With five weeks in the books, Georgia’s high school football season is hitting its stride and separation is starting to show across every classification. Our “Eight Greats Around the State” spotlights some of the more intriguing games across the state as many teams are in the all important Region portion of their schedule; from unbeaten powers to surprise contenders. This is Part II of our Weekly Preview.
Worth County vs Fitzgerald
Worth County brings an explosive, balanced offense and a stingy defense into this showdown with Fitzgerald. The Purple Hurricanes rely on a powerful rushing attack but must protect the ball and control the clock to slow the Rams. This matchup pits one of Class AA’s hottest offenses against one of its most consistent ground games.
ACE Charter vs Northeast Macon
Ace Charter and Northeast Macon enter the matchup tied atop the region, each boasting strong defenses and productive offenses. The Gryphons rely on a dominant rushing attack led by Bryson Vincent, while the Raiders bring a balanced, explosive offense with Jordan Wiggins at quarterback. Control of the line of scrimmage and tempo will likely determine the outcome of this key region clash.
Jenkins vs Calvary Day
Jenkins and Calvary Day face off in a key region matchup, each boasting high-scoring offenses and solid defenses. The Warriors rely on a powerful rushing attack led by Ryan Scott, while the Cavaliers bring a dynamic passing game with quarterback James Mobley and a balanced ground threat in Ca’Den Jones. This contest may come down to time of possession and which team executes better in the trenches.
River Ridge vs Sequoyah
River Ridge looks to build on last week’s bounce-back win while Sequoyah rides a high-powered offense and stingy defense into this rivalry matchup. Both teams rely on the run game, with the Knights leaning on Micah Pugh and Camden Cox and the Chiefs powered by state leader Will Rajecki. Time of possession and limiting explosive plays may determine which side comes out on top.
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Skinny
The Worth County Rams are off to a red-hot start, averaging 41.7 points per game with a balanced attack — 184.3 rushing yards and 208.5 passing yards per contest.
Senior quarterback Lyndon Worthy has thrown for 818 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 64.7% of his passes, spreading the ball among multiple receivers. Jace Collier (9 catches, 196 yards, 2 TDs), Colby Griffis (10 catches, 179 yards, 1 TD), and Kaden Chester (7 catches, 143 yards, 1 TD) are the top targets. Chester also leads the team in rushing with 391 yards and six scores, while Treshaun Jones adds 274 yards on the ground.
Worth County’s defense has been dominant, allowing just 6.2 points per game with three shutouts in four outings. Brady Weaver leads with 31 total tackles and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. The Rams have 11 team sacks.
The Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes opened strong but fell last week. They’ve been run-heavy, averaging 308.5 rushing yards and 45 passing yards per game while scoring 27 points per contest.
Victor Copeland leads the way on offense with 264 rushing yards and four touchdowns plus 31 receiving yards. Latavius Devine has added 138 rushing yards and Daniel Harris has chipped in 124 yards and a score on just six carries. Fitzgerald allows only 9.3 points per game, but turnovers proved costly against Brooks County. Ball security and sustained drives will be key this week.
Keys to the Game
Worth County Rams
- Keep the balanced attack going to prevent Fitzgerald from loading the box.
- Continue defensive pressure to disrupt the Canes’ run-first offense.
- Limit penalties and mistakes to sustain early momentum.
Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes
- Protect the football and win time of possession behind Copeland and Devine.
- Find ways to create chunk plays on the ground to keep up with Worth County’s scoring pace.
- Force Worth County into third-and-long situations to slow the Rams’ rhythm.
Prediction: Worth County by 9
The Skinny
The Gryphons are off to their third 4–0 start in four seasons, averaging 33 points per game and boasting a defense that allows just 11.5 points per outing.
On offense, Ace Charter relies heavily on its ground game, averaging 193.3 rushing yards and 89.5 passing yards per game. Senior Bryson Vincent is having a stellar campaign with 568 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, while Brayden Vincentadds 118 yards and 2 scores. Noah Syme leads the receiving corps with 7 catches for 191 yards and 2 TDs.
William Winters anchors the defense with 54 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss. Ace Charter has recorded a shutout this season and continues to be stingy against both the run and pass.
The Northeast Raiders have won three straight games and bring a balanced, explosive attack into the matchup, averaging 28.5 points per game while allowing just 10.2 points defensively.
Quarterback Jordan Wiggins has thrown for 738 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 65.6% of his passes, adding 128 yards and a TD on the ground. Tailen Sampson leads the rushing attack with 138 yards and 2 TDs. Wideouts Reggie Glover (19 catches, 251 yards, 2 TDs) and Tavares Tinsley Jr. (12 catches, 173 yards, 4 TDs) are key downfield weapons.
Sampson also leads the team with 46 tackles, 8 for loss, while Amari White and Isaiah Stubbs have been disruptive in the backfield with 10 and 13 tackles for loss, respectively. Tayvon Shivers contributes 32 total tackles.
Keys to the Game
Ace Charter Gryphons
- Stick to the ground game with Bryson Vincent to control tempo and shorten the game.
- Limit explosive plays by Northeast’s receiving duo and force long drives.
- Maintain defensive discipline to prevent quick-strike scoring drives.
Northeast Macon Raiders
- Use Wiggins’ passing efficiency to open the field and complement the running game.
- Exploit matchups in the secondary with Glover and Tinsley Jr. for big plays.
- Win the line of scrimmage to keep the Gryphons’ rushing attack in check.
Prediction: Northeast by 14
The Skinny
The Jenkins Warriors have won three straight games after an early loss to Class 6A Lowndes and are averaging 48.2 points per game.Jenkins relies on a strong ground attack, averaging 234 rushing yards per game, led by Ryan Scott (334 yards, 4 TDs) and KeMari Wright (142 yards, 2 TDs). Quarterback Demetrius Holloway has thrown for 681 yards and 7 touchdowns. Jaylon Elliott (8 catches, 199 yards, 2 TDs) and Domonique Johnson (7 catches, 254 yards, 2 TDs) lead the receiving corps.
Jenkins allows 17.5 points per game, with Brandon Brown and AujShawn Izzard leading the team in tackles (28 and 22). The Warriors have 8 sacks and 7 forced turnovers.
The undefeated Calvary Day Cavaliers are averaging 43.2 points per game while allowing 18.2 points and generating 379 yards of offense per contest. Quarterback James Mobley has thrown for 805 yards and 8 touchdowns. Jalen Hicks (20 catches, 295 yards, 3 TDs), M.J. Knight (15 catches, 230 yards), and LaVon Owens (14 catches, 204 yards, 1 TD) lead the receiving attack. Running back Ca’Den Jones paces the ground game with 293 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The Cavaliers’ front has been disruptive, recording 18 sacks, led by Jeffrey McCormick with 9 and Kenneth Baker with 5. Baker also tops the team with 20 tackles.
Keys to the Game
Jenkins Warriors
- Lean on the rushing attack to control tempo and limit Calvary possessions.
- Keep Holloway efficient and avoid turnovers in critical situations.
- Maintain defensive pressure and stay disciplined against Calvary’s passing game.
Calvary Day Cavaliers
- Use Mobley’s arm and deep threats to keep Jenkins honest and stretch the defense.
- Balance the attack with Ca’Den Jones to manage the clock and sustain drives.
- Win battles at the line of scrimmage to contain the Jenkins rushing attack.
Prediction: Calvary Day by 5
The Skinny
The River Ridge Knights rebounded from an early stumble with a dominant 378-yard performance against Pope, including 220 yards on the ground. Senior QB Hunter Lockerman only attempted five passes but made them count, completing four for 158 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, Lockerman has been efficient with 751 yards, 5 TDs and just one interception in 76 attempts. The backfield duo of Micah Pugh (108 yards, 1 TD last week) and Camden Cox (63 yards, 1 TD) has combined for 709 rushing yards and four scores this season. In the passing game, Sam Vincent (15 catches, 190 yards, 1 TD) is the steady target while Arden Redmond provides the big-play spark (9 catches, 249 yards, 3 TDs; 27.7 yards per reception).
Defensively, River Ridge allows just 14 points per game. Matthew Burdette (50 tackles) and Wyatt McCarty (51 tackles) anchor the defense, while Harris Deriso leads in tackles for loss (9) and sacks (5). The secondary has been opportunistic, with Andrew Rowe (3 INTs) and Sam Vincent (2 INTs) patrolling the back end.
The Chiefs are riding a wave after a school-record 63 points last week against Sprayberry. Their offense is balanced but powered by star RB Will Rajecki, who rushed for 250 yards and a school-record 7 touchdowns last week. Rajecki has already totaled 898 yards and 16 touchdowns on the year. QB Kolby Martin has been steady, completing 63.5% of his passes for 681 yards, 6 TDs, and no interceptions. Senior WR Jack Ripley leads the receiving corps with 12 catches, 252 yards, and 5 touchdowns, while Rajecki and Brooks Darling have combined for 18 catches and 306 yards.
The “Wrecking Crew” defense has been equally impressive, allowing just 9.4 points per game and only three touchdowns over the last 18 quarters. Carson Bahry (37 tackles), Drew Williams (35 tackles, 7 TFL), and Michael Fountain (28 tackles) lead the tackling unit. Sequoyah has forced 14 turnovers, including 9 interceptions led by Brooks Darling (3) and Benji Smith (2).
Keys to the Game
River Ridge Knights
- Establish Cox and Pugh early to control tempo and keep Sequoyah’s offense off the field.
- Give Lockerman safe, high-percentage throws to complement the run game.
- Force Sequoyah into long drives by winning on first down and limiting big plays from Rajecki.
Sequoyah Chiefs
- Feed Rajecki and let him wear down the Knights’ front seven.
- Continue Martin’s efficient passing to Ripley and Darling to keep River Ridge honest.
- Use the Wrecking Crew defense to create turnovers and short fields for the offense.
Prediction: Sequoyah by 16
51-7 Chiefs