish should pay dividends and put a little target on the Braves' backs. The opener at Mercer against Washington County will have a playoff feel.
Bleckley County Royals
Region 3-AA, 4-6/2-4
The Royals are certainly a question mark, having lost major impact players like Nykeem Farrow, Zach Lassiter, Will Collins, Andrew Thompson, among others. Key pieces are back, like WR Bryce Bailey, OL Amarius Mims, LB Willie Chambers, and WR/DB Arkenzio Hayes. And the region hasn't gotten any easier.
Central Chargers
Region 4-3A, 3-7/2-4
The Chargers were competitive, but inconsistent. The defense returns its top three tacklers, including DL Adam Lamar, and five of its top seven. Central held three opponents to six points or less. That unit will have to carry things for awhile as Central has some work to do at the skill positions, where the Chargers took a serious graduation hit, especially with that of QB Donald Lamb (959 yards passing, 506 yards rushing, 19 total TDs). Ball control and fundamentals on offense will have to take some pressure off the defense, which returns three all-region first-teamers (Lamar, LB Walter Nesbitt, DB Jalik Thomas) but if that's enough to be in the playoff hunt the final two weeks is a major question.
Crawford County Eagles
Region 4-A, 3-7/0-5
Gone is QB Cody Guidry (and 1,782 passing yards), but the Eagles have some experience back everywhere else among skill players on offense. The defense has some experience, led by sophomore Braelyn Cain and senior Damien Beard. A 2-1 start was followed by a six-game losing streak with the closest loss by 17 to a 3-7 Greenville team. The Eagles have to be better against other non-playoff contenders.
Dodge County Indians
Region 3-AA, 10-2/5-1
A season to watch, with a new head coach and replacing a slew of quality players, from the backfield (QB R.J. Carr and RB Erin Pitts) to the offensive line (Tyvik Wallace) to defense (Pitts, DL Vincent Mann) to kicker (Peyton Bush). LB Elisha Williams, DE Jamarion Ellis and DL Jamal Mahan return to a defense that gave up more than 25 points only twice (Dublin and Jefferson County). But Carr and Pitts accounted for 69.7 percent of the carries and 66.8 percent of the rushing yards. And Bush was a weapon.
Dooly County Bobcats
Region 4-A, 7-5/3-2
Do-everything QB Bo Lawson is gone, and that hurts, but the Bobcats ran some things that took him from behind center. His replacements, though, were seniors, too. The Bobcats are in a coaching transition, but have some quality defenders back in all-region picks Rashad Lucas, Jeff Felton, and Zepha Hill. It's doubtful they'll come close to the points production of last year, but the defense should be stronger.
Dublin Irish
Region 3-AA, 11-2/6-0
Replacing some key skill players is Dublin's primary task, but there are returnees and some experience everywhere else. Romello Height, JaQues Evans, and Berrick Wadley are among the players to watch. The consistency of Dublin's Wing-T offense helps with the transition to new players, especially at quarterback, and having experience back up front puts Dublin in its usual favorite's role. The front seven is burly, and the Irish are physical in an average year.
East Laurens Falcons
Region 3-AA, 1-9/0-6
A 20-game losing streak ended last year against Wheeler County, but the Falcons couldn't get any momentum going after that, suffering their fifth one-win season this century. East Laurens didn't have a large senior class, so there should be some signs of progress under second-year head coach Bin Turner.
FPD Vikings
Region 7-A, 3-7/2-3
The Vikings got off to a wretched 0-4 start last year, being outscored by 36, 24, 15, and 23. They cracked the 20-point mark only three times en route to the second losing season in head coach Greg Moore's 19 years. And only one loss was by less than two touchdowns.
GMC Bulldogs
Region 7-A, 3-7/0-6
GMC's return to region play didn't live up to the Bulldogs' hopes, with only two close 7-A losses, after starting off 3-0. The Bulldogs were thumped by non-playoff teams Washington-Wilkes and Warren County, so being more competitive is the next step, which awaits a new head coach.
Hancock Central Bulldogs
Region 7-A, 6-5/4-2
The Bulldogs broke a streak of 11 straight losing seasons last year, and return a good helping of experience. Their worst loss was by 20 points, to Mount de Sales, so they were respectable. The defense, led by linebackers Marquavious Lawrence and Kentavious Ivory, should be even better, and the Bulldogs are on track for a second straight postseason trip for the first time in program history.
Hawkinsville Red Devils
Region 4-A, 4-6/1-4
The Red Devils went through some serious offensive issues en route to 145 points. They were shut out three times and held to single digits three more times. The defense was was fairly respectable, but the Red Devils need a boost on offense.
Houston County Bears
Region 1-6A, 2-8/0-4
This is the most solid returning collection since Fromm and Co. left and there was a coaching change. The Bears let two games get away from them last year. It's legacy time for seniors like LB Wesley Steiner, QB Max Rigby, LB Antwan Adams, and others. Houston County has plenty of experience at the skill positions and a good chunk back at all three levels on defense (Adams and Steiner make up an elite LB duo). If the youngish offensive line (one senior) steps up, the Bears will be clearly more competitive, which is the next step. Making the postseason in a brutal region will still take a whole lot of things to happen.
Howard Huskies
Region 2-4A, 6-5/3-2
Howard was hit with some backfield injuries last season, and then hit by graduation on defense. Javarsia Meadows and Jeremiah Kelly are weapons, and DE Keanu Blash and LB Monta Troutman are two to watch on defense. Kicking is likely to play a greater role this year. There's some transition for the Huskies with replacing key players, especially on D, where five of the top six tacklers are gone, including pretty much the starting linebacker unit. Howard got a lot from the season-opening loss to Jones County, but the Huskies enter that game this year with less experience, and the Greyhounds enter with more, so how they rebound from what is on paper a likely bigger loss is again a key. There's momentum from last year, and expect a few shootouts.
Jones County Greyhounds
Region 4-5A, 8-3/5-2
Rare is the state championship contender that loses a head coach and some staffers but loses no ground with the new head coach and assistants. Jones County QB Hunter Costlow still has major targets in Jontavis Robertson, Maleek Wooten, Caden Mutchler, and John Walton, and the Greyhounds have experience in every area - including Rhett Huckeba and Conner Griffin on the OLine - except the secondary. But a sterling defensive line and young-but-experienced linebacking group - Britton Jones led in tackles - plus a young-but-experienced kicker (Evan West) may make up for that.
Lamar County Trojans
Region 5-AA, 4-6/2-4
The team's sixth head coach in less than a decade has a respectable defense with a good mix of returnees, including two-way standout Keilyn Tyus (WR/DB). But breaking in basically a new offensive line in front of some returning skill experience is likely to make life a little tough for an offense that scored only 27 points in a four-game stretch last year.
Macon County Bulldogs
Region 4-A, 5-6/3-2
The Bulldogs were inconsistent in 2018, from scoring only eight against Southwest to four straight games of 39 points or more. Macon County is looking for its eighth straight playoff trip.
Mary Persons Bulldogs
Region 2-4A, 12-1/5-0
Brian Nelson's answers were the same to who the Bulldogs lost on offense and defense: everybody. Almost. Eight first-team offensive and defensive all-region picks are gone, along with the region's top player, top offensive player and top defensive player. Mary Persons hasn't had to replace this many regulars in decades, and it comes a year after setting a program scoring record. Even if they only had to replace standouts QB J.T. Hartage, RB Quen Wilson, DB Desmond Wilson, and DL Daniel Lavelle, the Bulldogs were likely to drop a notch. It's rare that Mary Persons has more question marks than perhaps anybody in the region.
Monticello Hurricanes
Region 8-AA, 5-5/4-3
The Hurricanes overcame a 1-4 start, with two four-point losses, to make the playoffs for fourth time in five years, albeit each time without a winning record. They haven't finished above .500 since 2003, and last year's .500 regular season was the first non-losing mark since, well, 2003. Monticello, working on stadium renovations in the offseason, will ride behind an offensive line that has some experience.
Mount de Sales Cavaliers
Region 7-A, 9-2/4-1
The Cavs hope to sustain the momentum of the first nine-win regular season since 2010 and second since 1997, and their first stretch of three straight winning seasons since 1996-98. QB Victor Williams can only do so much - he was good for 2,580 yards and 32 TDs last year - so again, the Cavs will need to diversify to get over the region-title and first-round-loss hump.
Northeast Raiders
Region 3-AA, 4-7/3-3
The Raiders added experience with the transfer of RB Deondre Duhart from Warner Robins, where he spent a year after transferring from Stratford. He'll also start at LB, boosting a defense that is a mix of seniors and sophomores (like D'Icey Hopkins). The rebuild at QB may not be a huge as expected - Travion Solomon has a broad skillset - and there is the experience of making the playoffs last year, albeit barely. There is quality size up front. Closing the gap with Dublin, Dodge County, and Washington County while trying to create one above Bleckley County and Southwest is a goal.
Northside Eagles
Region 1-6A, 9-6/2-2
Repeating last year will be tough and easy. The .500 regular season was a surprise, as was the run to the state final. While everybody who's back in uniform learned from both experiences, the Eagles have as few starters back as in a long time: five. DL Nate Trevino (first) and LB Willie Northern (second) are the only all-region Eagles back. There is transition everywhere, including at kicker, a position of stability for several years. There was a shootout scrimmage with Westside, which is much stronger on offense than defense. So what Northside rides to have close to a Northside season will be interesting.
Peach County Trojans
Region 4-3A, 12-3/6-0
The Trojans are no stretch to reach their third straight Class AAA state title game, with one of their largest senior classes in awhile, more than 30. There is all-region experience all over the place, especially on offense. The Trojans set a program record last year with 43.1 points a game, and there's no doubt - with QB Jaylon Gibson, ATH Noah Whittington, RB Tijah Woolfolk and OLmen Octavius King and Terrance Ferguson - that it's in serious jeopardy. The program record for points allowed of 5.62 (1991) is very safe, but the Trojans have allowed 15 points or less a game every year of Chad Campbell's regime except twice, and with the likes of Sergio Allen and Jaqualin McGhee and Co. in uniform, that seems safe. Keep on eye on that Lee County game at Anderson Stadium on Sept. 7.
Perry Panthers
Region 2-4A, 6-5/2-3
It's a good thing Perry has some experience back on offense, because the Panthers will be pretty new on defense, especially the front seven. Plenty will be put on the shoulders of QB Lane Rucker (3,004 yards, 20 TDs) to lead, and improve efficiency (17 INTs last year, 52.6 percent completions) because the Panthers have little room for error with more inexperience at each unit than experience. The kicking game may play a bigger role than usual. This is the season that'll show how much progress the program has made in the younger levels. Expect some shootouts again, regardless.
Putnam County War Eagles
Region 8-AA, 3-7/2-5
The rebuilding continues for the War Eagles, who have made the playoffs once in the past seven years. Mustering enough offense - Putnam County has averaged at least 20 points a game only six times this decade - will be a challenge again.
Rutland Hurricanes
Region 4-3A, 0-10/0-6
All the optimism and goals are just talk until Rutland breaks its 23-game losing streak. The Hurricanes have been a little more competitive than numbers show, and barely missed a win last year against Worth County and Kendrick, and against Jackson and Kendrick the year before. The back seven on defense is older, but not very big. LB Ott Foreman IV and rover Christian Golden are two defenders to watch. There's some size on the OL, and RB Jessie Phelps can make plays. The Hurricanes have more bodies in uniform than in awhile, which doesn’t necessarily translate into upper-level players. But they have more players. Nevertheless, maturity, discipline, and fundaments will dictate success more than strength and 40 speed. Don't be surprised if that losing streak ends earlier than later.
Southwest Patriots
Region 3-AA, 3-7/1-5
The schedule is brutal for a team mixing in plenty of freshmen and sophomores in the rotation, and one that's cracked 30 points in scoring only six times in three seasons. The Patriots played well against Dodge County and just missed against Northeast. But Southwest lost key pieces in RB/LB Randy Green and WR Jaquez Pennamon, among others. The line-of-scrimmage units have to progress mighty quickly to keep the Patriots afloat.
Stratford Eagles
Region 7-A, 5-6/3-2
The first two months of 2018 were as brutal as in awhile, the Eagles losing solidly, big, and close ones. A four-game winning streak, including a huge crossover win at Aquinas, kept the Eagles' playoff streak alive. The last time they missed out? In 2006, the final year of Mark Farriba's first stint at Stratford.
Tattnall Square Trojans
Region 7-A, 6-5/5-0
The good news is an easier schedule, the Trojans trading Class AA state contender Dublin in the opener for Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (formerly GICAA) member Central Fellowship, in between Stratford and Tattnall. The bad news is the loss of key two-way players, like Miles Morris, Jamal Marshall, and Gavin Whitfield.
Taylor County Vikings
Region 4-A, 5-6/3-2
It's been a long time since Taylor County made the playoffs four straight years, but that's the goal for the Vikings, who made it nine straight years from 1996-2004. They were up and down last year, with one two-game losing streak and one two-game winning streak, beating Dooly County 47-19 a week before losing 24-0 to Marion County. They were shut out twice in the final three games.
Twiggs County Cobras
Region 7-A, 0-10/0-5
In 2016, Twiggs County scored 329 points. In the next two years, Twiggs County has scored 62. The Cobras are now on their eighth head coach since 2010, during which they've gone winless three times and had five one-year coaches. They're on a 21-game losing streak.
Upson-Lee Knights
Region 2-4A, 7-4/4-1
The Knights are one even-Steven team the past few years. They've outscored opponents by 1.45 points and .5 points and were outscored by .45 points the last three years, going 17-15. They have some weapons back on offense - namely QB Jake Davis and WRs Demeke Colbert and Thadd Webb - but will need some stepping up on the line of scrimmage. Upson-Lee lost 15 starters from a playoff team, so how much attention younger players have paid will be something to watch. Turnovers this year will be especially painful with a young defense, and in a region where there is no clear No. 1.
Veterans Warhawks
Region 1-5A, 8-3/2-2
Veterans set a program record with 26.7 points a game, and their second-best defensive stat at 19.6 points allowed. The Warhawks lost some playmakers on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The defense, led by Jalon Shine and Hyson Holiday, has the edge on the offense. Veterans had two shutouts last year, including the season-jumpstarter 31-0 at Upson-Lee, and cracked 30 points in seven regular-season games. The Warhawks have one of the top kickers in the area (Daniel Gibbs) and they’ll likely use him a good bit. Another 6-0 start is highly unlikely, but the Warhawks have a pretty good shot at consecutive winning seasons for the first time in program history.
Warner Robins Demons
Region 1-5A, 12-3/3-1
A new head coach and something of a change in offense make the Demons a team of interest. Odds are very much against a third straight trip to a state final, and while most look at losses on offense - primarily QB Dylan Fromm and WR/TE Tyler Fromm, plus No. 2 RB Deondre Duehart (transfer) and OL Karon Taylor, among the few - the Demons actually return a lot on offense - like record-setting WR Marcayll Jones and most offensive linemen- and good nucleus - albeit a little young - on defense. The wins will look a little different.
Washington County Golden Hawks
Region 3-AA, 10-3/4-2
The Golden Hawks lost some serious firepower in Preston Daniels and Dyquan Bloodsaw, among others. But this is still a pretty experienced team, with six seniors starting on offense and seven on defense. Granted, lineman Jabari Brooks and QB/DB Shamarcus Poole are among the two-way players, but that wasn't a huge problem last year in the 10-3 season. The Golden Hawks don't appear too much different this year.
West Laurens Raiders
Region 2-4A, 5-5/1-4
West Laurens' five losses came to playoff teams, four in region play and one to AA Dodge County. The Raiders have struggled with consistency on offense, and averaged only 16.8 points in the losses. The defense has been pretty steady: three shutouts and one giving up two points last year. That's unlikely to change with returnees like Spencer Dacus and D'Eryk Jackson. They're breaking in some new runners, but the passing game - led by QB A.J. Mathis and WR Brent Carr - should be improved.
Westside Seminoles
Region 4-3A, 8-4/5-1
Westside was balanced last year, but odds are the Seminoles will be a little more pass-heavy, thanks to the return of QB Victor Dixon (2,116 yards, 20 TDs), and WRs Jaylon Barden (42-760/5) and Jehlen Cannady (13-475/6), and the loss of powerful RB Tyshaun Freeman (1,250 yards, 15 TDs). The defense was a little senior-oriented last year, but returns quality pieces. The Seminoles are highly likely to make the playoffs for the eighth straight time.
Wilkinson County Warriors
Region 7-A, 1-9/1-4
A new head coach last year wasn't able to stem the Warriors' two-year postseason slide after making the playoffs in nine of 10 years. Wilkinson County has averaged 15 points a game the past two seasons while giving up 33.5. Only two of 16 losses have been by 14 points or less.
GISA
Brentwood
Region 4-AA, 8-5
The War Eagles have four all-region players back, all two-way players. But Brentwood and 20th-year head coach Bert Brown have experience up front on both sides, and a good slew of veteran skill players on offense and defense, like Chase Everett (seven yards short of 1,000 rushing yards) and McKinley Newton. And Brentwood is solid in place-kicking with Zeb Chapman.
Gatewood Gators
Region 1-AA, 10-2
The defending state champs have a huge senior class that is used to a deep postseason run, having reached at least the semis three straight years. That sure looks like the case again this season, the line led by Colorado State commit Weston Wallace, who leads up front along iwth Cole Campbell. QB Luke Haley ran for 1,395 yards and 26 scores, passing for 374 and eight.
John Milledge
Region 4-AAA, 12-2
RB Amaad Foston (6-1, 200, Jr.) is one of the top backs in the state in any class, and the Trojans will be driven to avenge last year's stunning 48-0 loss to Frederica in the state championship. Replacing record-setting QB Brandon Bellflower and the Prestwoods - Jacob and Jared - are huge, but returnees Patrick McDonel, Justin Aldridge, Kevin Kitchens, and Landon Burney are among the key all-region returnees and among many Trojans back, so playing again for the trophy wouldn't be a surprise for head coach J.T. Wall, who is 12 wins from 100 for his career.
Piedmont Cougars
Region 1-AA
Things went south after a 2-0-1 start, the Cougars losing five games by 28 points or more and getting shut out three times.
Trinity Christian Crusaders
Region 2-AAA, 7-5
The Crusaders have a good mix of returnees on both sides from last year's team that advanced to the second round. The ground game will need some bolstering, but the passing game returns QB David Coleman (1,550 yards, 11 TDs), who is also the leading returning rusher with 211 yards. TCS is playing about the normal number of two-way players, so health is huge.
Westfield Hornets
Region 2-AAA
The school that went so long without worrying about changing coaches did so last year after three seasons for Jamey Watson, let go after a 4-7 year. Bruce Lane, no stranger to a part of Central Georgia's GISA faction, is back in the area from Texas to take over. Michael Fitzpatrick is key, as an upper-level kicker who also led the Hornets on defense last year. Hunter Smallwood, C.J. Thomas, and Travis McDonald are other key returnees.
GAPPS (formerly GICAA)
CFCA Lancers
Covenant Rams
Fullington Trojans
John Hancock Rebels
Twiggs Academy Trojans
Windsor Knights
Editor’s note
Multiple solicitations for information were sent t0 50 high schools (GHSA, GISA, GAPPS) in July with a followup in August. Replies of more than a roster and/or depth chart (two) totaled 19, less than half.
Inquiries were unsuccessful for ACE, Bleckley County, Covenant, Central Fellowship, Crawford County, Dodge County, Dooly County, Dublin, East Laurens, FPD, Fullington, Gatewood, Hancock Central, Hawkinsville, Lamar County, Monticello, Piedmont, Putnam County, Stratford, Taylor County, Twiggs County, Warner Robins, West Laurens, Westfield, Westside, Wilkinson County, and Windsor.
