The 2025 high school football season kicks off with a smattering of games on Wednesday and Thursday before the action heats up on Friday, capped by the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday. Here are our headlines for Part II of our Eight Greats Across the state.
North Oconee vs. Oconee County – The defending 4A champ Titans open against county rival Oconee County. QB Harrison Faulkner leads a high-powered North Oconee attack that averaged 39 PPG in 2024.
Fellowship Christian vs. Bowdon – Last year Fellowship edged the defending A-D2 champ Red Devils. Watch RB C.J. Givers (FCS) and 6’6” WR Kaiden Prothro (Bowdon) in this rematch.
Thomasville vs. Brooks County – 30th “War on 84” in the City of Roses. Both return playoff-tested QBs. Thomasville leads the series; Brooks wants a statement win.
North Gwinnett vs. Douglas County – Corky Kell nightcap. North lost offensive firepower but has a strong defense; loaded Douglas County has Benz-level ambitions.
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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
North Oconee enters 2025 riding the momentum of a perfect 2024 season capped by a state championship. Expectations in Bogart are sky-high once again, and for good reason. The Titans return Georgia Southern commit Harrison Faulkner, the reigning Class 4A Offensive Player of the Year, who put up video-game numbers last fall — 3,230 passing yards with 38 touchdowns, plus 733 rushing yards and seven more scores. Faulkner will have plenty of familiar weapons at his disposal, including wide receivers Braxton Goolsby and Dallas Dickerson, both reliable targets who thrived in North Oconee’s offense. Add in two-way standout Khamari Brooks, a difference-maker at both linebacker and tight end, and it’s easy to see why many pundits view the Titans as one of the favorites to repeat.
Oconee County, meanwhile, showed plenty of resilience last year. After an 0–3 start, the Warriors regrouped to win six of their last seven regular-season games and advance to the second round of the playoffs. They’ll lean heavily on their rushing attack again in 2025, with their top two backs returning: Caiden Wood (888 yards, 11 TDs) and Darius Durden(557 yards, 9 TDs). In the passing game, tight end Mason Hall will again be a go-to target after leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns (58/736/6) last fall.
For the Warriors to pull off the upset on the road, they’ll need to establish long, clock-eating drives on the ground to keep Faulkner and the Titans’ high-powered offense on ice. They’re capable of doing that in stretches, but sustaining it for four quarters is another matter. North Oconee’s balance, experience, and explosiveness make them tough to slow down for long. Prediction: Titans by 12.
The Skinny
Fellowship Christian looks ready for another deep playoff push after last season’s Class 3A-A Private semifinal run. The Paladins dominated region play and return several key leaders from that region title team. Preseason All-State running back C.J. Givers (1,403 yards, 21 TDs) headlines an offense that already averaged nearly 34 points per game. He’ll run behind a physical line led by Parker Acrey and Red Gilmer, while quarterback Jonathan Granby (2,000+ total yards, 25 TDs) provides a steady dual threat. With experience across the board, Fellowship could be even more explosive in 2025.
Bowdon, fresh off a third straight Class A-D2 state title, must replace its quarterback and top four running backs from an offense that pounded out 259 rushing yards per game. But the Red Devils bring back elite receivers Kaiden Prothro and Jonah Wilson, who combined for 86 catches, 1,713 yards and 29 TDs. Wilson also led the team in sacks, while senior linebacker Josh Davis anchors the defense.
This matchup may hinge on whether Fellowship’s defense can contain Prothro and Wilson — and whether Bowdon can slow the Paladins’ balanced attack. Expect Bowdon to compete, but Fellowship’s experience and firepower give them the edge. Prediction: Fellowship Christian by 9.
The Skinny
The Thomasville Bulldogs spent most of 2024 inside the Top 5 of Class A Division I. Their season ended in the quarterfinals, but with a strong core returning, the Bulldogs are aiming for an even deeper playoff run this fall. Offensively, Thomasville was built on balance and toughness, averaging just over 177 rushing yards per game last year. They return three of their top four ball carriers, giving them plenty of depth in the backfield. Dual-threat quarterback Cam Hill leads the charge after rushing for 572 yards and four touchdowns while also throwing for 1,745 yards and 20 scores. He’ll be joined again by Lavonte Cole (559 yards, 14 TDs) and Leeland Chapman (271 yards, 4 TDs), who add depth and production to the ground game. The Bulldogs will need to replace their top two receivers from last season, but rising talents A.J. Hill, Nigel Pitman, and Demario Sawyer are expected to step into larger roles. Defensively, Cam Hill’s versatility shows again — he returns as one of the team’s leading tacklers, alongside linebacker Joe Douglass, providing stability on both sides of the ball.
On the other side, Brooks County also spent most of 2024 among the elite, ranked inside the Top 5 in Class A Division II. The Trojans’ season ended in heartbreak, falling to Bowdon in the state championship game, but the pieces are there for another title run. Junior quarterback Junior Burrus headlines the offense after throwing for 2,464 yards and 29 touchdowns. His chemistry with top target George Lamons — who hauled in 63 receptions for 1,340 yards and 20 TDs — gives Brooks one of the most dangerous passing combos in the state. Look for Traeviss Stevenson to take a step forward as well after posting 29 catches for 244 yards as a sophomore. The Trojans do face one big question: replacing graduated 2,000-yard rusher Chris Cole. However, junior back Damari Baynard is poised for a breakout season and will get the first crack at carrying the load.
Both teams return experience and offensive weapons, meaning Friday night could turn into a high-scoring affair. Burrus and the Trojans will test the Thomasville secondary through the air, but the Bulldogs’ physical ground game has the tools to control the tempo and wear down Brooks County over four quarters. Prediction: Thomasville by 8.
The Skinny
North Gwinnett rolled through the 2024 regular season unbeaten and reached the quarterfinals, but big questions remain on offense after graduating their top passer, rusher, and two leading receivers. The offensive line, anchored by UGA commit Zach Lewis, should help ease the transition, while the defense remains the team’s backbone. Connor Coxwell (7 sacks) returns on the line, with linebackers Jake Godfree and Ethan Robinson leading the tackling corps, and All-Region DBs Chauncey Davis and Drew Gist patrolling a secondary that helped hold opponents to just over 14 points per game last fall.
Douglas County is chasing a third straight semifinal trip — and a first title game since 1964. New QB Mike Johnson, a proven dual-threat (2,700+ pass yards, 480 rush yards, 34 total TDs last year), inherits a loaded skill group headlined by WRs Aaron Gregory (914 yards, 9 TDs) and Devin Carter (669 yards, 5 TDs), plus RB Jamarcus Lindley (1,224 yards, 14 TDs). The Tigers also bring back defensive standouts, led by Jordan Carter (13 sacks), LB Steven Jones, and a deep secondary featuring Adryan Cole, Kennedy Green, and Jamar Owens.
If North Gwinnett can establish its ground game early, they have a shot to slow the Tigers and control the tempo. But Douglas County’s depth and experience on both sides of the ball make them tough to crack. Prediction: Douglas County by 10.