Welcome to “Eight Greats Around the State” — Part I, where we spotlight eight of Georgia’s more intriguing high school football matchups in Week 4. This week, powerhouse showdowns are spotlighted as this week’s slate features teams looking to extend winning streaks and make statements as the season hits full stride.Part I of our feature sets the stage for an exciting week of Georgia high school football action.
Appling County vs Swainsboro
Appling County will lean on the ground game of Jaiden Knight and Dareon Hood to test unbeaten Swainsboro. The Tigers counter with Ja’bois Smith’s seven rushing scores and a defense led by Derek Hughes and Christian Tarver, making this a trench-war showdown.
Brooks County vs Worth County
Brooks County faces its third straight Top-10 opponent, leaning on Junior Burrus and Damari Baynard to spark the offense. Worth County’s stifling defense and deep arsenal of playmakers, led by Lyndon Worthy and Brady Weaver, make the unbeaten Rams a tough matchup.
Cartersville vs Calhoun
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes (3-0) are powered by QB Nate Russell’s 527 yards and 9 TDs and a defense giving up just 6.6 points per game. The Calhoun Yellow Jackets (2-0) bring balance behind QB Trace Hawkins, WR Justin Beasley, and a disruptive front seven led by Sager Quinn, Hudson Chadwick and Alec Upshaw.
Hughes vs Douglass County
The Langston Hughes Panthers bring a nine-game regular season winning streak behind QB Darnell Kelly and a balanced offense, while the Douglas County Tigers rely on Jamarcus Lindley, Rah’Keith Kelly, and a stout defense led by Jordan Carter and Steven Jones. This matchup could hinge on Hughes containing Douglas County’s rushing attack.
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 Appling County Pirates bounced back from their Week-1 defeat with an impressive win over Wayne County, evening their early-season record at 1–1. After struggling to generate offense in their opener, the Pirates rediscovered their bread-and-butter last week, as Jaiden Knight and Dareon Hood combined to rush for 141 yards and 2 touchdowns, powering the ground game.
Meanwhile, the Swainsboro Tigers are off to a roaring start after a 4-win season in 2024. The Tigers have ripped off three straight wins to open 2025 and are eyeing their fourth. Like Appling, Swainsboro leans heavily on its rushing attack, pounding out 215.7 yards per game on the ground to go with 131.7 yards per game through the air. Ja’bois Smith has been electric, rushing for 233 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Marco Danford has added 148 yards as a steady complement. Sophomore quarterback Joshua Gray has shown balance in the offense, passing for 346 yards and 3 touchdowns, with Shannon Benjamin and Danford combining for 10 receptions, 297 yards, and 3 scores.
Defensively, Swainsboro has been just as strong, allowing only 13.6 points per game, notching 5 sacks and forcing 5 turnovers. Junior linebacker Derek Hughes is everywhere on the field with 37 total tackles, while Christian Tarverhas been a menace up front with 7 tackles for loss and 3 sacks — both team highs.
With both offenses built to grind out yards, this one comes down to which defense can win at the line of scrimmage. Expect the Tigers to make this a close contest, but Appling County’s backfield duo of Knight and Hood should be the difference.
Prediction: Pirates by 8.
The Skinny
The Brooks County Trojans continue their punishing non-region schedule, facing their third consecutive Top-10 opponent from a higher classification. So far this season, the Trojans have struggled to get anything going, scoring just 13 points in two games. Quarterback Junior Burrus has thrown for 136 yards and a touchdown, while Damari Baynard leads the ground attack with 91 yards and a rushing TD. On defense, Anton Graham and Demarion Washington have led the team with 9 tackles and 2 tackles for loss each, as the Trojans aim to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2007.
Meanwhile, the Worth County Rams are off to their best start since 2022, opening 3-0 with dominant performances on both sides of the ball. The Rams have not allowed a single point in their first three contests, recording three shutouts, and have forced six turnovers while totaling 10 sacks. Brady Weaver has led the defensive effort with 20 tackles, including 9 tackles for loss, while Josh McGee has 3 sacks of his own.
Offensively, Worth County is averaging 387.3 yards per game, led by quarterback Lyndon Worthy who has thrown for 546 yards and 6 touchdowns with just one interception. The Rams have spread the ball around, with Colby Griffis and Jaquaveon Nelson combining for 16 catches, 276 yards, and a balanced rushing attack from Kaden Chester and Treshaun Jones, who have teamed for 530 yards and 9 TDs.
Depth could be the deciding factor in this matchup. While Brooks County is battle-tested and will continue to improve as they move toward region play, the Rams have the advantage at the skill positions and should be able to pull away in the second half.
Prediction: Worth County by 13.
The Skinny
The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes (3-0) have been nothing short of dominant to open the season. The Canes are winning by an average margin of five touchdowns while surrendering just 6.6 points per game. They’ve already pitched a shutout, forced five turnovers, and shown the kind of defensive discipline that has been the program’s trademark for years. Linebacker Grayson Warmack has been the early anchor of that unit, tallying 13 tackles in just two games.
On offense, senior quarterback Nate Russell is already in midseason form. Russell has completed 75% of his passes for 527 yards and 9 touchdowns, spreading the ball around to an athletic receiving corps. Brady Marchese (10 receptions, 181 yards, 2 TDs) has been his top target, with Maddox Davis (108 yards, 1 TD) providing another reliable option. On the ground, Braylon Hill leads a balanced rushing attack that complements Russell’s efficient passing.
The Calhoun Yellow Jackets (2-0) have been equally impressive, opening their season with two decisive victories. Sophomore quarterback Trace Hawkins continues to show poise beyond his years, throwing for 415 yards and 4 touchdowns in his first two starts. His favorite target, Justin Beasley (13 catches, 288 yards, 2 TDs), has emerged as one of the area’s most dynamic receivers. Meanwhile, Isaiah Nalls and Hudson Chadwick have given the Jackets a productive 1-2 punch in the backfield, combining for 251 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns.
Defensively, Calhoun is allowing just 10 points per game and has already registered six sacks. Chadwick leads the team with 16 tackles, while Alec Upshaw (2 sacks), Sager Quinn, and Ayden Parrish form a disruptive front capable of collapsing pockets and creating negative plays.
For Calhoun, the key will be whether they can consistently pressure Russell and force him off his spots. If the Jackets’ front seven can win in the trenches, this matchup could get interesting fast. But Cartersville’s depth, balance, and ability to strike both through the air and on the ground make them a tough out at home.
Prediction: Cartersville by 7
The Skinny
The Langston Hughes Panthers have been rolling, now on a nine-game regular season winning streak. Their last regular season loss came at the hands of this week’s opponent, the Douglas County Tigers a year ago, and Friday night’s rematch promises to be a thriller. Hughes’ offense has been explosive, averaging 44 points per game, led by quarterback Darnell Kelly, a Colorado State commit who has been precise in his first two games of the season.
Kelly has a variety of weapons at his disposal. Tight end Xavier Tiller and receiver Jamarion McKinney provide reliable targets in the passing game, while Carsyn Baker and Qwantavius Wiggins balance the offense in the backfield. Hughes’ ability to spread the ball around and mix in a dynamic running attack has been key to their success.
The Douglas County Tigers are certainly no pushovers. The Tigers narrowly escaped with a victory over Newton last week, but we anticipate they will be focused for this week’s matchup. They have averaged over 305 yards per game on offense. Quarterback Mike Johnson has thrown for 314 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while Aaron Gregory leads the receiving corps with 9 catches for 142 yards. On the ground, Jamarcus Lindley and Rah’Keith Kelly have combined for 400 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns, giving Douglas County a balanced attack of their own.
Defensively, the Tigers have been formidable, recording 8 sacks through three games. Senior DE Jordan Carter leads the way with 5 sacks, while linebacker Steven Jones anchors the unit with 30 total tackles. Their aggressive front has tested even the most talented offenses, and stopping the Panthers’ rushing attack will be a top priority.
Last season’s game between these two teams was close, and all signs suggests this year will be no different. The key for Hughes will be whether their explosive offense can overcome one of the toughest defenses they will face all season. Conversely, Douglas County will look to control the game on the ground and pressure Kelly into mistakes.
Expect a hard-fought contest that could come down to a few big plays. If the Tigers can limit the Panthers’ running game while maintaining offensive balance, they may edge out a win.
Prediction: Douglas County by 2.