MACON, Ga. — The start of the high school football season is just a week away, and Central Georgia programs are getting ready for kickoff with a slate of preseason scrimmages. Here are some highlights from Friday’s action.
Jones County High School vs Mary Persons High School
Mary Persons is hoping to get big contributions from their 21 rising seniors going into the 2024 season. The Bulldogs went 11-2 last year, and head coach Brian Nelson said he expects another good year, so long as they can avoid the injury bug.
On the other side, head coach Mike Chastain and the Greyhounds are entering the year after going 8-4 in 2023. Senior quarterback Devin Edmond said Jones County’s chemistry is going to propel the team to another level in 2024.
Howard High School vs Veterans High School
Veterans - in its third season under head coach Josh Ingram - is hoping to bounce back after an injury-plagued campaign in 2023. The Warhawks finished 3-7 last year, but have high expectations for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the Huskies are entering the season under new leadership, with head coach Trey Porter entering his first season at the helm for Howard. Porter was formerly an assistant coach at the college level, and hopes his experience will help the Huskies reach new heights after a 5-5 season in 2023.
Georgia Military College vs Stratford Academy
The Eagles are also entering this year with an unfamiliar face in charge - head coach Paul Carroll is arriving at the team this season after a lengthy stint as Howard’s head coach. Stratford went 5-6 in 2023, but Carroll said his mentality of discipline, toughness and physicality will help the team improve in 2024.
GMC is entering the season under first-year head coach Gavin Tierce. Tierce was formerly an offensive line coach for the Bulldogs, and that continuity could prove vital for the team as they look to improve on their 3-7 record last year.
Greene County High School vs Northeast High School
Northeast finished as region runner-ups last season with an 8-3 record, and the Raiders have their sights set even higher in 2024. Head coach Jeremy Wiggins, in his seventh season as the head coach at his alma mater, said the team will have to rediscover their identity if they want to get back to the playoffs this year.