MACON, Ga. — The 2024 high school football season kicked off with a bang on Friday. While many games went as expected, there were plenty of nailbiters, defensive showstoppers and offensive fireworks all across Central Georgia.
Here is a look at a roundup of scores and highlights from around Central Georgia:
Game of the Week
Jones County vs Veterans: A big matchup between two interesting Central Georgia teams. Jones County came in as a favorite after a 8-4 season in 2023, but Veterans’ experienced defense could help them get off to a strong start after a rough 3-7 year last season. The Warhawks fought hard putting up 26 points with a mostly new faced offense. However it was returning starting running back Justin Shine who found the endzone a few times.
Jones County's offense kept up and grabbed and ultimately kept a lead thanks to multiple touchdowns off of special teams, including a 94-yard kickoff return from senior Jaivon Solomon to overcome the Warhawks with a 41-26 win and get its season off to a strong start.
Three Stars
Marquis Westbrook, Peach County head coach: The Trojans 4-7 record last season was nothing short of a disappointment. For a team with a history of winning with a first year head coach in Westbrook who has a few championship rings with Warner Robins, fans expected better. However, in his second season at Peach County he has his team moving in the right direction after he took a 40-7 lead at halftime and finished with a 40-21 at the final Friday game of the first annual Gridiron Classic.
The Gridiron Classic: The first year of the Gridiron Classic is off to a good start. Teams impressed under the lights at Fort Valley State University. We already mentioned the offensive fireworks by Peach County, but Macon County and Southwest had one of the best games of the day. Despite trailing 19-14 going into the fourth quarter, Macon County surged back to ultimately win 26-19. The event will have three more games on Saturday, including an exciting matchup between Baldwin County and Perry, the defending AAAA state champions.
Gray Yates, Mount de Sales: It's been a rough tenure under Yates for the past two seasons. The Cavaliers have lost nine games in both seasons with him at the helm. However, the team surged ahead with a strong 47-35 win over Loganville Christian Academy. After this week one win, they’ve tied last season's win total and could be on the right track for a successful 2024 campaign.
Bonus Star
Football is back!: Couldn’t help it, had to throw a bonus one because football is truly, finally back. We’ve been waiting nearly seven months for football to return. For some of the best athletes across Central Georgia to line up under the lights. For Frank, Ben and the rest of the 13WMAZ to find themselves back on the sidelines of the best games in the state. To see Cecily on the sidelines full time and to welcome Sami Kostas to the 13WMAZ team. Truly, there’s nothing like the football season and we can’t wait to keep providing top football coverage all season long.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD
* Will note a game involved in Bibb County’s Gridiron Classic
- Dougherty County 44 - Central 0*
- Macon County 26 - Southwest 19*
- FPD 10 - Eagle’s Landing Christian 0
- Stratford 27 - St. Anne-Pacelli 13
- Tiftarea Academy 48 - CFCA 0
- Jeff Davis 22 - Washington County 6
- Dublin 41 - Swainsboro 21
- Northside 38 - Eagle’s Landing 18
- Brentwood 44 - Trinity Christian 21
- Windsor 26 - Pataula 12
- Jones County 41 - Veterans 26
- Upson-Lee 28 - Union Grove 14
- Westfield 55 - Brookwood 6
- Lee County 45 - Warner Robins 28
- Lamar County 24 - Telfair County 8
- Hawkinsville 23 - Marion County 21
- Pike County 34 - Crawford County 20
- Flint River Academy 19 - Gatewood 14
- Bethlehem Christian Academy 28 - John Milledge 14
- East Laurens 13 - Johnson County 8
- Georgia Military 35 - Atkinson County 16
- Piedmont 41 - Thomas Jefferson 7
- Sumter County 20 - Crisp County 19
- Mount de Sales 47 - Loganville Christian Academy 35
- Brookstone 26 - Tattnall Square 15
- Emanuel County Institute 13 - Wilcox County 7 (OT)
- Peach County 40 - Northeast 21*
- Brentwood 44 - Trinity Christian 21
- Greene County 28 - Putnam County 20
- Wilkinson County 34 - Wheeler County 20
- Treutlen 40 - Twiggs County 0
- Taylor County 21 - Jasper County 7
- Hancock Central 66 - Glenn Hills 0
- Bleckley County 31 - Rutland 0*
- Houston County 57 - Alpharetta 10
- Westside 26 - Howard 20*
- Perry 37 - Baldwin County 6*
What's next?
Four games slated for Saturday:
While Friday’s games have come and gone, Saturday has four great slate of games. The Gridiron Classic will give fans Bleckley County vs Rutland at 12 p.m., Howard vs Westside at 3 p.m. and Baldwin County taking on the defending state champions, the Perry Panthers.
Also, at 1 p.m., the Houston County Bears will be facing Alpharetta High School at Mercedes Benz Stadium in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. You can watch the game live on the Peachtree Sports Network on the Atlanta News First app.