Today we continue with our weekly segment of Eight Greats Around the State. Each week, we will take 8 of the more intriguing match-ups and preview the games. Because there are so many great games across the state in week 1, we are breaking this up into 4 parts and previewing 16 games. This is Part 3 of 4. As always, please feel free to share and comment.
The Skinny
The North Gwinnett Bulldogs claimed the 7A state title last season. This season, they will begin their title defense against a very talented but inexperienced Brookwood Bronco team. North Gwinnett returns Tyler Goodson in the backfield. Goodson rushed for 1,315 and 20 TDs last season for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs will be breaking in a new starting quarterback, but do return two of their top receivers in Josh Downs and Javonni Cunningham. Brookwood will have their work cut out for them on defense. Players like Tony Ward, Anthony Gorney and Ennio Zambino will be key in slowing down Goodson and the Bulldogs. It will be interesting to see how Michael Killebrew and the Broncos secondary match up with the North Gwinnett receivers. This game is too close to call for us, but we know we have to make a pick. We’ll take the Broncos in a mild upset by a field goal.
The Skinny
Mitchell County and Brooks County will square off for the 46th time, but for the first time since 2013. Mitchell County advanced to the second round of the playoffs in 2017. This team looks poised for another strong showing in 2018. They return most of their skill players including dual threat QB James Thomas (1,026 passing, 887 rushing, 26 total TDs) and running back De’Shaun Sherman who rushed for 608 yards and 7 TDs last season. The Eagles also return their top 2 receivers from last season. Linebacker Malik Barnes will lead the Mitchell County defense. The senior led the team in total tackles last year with 132. Brooks County is coming off of a deep playoff run in 2017. They advanced all the way to the semi-final before falling to Rabun County. The Trojans will have to find a replacement for graduated quarterback Mac Perry. Jacolby Brown at quarterback and receiver Deon Fountain look poised to lead the Brooks County offense. The strength of this Brooks County team could be their defense, especially early in the season. Brooks County will be leaning on players such as Darryl Gallon, Tavarres Bivins, Mike Edmonds and Tae’Aviion Gray to keep the Mitchell County offense at bay. This game should be a shootout. We’ll take the Eagles by a touchdown in an upset.
The Skinny
The McEachern Indians and Colquitt County Packers will face off in the matinée game of the Corky Kelly Classic on Saturday. Both teams advanced deep into the playoffs last season with McEachern advancing to the semi finals and Colquitt falling to North Gwinnett in the Finals. Colquitt will be looking for a new quarterback to run their offense. They have several skilled players along the offensive line anchored by Will Rykard and Kammar Bell. At the skill position, Ty Leggett and Daijuan Edwards will lead the Packers ground attack. McEachern’s Jamil Burroughs and the rest of the Indians defense will certainly have their work cut out for them. While Colquitt is looking for a replacement at quarterback, the Indians may have found their future in super sophomore Carlos Del Rio. Paris Brown returned to form last season for McEachern, rushing for 1,012 yards and 12 TDs. While the Indians are talented this season, we like the combination of Leggett, Edwards in the backfield for the Packers. Colquitt takes this one by 10.
The Skinny
The Benedictine Cadets and Burke County Bears will close out the Erk Russell classic down in Statesboro on Saturday night. Benedictine was reclassified to 3-A in the off-season. Yet, perhaps their biggest challenge will be replacing the production of quarterback Nick Iannone and running back Travis Blackshear. Rico Powers appears set to be the feature back for the Cadets. Last season, Powers rushed for 842 yards and 11 TDs. The Cadets defensive front of Coleman Marini and Eric Hicks should create problems for opposing offenses. Jakeen Harris led the defense last season in total tackles with 103. The Burke County Bears made a deep run into the playoffs last season, but will be seeking a new quarterback, like the Cadets. Demian Williams and Ashlon Williams Jr. are two running backs that the Bears will turn to in the ground game. Even with that said, we think Benedictine will find a way to pull this one out. We like the Cadets by a field goal.