Top Teams In GA/PreSeason Talk

Highschool Football Talk

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Start, start, stopt attack, start, bob stick out because.

Speaker 2 (02:22):
They gonna be in the mix.

Speaker 3 (02:24):
Yeah, all right, guys, y'all hold off that conversation just
one second, because we are starting Extra point with Phil Jones.

Speaker 4 (02:35):
Welcome back, all right, guys, welcome back. Indeed, it is
a it's another week, but it's just not another regular Monday,
or not just another regular week. Oh no. This is
the official start of the twenty twenty five Georgia high
school football season, and we are absolutely stoked. Even though

(02:55):
all us here at ITG Next we cover it year round.
This is when things begin in earnest. This is when
you can throw aside the scrimmages, the OTA's whatever it
counts from this point forward. Welcome in everybody. This is
extra point with Phil Johnson. Of course, as you can see,

(03:15):
I've got company today. It is Mark Dicks, the CEO
of it G Next, joining me. Mark, thanks so much
again for being here.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
Well, it's good to be here Phil, as you mentioned,
great Monday, because hey we got a ball game, and
what Thursday, and amigament that so special week. We've all
been waiting for it. We of course, we wait for
this time of the year all year long. For as
football fans, and hey, we'll be we'll we'll be riding
the momentum and all the fun, you know, right through

(03:45):
December in the playoffs.

Speaker 4 (03:47):
Absolutely, I tell you, And I know we may say this,
you know a lot. I can remember saying this last year,
but Mark, I'll say it again. I just don't think,
at least I can't remember there being as much excitement
and anticipation looking forward to the start of a high
school football season as what we have had. And I

(04:08):
guess because there's been so much talk in the off
season somebody things going on. Of course, a big part
of what we're going to talk about, I think has
led to the anticipation of this season. Of course, that's
the big, great, big nice stadium that Beuford has been
working on the last couple of years. It's gonna make
its debut Thursday night. You're going to be representing itg
next there on Thursday. So I think that's a big

(04:30):
part of what has led to the anticipation of the season.

Speaker 2 (04:33):
Well, now, high school football it just gets bigger and bigger.
It does just when you think, well can it keep going?
Look at the facilities being built, all the indoor facilities
all the time. The coaches and players dedicate I mean's
year round to these top programs. To be successful, you

(04:54):
got to work at it year round and they do that,
and of course we know we're out talking to them
and see all that goes into it. And trust me,
the state championship is it's one prior prior to August.
We get to see that product August through December, but
there's a lot of work that's gone into it. It
gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Who knows, I mean,

(05:17):
you know, Nil's there. It's not going away, It just
it just keeps going. So certainly a lot of anticipation. Look,
I don't know, and we've been doing this eighteen years
and I think I think this, I think this will
be the best year. I think there's so much talent.
I mean, high school football in Georgia is at a

(05:39):
great time right now, it really is.

Speaker 4 (05:44):
And it didn't work.

Speaker 2 (05:44):
I think.

Speaker 4 (05:46):
If you look at just a small sampling, saw a
small sampling of what we do. You know, this past
year we covered high school football on a year round basis.
I know we've always done the show pretty much year round,
meeting an extra point, but you know, we really dedicated
a lot of talk to the high school football upcoming season.

(06:09):
And you know, Mark, we really didn't have to dig
our struggle for content. There was always something to talk about.

Speaker 2 (06:16):
Well, you're right again with all the facilities being built
and everything going on, and you know, coaches moving around
and making changes, and listen, we're dedicated. We cover all sports.
You'll see content across all sports from US. But no question,
football drives the train, and it does at every level.
It does in college, it doesn't pro you look at

(06:40):
every other national outlet, they're leading with NFL college stories
year round. I mean, that's just the way it is.
But football makes a way for all these other sports
to exist.

Speaker 4 (06:52):
That's right, That's exactly right. So I do think the popularity,
even as popular as high school football has been for
so long, I think is Mark alluded to earlier, I
think the popularity of high school football has never been
at a higher pitch, has never been at a higher
level than what it is. And I think we're going

(07:12):
to start seeing that with the first game kicking off Thursday.
And I tell you we're going to start right there.
By the way, you guys that are watching the show,
No matter if you're watching on Facebook, on x slash, Twitter,
or on YouTube, let us know where you're checking out
the show from. Let us know what game you're going

(07:33):
to be at this weekend, and hey, let us know
what you want to talk about. You guys know the drill.
I'll be looking over, Mark will be looking over at
the comments. We will involve you guys as much as
possible throughout the entire show. So that being said, Mark,
let's start off talking about the big one. It is
going to be the debut of the brand new stadium.

(07:55):
They're at Buford. We're gonna be there, You're gonna be there,
and and let's start right there talking about Buford hosting Milton.

Speaker 2 (08:05):
Yeah, first thing I would like to add, I want
to encourage everyone to send us some pictures or video
of your tailgate wherever you may be, whether it's at
Buford for the Milton and Buford game or another big
game on Friday Grayson at Collins Hill. We'll talk about

(08:26):
that a little bit later as well. Make sure to
send us your photos video of your tailgate. You could
be the winner of our Sunset Farm Tailgate of the Week.
We'd like to recognize you. Also send you a gift
pack of sausage for your next tailgate. So I will
say this, you will have plenty of room to tailgate

(08:49):
at the Buford Stadium. In addition to being a nice, big,
beautiful stadium, there's plenty of parking. They checked every box.
I was there last week or week before last, had
an opportunity to tour the stadium and then sit down
for a one on one with Tony Wolf. The first

(09:10):
thing I'll say about the folks at Beauford their first class.
They treat everyone very good. They want everyone to have
a good experience there. I do want to mention, and
I know I say this a lot, Phil when you
and I are talking. It's really a unique situation in
Beauford in that the city and the school system are

(09:31):
all the same, the leadership is the same, and that
stadium is actually owned by the city. Of course, the
school will be using it, but the city will use
it for other activities. But it's just it's a very
nice facility. They didn't leave any stone unturned with all
the details. I mean, the cheerleaders they have a locker

(09:55):
room in there. Of course, the visitors' locker room is
very nice. Visitors also have the coaches the visiting team.
They have very nice area up top. They give them
two suites up there too, you know for their coaches.
There's also press up there for the visiting team. So

(10:16):
it's gonna be a special night, no question, to be
a great way to open that stadium. And I'm sure
that place will be rocking. I mean, the build up
is is just there, and why not. Let's let's forget
about stadium for a minute. Let's just get down to football.
I mean, you talking two of the best programs in
the country when you look at it, I don't know

(10:40):
that you know, Milton coming off two consecutive state championships
looking for three peat. And I heard you today talking
to Jeremy Edwards at Houston County and you know, you
know last year they lost to Milton, said Milton probably
could have beat Valdosta State, which you know, there may
be some truth to that. Let's us be real. That

(11:00):
was a generational team. But yeah, Ben Reeves will certainly, uh,
you know, they will come in with a chip on
their shoulder. I think they view it as, hey, nobody
gives us a chance because we lost all those leaders
and that kind of thing. It's hard for me to
figure out how he can spin it to, Hey, we're
the underdog, We're we're nobody's liking us. Well, come on,

(11:23):
you're not gonna sneak up on anybody. Uh. In Beuford,
we know every year they're they're very competitive, So a
lot of athletes on the field, and it's gonna be great.
I can't wait for it.

Speaker 4 (11:34):
Yeah, absolutely again, Mark and Flint Dyke's going to be
there in attend. That's going to be getting I'm sure
some some great shots from up there, and uh looking
forward uh to to that one and hearing the report
from from Beuford. We're gonna talk a lot about the
Buford Milton game, but uh we also as we move forward,

(11:54):
gonna talk about some other big time openers. Mana, there's
a lot of great football to kick off season. Of course.
So part of the opening week, as it customarily is
in Georgia involves the Corky Kill Dave Hunter Classic.

Speaker 2 (12:08):
I J.

Speaker 4 (12:08):
Rosenberg is gone a good job putting that showcase event together.
This year gonna be no different. Gonna include the afore
mentioned Mark Houston County Bears of Jeremy Edwards. They're taking
on Brookwood that's gonna be a madinee affair Saturday afternoon
at Mercedes Benz Stadium. That's gonna be a good one.
And again, that's just one of many games that are

(12:29):
gonna serve as the kickoff to the twenty twenty five season. Also,
we're gonna talk about Benedictine and Conquord County Mark that's
gonna be at the Hog Pen. That's gonna be the
first meeting of these two teams, at least in their
current incarnation as the Conquick County Packers and Benedictine. I
think the two programs met years and years of decades

(12:51):
ago when it was the multru Packers. But anyway, this
is gonna be the first meeting of these two programs
as they stand, and this is gonna be a good one.
We're going to talk about that as we move forward. Also,
gonna be talking about our Pick six It's the six
games that I do every week during the season. We're
going to talk about those. You can look forward to
those Pick six games, those six games that yours truly

(13:14):
picks it picks the winners. Let me know if you
agree with me, let me know if you don't. Not
gonna hurt my feelings. We want to We'd rather hear
from you either way than you not communicate with us.
So before we do that, let's find out who always
in the house today. Mark. I don't know if you've
got the folks in front of you, but I want
to say hello to Tony Win, who is checking out

(13:37):
the show from Jackson, Alabama. He is a Thomas County
Central fan, as is Heather Night Rodriguez checking out the show.
Marshield says, you guys waiting for the show like kids
waiting for cartoons. Yet we're excited, no doubt about that.
Whaling Polk is checking out the show from Saint Louis, Missouri.
By the way, what's up Whalen? So Mark, here's our

(13:58):
first prediction, Jason, he likes Benedictine thirty one to twenty
four over Calquick County. Don't know about that, Obadi Farley.
Of course, Thomas County Central's number one fan is checking
out the show. What's up, Obdi? Great to see you
as always. Evan Reese Roswell's number one fan. Evan, I

(14:18):
hope you get a chance to check out our coaching
show with JT. Jonathan Thompson talked to him today. And
that's another new feature guys we want to bring to
you all's attention. We've got our slate of coaches show
so that we do every year, some new faces, some
new names. This year Mark that we're talking to. You
mentioned Jeremy Edwards earlier. Housing County. Also going to be

(14:39):
talking this year to Tiff County's Jeff Littlson. Also going
to be talking to as I mentioned, JT. JG. Thompson
from Roswell the head coach. We've got Kareem Reed, the
head coach of Mckeechenen. We've got Jeff Hammond from Worth County,
Sean Calhoun from Calquick County? And who did I leave out?

(15:03):
Did they get everybody there?

Speaker 2 (15:04):
I think you got them off.

Speaker 4 (15:06):
Okay. So anyway, looking forward to that all the coaches
that we're talking to, So Evan Reese your coach, you'll
be able to see that probably either tomorrow or Wednesday. Also,
speaking of Buford, Big Buford, it's our guy. Check it
in where you at? I know he's in there there

(15:26):
he is, Luke Nelson, Big Bufford, check it in. Jeffrey Rowland,
one of Robin's demons. So we got folks all over
the state watching the show, so we'll get more get
back to more of you guys and find out who's
all watching the show today. Mark, let's start with again
Beauford Milton. We talked about the stadium, let's talk about
the ex and O's let's talk about the people. I

(15:47):
think there's so many great storylines about this game, Mark,
in addition to the stadium, we'll put that aside for
right now. So you've got this is the first game
I think in what four years, that Milton's gonna the field,
the first season opener, Mark in four years that Milton
will take the field without Luke Nickel under center. And

(16:07):
I think that right there, the fact that he's not
in the game at quarterback anymore for Milton, and the
fact that you also have is his replacement, a very
talented yet inexperienced Derek Baker, who played sparingly in his
career at St. Thomas Aquanas. Mark. He saw action in

(16:28):
sixteen games, but not necessarily as a starter. In fact,
last year he was not the starter. So I'm kind
of curious to see how Derrick Baker does. Previously a
pretty much lifetime part time player, a good one. Don't
give me wrong, He's got d one offers from all
over the place. But Mark, let's talk about the quarterback situation.
How do you see that shaping up?

Speaker 2 (16:49):
Well? I think, as you mentioned, it's hard to replace.
Luke Nickel had a chance to you know, have met
him several times, interviewed him. He's He's a fantastic quarterback.
He was the heart and soul of a main, main park,
main cog in that Milton team. I think it'll be

(17:11):
very difficult to replace him again. Ben Reeves does an
outstanding job. He runs his program like a college program.
He has great coaches around him, So I don't expect
there to be a big letdown in Milton. I think
Milton is going to be you know, Milton's going to
be standing toward the end. That said, I think it's

(17:33):
going to be hard to beat Buford on Thursday night.
I really do. Just because of the new additions in
what it looks like for Milton. I think I think
it's going to be difficult. I mean, I'm giving Bee
for the edge, but look, this is a non region
game for both of them, a great game for US fans.

(17:54):
I applau both of them for playing this game. You know,
they don't shy away either of these programs. You know
they're they're not playing Uh, you know, a game just
to get a win and run over an opponent, A
great game for US fans. But whoever loses, everything's still
in front of him. We have to keep in mind

(18:15):
it is high school football. You know, these are kids
out there. Even though what it's hard, it's hard to
think that all the time with the way n I
l isn't as big as the game is. I think
it would be hard to replace with Luke Nichol. In fact, Phil,
I think that may be the difference in the game.

Speaker 3 (18:33):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (18:33):
The young man that will be starting from Milton, Uh,
I don't know a lot about him, certainly not taking
anything away from him. He sounds like an outstanding athlete.
I'm sure he'll find his footing and he may have
a great game.

Speaker 4 (18:58):
Yeah, and Mark, I'm right there with you. And look,
I want to make everybody. I want to make sure
everybody understands what I said about Derek Baker. You know,
even though he may not necessarily you know, have the experience.
I can promise you that coach Ben Reeves has had
a chance to look at him this entire off season,

(19:20):
and I guarantee you that he's not going to be
going with Derrick Baker if he didn't feel and if
he didn't feel comfortable, you know what I mean. So another,
I'm sure he's not going to put Derek Baker out
there unless you know, he feels like he just didn't
have any other alternative, and that's just not the case.
So from the point being Derek, you know, we may
not know a whole lot about Derek Baker. Ben Reeves

(19:41):
certainly does. You know, the buck stops with him, So
if he didn't feel good about it, we wouldn't see
Derek Baker. That's my feelings on that.

Speaker 2 (19:51):
Yeah, No, I agree, certainly. I don't think we know
how competitive ben Reeves is. So you know, he's certainly
coming in there to win. I he's playing the person
that he feels gives him the best chance to win. Again,
I think it's gonna be a great game. I think, uh,
you know, give him a quarter to everybody kind of

(20:11):
feel them, you know, fill the game out. I'm looking
for a you know, for a big night, a fun
night for us fans, all right.

Speaker 4 (20:21):
I think we may have lost the signal I think temporarily,
but I think we're back up. Uh, you guys, give
us some feedback on that. Let us know, thumbs up,
thumbs down, let me know if we are back up
and rolling, and we apologize for the issues there, all right?
So yeah, I think you know, Mark, we kind of
feel the same way. But I do think it's going

(20:43):
to be very interesting to see what happens. See how
Derek Baker handles the big lights, because that, without a doubt,
is going to be the biggest stage that young man
has been on it even though he comes from a
big time program, Saint Thomas Aquinas that's used to big
time stages. Mark, we know that, but it's gonna be
interesting to see exactly how he handles it. Now, on

(21:04):
the other side, Mark, you've got Beauford. I'll say this,
and there hasn't been a lot talked about this. Beford
does return. It's starting quarterback in Dayton Riola. Of course,
we all know his brother's at Nebraska. They Ain's gonna
be going to Nebraska. U Luton Nel sending you Beuford
fans out there, give me some feedback on this. Beuford
lost a lot, I mean a lot. And I know

(21:28):
that there is talent up and down the roster at Beuford,
but man, I'm telling you they lost a lot. You
look at they lost their tap rusher, they're tap receiver.
They do have ty Boogie Green coming back, who is
quite a player. He was our top athlete as we
rank all the positions this past season, this all season
rather and ty Boogie Green will be able to fill

(21:51):
a lot of holes for Beuford. But both these teams
mark they're gonna be strong, but much different look team
personnel wise then the teams that we saw in their
respective seasons last year.

Speaker 2 (22:07):
Well, you've got to play with the with the kids
you have, so sure the teams may look a little different. Uh,
the game plan will switch some but look, both these
teams have great talent. It's gonna be a great night.

Speaker 3 (22:21):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (22:21):
I think it'll be a close game. I don't see
it getting out of hand either way. Of course, anything
could happen, but I think it's gonna be a great game,
close game. Again. I got to give a little bit
of an edge to Buford, uh, but would not be
surprised that all if Milton doesn't win. And I noticed
a comment from Stephen Wynn. You know the kid coming

(22:42):
from Saint Thomas Aquinas. Uh, one hundred percent. Roger Harriet
is a first class guy at Saint Thomas Aquinas. I'm sure,
sure yeah, And uh Twine the a d man, great people,
rest assured. He got great experience there and no questions,
he had great coaching there and great mentors there.

Speaker 4 (23:05):
Yeah. And those are all excellent points that you made, Mark,
And those are the things that we cannot lose sight of. Again,
he came from a great program, he's now at a
great program, great head coaches, got you know, gets the
best training available. So look, are we overstating maybe some
of the negatives or perceived negatives. Probably so, But again

(23:27):
that's what we do, and that's what it's worth talking
about here on extra point. All right, So I do
want to mention real quick Luke Nelson, who I asked
for some feedback. Luke goes by big Buford, big time fan,
and he's a great friend, great friend of the show. Uh,
Luke Nelson says, Mark, we just reloaded. So I think

(23:49):
that's kind of the way that most of the folks feel.

Speaker 2 (23:52):
Hey, I agree, they reloaded, And I tell you, when
you get to the stadium. They got this big statue
of a wolf up front, and it is very impressive.
I mean it is big, you know, and you got
this athlete with it nicknamed Boogie. I mean, come on,
watch out. And yeah, I mean.

Speaker 4 (24:17):
I hear you, brother, I hear you. So Mark, you
talked earlier, and I'm gonna throw in a little plug
here about our friends at Sunset Farms.

Speaker 2 (24:27):
Sunset fo Yeah, yep, there's gotta beators.

Speaker 4 (24:31):
You gotta go ahead and explain that what we're doing, Mark,
and yeah, let's let's tie that in with what's gonna
be going on outside the stadium Thursday.

Speaker 2 (24:38):
Yeah, yeah, definitely make sure to send us some photos
and video of your tailgate. H Hey, we're gonna recognize
what we feel is the best video photo. Recognize it
is our itg next Tailgate of the Week, presented by
Sunset Farm Foods. Look, I know there's gonna be some
of that going on, so don't forget to send us

(24:58):
your photos and video. We won't have a lot of
fun with that this year of Absolutely I believe the
folks were in your buddy's over there in Coffee Field
said they were gonna win that every week let.

Speaker 4 (25:10):
Me tell you. You know, we ranked the top ten
tailgators or tailgate schools a couple of weeks ago, and
Coffee was right near the top along with Lounge. Buford
of course was in there. So again, I just want
to give a shout out to our friends Big Buford, Luke,
Jaden Platt's dad Kenny, all you Buford Tailgators. I know

(25:34):
y'all gonna be well represented. In fact, Luke, tell us
what is on the tailgate menu for Thursday? What time
you guys gonna get started out there on Thursday? That's
going to be a big time, a big atmosphere. And
I'll say this and we'll move on. Mark, that Buford
Milton game, it's the only game in town necessarily on
a Thursday Night's gonna be on national TV. That might

(25:57):
be the biggest game in a America this opening week.
And I don't think that's overstating it.

Speaker 2 (26:04):
Well, ESPN chose it as their game to open up
high school football, So I think that that tells you
everything you need to know.

Speaker 4 (26:14):
Absolutely, it's extra point with Phil Jones got Mark Dikes
want to thank doctor Kevin Collins, the Houston Clinic, Smontsor
in the show as well as our friends at Pepsi Cola.
Big thanks to those guys. Also, we've got a very
special announcement that we're gonna make before we get out
of here, and you guys do not want to miss this. Mark,

(26:37):
Am I exaggerating when I say it's a really big
message that we're gonna be on to our viewers.

Speaker 2 (26:44):
Big message. I think it's gonna it's gonna be a
lot of fun.

Speaker 4 (26:49):
Yeah. Well, listen, we're gonna tease it a little bit,
but you guys got to stick around. We'll tell you
what's going on. I give you a hint. Okay, give
you a little bit of a hint. Friday Nights are
going to be a lot of fun with itg next
this year. I don't think that's giving away the.

Speaker 2 (27:05):
Farm, Mark nose.

Speaker 4 (27:07):
We've always had fun on Friday Night, right, Hey, that's right,
all right? Kelly Mitchell says, this is the Beuford Milton
game Thursday on one of the ESPN channels.

Speaker 3 (27:16):
It is.

Speaker 4 (27:16):
I think it's ESPN two is going to be carrying
the game. So I want to say hello to Austin
ab Butler, who is always so complimentary of what we
do here. Austin up there covering the Buford Wolves. No,
but I'm sorry, not Beufford Wolves. It's the the other Wolves,
the rom Wolves. So I gotta love it. Thank you

(27:40):
so much, Austin Dietrich Andrews says Phil and Mark, what
do you think of the thomas Fille versus Brooce County game.
That's another one of the season openers. Mark, we'll talk
about that one real quick if you'd like to. Uh, Mark,
last year, these two teams opened up, and uh, you know,
Bruce County was my pick last year to win the
state championship. They made it to the state title game.

(28:02):
Unfortunately for them, they lost to Baalden. But I think
Brits County has got a great chance to go back
this year. Mark. But Thomasville, they obviously are a top
five ready to program in our top ten rankings. This
year going to be a heck of a game. Mark,
you want to talk about this one and all? Who
do you think you may have this one?

Speaker 2 (28:19):
Well? Again, what a way to start the season for
fans of both those teams, which, by the way, they're
both loaded with talent, both have great players, very well coached.
We know there's a rivalry there. I mean, they're just
down the road from each other. I mean, I gotta
be honest with you. Where is that game being played?

(28:42):
Is it at Brooks or Thomasville? Do we know?

Speaker 4 (28:45):
I think I think it's at Brooks. Somebody helped me
out with that. I believe that's right. Guys. Let us
know about that.

Speaker 2 (28:53):
Well, we know over the years Thomasville and Brooks have
been in some fights. I mean, I couldn't pick that. Yep,
how do you pick it? I'd give the home team
the edge, but those teams are loaded. I don't know
that Thomasville's quarterback is underrated. He didn't get what, you know,
the recognition he deserves.

Speaker 4 (29:15):
We all came hire.

Speaker 2 (29:17):
Yeah, the kids that are getting that are highly recruited
at Brooks County. Josh Mickfather had done a great job there,
stepping in for Mauric's Freeman. Big shoes to fill there
with with coach Freeman moving on a great game. I'd
give a little bit of an ash to the home team,
but I think, again, anything can happen.

Speaker 4 (29:39):
Yeah, absolutely, And Mark, I'm a lot like you. You know,
when you've got two teams that, for all intents and purposes,
are pretty evenly matched. You know, I kind of go
with the defer to the home field advantage. And by
the way, the game is going to be at Thomasville,
so you gotta like Thomas Mark. I know that we

(30:01):
have visited. You visited over there at their high school.
They got new digs over there. There's a lot of excitement. Look,
I know that the majority of the excitement has been
with the school right down the road on Highway eighty four.
It's good to see though, there being a lot of
attention being paid to both schools. They got a lot
of great things going on. That's Thomasville and Thomas County Central.

Speaker 2 (30:25):
That's a great time for in their fieldhouse, and there
is a ton of history with that school, with that program.

(30:48):
I highly encourage all the Thomasville fans to, you know,
when you go to the game. I believe they're going
to open the museum up, and so make sure to
go by there and check it out. Definitely, I think,
well we yeah, yeah, they fall off again there, I think.

Speaker 4 (31:07):
Yeah, we're back up. We'll probably yeah for that guys.

Speaker 2 (31:11):
Yeah, make make sure to visit the museum inside of
thomas Thomasville's field house got a lot of great stuff
in there, a lot of history involved with that program.

Speaker 4 (31:25):
Absolutely all right. So Mark and I are preview and
some of the top season openers. We talked about Buford
Milton by the way again, toss up game, just like
the Thomas Field Brooks Henny game. The only thing I
do it there again is defer to the home field advantage.
That's what I'm gonna do with the Buford game. I'm

(31:47):
gonna go with Buford twenty could go either way, would
not surprise me at Milton wins, would surprise me at
Buford wins. And I'm going with Beford by a point
twenty one to twenty.

Speaker 2 (31:58):
Oh, Phil, you flip.

Speaker 4 (32:00):
Up on us.

Speaker 2 (32:00):
Now last week you you were Milton. Now you gave
me flipping like this. You got to stick with you.

Speaker 4 (32:06):
Pick Mark. They're gonna call me. They gonna s name
me flipper.

Speaker 2 (32:10):
That's a flipper. That's exactly right, you know now, you
you know I felt like I give you for a
little bit edge. Again, it's a home field. Forget the
new stadium. Uh yeah, I just think in these big games,
home field's worth a few points. Maybe, So I would
go with the with the home field. But Phil has

(32:30):
flipped around on us.

Speaker 4 (32:33):
All right, Mark is letting me have it, man, I
absolutely love it.

Speaker 2 (32:41):
All right.

Speaker 4 (32:41):
Uh So we talked about Benedictine conquit I tell you
this is another tough one. I think Region one six
A is going to be wide open this year, Danny
Britt though not one six A team of course, but
with ben aedict team, but they are going to I think,
compete for a state championship in their classification. But they're
coming into Calwood County, which you know, Jeff herrit one

(33:03):
of the best coaches in the state of Georgia, has
been everywhere. Mark Jeff hear And said that he thought
Caldwood County's hog Pens was maybe the toughest home field
advantage or for opponents, the hardest road game away place
to play. So that tells you what Benedictine is going
to be up against in this one. I tell you,

(33:25):
I'm not sure if I would give the home field
got more talent now, I don't know, But Mark your
thoughts on this Benedictine call, It's gonna be a great one.

Speaker 2 (33:45):
Well, Phil, did did I hear some hesitation as to
who your there?

Speaker 4 (33:50):
All right, here's slippers, flippers and flippers back.

Speaker 2 (33:56):
Yeah, yeah, I can see that. So uh yeah, it
looks like we've had some Wi Fi issues there. We're back.
But okay, Benedictine, no question they have a good team,
Uh boy, they have. They've been very competitive here over
the you know number of years. Of course, they've moved
up in classification over the over the years here compared

(34:19):
to say, five, six, seven years ago. I believe. I
just think playing in the hog pen, that home field
is going to be a big advantage for Cockwit. Also
Jay Lamar I believe that's his name, and the running
back from Cockwit. Look, I'm an old school guy. Give
me a good running game and a home fill and

(34:44):
some guys in the trenches. I'll take that all day long.
And then you add on Sean Calhoun just an outstanding coach,
I mean a good you know, just in a good
person who does so much for the kids. Yeah. I
got to give cock with the edge and that one
Jay Lamar, the running game, Sean Calhoun. And in the

(35:05):
hog pen, the fans are right on top of you.
You know, there's not a lot of room there between
the fans and then the sidelines right on you.

Speaker 4 (35:16):
That's right, that's exactly right. And I tell you this, Mark.
You know, we go back to last year, Cauquick you
know wasn't necessarily everyone's picked to win the region. You know,
everybody was really high on Camden County, Valdosta Lownes was
expected to make a run at the region, which they did.
I think they come in as the two seat if
I'm not mistaken. But the bottom line Colquitt County. You know,

(35:40):
it's something about a program. Once you get established and
you get that winning tradition, it's almost like it becomes
part of you. It rubs off even on the new
players coming in. Mark, There's something about the walls of
that locker room. There's something about, you know, the ghost
of players past that tend to rub all on the
new players coming in. Once a play, once the team

(36:03):
establishes a winning philosophy, a winning program, a winning history,
a winning culture, that just tends to stick. And I
think that's the case with Cogwood County, Mark, no matter
who the new players are coming in.

Speaker 2 (36:18):
Yeah, they've had it going for a while. And the
other big thing is the community. That's a great community
over in Moultrie. They really support that program in that school,
so a lot of good things there, so I think
been addictine. You know, it's a long drive too from
you know, from where they're coming from. I think all
those little things make a difference. But hey, good for them.

(36:39):
What a tough road game for them to get them
ready when they do get in their region play.

Speaker 4 (36:45):
Absolutely, Jose Badilla is checking in. I want to give
a big shout out to Jose. He is a big
Thomas County Central fan. And I get a package at
my door on Saturday, and lo and behold, what did
I have but a couple of Thomas County Central polos,
And I mean they are nice. Jose, Thank you, brother,
I appreciate you, and I have been wearing those loud

(37:09):
and proud my friend, and I will continue to do that.
Guy's gonna make a Thomas County Central fan out of
me before long, all right, Actually I already am uh yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 (37:19):
Hey, Thomas County Central. A lot of great things going
on at that program. Look, it's just gonna keep going.
They're gonna move into their new facility soon. I would
have no problem wearing Thomas County Central shirt.

Speaker 4 (37:31):
Oh. Absolutely, love Coach Rogers and what they've done there.
I'd say, really, and the fans have pitched in. You
were talking about Colb County fans, Well, there's some good
fans over Thomas County Central as well. So again, hard
to find anything anything it fault with either of those programs.

Speaker 2 (37:48):
Well, speaking of those, speaking of those fans of Thomas
County Central, I was talking to coach Rodgers and said,
you know, how about the community support and he said, well,
you knew you have great support when the GHSA has
to pass makes a rule because they had to outlaw
those noise makers over at Thomas County Central. I mean,

(38:08):
come on, think about that.

Speaker 4 (38:11):
I've never seen anything like that in my life, and
you don't have You don't think that affects visiting teams
Mark and they even take that on the road too.

Speaker 2 (38:20):
Yeah, no, it impacts them one hundred percent. And another
thing I'd like to say about Thomas County Central. They're
play by play guys over there, Randy Young who's been
there for a long time. They do an outstanding job.
I mean, if you can't make it to a TCC game, listen,
listen to Rando Man first class play by play guys

(38:43):
at Thomas County Central.

Speaker 4 (38:46):
All right, we're talking about some of the season openers. Obviously,
we are taking some of the best games for my
Phils pick six, which we do each and every week
during the football season. Of course, this will be the
first pick six of the year. We talked about Buford
and Milton's going to be right there at the top.
Douglas County North Gwinette. These are a couple of teams, obviously,

(39:10):
a couple of what I call blue bloods in the
state's highest classification. Douglas County maybe the two best wide
receiver wide receivers in the state going against North Gwinette
North Gunnette, which, speaking of Coalqwoock County North Whette came
down to multi last year and shot the pack fourteen
to three. North Winnette lost a lot though they're taken

(39:32):
on Douglas County. This is gonna be another one of
the big games in the Quarky Keill at Mercedes Benz.
I like Douglas County in this one. I think Eric
Godfrey and his North one Atte Bulldog is gonna have
a little bit of a rebuilding year this year. I'm
not gonna say that they're gonna tak this year by
any stretch, but I think it's gonna be a little
bit of a struggle in this one. Douglas County over

(39:53):
North Winette. My pick thirty four to fourteen. With apologies
to my buddy Eric Godfrey, head coach there at North gone.

Speaker 2 (39:59):
Atte Yeah, as you mentioned, nor Quinette lost a good bit.
I'm not so familiar with Douglas, but look, I know that.
I mean everywhere I read they're loaded with athletes. I
do see that. I guess by that alone, you may say, well, okay,
they're gonna have a little bit of an advantage in

(40:20):
that game, but again, you never know what can happen.
I couldn't give you an intelligent pick on that game.

Speaker 4 (40:28):
I'm just not as.

Speaker 2 (40:28):
Familiar with those programs, but I do know I look
at the player of rankings in Douglas County has got
some talent or they get the rankings are correct.

Speaker 4 (40:38):
They lose their quarterback DJ Bordeaux, who went elected to
go back to Colorado where he's from the Denver area,
but they were fortunate in that they were able to
get the young man. I think it's Michael Douglas. I'm
not mistaken from over at dutch Town. He's moving in.
Gonna be the new quarterback there for Johnny White and Douglas,

(41:00):
So they're really not going to miss a beat there
at quarterbacks. So they'll have a good guy to deliver
the ball to those two talented wide receivers, including Aaron Gregory.
All Right, Mark, we'll talked about you guys being at
the Buford game. You're also going to try to make
it over to collins Hill Grayson. That's the next night.
That's going to be another big game. Drew swift Man,

(41:22):
I love the guy. He's a good friend of mine.
He's a great coach. He's done great things there at
collins Hill. Gonna be taking on the defending Class six
to eight champions Mark in Grayson. These two teams opened up,
and that's going to be at collins Hill. These two
teams opened up last year Mark at Grayson. Collins Hill
was down in this game nineteen to three. They battled
back in the last quarter to win it and shock

(41:45):
Grayson twenty to nineteen. Now that would kickstart collins Hill
to a great season. I think eleven and two the
final record. They wound up losing in the rematch Grayson
in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Well, here they
are meeting again for the third time and just a

(42:06):
little over a year mark. What do you think about
collins Hill Grayson, the defending state champions, kicking off the
defense of their Class six age state championship.

Speaker 2 (42:17):
That's, first of all, a battle of two heavyweights. I was,
you know, I spent some time at Grayson a little
over a month ago there several times. I was also
at collins Hill a couple of weeks ago. A lot
of talent on the field in that game. That is
a big time game. It's a tough one. But I

(42:40):
do think Grayson has so many guys coming back, you know,
very I mean high level talent, good kids. Centavius Brian's
done a great job there. I think it's going to
be hard to beat Grayson. But I got to tell you,
if there's a team that could do it, collins Hill

(43:01):
potentially could they They have great players as well. Grayson
has to me a lot of them. I mean, if
you look at their roster from top to bottom, it's
a little scary. Actually, I think if they can keep
their head on straight. And also I'm an old school guy. Look,
they won it last year. They're the champions until they

(43:21):
get beat in my opinion, but they're loaded. Man. They
got line great linemen on both sides of the ball.
Travis Burgers great quarterback. Yep, we know about the line
back in Corpman led by Tyler Atkinson. I mean, but
then again, you look over at Collins Hill with Deuce
Gerald's who is a big time player. They also have

(43:45):
other good players, Trell.

Speaker 4 (43:47):
Webb on that Devensive line with him.

Speaker 2 (43:48):
Mark, Yeah, that's that's going to be a great game. Look,
in my opinion, that's that's equally as good a game.
I realized that Milton and Beuford, you know, because of
the you stay even everything else. That's what everyone's talking about.
But look, I gotta tell you collins Hill Grayson, that's

(44:09):
a big time matchup. That could be a who knows,
it could be even a state championship matchup. I mean,
the bow teams are that good. But I think Grayson
may just have a little too much. I think Grayson
may have a little too much for everybody this year.

Speaker 4 (44:27):
We are talking about some of these great season openers, guys.
I mean, think about the games we've already talked about,
and we've just barely scratched the surface. Beford, Milton, Collins Hill, Grayson,
Brooks County, Thomasville. Who are we missing? Guys? We're talking
about a few games, but let me know what y'all think.
The season opener, that are games that you just don't

(44:49):
want to miss. A couple of others we're gonna be
talking about here in just a second. Gainesville and Marietta, Well,
there's so many great storylines about that one. Mark. You've
got Mary with their new head football coach, Cameron Duke
coming in from coming up from Edgewater in Florida. You've
got Gainesville. Man, you don't think Josh Niblet is out

(45:12):
to right the wrongs of what happened last year. He
is by far worse season since he got to Gainsville
in his three years. They go seven and four any
of the team, that would be a big success, but
not for Gainesville. They go seven and four Mark, and
they get upset in the first round the state playoffs
by Sequoia, a relative unknown. Marietta though two and eight

(45:34):
last year. They picked up a big win last week
in a scrimmage game, albeit against Osborne, but it has
rejuvenated everybody. Anytime a new coach takes over a fledgling program. Mark,
there's always new hope. But any thoughts on this one.
I know we've had some interaction with Cameron Duke. I
know fans are excited about what's what he's got going
on up there in Marietta. But again, this is Gainesville

(45:56):
and it's going to be at Gainesville.

Speaker 2 (45:58):
Mark, Well, first of all, look, I think he's going
to do a good job there coming from Edgewater. But hey,
welcome to high school football in Georgia. Welcome to go
into a town where that community again they support that
football team, they will be ready to go. Trust me.

(46:18):
Josh Niblett, Well, I've had every I died in every
tea crossed. I mean, look, how many state championships did
he win when he was at Hoover and he comes here.
Let's face it, he's been playing for state championship you know,
about once every three four years when you get down
to it, and so he did play for it his

(46:39):
first year there. Nobody thought he would be able to
do that. I know that he is loaded with talent
in Gainsville, a lot of good players. I think that
that may be a tough go for Marietta, having to
travel to Gainsville because, let's face it, they don't want
to lose the first game.

Speaker 4 (46:58):
Well, you're right. For opponents of Gainsville, Mark, the worst
thing that could happen to them is what happened to
Gainesville last year, again, having the down season that they did,
the off year that it was Again. We talked to
Josh Nibblett earlier this off season and he told us
basically that was the number one goal was to right

(47:20):
the wrongs of last year and to use that as
a rallying cry for this year. Said the first opponent
that it's going to have to get a look at that,
it's going to be Marietta. And again, like you said,
market's in Gainsville. I see games one coming out with
a lot of excitement. Kids are going to be fired up.
They may try an onside kick or something like that

(47:42):
start the game, try to get the Movementum. I think
they're gonna be using every little trick in the book
that they can mark. But I think in the end
it's going to be Gainsville's overall talent that wins this one.
For the Red Elephants at the end of the.

Speaker 2 (47:54):
Night, well, for sure, they'll have to come out and
leave it all on the field. They'll need to, you know,
try to throw some wrinkles at Gainesville. But I just
think Gainsville has too much. Again, we visited Marietta, Gosh,
I guess it was back in the spring, and I
think he'll do a good job there. But to a man,

(48:17):
you know, Gainsville has just got more talent this year.
And there's some of those guys that have been playing together.
You know, their quarterback has some experience. He also is
highly doubted, which is just a junior this year. Of course,
they have what Xavier Griffin is that his name on defense? Yeah?

Speaker 4 (48:35):
Right, five star linebacker.

Speaker 2 (48:36):
Yeah, that'll be hard to hard to contend with.

Speaker 4 (48:41):
Yeah, quarterback Kareem Hugley Mark is committed to Clemson and
so great player offensively, great player defensively. And that's just
two of the starting twenty two. That of the talented
starters that are going to take the field for Gainsville. Martin,
Let's take a quick minute and look at and see
who all is in the house. We got a lot

(49:01):
of folks watching the show tonight. We want to acknowledge
Luke Bush, big Loundes fan, Looke, what's up my man one,
Simo Villa Loovas is checking out the show from up
being Gainsville. What's up, brother? I know you like Gainesville
a lot. We mentioned our buddy Stephen k winn is
checking out the show. What's up Stephen? Diane Delk, Carron

(49:22):
clintch County Panther Nation checking out the show. What's up? Diana?
Glad that you're in here. Robert Taller and my buddy
Robert Peach County Trojan Pride. What's up? Chandler? Howe Chandler?

Speaker 2 (49:36):
Who h o U g H?

Speaker 4 (49:37):
I think that's how Fishgeral versus Irwin This Friday year,
we're gonna talk about that one. Chandler, that's one of
my pick six. By the way, Mark one, Simo Villa
Loovas likes games Will by twenty one points. I'd say
that's about right without it.

Speaker 2 (49:51):
Yeah, I want to say he's probably not far off
and yep, yeah, it could be worse than that.

Speaker 4 (49:58):
Andrew Watkins, he's our buddy for over in Albany. He's
a big Darty fan. Andrew. What happened last week in
that scrimmage over at Thomas Field? Wait a minute, was
it a scrimmage?

Speaker 2 (50:07):
Or was it a brawl?

Speaker 4 (50:09):
Turned out to be a brawl over there at Thomasville.
They had to stop the game. Players got into it,
and anyway, Darty was ahead in that one. But Darty
going to kick it off a really against Central Making.
That's going to be a good one. We mentioned. Luke Nelson.
Luke big Buford says Grayson is the team to beat
for sure. Nobody should doubt them. Now you're right about that,

(50:30):
all right. Kenneth Hurst is checking out the show. Big
Collwick County picker fan Alan Clinton, he is our guy.
Alan loved the challenges man. We love Alan big Lanear
County fan says Grayson wins in a close one. So
market sounds like everybody. Hard to pick against the defending
state champions, isn't it.

Speaker 2 (50:51):
It is definitely hard to pick against the defending state champions,
especially when they got all that talent coming back.

Speaker 4 (50:57):
Mike Thompson's checking in from Fitzgerald. We're going to talk
about your fitzheriald game. I said, another one with a
lot of new faces. Mark. There's two new coaches over
there for those neighbors, Fitzgerald and Irwin County. Kenneth Hurst
says the horns are gonna take over Friday night talking
about Thomas County Central. How about that you got all
love it all right? I mentioned one Simo Villa Looba says,

(51:21):
what's going on? Philing it? Tg NEX crew checking in
late today from Gainesville, Go big red guys. We love
the fact that we got you guys checking in from
all over the state. This is what we do. We
can try to cover everybody and represent everybody across the state.
We'd like to let you guys represent yourself as well.
I mentioned Robert Taller, Peach County Trojan fan, Cole Morris

(51:43):
checking out the show, Brooks Calrter checking out the show today. Man.
If I miss anybody, please come back to me. Donnie
Jarvis Cockle County fan checking out the show. If I'm
miss anybody, please don't hold me. U don't want me
liable for Mitchell Dormandy, what's up? Mitchell Drew Dormandy's sons
checking out the show. Mitchelle and I talk a good bit.
Tell you dad, we said hello. By the way, all right,

(52:05):
let's move on. U Mark eathing in particular before I've
been running my mouth here ething in particular that you
want to talk about.

Speaker 2 (52:14):
Well, well, look, obad, I switched over to be a
Thomasville fan for a minute.

Speaker 4 (52:18):
Wow, So what wea just for?

Speaker 2 (52:21):
He said they were beating Darty.

Speaker 4 (52:23):
Wait a minute, we're getting scared there now.

Speaker 2 (52:26):
Yeah, no, no, he's just uh, he's just defending the
Bulldogs there. Uh they were not uh uh Darty was
not beating them. So I got to make sure to
throw that in. Absolutely love it.

Speaker 4 (52:42):
Hey, I want to mention something a little shameless plug.
We're not really shameless, but uh, we are honored to
be a part of the statewide composite rankings that Georgia
High School Football Daily and the a JC put out
every week, and we've been asked to come back for
the second straight year. So we're honored to have been

(53:03):
invited back. You guys can check that out. Of course,
we'll still put out our stand alone rankings, but we'll
also take and contribute our rankings to Georgia High School
Football Daily, the newsletter of the AJC puts out Todd
Holkom they do a great job, but it's going to
be our Salves score Atlanta six point eighty, the Fan
out of Atlanta, Max Preps, Maxwell Ratings, and itg next

(53:27):
all going to be combining our top ten rankings, and
from our all of our rankings together, we'll generate the
top ten, a composite top ten, and that is pretty
much the most widely recognized top ten rankings throughout the state.
So we're proud to be a part of that, all right.
I talked earlier about Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald and Irwin County mark

(53:52):
one of the oldest rivalries these two neighboring counties. O'silla Fitzgerald,
Erwin County, ben Hill County, but of course we do
miss the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes. Mark. A lot has changed
since these two teams met last year when Erwin County
beat Fitzgerald. I think that game was at Fitzgerald. I

(54:13):
believe this is going to be in Ocilla, at the
Reservation as they call it. Mark A lot has changed.
Number One, the head coaches, Tucker prewittt no longer in Fitzgerald.
He's at Appling County now and at Irwin County. Casey Soliday,
the longtime coach, has joined his brother Eric Soliday at

(54:36):
tiff Derry Academy, so he's gone from GHSA to GIA,
taking his place Mark is Larry Harold a virtual unknown,
although he's got quite a stellar reputation and resume. Larry
Harold has coached at Central Winnette. He's actually coached college
football at the University of Tennessee. But again, you want

(54:58):
to talk about programs that have been that well, that
have lost a lot, that's been decimated by graduation, especially
Irwin County. Irwin County has looked rather shaky in their
first couple of scrimmages. Fitzgerald has looked pretty good. But
I think Fitzgerald is going to be the overwhelming favorite,
and I think Irwin County is going to be one

(55:20):
of the biggest storylines of the year. Mark to watch.
They just lost so much. Listen, let me say this.
I think anytime you see a longtime coach leave out
of the blue, I think that is a tell tell
sign that the coach may think, hey, we may be

(55:45):
having a little bit of a down year, maybe starting
to go through a little bit of a dry period.
That's my opinion. We've seen a couple of coaches do that,
and sure enough, those programs did indeed experience a little
bit of a dry spell. I think that might be
the case at Irwin County. I'm not saying they're going
to go winless, but I think they're going to be
in for a little bit of a struggle this year.

(56:07):
I like Fitzgerald by a lot. West Tankersly is the
new head coach at Fitzgerald. He did a great job
at Stevens County. I think they did a heck of
a job finding. If there was one guy you wanted
to replace Tucker Prewit with, it would have been Wesley
tankers Lee. They went out, they got their guy. He's
not the coach at Fitzgerald. Mark your thoughts on Erwin
County and Fitzgerald, and I would love to hear the

(56:30):
fans thoughts as well well.

Speaker 2 (56:32):
First of all, a great rivalry game. Those two communities
really support those teams here. Look, here's the thing with
the smaller classifications. Of course, anywhere, but in South Georgia.
That's what we're talking about right now. Yep, right, there's
no question the talent. You know, you can have swings

(56:53):
in talent. Look, nobody's moving to Osilla, you know, it
just is what it is. Aren't moving to Fitzgerald, right.
I mean, so if you've had a lot of talent
and then all of a sudden you are a little
bit down. You know you're gonna have to look then
hopefully you get some develop some talent coming up, and look,

(57:14):
sometimes you can't. You know, the players just aren't there.
So I want to say that first, you know, there's
no calls there other than again, hey, we just don't
have the players right now. I know that they have
great people in both those communities. I know Irwin does.
I know that they will be back, no question about it,

(57:38):
because there's kids. Look, there's a love of football in
South Georgia. So you know there's gonna be good players
coming up. Yeah, they're probably gonna be down a little bit.
It's a rivalry game. Fun fun night there to be
at that game. Anything could happen. But clearly Fitzgerald's got

(57:58):
a little bit more talent.

Speaker 4 (58:00):
Yeah, and let me say this, Fitzgerald. They do bring
back Victor Copeland, but they lost Antoine Doctor, which by
the way, is in my name's anonymous Hall of Fame,
and Twine Doctor. They lost several of those running backs.
You know, we did. We covered Fitzgerald twice last year.

(58:21):
We covered the Fitzgerald Brooks County game that we covered
the season ending Fitzgerald Appling County game last year as
part of our it G Next Game of the Week
mark And in both of those games, Fitzgerald used nine
running backs. The first time. I'll never forget this because
I wrote it down. These twelve running backs the second
game against Appling. Now, this is what Fitzgerald does. And

(58:46):
I don't think after talking to Wesley Tankersly that they're
gonna change a whole lot. Coach Tankersley did tell me
you can expect more of a throwing, a passing game
from Fitzgerald. But listen, whoa yeah he did. Yep. Victor Copland,
by the way, who is there, mister everything. They're gonna
line him up at quarterback and actually use him as

(59:08):
a true quarterback. You know, Mark, if Fitzgerald you don't
always see like on the roster or whatever, it's a
Victor Copland quarterback. All that meant was that's the guy
that's going to receive the football.

Speaker 2 (59:18):
Well, there's no question at Fishgerald, you got to love it.
I mean he's talking about a running game. I'd know
I had twelve running backs. Yes, I tuck a pru
it will just out physical you. You're just going to
run it at you, and it's like, you know what,
if you can stop it, so be it. And then
they'll always have a couple of times during the game, yep,
where they're going to have a chance to throw one

(59:40):
or two balls, you know. I mean the Worth County game,
fisherald Worth County game last year is a great game,
and they were just back and forth. But I mean
Fitzgerald just okay, we're running it right down your throat.

Speaker 4 (59:54):
Stop it. That's right, that's exactly right. And you know
Fitzgerald that that game you're talking about, you know where
County was in complete control and Mark it really wanted
to deal with Fitzgerald started throwing the football. They just
get running it, running it. We talked a little bit
about that with Jeff Hammond this morning, reflecting on their
final game of the twenty twenty four seasons. So you

(01:00:16):
fast forward a year later, Yeah, it's a different coach
West Tankersley, but I think you're going to see more
of the same. Mark. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Okay,
West Tankersly knows what makes Fitzgerald tick, and I think
he's going to continue to do what they've always done
with more of a passing game.

Speaker 2 (01:00:32):
Well, you certainly see at the collegiate and professional level.
I mean they're spreading it out, throw it all around.
But I do have to say the Philadelphia Eagles won
the Super Bowl, and you know they were running the
ball a lot. I mean not only were they're running
back Saint Ron Barkley, I mean Jennen Hirts ran the
ball some that that's a little rip, you know, that's

(01:00:54):
Fitzgerald a little bit, you know. I mean when you
can run the ball and you got guys in the trenches,
you all's have a chance.

Speaker 4 (01:01:02):
Yeah, without a doubt.

Speaker 2 (01:01:03):
You know.

Speaker 4 (01:01:03):
Look, it's old school football. You said it earlier, Mark,
you know, lining up, run it and stop me if
you can three yards and a cloud of dust. And
you know what, some people may knock that stall, but
you know what, it works, and it has worked for
all of these teams. And that's gonna be a game
interesting to watch again. Erwin County again. I think they're

(01:01:24):
gonna struggle this year, but we'll see gonna be a
great start to the season. Fitzgerald and Erwin County look hard. Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:01:33):
I was gonna say, Phil if we go back, you
know some years ago, how many state championships did Lowndes
and Camden win running the ball primarily, you know, both
running those wing t offenses. I mean I watched Lounges
games where I don't think they threw it one time.
You know it's Randy McPherson. He you know, they just

(01:01:54):
running that wing tea. And again I've said it before
with Kry Franklin and Greg Reid and Dearriet Perry and
I forget the the other back like it was, it
was just something to watch. You couldn't stop it. And
Camden they've had some teams like that as well, and
that was a time when South Georgia would dominate the

(01:02:17):
highest classification. Yes, and now obviously it's turned a little bit,
but what was it just a few years ago Jeff
Herron made made a run and when he was back
at Camden and was running the ball a lot in
the state in the state playoffs. So look, you can
certainly win running the ball. You can one hundred percent

(01:02:38):
win running the ball in high school if if you
if you have the personnel to do it. In fact,
I think you're better off playing like that if that's
the personnel you have, as opposed to trying to you know,
spread it out and throw it all the time. If
you don't have you know, if you don't have the
people to do that.

Speaker 4 (01:02:55):
Yeah, and Mark, I think that's kind of the great equalizer,
you know, that way, no matter who you have, who
you lose, what kind of talent you lose, if you're
able to run the football. And again, going back to
Fisher for just a second and we'll move on. But
you know I talked about that. You know, we've heard
running back by committee. Well, when you have nine running backs,

(01:03:15):
twelve running backs, that's the epitome of running back by committee.
But I'm sure Tucker did that because again, you lose
some guys, you pick up some guys, but it doesn't matter.
You're always going to be able to run the football.
You know, two or three guys may have the hot hand,
the rest of the guys may not. But I think
that's the key to being able to you know, run,
as you said earlier, running the football. If you can't

(01:03:36):
run the football, you're gonna be in for a long night.

Speaker 2 (01:03:39):
Well and especially if out of that twelve, if you've
got a couple of backs, that that those linebackers in
the secondary doesn't want to tackle, you know, the kind
of back. What's the kid at coffee a year before last? Boy,
he would around, he'd try to find somebody to hit.

(01:04:00):
I ran around to see anything like it. I mean,
you know, you'll get you a couple of running backs
like that and a couple of shifty guys. You went
all day along with that.

Speaker 4 (01:04:09):
Yeah, kJ De Bruce is going to be the Bruce er.
I think for coffee. You know, Mike co is always
going to have that feature back. Last year, who was
the young man that set the Georgia state rushing record,
single game record? He ran for what seven hundred yards
against Sakoya somebody?

Speaker 2 (01:04:27):
Yeah, can you believe that?

Speaker 4 (01:04:28):
Mark?

Speaker 2 (01:04:29):
No, I don't know how physically how you could do that.

Speaker 4 (01:04:35):
Mark. He ran the equivalent of seven football fields.

Speaker 2 (01:04:40):
And that's that's hard to believe. It's you know that
brings back, you know, a memory. I think this was
probably about gosh five, was it five years ago? Four
years ago? Phil, we went over and did a video
with the young man in Florida in the Panhandle that
only had one arm.

Speaker 4 (01:05:00):
That's right, that's right, and we've dropped Mark. Let's say
if we can get Mark back here and yeah, we
there we go. Mark picked you back up.

Speaker 2 (01:05:11):
So we we did the video with the kid that
had one arm. Caleb Wagner's his name, and you know
we're playing in college now. He broke Yeah, he's playing
in college. He broke Derrick Henry's single game Russian record.
That kid ran for I think five, like five hundred

(01:05:32):
and thirty eight yards in one game. I highly encourage
everybody to go to our YouTube channel and search for
Caleb Wagoner. That's a great video about this young man
that had one arm. He's a true inspiration. In fact,
I think he's at Illinois State, I believe, but I
know they put a videout video out on him last year.

(01:05:52):
And you know he's a great, great kid, you know,
playing football on that team, and he wants to graduate
and be a coach and you know, help other kids.

Speaker 4 (01:06:04):
Absolutely. Taretta Maritta is checking out the show again. Another
member of our name's anonymous Hall of Fame Mark ta
Ritta Mayretta Is I love that one.

Speaker 3 (01:06:18):
Too.

Speaker 4 (01:06:19):
Jamie Freeley Seeger, she's miss Camden County and she is
checking out the show from Camden County. Jamie, what's going on?

Speaker 2 (01:06:27):
Uh?

Speaker 4 (01:06:28):
Jamie? And I good friends. Uh, and Jamie, you know
you're my buddy. I love you. Uh. Over down, Farley says,
question for the podcast, name one team that might shock
the state this year. I like that, Mark. You want
to let that uh kind of incubate you want to
answer it now?

Speaker 2 (01:06:46):
I gotta, I gotta marinate on that one. Just yes
a second.

Speaker 4 (01:06:50):
Uh, We're gonna come back to you on that one.
But that's a good one. Name one team that might
shock the state that I know. I got my team.
I'll let Mark come up with his. But I think
it's Tiff County. I think Tiff County is going to
shock everybody this year.

Speaker 2 (01:07:06):
Uh.

Speaker 4 (01:07:07):
Jeff Littleton has has done a wonderful job with that team.
Let me point something out, Mark, I don't know how
many people realize this. Do you guys know that in
the two all season scrimmage games the Tiff County played
this all season, they were both against teams that played

(01:07:27):
for a state championship last year, and Tiff County won
both of those games, and they won each of those
games convincingly. Tiff County defeated Brooks County last weekend in
equipment junior, varsity and the varsity squads both won the game.
When they're they're part and then tiff County had defeated

(01:07:49):
Langston Hughes back in the spring scrimmage. Again it was
a pretty decided victory. Guys. I get it. It's a
strimmage game, all right, But I think that points to
what was that? I think that points to a lot
of positives. So well, go ahead.

Speaker 2 (01:08:04):
First of all, in these scrimmage games, remember I can
put on the red jersey, so you know, let's let's
keep it real. You know, it's kind of not legit football.
I can put on the red jersey. The other thing is,
let's be fair. You got a six A school going
against a single A school. You probably got one hundred

(01:08:26):
and thirty kids on one team and you got fifty
on the other, so or sixty, I don't know.

Speaker 4 (01:08:34):
We get a laughing emojis coming in. People are loving it.

Speaker 2 (01:08:36):
Go ahead, yeah, yeah, yeah, I mean it's it's you know,
it's all relative. Look, I can remember, and I can remember,
like this has been many years ago, you know, when
seven on seven's were just getting to be real big
sure in both Randy McPherson and Marty's Freeman told me

(01:08:58):
none of that matters to you get hit. None. I
mean that's the big deal about seven on seven. I mean,
let's find out what happens when you get.

Speaker 4 (01:09:07):
Hit, So go about it very fair, look to be fair.

Speaker 2 (01:09:13):
I'm a big Jeff Littleton fan. I do think Tiff
County will make strides this year. I think they will
be better. You picking them to win the region field.

Speaker 4 (01:09:22):
No, I'm not gonna go that far. Okay, Marsin gonna
have a field day with me on that one. No,
I just think you know that will shock the state. O.
But I was asking, you know which team do you
think will shock the state? I think Tiff County. Again,
say what you want to about the scrimmage games, I
get it. You know, maybe or may not make a
lot of big deal about that. But I just think
Jeff Littleton is that kind of coach. Remember nobody gave

(01:09:46):
him a chance in twenty eighteen when he led Bainbridge
to a state championship, which included a big playoff win
over Beauford at Beaufford. Right, he's just the kind of
case mark.

Speaker 2 (01:09:58):
But here's the thing. That year he would that that
team had some serious talent.

Speaker 4 (01:10:03):
I agree with.

Speaker 2 (01:10:05):
Serious talent. I mean agreed, Smoke Bowie was on that team,
you know, and I think I don't know. Somebody in
the chat may know. But unfortunately, you know, he went
to Texas A and M and and then he left
and was at Georgia and got dismissed, and I think
he went somewhere else. My hope is is that wherever
he is, he could get it figured out. If he's

(01:10:26):
not playing anymore. I hope he, you know, gets life
figured out. But as far as talent goes, uh, that
kid was unbelievable, unbelievably talented.

Speaker 4 (01:10:35):
Where is Smoke booy At now? Guys, I'd like to
do a where is he now kind of thing?

Speaker 2 (01:10:42):
You know, I'm not sure if he's even playing.

Speaker 4 (01:10:44):
Yeah, Michael Baxter, good evening, Phield and Mark and everyone
in it. G next Georgia, Mike, Michael Baxter is a
big Milton Eagles fan. He's checking the show out Mark
from up in Milton. So wonder who he's pulling for
a Thursday.

Speaker 2 (01:11:00):
Yeah, I think we know the answer that. Again, Look,
I don't think it's going to be a surprise if
you know either of those team win. I mean, look again,
I go with the home team a little bit in
that stadium, But no one would be surprised if Milton
wins that ball game. That's not a shot.

Speaker 4 (01:11:18):
Mike Thompson says, tiff County was shot the state this year. Kay,
you and m Phil, I got one guy on my
team right here you go? Yeah, and you're right. Michael
Baxter says, you're right, No surprise, Mark, My prediction is
Milton wins.

Speaker 2 (01:11:33):
There we go.

Speaker 4 (01:11:36):
Jerry Harrison is checking out the show. Hello, Phil and
Mark checking in from Monroe area. Not Monroe Tornadoes, but
Monroe area. It's go time. Monroe area has really been
on the up swing here lately. By the way, Mark,
Stephen k Winn reminds us that Juju McDowell was also
on that Bambridge team. How about that?

Speaker 2 (01:11:58):
Yeah, yeah, that team was loaded.

Speaker 4 (01:12:06):
Daniel James reminds us that twenty eighteen semi finally game
versus Bainbridge still hurts Daniel, who what seem was?

Speaker 2 (01:12:12):
Yours?

Speaker 4 (01:12:12):
My friend? Everett Pearson says, go Camden. So again, I
got a lot of people check it out the show, guys,
continue those comments. Let us hear from you, love to
hear from you. Mark. Let's steen on one Region one
sixth A. You know, I want to ask your thoughts
about Valdosta and Lownes, and it has nothing to do
with the fact that we're located in Valdosta's good guys.

(01:12:34):
As you can see, we have viewers. We cover the
entire state of Georgia. Okay. But the reason I want
to ask about Valdosta Lownes. Okay, we did our pre
season six A pole. We had all of our preseason
state preseason polls a while back, okay, and in the
six A pole I had Valdosta and Lownes picked in

(01:12:56):
the top ten. Well, I noticed that Todd Holcombe with
the age AC their Class six A preseason poll which
they just released yesterday, also had Valdosta and Lounges in
the top ten, which I was glad to see. I
wanted to make sure I wouldn't out there on an
island by myself, right. Yeah, But you know, I think
that was a little bit surprising. I surprised myself a

(01:13:18):
little bit. But I think both those teams have got
a chance to make some noise this year, and of
course they're having to be in the same region. Mark,
what are your thoughts And I want to get the
thoughts of our viewers out there about Valdosta and Lownce.

Speaker 2 (01:13:34):
Well, you know, I mean, to me, the Valdosta the
heartbeat of football and in South Georgia. And to be
U sure that you can make a case for the state,
I don't. I mean Valdosta and Thomasville. I don't think
there's there's any better places as far as high school football.
You know, first, I gotta say, look, I think that

(01:13:58):
I think both teams as talent, and you know, Lowndes
has a playmaker at quarterback who can do a lot
and if you have a quarterback like that, he can
keep you in games and in fact, can win some games.
Let's face it, I do think. I know they've got
some linemen that have received offers, so they've got to
have some guys in the trenches. Again. The Concrete Palace

(01:14:21):
another one of those places. Man, that's a great home field,
and the Georgia Bridgeman all those what over four hundred
people in the band great home field. If Lowndes could
pick it up and get it going one hundred percent,
they could make some noise. And the same thing for Valdosta.
A lot of great things going on there. They just
broke ground on their new indoor. I know they have

(01:14:42):
talent Shelton. Felton has done a great job there. Look
at South Georgia football. Those kids are physical, they want
to win. So that doesn't surprise me that both those
teams are in the top ten doesn't surprise me a bit.

Speaker 4 (01:15:01):
I got you. Look Valdosta, I think they have got
the talent to really go further than where they have
ended their season. Last year they got beat by Carrollton.
I thought they with Todd Robinson at quarterback, I thought
they really had a chance to go pretty far. They didn't.

(01:15:22):
I think this Brams in classics A.

Speaker 2 (01:15:38):
Yeah, he's turned the corner. I think that that program
is settled down now, he's in a good place. I think, yeah,
the support's coming back to that program. I mean, look,
let's face it, there was a lot of chaos that
he walked into, uh you know, with what happened with
the rush there and everything, and then the year prior
to that with coach Roda Maker not being there being

(01:16:02):
asked to leave. So there was a lot of things
going on in that program that had nothing to do
with him, and certainly had nothing to do with the
kids there sure, and to me, that's one of the
better jobs I think of coaching that I've seen in
high school in a long time, given what he had
to deal with. Look, and we know that, you know,

(01:16:24):
because we know that community very well in Valdosta and
we knew the things that were going on. And again
I always say, look, Valdosta needs to be good. They're
winning his high school football program in the country. I
hope they keep that and I hope they keep winning.
We need them to be in the mix. It makes
clearly everything better for teams in South Georgia, but the

(01:16:48):
state of Georgia. I want them to I want them
to hold onto that. Of course Maslyn would have something
to say about that. And the other team in Kentucky.
I think that's right.

Speaker 4 (01:16:59):
There on him, you know, high school al Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:17:02):
A couple, you know, I think you know they But
I hope Valdosta can do well. Look, I would love
to see Valdosta go all the way quite frankly.

Speaker 4 (01:17:13):
Yeah. And then we turn our attention to Loundes, you know,
talking about a team that was estimated by graduation. Adam
Carter Uh pretty much admitted as much. He said, Look,
twenty twenty five could be a challenge for the Lowndside Vikings.
They lost. I believe it was nineteen of twenty two starters,
A good portion of those were from the defensive side.

(01:17:35):
Having said that, though Mark, They've got one of the
best young, exciting quarterbacks in the state of Georgia, Juice
as we like to call him, Jase Jus Johnson. I
like him a lot, and I think he is gonna
be the guy to lead that offense. I just wonder,
and they got a good offensive line. You just wonder

(01:17:57):
if the defense is gonna be able to stand up
and do their part. Here they were the unit hurt
the most by graduation. Well look when you look.

Speaker 2 (01:18:05):
At Lowndes, I mean everybody in South Georgia knows this,
but they have three middle schools feeding that high school,
and there always seems to be talent coming up through
those programs. I mean, look, if I if I could
tell you every time when coach McPherson was there, and
I'd watch a game and I'd see I'd see this

(01:18:28):
kid having an incredible night, and I'd say, well, you know,
where did he come from? You know, he came up.
He came up through the program, you know, and that's
the way those teams were built. I do think, you know, again,
it takes time for you know, Adam Carter's got to
get his systems in place. He's got to get the
middle school on the same page with him, and I

(01:18:48):
think he's doing that now. And there's gonna be good
players come up through those middle schools. At lowns, they
always seem to have players, uh, you know, coming up
through developed in those programs.

Speaker 4 (01:19:02):
Yeah, certainly, you do agree with that. I think the
region overall is going to be up for grabs like
it was last year. By the way, I've got some
games and this will probably be coming out as part
of our newsletter maybe this week or next, but there's
some key games that I've got circled. I think you

(01:19:24):
guys are going to enjoy it. It's what I'm calling
make or break games, Mark Okay. And it's going to
be some games that may not necessarily make or break
the team for the season, but it could make or
break a team as far as their home playoff chances go,
or making you know, giving them the opportunity to extend.

(01:19:46):
I'll give you an example last year Conquitck County, Okay.
Conquitck County. They lose on the road to Valdosta. Believe
it was seven to three. But then they.

Speaker 2 (01:20:05):
Looks like we have lost signal again here Phil. Are
you there? Phil? Are you still there.

Speaker 4 (01:20:34):
Until we get him back?

Speaker 2 (01:20:35):
Yeah. I was gonna say, all yeah, look looks looks
like we lost Phil. They're not. I'm not sure what's
going on. We've got somebody uh working on that. I'm
looking at the chat here. We've got somebody. Deshaun Suggs
from Columbus, Carver, Columbus on the Hill for life. I
gotta tell you, Deshaun, I agree with you totally. I

(01:20:58):
believe Carver Columbus repeats as state champion. I don't know.
I believe to a man, Carver could compete with any team,
any classification. I think depth would come into play if
they went up against a Gray Soon or some of
these five six A teams. But to a man, Carver

(01:21:21):
could compete with anyone in the state. They looked really
good last year in that state championship win. I look
for them to come back and repeat as state champion.
Still trying to get fill in here. Not sure what
happened to him. Don't know if that's on our producer's

(01:21:43):
Wi Fi or on FIL's Wi Fi because I hate
to make the announcement without fil in here. So we
got to see if we can get fill in here,
because really it's his announcement. So doesn't look like we

(01:22:03):
are able to get him back in. He's almost back in.
I'm talking to him right now. Yeah, okay, okay, all right,
So all right, guys, there he goes Phil. We lost you, buddy.
What happened?

Speaker 4 (01:22:19):
Man, It just just dropped. Everything went black on me.
But anyway, you guys got me back.

Speaker 2 (01:22:24):
All right. So I was just talking about Carver Columbus,
had someone checking in from over there. Uh, Carver Columbus
is gonna repeat unless an earthquake or something happens. I mean,
you know, I had a chance to go over there
and see those guys man, and and they are there
are some really good looking athletes. But listen, I also
want to say something about about Carver Columbus and Jarvis

(01:22:47):
Jones back over there at the head of that team. Now,
some incredible kids over there, very smart kids. Had an
opportunity to meet those guys and just just really good people.
They're loaded with talent, So highly encourage you if you
get a chance to watch Carver Columbus do so.

Speaker 4 (01:23:07):
Yeah, listen back earlier. You know I did the wrote
the story about twenty twenty five being the year of
the repeat, and right at the very top I had
Carver Columbus. Look, I call a little bit of flight
this past week, Lee County and Carver Columbus. Boy, you
want to talk about a tune up. I mean you're

(01:23:28):
talking about two big time heavyweights. By the way, Carver Columbus,
I am a firm believer. I don't care what the
number is in front of Carver Columbus. I don't care
if it's one, two, four. I think Carver Columbus can
stand with anybody in the state of Georgia. I firmly
believe that. I think they are that talented from top

(01:23:48):
to bottom. Having said that, they went to cook to
Lee County this past weekend and played Lee County in
a scrimmage game. Lee County looked good, the defense really
looked good. I think Carver still trying to find their way.
I know that they have got a young quarterback, a
new quarterback. I think he's the transfer that came over
from where was it, Mark, What school is it? I'm

(01:24:10):
not sure.

Speaker 2 (01:24:11):
I'm not sure.

Speaker 4 (01:24:12):
Is it Drew no Shaw Shaw? Yeah, yeah, anyway, I
think they're just trying to find their way with him.
But I think in the end Carver is going to
be just fine. But I don't I don't care what
what number they have in front of their their name.
I think they are one of the top teams in
the in the state of Georgia.

Speaker 2 (01:24:31):
Well, first of all, if I was a betting person,
if they have that bet, you know, like who's going
to win the super Bowl and you can bet it early.
If they had that kind of bit, just go bet
to farm on Carver Columbus to win the state championship.
So you're all in, all in, I'll push all my
chips into the middle of the table. Again. I've just

(01:24:53):
had a chance to see these guys and and right now,
you know, the time is just right for them. They
have some very talented players. And look with Jarvis Jones there,
I think he's gonna do a great job there. I
mean he won a state championship there. Look, we all
know his background, great collegiate career, great professional career that

(01:25:13):
they're just gonna keep on rolling over there.

Speaker 4 (01:25:16):
Yeah, I agree with you. Now, we talked about, By
the way, my buddy Deshaun, So, what's up to Shawn?
A great Carbor fan? Uh says it's hardaway where the
young man? Okay, yeah, but we were talking about he.

Speaker 2 (01:25:31):
Walked into a good situation. Let me say that, a
good situation. Yeah.

Speaker 4 (01:25:37):
Also, I want to see that my buddy Oscar Miles
is checking out the show. His son is kJ who
is I think the North Carolina commit Him and Travis
Burgess are gonna get together at North Carolina after they're
playing high school playing days are over. But anyway, all right,
we want to talk about Lee County real quick. So

(01:26:00):
we talked about Carver, Columbus mark Lee County, I think,
and again I got everybody in the roar. I said,
I think Lee County may be better than they were
last year, and everybody went, whoa, what are you talking about?
Back it up, Phil, Okay, I'll back it up just
a little bit. Maybe offensively, they still got a ways
to go, but I think defensively, look, Lee County's probably

(01:26:22):
got the best defensive secondary in the state. They've got
four linebackers that may be collectively the best in the state,
and the defensive line, led by the Atkins kid, and again,
everybody's a kid. To me, I think they are going
to be absolute studily on defense. Offense, you don't have

(01:26:44):
his money back. I get that. But to hear Dean
Fabrizio tell it, he's got his problem right now is
getting enough find out how to get enough touches for
those running backs that you've got. You've got the Williams
kid who ran for all the almost eight hundred yards
mark in the shadow of Money last year. That's what
the quietest eight hundred yard rushing season that anybody's had.

Speaker 2 (01:27:05):
Well, first of all, let's keep it real, you're gonna
have to have about four or five running backs to
replace his money. Agree, that guy was unbelievable and such
a still is. Yeah, just unbelievable. Hey, look for him
to have an impact at FSU early.

Speaker 4 (01:27:21):
Ye.

Speaker 2 (01:27:22):
Look, they may be better on defense, there's no way
you're going to tell me that they're better on offense.
I can't believe now. Coach Fabreezio, man, there's always some
good players there. You know that his teams are always
so competitive. I mean, year in year out, they're always
in the hunt. But I agree, Look, the defense was

(01:27:45):
really good last year. So they and they were young
some of those players you're talking about, So they've gotten better.
I can see that. And of course, you know what's
the old saying, Hey, if you can keep the other
team from scoring, you got a chance, right, you know.
But but being better, man, I don't know about that one.

(01:28:05):
I think they had an unbelievable team last year. They
just unfortunately, I think had the team that could win it,
except Milton had a generational team.

Speaker 4 (01:28:16):
Well, very well put generational team. I think that's a
perfect description, Mark, And listen, you know, and speaking of Milton,
almost what based on what you just said, there's really
nowhere to go but down. And I don't mean I'm
not taking a shot. Yeah you follow me, Mark.

Speaker 2 (01:28:35):
Yeah, well I can tell you this, there's no way
Milton will be as good as they were last year,
because I know's what I mean. I think that's one
of the best teams ever in the entire history the
state of Georgia. I mean, agreed, that just doesn't happen.

Speaker 4 (01:28:47):
Agree, Mark, this Buford Milton game, where does it rank
in terms of big time games in the state of Georgia.
And I'm not talking about now, I'm talking about let's
take the last decade, and I don't think that's overstating
it or over it are exaggerating it at all. You

(01:29:08):
throw in the stadium, you throw in the anticipation the
success these programs have had no more. Luke Nickel, big
question mark around Milton. Can Beauford finally step up in
Wanna State championship? I mean, You've got all these storylines
which leads to the anticipation, expectation of this game.

Speaker 2 (01:29:26):
What say you, Mark, Look, I think it's a huge game,
no question again. I think it's going to be a
lot of fun. You know me personally, I mean, I
think there just been other games that and if I'm
not mistaken, I'm sure Milton and Buford are both ranked nationally.
I'm sure sure of course they got to be rank nationally.

(01:29:47):
I got to tell you that maybe one of the
best games I've ever seen was Lowndes and North Side,
one of Robbins at Lowndes. Multiple NFL players on the field,
there was you couldn't fit another person anywhere were in
that stadium when it was out of Red Nicks was
coaching during that time. It was unbelievable atmosphere and game.

(01:30:08):
There was just there was nothing like it.

Speaker 3 (01:30:12):
You know.

Speaker 2 (01:30:12):
Also, I gotta say, I mean, I gotta say, just
some of these games in South Georgia for me, just
because of the way the communities come out and support
the team that Buford in Milton, they will come out
and support it. But I think there's just a little
bit different passion in South Georgia for high school football.

Speaker 4 (01:30:32):
You know, I get, and I don't disagree with you.
Do you think right now? And let's just say you,
let's take South Georgia's best five teams, and let's take
North Georgia's best five teams head to head, winner take all.

(01:30:53):
How do you think that would come out? You know?

Speaker 2 (01:30:57):
I mean, if I'm being honest, I think North Georgia
is gone. I'm gonna get the edge on that. Where
do you put Carver Columbus? So they in north of
South there?

Speaker 4 (01:31:05):
So I put them in South?

Speaker 2 (01:31:07):
All right?

Speaker 4 (01:31:08):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (01:31:08):
I think? But but I mean again, I think when
you look at Grayson, when you look at Buford, Collins Hill,
when you look at Gainesville, when you look at Milton.
Now that being said, you know, Thomas County Central, Yeah,
they can play with anybody. It'll be closed. I just
don't I think in all the other classifications, I just

(01:31:31):
think it'd be tougher for our six A teams right now. Granted,
I think any of them can make a run. I
think it's gonna be difficult to beat Grayson this year.
I mean, you really do. They got everybody back, and
Collins Hill is good, and Buford's good, and Douglas County
is good. I mean you know that, you know right
now there's just some really good talent there.

Speaker 4 (01:31:50):
Let me let me give you my opinion, and we're
gonna start to wrap it up. And we got to
again a big announcement, and I appreciate you guys waiting
around for that. Here's here's my take on things, Mark.
When you're talking about North Georgia South Georgia, I think
North Georgia is very top heavy, and that's where they
have the advantage. And by a don't means step in

(01:32:12):
here and give me your thoughts, you know, and feel
free to give us some pushback. I think I think
North Georgia is top heavy. I think overall, when you
talk about collectively, South Georgia may have the advantage there.
That's kind of how I view the difference, you know,

(01:32:33):
And obviously if you're top heavy. That means, you know,
all you gotta all you gotta do is have one
team to win state championship. But what are your thoughts
on that?

Speaker 2 (01:32:41):
Yeah? Well, I mean again we're I mean, if you're
talking about, like you said, who's gonna win a state championship,
I think North's gonna be favored, and clearly six A
now five days you know, a different game. I mean
South Georgia teams have a chance there right right up North.
You know clearly it's gonna be Milton and in Gainesville.

(01:33:02):
Who else am I for getting up there? Milton? Gainesville?
Uh tea, well, Buford's.

Speaker 4 (01:33:10):
And six A right, yeah, I'm talking about overall, yeah, yeah, yeah,
overall yeah, overall yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:33:18):
I think in the North would would edge it by
a little bit. However, for atmosphere, South George is always
gonna win that battle.

Speaker 4 (01:33:26):
I got you, all right, guys. So we've come to
seven o'clock, technically the end of the show. But I
told you, guys, and we've been teasing this, you know,
I mentioned earlier, Friday Nights has always been a big
part of what we do here at itg next and
Friday Nights are going to continue to be a big

(01:33:49):
part of what it g Next does as far as
covering high school football. You guys that have kept up
with us know that yours truly and Mark two, you
know we have driven all over the state of Georgia
to bring you guys the best in high school football. Mark,
we've done these games of the week on Friday nights

(01:34:11):
where we've gone to Buford, Collins Hill, Gainesville, Savannah, you
name it, many a stops at Bucky's along the way,
and Mark, you've also made those long trips. However, beginning
this Friday night, we instead of going to places all

(01:34:35):
over the state, We're actually going to invite all over
the state, everyone around the state to us as we
are going to have our first ever Extra Point Friday
Night show. It will start at ten o'clock and we
will invite you guys to call in follow us just
like you are on Monday nights, except the Friday night

(01:34:58):
show is going to have a twist. Gonna be scoreboard
watching and we are going to be talking about the
games that are just wrapping up. We want to know
what games you guys a running the way home from.
We're gonna be giving you updated scores as they come
available to us, and we hope that you guys will
like it. We're excited about it. Mark want to get

(01:35:19):
your thoughts on what changes are in store for us
here at it g next on Friday nights.

Speaker 3 (01:35:24):
I like it.

Speaker 2 (01:35:26):
Yeah, well that'll be a lot of fun. You know,
some Friday nights, I'm gonna try to sit in with
you or somebody. Sure, I'll be in there with you.
You know, I'm gonna be on the road this Friday.
I will be up at the Buford Milton game on Thursday,
and then Friday, I'm gonna be at Grayson Collins Hill.
I move around a lot on Friday. That's probably not

(01:35:47):
gonna change. But I think it's gonna gonna be really
good field to have you. You know, I think we'll
get some interesting commentary Friday night as it gets later
in the evening and we're seeing you know, some of
these big games come to a close. So should be
a lot of fun.

Speaker 4 (01:36:06):
What do you guys think? You know, we'll give you
a couple of minutes to offer your comments as we
wrap it up. But Michael Baxter can't wait for Friday.
David Wood said he's going to be listening in we
hope everybody will check in again, you know, whether you're
watching the show. Remember, you guys can bring us up
on your cell phone if you happen to be a

(01:36:27):
passenger in a vehicle, because of course, we don't want
you doing that way you're driving. If you are driving,
put your phone down. You can still listen to us, Okay,
but we'd love for you guys to be a part
of our Right now, we're just calling it the Extra
Point Friday Night Edition Extra Point with Phil Jones, the
Friday Night Edition. Again. We'll start at ten o'clock and
that is a strategic move, a strategic time where we

(01:36:51):
are coming on mark and that's as most of the
games are going to be ending.

Speaker 2 (01:36:58):
That is right. Yeah, they'll start to wind up, and
as I mentioned, I'm sure it'll be fun and colorful
on Friday Night, a little bit different vibe going on.

Speaker 4 (01:37:08):
Ronnie Salz, that'll be great. Phil can't wait to share
the results of the games and guys that listen. We
do want you guys to be our eyes and ears.
You know, we'll have these different sources that offer us scores,
but hey, nobody gives it to us like you guys do.
Phil I'm coming home from X and X game, and
here's what happened. That's not just the scores, but the

(01:37:29):
level of detail that we want from you guys. And
believe me, you guys think that I watched the comments
and your messages that are incoming now. It's going to
be tenfold on Fridays after the games. Coaches are invited.
I know we've got Drew Swick who's checking in right now,
and Drew, what's going on, brother? Sorry that I can't

(01:37:50):
be there Friday. Mark Dykes is going to be there
Friday night representing us stuff we would love to hear
from you and a lot of the other coaches and fans.
So far, overwhelming positive feedback we're getting about our announcement
over down Farley said, y'all will still do the Game
of the Week live stream. Now, we're not gonna be
doing that. We will not be doing a Friday night

(01:38:12):
Give of the Week anymore. Instead, our Friday nights are
gonna be devoted to scoreboard watching and talking with you
guys after the game. It'll be just the same thing
that we do on Mondays with Extra Point, except it's
gonna be the Friday night version and it's gonna involve
a lot of talking about the games that just wrapped up. Mark,

(01:38:35):
I said, we close. You want to add anything?

Speaker 2 (01:38:37):
Hey, just looking forward to the games this week? And hey,
well I'll catch up with you guys on Monday.

Speaker 4 (01:38:44):
All right, Mark Dyke, CEO of itg Next. Thanks so
much for joining me, Mark, and look forward to talking Monday.
Now we're gonna have a lot to talk about on Monday.
But Friday night, don't forget guys, Friday night, ten o'clock.
We start this Friday. I want to see everybody back
here in the house telling me, talking to me about
where you're coming from, what games you're coming from, or

(01:39:06):
maybe you just been at the house listening to a game. Nevertheless,
I want to hear from you. So let's make it
happen Friday night, ten o'clock extra point, we'll go to
around midnight ish. We'll play that by here and see
how it goes. Big thanks to doctor Kevin Collins to
the Houston Clinic, big thanks to Pepsi Cola, our sponsors,
and big thanks to all you guys from making our

(01:39:26):
show of success and making our company a success. We'll
talk to you