The Georgia High School Football season is off and running after plenty of outstanding action in Week-1. This week we have several games across the state as most teams continue their non-region slate of games. Today we will take a look at eight intriguing matchups across the state this weekend.
Here is a quick look at what’s in this week’s preview:
Run-Heavy Clash: Lincoln County Visits Jenkins County
Both teams averaged over 240 rushing yards per game last season and rarely put the ball in the air, so expect an old-school battle in Millen. Jenkins County is tough at home, but Lincoln County’s depth and experience make the Red Devils a formidable foe.
North Hall Opens at Home Against Wesleyan in Balanced Battle
Both teams will mix run and pass, but North Hall’s experienced offense led by QB Smith McGarvey could give them an edge. Wesleyan’s balanced attack and opportunistic defense should make this a close matchup.
Run-Focused Clash: Ware County Hosts Coffee
Both teams will rely heavily on their ground games, with KJ Debruce likely topping 100 yards again for Coffee. Ware County’s dominant rushing duo could give the Gators a slight edge in a close battle.
McEachern and North Cobb Battle for Cobb County Best in Class
Both teams bring balanced, high-powered offenses and some of Georgia’s top skill players, including Casey Barner and Zach Belyeu. Expect plenty of scoring n this one. Will McEachern’s depth gives them the edge in a close contest?
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 Jenkins County War Eagles opened their season with a convincing win over Glascock County, marking their fourth straight season-opening victory. Calvin Adams powered the ground game with more than 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Jenkins County averaged 247 rushing yards per game last season, and they look poised to keep leaning on their powerful run game — especially after attempting just 59 passes in 2024.
Lincoln County, idle in Week 1, will make the road trip to Millen after an 11-win season in 2024 that ended in the quarterfinals. Like Jenkins County, the Red Devils live on the ground, averaging 252.3 rushing yards per game a season ago while attempting only 86 passes. They return nearly all of their offensive production, including leading rusher Kelby Glaze and veteran quarterback Mekhi Wade.
This game will feature old-school football — we wouldn’t expect more than 10 combined pass attempts. While Jenkins County has enough talent to make another postseason push, Lincoln County’s experience and depth at the skill positions give them the edge.
Prediction: Lincoln County by 18.
The Skinny
The North Hall Trojans open their 2025 season at home after a Week-1 bye, returning a high-powered offense that averaged just over 29 points per game last season. Quarterback Smith McGarvey threw for 1,701 yards and 21 touchdowns while completing 63.4% of his passes and added 492 rushing yards and eight scores. Senior Parker Carlton also returns, having rushed for 681 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, while contributing 93 tackles and six sacks on defense. Walker Davis led the team with 103 tackles, giving North Hall experience and balance on both sides of the ball.
The Wesleyan Wolves opened the season with a win over Commerce, using a balanced attack of 139 rushing yards and 153 passing yards. Maddox Gartland paced the ground game with 111 yards and a rushing touchdown on 17 carries, and added a receiving score. Carter Hayes led the Wolves in receiving with 102 yards and a touchdown on five catches, while quarterback Walker Kirkland threw for 153 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. Wesleyan’s defense forced three turnovers, led by linebacker Billy Gingrey who recorded eight total tackles.
North Hall will face a tough challenge from a balanced Wesleyan squad, but the Trojans’ experience on offense should give them the edge. Both teams will mix run and pass, but Smith McGarvey’s proven passing ability should make the difference.
Prediction: North Hall by 6.
The Skinny
The Ware County Gators started slow last week but erupted in the second half, scoring 43 points in a win over Appling County. The Gators dominated on the ground, totaling 320 rushing yards behind Tayshaun Franklin (152 yards, 3 TDs) and Jamir Boyd (103 yards, 1 TD), outpacing any single game rushing output from a season ago. Quarterback Isaiah White added 82 passing yards and a touchdown on four completions.
The Coffee Trojans also leaned on their rushing attack in a victory over Bainbridge, posting 234 yards on the ground. Kentavious “KJ” Debruce led the charge with 162 yards on 20 carries and scored all four of Coffee’s touchdowns, matching his entire 2024 touchdown total in just one game. Coffee’s offense remained nearly all ground-based, attempting only two passes last week.
With both teams relying heavily on the run, this could be one of the shortest games of the season. Debruce looks poised for another 100-yard outing, but Ware County’s balanced rushing attack could make the difference at home. Expect a tight contest, with the Gators edging Coffee in the Swamp.
Prediction: Ware County by 3.
The Skinny
The McEachern Indians made a statement last Saturday with a dominating win over Walton in the Corky Kell Classic. The Indians racked up 583 yards of total offense, with 227 passing and 356 rushing. Six different rushers carried the ball, and four found the end zone. Henry Pullen led the ground attack with 96 yards on 16 carries, while Ty Nolan added 68 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Calvin Pittman spread the ball to seven different receivers, with Jacorey Shockley catching six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Casey Barner stole the spotlight with three scores — one rushing, one receiving on a fake punt, and one kickoff return.
The North Cobb Warriors also got off to a strong start with a win over the Archer Tigers. Sophomore Zach Belyeu paced the ground game with 119 yards and three touchdowns, while Quevy Echols added 107 yards. In his first start at North Cobb, quarterback Teddy Jarrard completed just over 68% of his passes for 156 yards. Junior receivers Micah Billingsley and Christian Woods combined for 11 catches totaling 124 yards. North Cobb’s defense was solid, allowing just two touchdowns, recording two sacks, and picking off one pass.
This matchup showcases some of the best talent in Cobb County. Belyeu and Barner are two of the top players in their class in Georgia, and both teams feature balanced offenses capable of scoring at will. McEachern’s deeper offensive weaponry could make the difference in a closely contested game.
Prediction: McEachern by 7.