Jones County, Mary Persons, Northeast, and Northside ready for the Macon TD Club Middle Georgia Kickoff Classic
By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
centralgasports@gmail.com
The camps are over, as are road trips, and scrimmages have been filed away.
It’s game week.
For Northeast, Northside, Jones County, and Mary Persons, the season starts on Saturday in the Macon Touchdown Club Middle Georgia Kickoff Classic at Mercer’s Five Star Stadium.
Jones County and Northside play at 4 p.m., with Northeast and Mary Persons to follow after.
Early weather expectations are decent, with temperatures in the mid-80s with between a 40 and 70 percent chance of rain, as per three primary weather apps.
Two are ranked in their respective GHSA classifications: No. 7 in 6A for Northside and No. 5 in 5A for Jones County.
The club honors a notable Central Georgia high school football figure each year, and this year it’s Mary Persons legend Dan Pitts.
The longtime Bulldog died in April of 2021 at the age of 88. He coached for 39 years, and was at one point the state’s winningest head coach.
Expectations are pretty high for all four teams, who combined for a 35-15 record last year.
Jones County went 10-3 after winning its second straight region title. Northside and Northeast finished 9-4, and Mary Persons 7-4.
Tickets are available at each school, with the cost increasing the day of the game. Pregame sales revenue goes to each school, with teams and the Touchdown Club splitting gameday sales.
Revenue goes to the Touchdown Club’s scholarship fund.
Last year, FPD thumped ACE 48-0 and Warner Robins hammered Valdosta 48-20.
Kickoff Classic history
2021
FPD 49, ACE 0; Warner Robins 48, Valdosta 20
2020
Canceled, COVID-19
2019
Washington County 42, Baldwin 7
Westside 34, Southwest 16
2018
Peach County 27, Northside 24
Dublin 55, Tattnall 0
2017
FPD 17, Central 12
Howard 21, Mount de Sales 8
2016
FPD 34, Howard 14
Central 48, Mount de Sales 6