By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

August is a busy, busy sports month, with more than just football.

Sooooo, things get delayed. Like, in some cases, posting preseason football stuff, done before the openers (clearly, because it was a notable opening weekend). And occasional technical difficulties.

Here’s a look at a portion of the nearly four dozen high schools in the Central Georgia Sports Report coverage area (which doesn’t changed based on the season). Classes 5A to AA were featured Monday.

Region 2-A/Division I

ACE Charter, Bleckley County, Central, Dodge County, Dublin, East Laurens, Jefferson County, Northeast, Southwest, Washington County 

ACE Charter

The Central Georgia Sports Report sent information-seeking questionnaires out in mid-July, and received full and partial information from many schools.
Schools returning some information:
ACE Charter, Brentwood, Central, Central Fellowship, Dublin, FPD, Hawkinsville, Jasper County, Jones County, Macon County, Mary Persons, Mount de Sales, Perry, Putnam County, Stratford, Tattnall, Trinity Christian, Upson-Lee, Veterans, West Laurens, Windsor
Schools not returning information:
Baldwin, Bleckley County, Crawford County, Dodge County, East Laurens, Gatewood, GMC Prep, Hancock Central, Howard, Houston County, John Milledge, Lamar County, Northeast, Northside, Peach County, Piedmont, Rutland, Southwest, Taylor County, Twiggs County, Warner Robins, Washington County, Westfield, Westside, Wilkinson County

          Losing veterans at quarterback, running back, and linebacker makes for a focused offseason and preseason.

          That alone makes matching two straight eight-win seasons difficult. Throw in the youngest team head coach Keith Hatcher has had, plus the toughest region the young program has been in yet, and that adds to the intrigue.

          Of course, Macon has its first Hatcher since the 1990s at a quarterback, with Hatcher’s son Ace, a sophomore with 16 varsity pass attempts under his belt. All-region receiver Brice Whitley is back, and the Gryphons have an experienced offensive line, led by three-year starter Dutch True.

          There’s some experience on defense – keyed by LBs Sawyer Raugh and William Winters plus DL Gavin Beamon - but not a lot of depth.

Playoffs: The Gryphons have a shot to get some momentum going early until the meat of the schedule hits, so ACE is likely to make its third straight postseason trip.

Bleckley County

          The Royals have done a good job replacing departures and becoming a very consistent program. Bleckley County has won at least seven games five seasons in a row, and won a playoff game in four straight seasons. And Von Lassiter (55-26, eighth season) is the second-winningest coach – it’s not close - in program history, 18 games behind Jimmy Kirkpatrick (74-71, 14 seasons, 1977-1990).

Playoffs: Yes.

Central

          It’s a familiar story for Central: some talented players returning, but question marks all around.

          Justin Releford is a second-team all-region QB, and Nikee Walker and Stephun Bryant are quality defenders. The defense should be a strength, but the offensive line is question mark, and that’s never good news.

          Josh Pettigrew, nephew of Central legend and UGA standout Tony Gilbert, transferred back into the system and will be of impact on both sides.

          The crammed region makes progress difficult.

Playoffs: No.

Dodge County

          Sure, the Indians have one of the best football players in the state in Duke Johnson, who does damage wherever he lines up. Obviously they’ll need more to improve on last year’s surprising 1-9 season, and they have a number of all-region returnees.

          There’ll be some serious hunger after the worst season since 1992, and plenty of potential, considering the Indians lost games by 3, 4, 4, 6, and 3, plus a competitive 17-0 loss. Two years ago, the 4-6 Indians has losses by 2, 8, and 6.

Playoffs: The Indians are a bubble team, but a good one.

Dublin

          The Irish reload again on offense, returning QB Micah O’Neal, top two leading rushers Xavier Bostic and Willie Batts, behind a senior-heavy offensive line anchored by Brennan McCloud and Ta’Maj Carswell.

          Last year, Dublin cracked 400 points for the eighth time under head coach Roger Holmes, and kept opponents under 175 points for the third year out of four. Bostic and Brandon Chatman lead that unit.

Playoffs: Yes, and a very high seed.

East Laurens

          There has been some added enthusiasm with the hiring of Jesse Hicks to follow up on so much building and upgrading on the campus, including the football facilities.

          The Falcons have made the playoffs in two of the past three years, thanks to region logistics, and there is some talent there. But there’s talent living nearby going elsewhere, making consistent progress tough. Next year will be the year when Hicks’ impact is more evident.

Playoffs: No.

Northeast

          Between rehabbing from an injury, a departure, and expanding the offense to take advantage of quarterbacks Reginald Glover and Lewis Chaney, Northeast is a bit of an enigma.

          There are fewer breaks in the schedule, which features nine region games.  The offense may struggle early, especially with few chances to get momentum.

Playoffs: The Raiders have gone from “yes” to “probably”. They’ll face more regular-season tests than in a long time.

Southwest

          Finding a new quarterback when your two-year starter is back but lost for at least the majority of the season can turn optimism into stress, and give confidence a bruise.

That’s the case with the Patriots, without Chase Dupree indefinitely (broken hand). His loss puts that much more pressure on a defense that gave up at least 35 points six times last year. The offense won’t match the six 30-point games.

Playoffs: They’ll need to perform better than expected, pull of an upset or two, and get some help.

Washington County

          The Golden Hawks must replace several all-region players from a 5-6 team that was inconsistent on both sides, throwing two shutouts but giving up 45 or more three times, scoring two touchdowns or less three times and topping 40 points four times.

Playoffs: The Golden Hawks, until proving otherwise, are a bubble team.

Region 4-A/Division I

McNair, Towers, Jasper County, Lamar County, Putnam County, Social Circle

Jasper County

          Jasper County’s numbers are up, mighty high for a Class A school, almost double that of coach Ashley Henderson’s first season. The Purple Hurricanes lost three games by 7, 2, and 7 last year, but must replace a starting quarterback.

          On the other hands, RB Jalen Stewart is back, as well as some offensive linemen, like all-region pick Jordan Campbell now at guard. Cam Farley and Bryan Ridley lead the defense, with all-region offensive lineman Tymir Thornton moved to fullback and defensive end.

More work in the weight room should be more evident on game night.

Playoffs: The schedule should be favorable enough to push Jasper County on the playoff side of the bubble.

Lamar County

          Once again, the Trojans have to replace a big-time impact player. But that’s rarely been an issue. RB Qua Hughley, OL Trace Morton, DL Bryson Johnson, LB Kaden Carter, and DBs JahNizae Fed and Caleb Laster are returning all-region performers, so expect a normal Lamar County season.

Playoffs: Yes, and a pretty good seed.

Putnam County

          RB Rashod Daniel, an Army commit, is a player to watch in the region, and the War Eagles have a few others, like OL Noah Long, LB Branon Griffin, LB Mark Watkins give the War Eagles a pretty good nucleus of experience.

          And there are a number of newcomers read to jump in, like Elijah Dunn and Blake Williams, among others.

          Former Peach County offensive coordinator Todd Cooper has joined the offensive staff, which returns QB Jamarion Roberts but not many receivers.

          Putnam County may compete for its first region title since 2021 and second since 2010.        

Playoffs: Yes, and an upper-level seed.

Region 4-A/Division II

Dooly County, Hawkinsville, Montgomery County, Telfair County, Treutlen, Wheeler County, Wilcox County

Hawkinsville

          The Red Devils broke an eight-year playoff drought in 2023, Hawkinsville missing the postseason every year since winning the Class A state title in 2015.

          With six all-region picks and two honorable mentions back, look for the new streak to continue.

          Mason Coley anchors an offensive line that led to more than 1,000 yards for Zernard Smith and 600 for Nieem Blair, both of whom are back, along with TE Harlem Phillips, rising on recruiting lists.

          LB Landon Johnson led the Red Devils with 91 tackles, and sophomore Jaden Collins played in the secondary like a veteran. Nakivius Releford moved from DE to LB and is a playmaker.

          Hawkinsville had only one loss of less than 22 points, so improving against playoff-caliber teams is a key in a competitive region.

Playoffs: See previous paragraph. But expect the Red Devils to make that improvement and reach the playoffs again.

Region 5-A/Division II

GMC Prep

          Gavin Tierce doesn’t’ have a lot of experience, but he knew what he was getting into when he was promoted to head coach as the Bulldogs’ eighth new boss since 2003. He knows the struggles of being perhaps the most understaffed program in Central Georgia, a prime reason for having only five winning seasons this century.

          They lost region athlete of the year Johnathan Roach and key starters like Joe Taylor and Jessie Washington.

Playoffs: With Glascock County and Twiggs County in the six-team region, odds favor the Bulldogs to snag the final spot. Barely.

Hancock Central

          Former Hancock Central standout Brandon Nolley got a late start in taking over, but he has key pieces back in RB Dontriel Grable, WR Kater Harper, DL Rodrigus Grier, and LB Michael Holsey. The non-region schedule isn’t over imposing, so the Bulldogs have a shot at getting momentum entering region action.

Playoffs: Yes.

Twiggs County

          The drought is likely to continue in Jeffersonville, where the Cobras have won only 24 games since going 11-2 in 2009. In the process, they’ve gone through nine coaches – including Dexter Copeland’s one-year return.

Playoffs: No.

Wilkinson County

          The Warriors lost five all-region players from last season’s 5-5 playoff team, but sophomore QB Quenterrion Sanford, RB Terelle Blount, LB/DB Myles Cobb, and WR Jatavius Hill are among those eligible to return.

          But Wilkinson County is on its third head coach in three seasons.

Playoffs: Yes.

Region 6-A/Division II

Crawford County

          It took the Eagles awhile to get going on offense last year, with two shutouts and six points in the first three games. Two more shutouts were coming and only one loss – to GIAA Class AA Central Fellowship – was competitive. And still, the 1-win Eagles made the  playoffs.

          The region is no longer a four-team region, so it’ll take something to make the playoffs.

Playoffs: No.

Macon County

          After nine years, Dexter Copeland is out and Kurt Williams is in. Rest assured some things will be different administratively, and players will have to adjust. Still, the streak of 12 straight playoff trips is unlikely in jeopardy.

          Key two-way players return: WR DB Jeremiah Solomon, RB/LB Jakeyveon Parker, OL/DL Jewun Westberry, as well as DB Jhai’Marrion.

a focus will be on playing much smarter and with more discipline and less self-destruction.

Playoffs: Yes.

Taylor County

          When the Vikings won, they won pretty big: 31, 20, 50, among the six wins. When they lost, they lost pretty big: 39, 28, 42, and 56. But they survived enough to maek the playoffs after a two-year break.

          Breaking in a new quarterback is an issue to watch, and there were a number of underclassmen who made all-region last year, giving the Vikings a good nucleus.

Playoffs: The Vikings are a bubble team, with a slight lean toward making the postseason.

GIAA

          The GIAA has retained its split format for a second year for larger schools, and now done the same for the smaller classes.

          So, there are now two classifications for the regular season – AAA and AA – but the GIAA will crown four state champions: AAAA, AAA, AA, and A. There are three 10-team brackets, and a 4-team playoff bracket for Class A (which includes defending AA champ Edmund Burke).

          That comes to 66.7 percent of the teams eligible for the 4A playoffs will make, 83.3 percent in AAA and AA, and 80 percent in A, for a total of 77.3 percent of the teams getting a postseason spot.

          And a district can have two state champions, as was the case last year with FPD and John Milledge.

          Defending champions: FPD, Class 4A; John Milledge, Class 3A; Edmund Burke, Class AA; Flint River, Class A.

          Edmund Burke and Flint River swapped classifications, and Edmund Burke is in A and Flint River in AA. Westfield has dropped from 4A to 3A for the playoffs, joining John Milledge as the lone 3A teams from Central Georgia.

          Playoffs: The only Central Georgia team that didn’t make the playoffs last year – note that this year, 79 percent of all participating teams will make the playoffs - Mount de Sales (Windsor was in 8-man football). This year, expect every area team to make the playoffs, though it’ll be close for Piedmont, Central Fellowship, Windsor, and Trinity Christian.

4-AAA

Athens Christian, Bethlehem Christian, George Walton, Lakeview Academy, Loganville Christian, Piedmont, Riverside Prep, Kings Academy

Piedmont

          The latest GIAA moves have the Cougars up a class into 3A for the regular season and the playoffs.

          Junior defenders Mason Tumlin and Silas Coward made the AA all-state team.

5-AAA

Brookstone, Calvary Christian, St. Anne Pacelli, Strong Rock, Westfield

Westfield

          The Hornets, under second-year head coach Chad Campell, now battle the 2022 4A champ St. Anne-Pacelli and 2023 runner-up Brookstone.

With playmaking QB Brayden Gay back for the second year of a new staff, the offense should be better. The Hornets were held to single digits only twice last year.

This year’s Westfield team should be a little closer to what folks in southwest Perry remember of Westfield teams.

6-AAA

FPD

          The defending 4A champs are due, it seems, for a dropoff.

          Gone: Playmaking tight end and linebacker Gavin Spillers, versatile lead running back Hayden Aulds, playmaking dual-threat quarterback Jakhari Williams, and steady receiver Carter Hays, who led the Vikings with eight TD catches and was a key returner.

Depth might be more of an issue this year, with about 10 fewer players at this point than last year. Several player, though, got unexpected experience amid a flurry of injuries.

          And the Vikings had plenty of player who didn’t make headlines, but  made plays, including QB Major Simmons, who filled in well for Williams and is a quality two-way player.

          Wyatt Thomley returns to lead an offensive line that has some depth to start the season. Brett McHugh will again be a key at running back and on defense, where he topped the Vikings with four interceptions.

          Winning that state title at Mercer puts a target on FPD’s back, but many returnees helped the Vikings battle through adjustments last year.

John Milledge

          The end of a 62-game winning streak and state title run will finally bring a little hangover to the Trojans, who yet again lost a slew of versatile and consistent players, like Bud Veal, Javian Butts, and Jalan Butts, to name a few.

          The slip won’t be a big one, but it’ll be there, in large part because opponents will be less frazzled when they face a team that finally lost.

Mount de Sales

          Head coach Gray Yates has been waiting for this year, after breaking an 18-game losing streak only to hit another slump.

          Of those 18 losses, seven were by three touchdowns or less, the Cavs battling tough for a half or three quarters in efforts hidden by a convincing final score.

This is by far the most experienced group Yates has had in three seasons, with eight starters back on offense and nine on defense.

          Carter Sparks, also a wrestler, has been a steady hand on the offensive line, which should be a strength. CJ Story goes 250 and sophomore Horace Sanford 285, and they’ll be at tackle.

          Sophomore QB quarterback Zavion DeShazier completed 58.5 percent of his passes last year for 1,637 yards, with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He was the Cavs’ leading rusher with 439 yards and five touchdowns.

The top three tacklers from last year – Jackson Rowley, Sparks, and Caleb Linder – all return.

The Cavs won’t necessarily challenge for the region title, but they challenge more teams again, and it’ll mean a playoff trip.

Stratford

          Things are quite different on Peake Road, with the newest coaching staff in a long, long, long time, led by former Howard head coach Paul Carroll.

          Improving work in the weight room as well as making some adjustments on offense are part of the transition year.

          Returning quarterback Connor Fitzpatrick is getting competition from Tucker Johnston, twin brother of outside linebacker Tate Johnston. A year ago, the Eagles tried 81 passes, and while Carroll is not a fan of the pass, the Eagles are likely to surpass that total this year.

          LB Brooks Garner is the top returning tackler, and sophomore Jett Johnston – son of former Stratford quarterback and baseball standout Kyle – is the

second-leading returning tackler, at free safety. Senior Stebin Horne is one of the area’s top placekickers.

          The Eagles lost only two games by single digits, and didn’t crack 10 points four times, issues that weight room progress may flip.

Tattnall

          Antone Johnson is back in uniform for his final season, and that’s huge for the Trojans, trying to get over a hump in the postseason. Johnson gives Tattnall a threat on both sides of the line. He ran for 1,819 yards and 24 touchdowns, completed 50 percent of 22 passes for 134 yards and two scores, and caught nine passes for another 161 yards and two scores. And he was fourth with 75 tackles, adding two picks.

          The Trojans plan to open up the offense a little because of a bevy of wideouts with some size combined with a smaller offensive line.

          The defense is experienced at linebacker and in the secondary, but is in a little transition up front, with J’Marcus Curry the top returnee with 3.1 tackles a game.

Thomas Union led the Trojans last year with 11.5 tackles a week, and is back at linebacker. Tattnall returns seven of its top 10 tacklers, and five of the six players who had an interception.

          The kicking game is an issue, finding kick returners is not.

          Tattnall has a more favorable schedule, which should lead to better health, and maybe that trip to a final.

1-AA

Flint River, Rock Springs, Heritage, Central Fellowship, Windsor

Central Fellowship

          The Lancers have had a pretty good run the last several years, but it appears the time to rebuild has come storming in.

          This may be the least experienced team under head coach Jake Walls, with son Judson at DE one of the few returning starters. Most of them are on defense, and none of them are in the secondary.

          Only two years ago, CFCA scored 539 points en route t their third straight state title. Getting half of that might be an accomplishment this year.

Windsor

          The Knights return to 11-man football under alum Dylan Bass, with an updated weight room and bigger talent pool and finishing second in 8-man action two years in a row.

          The bulk of Windsor’s top players are at the skill spots and on defense, and they’re two-way players. The Knights will have a new quarterback who has experienced targets in Dalton Sims, Jeff Denny, and Landen Locke. But it’s a pretty inexperienced offensive line.

          The front on defense is in the same boat, but Windsor has experienced depth at linebacker – led by Sims and DB/LB Denny – with a mix in the secondary.

          It’s a transition returning to 8-man after six years, but recent success and bolstered numbers should make it less painful than for some teams.

3-AA

Georgia Christian, Robert Toombs

Southwest Georgia, Southland, Trinity Christian

Trinity Christian

          One of Central Georgia’s veteran head coaches has his work cut out for him. Bruce Lane - who has coached at Monroe Academy, GMC, John Milledge, and Westfield, to name a partial list - takes over a program that has gone 9-41 the last five seasons.

          Cam Shepherd leads the offensive line along with Carter Lee, in front of QB Ben Castro-Poveda. Wade Register is the kicker, as well as a running back and linebacker.

          Progress on offense is vital for a team that failed to score double digits in eight games and was shut out in four.

4-AA

Brentwood, Gatewood, Augusta Prep, Briarwood, Edmund Burke, Thomas Jefferson

Brentwood

          Things seem to be in place for the War Eagles to roll past last year’s 5-6 record and approach the 9-4 year in 2022 that ended in the championship game.

          A new play-caller has returning QB Baylor Cobb (1,399 yards passing), RB Zach Denton (1,296 rushing yards), and three starters back on the offensive line, plus receiver Zyion Andrews (16-223).

          There is experience and depth on defense – led by Denton - with seven starters back from a unit that had some inconsistency last year.

          Look for Brentwood to get some early momentum gong before region play starts.

Gatewood

          The Gators answered consecutive 5-7 seasons with another trip to the state championship, after winning three straight (2018-2020).

          QB Ames Johnson, and DB Hunter Johnson are returning all-state players.