Who Are the Top High School Football Programs in GA for 2025?

Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
All right, guys, we are live with Phil Jones.

Speaker 2 (00:38):
All right, guys, what is going on. I'm hoping we
will have Larry Godwin pop back in here. He's dropped
off my screen. But nevertheless, guys, welcome into our new
format that we're trying for the very first time tonight.
You guys have seen a couple of changes that we
made doing the show live for a couple of weeks

(00:58):
from Big Nick. We certainly in our time there, there's
Larry god went back on the screen with us. But
this is something a whole new that we're doing. For
one thing, we're gonna welcome in my buddy Flint Dykes,
who was gonna serve as our producer for every show.
And Flint's had been there whenever he is prompted to
to talk a little high school football. And Flint has
got a new show of his own that I'm gonna

(01:20):
let him talk about here as we go forward. But Flint,
thanks so much for helping us get this set up.
My man, We're gonna have a lot of fun.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Yeah, thanks, guys man. Thanks for having me Phil. It
feels like I'm right back at home with you, guys man.
So yeah, thanks again.

Speaker 2 (01:32):
Absolutely Flint came over to Valdosta and actually produced the
show for what quite a while, didn't you, Flint.

Speaker 1 (01:38):
Yeah, yeah, it was a good time.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Man.

Speaker 1 (01:39):
I wish I could have done it every single week,
but I think that was a few months ago, man.
So it feels awesome to be back kind of in
this new format, you know.

Speaker 2 (01:46):
Yeah, absolutely, we're glad to have you back, and again
certainly couldn't do it without all your help. And of course,
as you guys see, we've got the one, the only,
Larry Godwin. Larry of course has also come in and
produced my show. He's also co hosted with me. So yeah,
the big trifecta here as a part of the show, Larry,
welcome in brother to the whole new format. Larry, You've

(02:06):
been encouraging this now for some time, so a lot
of the props also goes to you.

Speaker 3 (02:11):
Yeah, I appreciate you having me on the show tonight.
As you can tell, I'm usually I'm not in my
studio or back in Valdosta or your studio. I'm actually
on the road. And one of the reasons guys, I've
been encouraging feeling the gang to do something like this
is it just opens up so many opportunities, not just

(02:31):
for me to come in and out and be on
the show while I'm on the road, but it also
lends the opportunity maybe to get other people in different
parts of Georgia or really all around the country feel
So you know, if you have like compelling guests, like
other head coaches maybe that have moved on, or a

(02:52):
coach that's coming into the area, whatever, you can easily
get them on the screen and give them some exposure
to your audience. I think it's a great solution. So
kudos to the ITG next game.

Speaker 2 (03:04):
Yeah, well, again, Flint is the man who really is
the brains behind all this. And again Flint couldn't have
done it without you, Larry, couldn't have done it without
all of your encouragement, and both of you very tech savvy,
which I am not, so I do appreciate your expertise.
And again couldn't do it without either one of you guys,
So thanks so much again, really appreciate your help. All Right,

(03:26):
So for all of you out there, here's another big
thing that I want to mention about the show. Not
only can you catch us just on Facebook, but we're
also available at the ITG next Twitter page, the X
page is ITG Underscore Georgia. I believe that's right at
ITG Underscore Georgia.

Speaker 1 (03:46):
Phil, that is correct, yes, sir, yep.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
And then we're also available at the YouTube ITG next
YouTube page, which is at ITG next. So one of
three different ways that you guys can follow the show
comment on the show. I'm going to be following the
show tonight on my old trusty Facebook account, so wherever
your comment at, hopefully I can see your comments. We've
got several of you that are watching in comment right

(04:08):
off the bat. That's encouraging. Obviously, we are going back
to somewhat of a normal time. We were on for
at five o'clock for I guess four years. We switched
it back to six thirty, and now we're kind of
coming back somewhere in the middle at six at five thirty.
So let me know if you guys like the time.
I personally like five thirty. That allows us to come on,

(04:29):
get on the show, and let you guys go about
the rest of your evening with your family once we
get through. But let us know what you think about
the changing times, the changing format. But one thing's going
to remain the same. We're still going to be talking
about one thing, and pretty much one thing only, and
that's high school football, all right. Wilke's web is checking in,
Big Tiff County guy, what's up, Wilks? Of course, the one,

(04:51):
the only, Oba Dive Farley is checking in. Thomas County
Central's number one fan is checking in. We've got Evan Reese,
of course, I know he is a recording is Roswell Hornets. Evan.
I don't know if I mentioned this to you or not, man,
but we're gonna do the Roswell Hornets Coaches Show this
year with the new coach J. T. Thompson. Man, I'm
looking forward to that. I know you will be too. Uh.

(05:12):
Whalon polt Is checking in from Saint Louis, Missouri. Whaling,
thanks so much for being a part of the show.
Brother Ross Sutherland checking in as always from up in Marietta.
The Blue Devils exciting, looking forward to an exciting year
under their new head coach, and guys, I'm gonna start
right there just for a second. A lot of I
think the theme of the show early on, of course,

(05:33):
has been the theme of the the off season, and
we'll get Flint and Larry to comment on this. A
lot of new coaches around Georgia and a lot of
excitement with the new coaches. Uh, and I think that
always instills a little bit of you know, pride and
a little bit of hey, we're number one, we're gonna
go straight to the state. Didn't tell me you have
a new change or you have a coaching change. That

(05:54):
always gets fans excited.

Speaker 3 (05:57):
Yeah, Peel. One of the most probably intriguing hires this year,
and it happened recently, was Tucker Preuitt over to Appling County.
You know, especially this late in the spring season, right,
I don't I don't think. I think Tucker said that
they're not going to have a spring practice this year

(06:17):
because everything is so late, trying to I don't know
if he's trying to put a staff together or what,
but that that is a very intriguing hire in my opinion.

Speaker 2 (06:26):
It is. You know, some people consider that a lateral move,
but you know, one thing's for sure, he's going from
one really good program to another good program, going from
Fitzgerald to Appling. And also, of course we've got speaking
of Fitzgerald West Tankersley as a taking over coming from
Stevens County, guys, and he's now the Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes

(06:50):
new coach. I had a chance to be one of
the first people to interview him last week. I'm hoping
we're going to be getting that full interview up here
at itg Next, on our Facebook page and co on
on our other social media platforms. You guys will be
able to see my interview with Wes Tankersley, who of
course said, hey, we're gonna keep doing what we've always
done at Fitzgerald, which is running the football. But you

(07:11):
can also expect to see Fitzgerald throwing the football quite
a bit more than what they saw under Tucker Pruitt.
I'm sure that makes Fitzgerald fans happy. There, Flint, you
had a chance to visit with Cameron Duke, new head
coach up at Marietta. In fact, you were the first
representative from ITG Next. You up there and and chat

(07:34):
with him. Got a chance to see the guys in action.
You want tell us a little bit about that.

Speaker 1 (07:38):
Dude, really good guy. I knew him from Orlando, Phil
if you remember, I spoke with him at Orlando when
he was with Edgewater. Loved him, man loved him. He's
been wanting to get up here. Seems like a stand
up guy, and let me tell you, he will get
him going in the right direction. He has got a
lot of passionate, a lot of energy. I like his
coaching style as well. I liked how they attacked the

(08:00):
weight room and we all know it's how you started
that weight room. Phil. Everybody watching this is known a big,
big proponent of that, and he hits it hard. The
whole myriad of Blue Devil's Man, they hit it hard,
and so it's very exciting. I'm really glad he's in Georgia, man,
really glad he's up here.

Speaker 2 (08:15):
So yeah, coming from Edgewater. As Flint mentioned, so just
a couple of the many quarter or the coaching changes,
I want to mention that we've had across the entire
state and so certainly looking forward to talking about that
real quick ovid. Farley says, five thirty seems okay. I
got the notification from YouTube. That's what brought me to Facebook.

(08:36):
Now there's another good addition that we've got that we
hadn't had before. Flint, big thanks to you for that. Brother.

Speaker 1 (08:42):
Hey, we got a Griffin Cox kicking chicking, in over
on YouTube, So shout out to Griffin Cox kicking on
YouTube as well.

Speaker 2 (08:49):
All right, so I'm monitoring Facebook, Flint's on, We're you
at YouTube.

Speaker 1 (08:54):
I'm everywhere, man, I'm everywhere. Guys.

Speaker 2 (08:55):
That dog not lying about that, Clint. We got a
new show. Flint would tell us real quickly about that
and where people can check it out.

Speaker 1 (09:05):
We'll breech through that. But yeah, it's a fun show
man where we have athletes on videographers that have been
in the game for a while that we play call
of duty, talk football, talk sports in general, basketball. It's
just what's going on in the sports world while we're
playing some video games and hanging out.

Speaker 2 (09:19):
Man.

Speaker 1 (09:20):
So it's pretty cool that X was really good to
us last week. So yeah, check us out seven PMS
on Thursdays on X.

Speaker 2 (09:26):
Yep, David Woods checking out is checking in from the
Grayson Rams Country and David, you're gonna want to stick
around for our next little topic that we're gonna kick
off the show with. There's Larry and Flynn and myself
gonna be talking about something that Flint posted on his
very first show last week, and it certainly starred some controversy.

(09:48):
I know, Larry's ready to talk about this as well.
So Flint, you put out there, and look, this certainly
opens up discussion. There's no wrong or right answer, but
you're definitely gonna get a lot of conversation about it. Flint.
You taught you put out there, poasted the top five
football programs in Georgia, and my man went all chalk.

Speaker 1 (10:07):
I uh Man, I went big schools. I mostly went
big schools.

Speaker 3 (10:11):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (10:11):
I can almost back it up though, for all of them, Phil,
you know the one that on the loan.

Speaker 2 (10:16):
By the way, what's that?

Speaker 3 (10:18):
Now?

Speaker 2 (10:18):
You know the ones Phil Flint's about talking about?

Speaker 3 (10:20):
No?

Speaker 2 (10:20):
Huh Okay, So here we go, all.

Speaker 1 (10:22):
Right, and we won't We'll run through it very quick
and then I'll let you, you know, see your thoughts.
But let's let's start off by telling everybody we're not
talking all time though. Okay, I'm thinking best football programs.
It looks like Larry dropped and hopefully we'll get him back.
I'm talking all football games the past two to three years.
Let's say that two to three years. Let me get
Larry in here so he can hear what I'm about

(10:43):
to say, so he can critique me. Iget we got you, Larry.
So I'm gonna go start off with Milton, best offense
I've ever seen personally, and they have a great upcoming
quarterback Derek, so I'm not even gonna be worried about
them this upcoming season. So I'll start with Milton number two,
rounding out Grayson three. I have to put Carver at three.

(11:06):
Four the one Phil was given me. And this is
a no order, guys, this is a no order. I'll
say Gainesville and we'll talk about it. I know they
didn't have a good season last season, but maybe it's
the hype I am, uh, you know, maybe getting caught
up in or whatnot. But Gainsville has to round it
out for me. And did I miss one? Phil? Did
I miss another top five? When I said Grayson? Uh?

Speaker 2 (11:29):
Oh?

Speaker 1 (11:29):
Buford? How can I forget? Buford had an amazing season
last season and I'm looking forward to them. Watch out
for the Wolves, okay, Bud. Gainsville. Yes, Gainesville was a
hot topic. They were seven and four. I think what
last year Phil had It did have the best season,
but you have Xavier Griffin. Come on, so enough said.
When you have that kid, uh, he looks like Jannis
a Cumbo. I mean he's a freak of nature. As in,

(11:52):
for the program, you have the one of the probably
most I think I would want to play for Josh
Nibble out of anybody. He gets up, he's running marathons
in the morning. The guy's full of energy. So it's
and you look at I know, I don't want to
put this in the conversation, but look at the facilities, Phil,
facilities are not. It's like, if you go to Gainesville,
you were having the best high school football experience. I
can promise you that sost I rest my case with

(12:15):
Gainsville when I say that.

Speaker 2 (12:16):
So, okay, all right, So I want to get Larry
in here. Larry, you've heard his five, and I want
you guys out there, what do y'all think about Flint's five.
Flint's top five Georgia high school football programs. Flint's five. Larry,
take it away? What you got?

Speaker 3 (12:31):
All right? So, Phil, this is one of those you know,
when you told me this topic earlier today, my first
question was five. You're only gonna pick five in the
last year or handful of years. So this is obviously
subjective and it's gonna it's it's almost the age it's
almost the question which one you like more, Pepsi or Coke. Now,

(12:52):
obviously I just queued that up for you, Phil.

Speaker 2 (12:55):
Then I was gonna say, baby, on this show, we
know what's number one, right.

Speaker 3 (12:58):
That's exactly right, by.

Speaker 2 (13:01):
The ways, Pepsy one of our sponsors, along with doctor
Kevin Collins of the Houston Clinic. But go right ahead, Larry.

Speaker 3 (13:06):
Yeah, so here's my top five. And so I agree
with Flint. I think, well, Flint, did you include Milton?
I think you did, right.

Speaker 1 (13:17):
I did. I did. It's one of the best offenses
I've ever seen, probably personally at the high school level.
So Milton for sure.

Speaker 3 (13:23):
Yeah. So when you win two state titles in the
last handful of years, in twenty three in eighteen, then
I think you got to be included in that list.
I think you have to include Grayson as well. They
won last year and in twenty twenty. I think you
have to also include a team like Warner Robbins, who's
won a couple of titles in the last handful of years.

(13:43):
But not just that, But Phil, how many times in
the last probably ten years have we talked about Warner Robbins,
maybe not winning state title, but getting right there to
the edge of it, and then the last handful of
years they actually won two titles. So I feel like
I have to include them in my top five as well. Now,
this was a newcomer type of team to the scene

(14:06):
lately now, a team like Thomas County Central I also
added to my top five lists. They've had a history
of strong performance in the past, but they fell on
hard times. But Justin Rodgers has really turned that program around.
And man, from what I've seen out of that program,
you know they wanted when they went it last year

(14:28):
in I can't remember in twenty three ago. I think
last year they came close again. So he's a powerhouse there.
So I included them in my top five. Now this
is a smaller team, a smaller private team that I
also included, and that's a team like Prince Avenue Christian right,
very very very good smaller private school program. Now I

(14:53):
do have an honorable mention. I kind of colored outside
the lines a little bit and added an honorable mention
a team like Benedictine. So we're all familiar with the Cadets, right,
They've got they've built a powerhouse over there, didn't really
really live up to expectations last year, but still has
had a very very good program. Now, I do want

(15:16):
to disagree with Flint a little bit, and that is
I just don't know what to do with the Buford Wolves,
because this is one of those top tier programs, but
they've they've kind of disappointed at the top level at
the highest classification, so highest quality program as far as facilities, athletes,

(15:37):
that kind of stuff. But I just would not include
them in the top five, maybe in the top ten,
just because they haven't lived up to the expectations in
the highest class yet.

Speaker 2 (15:49):
All right, guys, man, everybody seems to be overlooking and
wanted to be what is what I think, one of
the most obvious programs. But that's what makes this such
a conversation piece. Yeah, because the criteria, you know, and
I think Flint brought it up in the very beginning.
You know, it depends on how you're defining what the

(16:09):
top five football programs are in Georgia, right, yep, I
mean what constitutes Now, what's the criteria? Is it the
most state championships? Is it the most wins? You know,
how many times have you gone to the playoffs in
the last five years? So there's a lot of different
ways of looking at it, but I think, to me,
the ultimate criteria, you know, what's the ultimate judge of

(16:31):
being a top program, And I think it's have you
done what's the hardest thing to do, which is one
of state championship and that's where Bowden comes in. Bowden
will be going for their fourth straight state championship this year. Now,
think about how hard that is to do to win

(16:52):
one title, to win too, And I don't really care
if it's Class A or whatever, because all things are relative,
you know what I mean. Yeah, if you're at the
Class A level, you're still playing against similar competition, so
you're you're within you know, the scope of you know,
you know, a consummate and commiserate talent that's commiserate you

(17:13):
to your level of talent. So a point being that
Balden has won it three times, are gonna be going
for a fourth and I think they've got a really
good chance of doing it. So I think you've got
to put Bowden in there, you know, to eliminate a
team or to not include a team rather that's wonted
for three straight years and going for a fourth consecutive
state title has got to be included when you're talking

(17:33):
about the top football programs, and guys, you got to remember,
it's easy to discount the smaller schools. I get that,
you know, And again that's why we tend to go
and I find myself I'm guilty of it too, going
to the bigger programs first and kind of going down
from there. So again, it's really tough. There is no
there is no right top five or wrong top five.
I think all the programs that all three of us

(17:55):
have mentioned here in the last ten minutes certainly worthy
of a top five consideration.

Speaker 3 (18:00):
Hey, I feel let me let me ask you something.
I don't know as much about the programs up there
as you do, especially the smaller schools. So, uh, you know,
I've got a smaller school on my list in Prince
Avenue Christian. You've got a smaller school on your list
in Bout. If you put those two teams head to
head in the last five years, what program comes out

(18:23):
on top.

Speaker 2 (18:25):
Well, that's hard to answer, you know. Let me answer
it this way. So if you go back five years,
you're probably talking about Prince Avenue Christian in years four
and five. But if you take the last three years,
I would probably say Bowden, So maybe by three to

(18:47):
two vote, I would say Bowden. But again we're kind
of splitting hairs there. Yeah, flip a coin. Yeah, but
that's a good question. I see what you're going there.
I see where you're going there. But yeah, those are
the things you still got to take into consideration. You're
talking about top five programs, now.

Speaker 3 (19:03):
Would you include since we're talking about smaller teams, would
you include John Millage Academy in that list as well?

Speaker 2 (19:10):
Well, I see that's another great take. You know, they
won what was it like, they didn't lose a game
for what five years or something? And maybe off there,
but another great program. The only reason I would discount them,
And I don't mean, you know, any kind of insult

(19:30):
with this. You know, I'm looking at if I was
to have a bout and playing a Buford, you know
you're going to have a pretty good ball game there.
Don't let the small school for you. But I think
if John Millige was to come in to play some
of the larger schools in public ball, I don't think
they stand much of a chance. So again, no insults intended, there,
no disrespect intended. But I think John Millage would be

(19:53):
just on the outside like it that. Okay, all right, Clyn,
what do you think man? What you got?

Speaker 1 (20:00):
I mean, you know, guys, I'm not as expert, you know,
I'm not an expert like with the small schools like Boalden.
But I did have, you know, the privilege of witnessing
them in the championship, met the head coach of kind
of fell in love with their I mean, fell in
love with the program, man, fell in love with what
they stand for. It's hard to pick, you know, with
all these topics we're talking of. That's going back to

(20:21):
like pick five school. It's so hard, you know what
I mean, and then we leave somebody out. But seriously,
the talent, guys, I mean, look, what about that. Let's
talk about that. What about the talent that is just
down here? I mean we're talking about Bowden, Grayson, Brooks County.
I mean, Brooks County guys, what I mean, come on,
they had a heck of a run last year. We
have I haven't mentioned them. I feel terrible Brooks County.

(20:42):
I mean, I have high hope, mean to get George
Lammon's I mean, come on, kids are awesome, awesome, awesome, athlete.

Speaker 2 (20:49):
Cole Moore mentioned you know, and brought up a good
point and yeah, these things can keep going on and on.
Cole Moore, Mintion and Thomas County Central thirty eight and
three over the last three seasons, only lost one game
at home in three years against Roslyn the playoffs. Look,
that's hard to do. And you're talking about a team
at what the Class now five A level, which I

(21:10):
think Class five A may be turned into the toughest
classification in the state. But different discussion for a different day.
So again, there's just so many different teams. Almost impossible
to truly define a top five. I will say this
about Gainesville, I think and Leah Flint Flints where I'm going. Look,
we've done the Coaches Show games with Coach Show with
Josh Niblett now the last two three years. Gonna be

(21:31):
doing it again this year with him. I had a
lot of respect for the man. You can fill the fire.
He and I've had a lot of discussions off the
year about a lot more than just football. You know,
he's a man who you know, believes obviously in his faith,
and he walks the walk, talks the talk. Great family man.

(21:53):
I think he's the right guy, and he was brought
into games would want to state championship, hasn't done that yet.
I think this year they've got a great chance to
make it happen. But we're gonna see. But I think
they're just outside that top by when you talk about
top programs in the state, but not by definitely.

Speaker 1 (22:11):
And if we're talking the past, you know, two or
three years, I just kind of see the vision less,
so to speak. And I mean, just this upcoming year,
Phil and I'm not it should be if we're looking
at paper, it should be their year. Got a lot
of guys coming back. You have Xavier Griffin, you got
an awesome head coach, you got all the facilities you
could ask for, all the nutrition that comes with fuel

(22:31):
in these athletes. I mean, they got it all, and
so I think they will have eyes on them. Phiel
too to produce this this year as well, says.

Speaker 3 (22:42):
I gotta ask you. You know, Flint just kind of
triggered a thought about when he started talking about facilities
that kind of stuff. You know, there seems to be
a facility's arms race. It's really really heating up right,
everybody trying to race to build their own indoor facility,
that kind of stuff, and it makes sense, I guess.

(23:05):
I mean, they're just there're so, you know, school system
officials will give all kinds of justification that kind of stuff,
but the fact is that they're building them hand over fists. Now,
one of the schools that is about to have a
facility come online is Cole Moore as Thomas County Central.

Speaker 1 (23:28):
Yeah, they do.

Speaker 3 (23:29):
Have y'all seen Have y'all seen the video the walkthrough
that that Justin Rogers put on YouTube about that facility.

Speaker 1 (23:39):
I'll tell you this right now, Larry. I was when
out so I worked out with TCC not long ago,
and Coach Rodgers took me in his office and showed
me that, and my jall hit the floor. I could
not believe that is coming to TCC and how much
that's gonna help. I mean, I think, and I don't
want to misspeak, but I want to say Coach Rodgers
said there is a doctor on staff as well that

(24:00):
will be there.

Speaker 3 (24:01):
Yeah, it's more than just you know, when we think
of an indoor facility, we think, especially at the high
school level, we think of, you know, a big old
building resembols a warehouse, right, But on the inside is
a pure football facility that you know, they can have
other organization, student clubs come and use the field, that
kind of stuff. But it's mainly a football facility, right.

(24:24):
But what TCC has taken it to the next level.
They're actually building what I see as an athletic complex
where they've actually got dedicated a huge square footage to
different programs. So the football team is going to have
their facility, but in court in attached to this same building,
other athletic programs will have their separate space. The band

(24:48):
will have its separate space. And what blew me away
two things blew me away about that walkthrough. So the
band facility, you open the doors and right outside of
the indoor band facil is a turf field just for
the band, so they can practice their show right outside
of the facility. Now, the football coaches suites, that's what

(25:10):
I call coaches suites. When Rogers comes out of his office,
he can walk out onto a glass door in basically
a balcony that overlooks this full sized football field that
his team practices on. So you're talking about MEGABU, you're
talking about thirty forty, maybe even up to fifty million

(25:31):
dollars on this type of facility for loan away and
they have actually broken ground. I think they're almost They're
probably going to be finished with it in the next
four to six months.

Speaker 2 (25:42):
So you got to think that. You know, again, that's
all finding good and I salute them for sure. You
got a lot of programs. Like Larry said, it is
the arms race when it comes to facilities, and you
know a lot of schoolers are doing that. By the way,
I mentioned this roam which don't get talked about. A
whole lot went up there a couple of years ago.
We did a John Reid gave me and our videographer

(26:04):
at the time. I can't remember who went with me,
but give us a full tour. Rome has something like
that already. John Reid himself actually drew the whole plan out,
you know, believe it or not. Football coach, but he's
got a lot more talents. But they have an on
site walking clinic. Okay, anybody coming off the street can

(26:25):
go to Rome High School in this brand new facility,
multipurpose facility that they've got if you need to come
in and get a shot for the flu or whatever.
And I know Flynn had mentioned earlier about Thomas Kinny
Central maybe having a doctor. But that's where we're going.
You know, it's getting everything's getting bigger and better. But guys,
at the end of the day, what's the number one
thing that all schools are looking for? That state championship.

(26:48):
That's what matters, That's what counts at the end of
the day. And with that, let's segue into my next topic.
I just wrote a story in h Anna Lamo is
going to be putting this up for set here shortly,
but I talked about the teams that won the twenty
twenty four state champion state championship. Guys, I think this

(27:10):
is going to be the year twenty twenty five that
we are going to have the best chance to see
repeat champions across the board. And I want to get
our viewers, Yeah, absolutely, I want to get our viewers
to check in here with me and join the conversation
with your comments. Let me know what you guys think.
I'm going to start with Grayson. Grayson the highest classification

(27:34):
of the state. They bring back pretty much everybody from
a team that was very dominant Flint. You represented I
TG next last year up at the Georgia Dome. You
saw all these teams, so you got a little bit
of an edge and that we're able to see all
these teams up close and personal. What are your thoughts
on Grayson? They got Travis Burches coming back, the quarterback.

(27:56):
They've got one of the highest rated recruited players and
defensive players in the date coming back. What do you
think about the Grayson.

Speaker 1 (28:03):
Lamb Uh yeah, man, Tyler Atkinson, man is that linebacker
he is? He is a beast man. I checked him
so I actually got to watch that game. The quarterback
is phenomenal. I don't think he's talked about enough and
I don't know his name right off. The Travis Burgey
is phenomenal. I mean, has the size, has the field vision,

(28:24):
very smart, very calm, very collective.

Speaker 2 (28:26):
Uh.

Speaker 1 (28:27):
The coach young guy, very you know, eager to get
back at it. I think if I had to right now,
I'm putting everything on Grayson to win it again. If
somebody had to tell me, I just don't see why not.
The coaching we have, Tyler, you have the quarterback, you
have I'm sure another good running back coming up. I
think the running back graduated last year, but you have
you have the pieces there and if I had to

(28:49):
put money on it, Grayson has all all of my
attention for this upcoming season, every single bit of it.

Speaker 3 (28:57):
So, you know, one of the one of the one
of the games that I'm looking forward to this year
with the Grayson Rams is early in the season when
they take on Thompson. You know, Thompson has turned into
a perennial powerhouse over in the state of Alabama, and

(29:18):
so that's gonna be a really really good test for them.
So we all expect in the state of Georgia that
Grayson is probably gonna be the team to be, you know,
with with the Buford set aside, I think it's probably
gonna be another Buford Grayson type of matchup late in
the playoffs, but early in the season. That game is

(29:38):
gonna give us a pretty good indication of what I
think two things of what Grayson has and where their
head is. Because Grayson has always had super stellar athletes,
but the years that they really excel winning state championships,
that kind of stuff when their head coach can pull

(29:59):
everything together. Because Grayson is one of those programs that
sits in a location where sometimes when you attract super
stellar athletes, although they're great athletes. They don't play together
as a team. Last year, Grayson played together as a team,
and several years ago when they won a state title,
they played together as a team. So this year, with
a great success they had last year, can they bring

(30:21):
all that together again and result in another state title.
That game early in the season against Thompson is going
to give us a pretty good indication.

Speaker 2 (30:30):
All right, So I think Grayson has got an excellent
chance of repeating. Let me mention this about Beuford, guys.
In my opinion, Buford has probably from top to bottom,
got the most talent of anybody. I mean, they're going
to be right there in the conversation. I thought they
should have won it last year, the year before that.

(30:50):
They're going to be in the conversation again this year again. Everybody.
The thing is kids want to go to Buford. Everybody
wants their kids to be a part of Buford's football program.
Great coaching staff. Talking about facilities, they're saying to none
and guys, by the way, they're about to unveil that
brand new, multi million dollars, state of the art stadium

(31:11):
in which is going to see one of the greatest season.
I've been talking about these season openers. I've been writing
this the series on some how We're gonna have some
of the best season openers we've ever seen this year,
And right up there at the top, I wrote about
Milton at Beauford to open the twenty twenty five season.
Defending state champion, Milton going for three in a row,

(31:32):
Beauford trying to get back on top. They're going to
be favored. What a game that's going to be. But
I think Beauford is always going to be in the
conversation guys.

Speaker 3 (31:41):
Well, no doubt. Man. You know, when they have these
stellar athletes like they do year after year, you know,
Buford is. People can give me all kinds of grief
for what I'm about to say. Uh, Buford has become
a destination school. Yep, right, So I think Beauford has
reached the point where they don't have to recruit. I
think they've developed such a reputation and the facilities that

(32:05):
kind of stuff that if you're gonna play in the
metro Atlanta area and you're a top tier athlete that
kind of stuff, you're naturally going to want to play
with the best. And Buford is one of the best
now there are other teams that state their claim to
that as well. I think that Grayson is another great
example of that. So with their level of talent year
in year out, they should be heavily favorite every year.

Speaker 2 (32:29):
Absolutely one. All right, So I think Grayson's Class six
are gonna have an excellent chance of repeating. In fact,
I think they're you know, nothing's a given, but I
put them as the favorite to win the twenty twenty
five state championship once again. Going back to back. Now,
let's go to five A. The team that, of course
has already won back to back state championships. Can they

(32:51):
make it three in a row? I'm talking about Ben
Reeves Milton Eagles. Now, guys, the big question mark, number
one question mark that coach Reeves is going to have.
Who replaces Luke Nickel, maybe the best quarterback this state
has seen over the last two years. Unbelievable accuracy, arm strength.

(33:13):
What got me, what won me over with Luke Nickel
was when he took over that Cauquood County playoff game
a couple of years ago. It looked like Hawkwood's going
to be running away with it. Y'all remember the game.
I think it was quarter final a game if I'm
not mistaken like Halwood had it won, and Luke Nicchol
single handedly took that game over, not just with his arm,

(33:34):
but with his feet. He could get it done. Strong runner,
strong passer. But he's not coming back, guys, he's gone.
He's off to the University of Miami. What you've got
at Milton, now you've got a battle, two way battle.
You had a quarterback come in from Derek Baker, came
in from Saint Augustine, from I'm sorry, Fort Lauderdale, Saint

(33:55):
Thomas Aquinas and then you've also got the young man
out of Millwall Haalkey Science Academy. And his name ascapes
me right now, he's the Jordan Aubritton. I believe it
is his name. Right now, it's Derek Baker who's got
the edge. Both these guys are hotly or recruited. Will
Milton be in good hands with their quarterback situation either way? Yes,

(34:17):
they will, But I don't think either one of these
guys is a lout Nickel. But anyway, Milton makes the
best use of the tight end that we've ever seen.
Grant have aland is coming back. Every big college in
the nation wants him again. Milton does more with their
tight ends than anybody, not just blocking pastors, that they

(34:37):
emerge as one of the top receivers on a team.
Tight End is usually not that type of position, but
it is at Milton less Us. You dedicate that to
a great coaching. So anyway, a lot about Milton. I
think they will be a three time state champion. What
it's all said and done in twenty twenty five, I
want to get y'all take on the Milton nigles.

Speaker 1 (34:56):
Yep and Phil, I want to jump it really quick
before everybody jumps, I want to jump it. To catch
up on some of the chats coming from X and
from YouTube, we got Julian Colbert coming in said Luke Nissel,
Luke Nichol was the best QB in Georgia. He's battling
for a backup spot in Miami. I saw with my
own eyes at their practice during several recruiting visits, and
he says Derek Baker exclamation, and I'm going to piggyback

(35:17):
off his comment about Derek Baker. I witnessed this young
man in person, haven't seen him throw, but went to
a weightlifting session and talked to his coaches and met him,
talked to him and Phil the kid the kid man,
I think Milton is in very good hands. Let me
just say that, very sweet kid, very nice. Seems like
he's a very calm. He kind of remind me of Luke.

(35:38):
He didn't seem very if. He seems very.

Speaker 2 (35:40):
Calmon pois Yeah, he's that transferred from Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Speaker 1 (35:44):
Yep, yep, and he and he is the truth. And
he has the size. Man, He's a way bigger kid
than Luke Nickel. I think it might be a little
different scheme this year. Man, his legs are huge. I
think he can run that ball if he wants to.
He looks like he has an arm on him. So
I think Milton will be just fine in the quart
of category in my opinion.

Speaker 3 (36:03):
Phil, When when you talk about the Milton Eagles, Uh,
to me, it's pretty simple and it really comes down
to this question in five A, who's gonna beat them?
What team is good enough in five A to beat Now?
I can think of a handful of teams in the

(36:24):
highest classification in six A that is going to be
com competitive with with Milton. Right early on, we're going
to see a Buford Milton matchup. But in Class five A,
who is strong enough to beat Milton? You've got some
uh perennial standouts, like, is Lee County strong enough this year?
Is Langston Hughes? Didn't? Didn't Langston's coach just leave.

Speaker 2 (36:48):
Yay to the north side one of Robins?

Speaker 3 (36:50):
So chances are it's not going to be a Hughes.
Is it gonna be a Lee County? Is it gonna
be a Justin Rodgers? And TC has got the pro
probably the best chance in my opinion, because they are
stacking players, and that's really what you're you're gonna have. Obviously,
you're gonna have to have outstanding coaching, and Justin Rodgers

(37:12):
is an outstanding coach, but you're gonna have to have
the firepower, the man power to overcome the manpower that
Milton's got returning right, And so to me, the obvious
choice is it goes back to what you know what,
Rick Flair used to be the man. You gotta beat
the man, right, So in five A, who's going to

(37:32):
be the man? I just don't see anyone step close
enough to step up to beat a Milton. Yet I
may be proven wrong. Justin Rodgers may be clipping this
video tonight and using that as Bulton board material. I
think outside of maybe Lee County, maybe TCC, I just
don't others see maybe even a Gainsville. I just don't

(37:54):
see very many teams in five A that have the
ability to beat Milton.

Speaker 2 (37:59):
Well now mentioned earlier. Five A may be the best
classification from talk to bottom. You mentioned Thomas County Central.
Have we got to remember you've got gameslin five A. Yeah, okay,
you've got Hey, don't forget.

Speaker 3 (38:10):
Coffee, You've got Coffee County. Mike Co's got done an
outstanding job there. But again it comes down to Jimmy
and Joe's. Does he have enough Jimmy and Joe's to
overcome Milton's Jimmy and jokes.

Speaker 2 (38:21):
And see that's a great question. Uh And again, as
you mentioned the Jimmy and Joe's, Milton is absolutely loaded.
You know you're good when you lose, you know, players
like a Luke Nickel. But yet you're gonna be bringing back,
you know, the players that we've talked about. So I
think that Milton is going to be definitely favorite. So
so far, we've got two state champions in six A.

(38:44):
Grayson in five A. Milton, I think those guys, in
my opinion, are definitely the favorites to win it all
again in a year that we're gonna see a repeat
of state champions. So we've got two of them there,
and I want to mention now, I want to jump
to the team the next team, next state champion down
who I think is going to be a shoe in

(39:06):
And that's one that that Flint had as one of
his top five teams in the state, and that is
Carver Columbus. Oh my goodness, this may be from top
to bottom. I don't know. I keep saying this a lot,
but they may be the best team in the state
of Georgia. There's not a weakness there. They got everybody
back and man, Carver Columbus, write it down. They're gonna

(39:32):
be taking it on their second can take it a
state title this year in Class two A. I think
I said three earlier t A.

Speaker 3 (39:37):
That's a strong statement, man, it really is.

Speaker 2 (39:41):
Yeah, no doubt. Let's let's see with our viewers and Flint,
you mentioned some folks that were checking us out on
what are you monitoring our.

Speaker 1 (39:53):
Ex YouTube and Facebook? I got it all on one
and with YouTube's kind of popping off right now, with
Julian saying Gainesville great, They're loaded up with talent, even
though Milton has lost irreplaceable players Luke, cj and Ethan
topping the country at their positions, in which I think
we all can agree with that.

Speaker 2 (40:12):
Okay, So, Jose Badilla, by the way, Jose says Phil,
I'm back, Jose Badia. It's great to see you back,
my friend, big Thomas County Central. We got a lot
of Thomas Kinny Central fans in here tonight, Thomas County
Central represented by so many folks, Ose Badia says, honestly,
and this is a Thomas Kunty Central fan. Now, honestly,
you cannot count out Lee County. But Jose Jose says,

(40:33):
I think they lost too much this year. Talk about
Lee County just for a second, guys, we want to
talk about losing a lot. They lost a lot exactly Flint.
They lose Itzmani crow Maw one of the best running
backs I've ever seen in my life, and I've been
watch a lot high school football. And then of course

(40:53):
they also lose Weston Brian big one to two punch
on offense. I don't know that they're gonna have enough
to overcome that. I can tell you talking to Dean Fabrizio.
Quarterback position right now is undecided. So I want to
get y'all's thoughts on Lee County not a state champion
from last year, but they obviously have been right there
on the door, knocking on the door for state championship.

(41:16):
What do you guys think?

Speaker 3 (41:18):
I don't know what to think about Lee County just
because you know, Lee County was dominant several years back,
but then all of a sudden you had a reclassification
and then all of a sudden you had other teams
start to challenge their supremacy. They had some key players graduate,
that kind of stuff. And the secret sauce to for

(41:40):
Breezio has always been, you know, when he had his
dominant years, someone would graduate. He had another player that
was ready to step up, right, And so who's going
to step up for Crowmont? I mean, he was such
a impact player for his four years there at Lee County?
Does he do they have another horse of a running

(42:03):
back like they had in Crowmaw? Is it gonna have
to be their quarterback that steps up and and and
wins with his arm? So you know, when it comes
to Dean Ferbrizio, guys, I would never ever count him
out because I've seen where he can turn wide receivers
into quarterbacks that kind of stuff and still win because

(42:23):
we saw that a few years backfield. So to me,
it's it's way way too early to really pass any
type of prediction or judgment on Lee County. I just
got to wait to see what they have.

Speaker 2 (42:37):
Absolutely, all right, what do you guys think about Lee County?
Looking at our comments? Ab Brown, what's up? Phil Bambridge,
Thomas Kny Central in the house? A B? Which is it? Man?
Are you Thomas Kanny Central? A you Bambridge? Come on now,
you can't you can't do that. You can't represent three
different teams. Man, Come on, I'm just messaging to will you.
By the way, I'm just seeing where my conversation in

(43:01):
my interview with new Figcherall head football coach Wes Tankersly
has just posted on our itg next platforms. Do you
guys check it out? One of the first interviews I
was able to grant with new Fitzgerald head coach Wes Tankersly.
All right, let's see what we got here. Looking at
some of the comments coming across you guys, be are

(43:23):
welcome to chime in anytime you want. What do you
think about our predictions with the defending state champions that
I think have got an excellent chance of repeating. What
do you think about Lee County? Will they get back
in the mix? Like Larry has thrown out there, what
do you think? Let us know? And do you guys
think like Flint was saying that this could be Gainesville's year.

Speaker 1 (43:45):
Finally, and Phil, I want to read out Julian another
good comment you know about Weston and Lee County and
said Weston had thirty plus Russian tds. Lee County was
so effective at running the ball. They ran a two
minute novital offense with only running the ball. With that
being said, I don't add on. So what does it
look like this year? Guys? That's what we saw last year?
We got a two hundred and forty pound quarterback. We

(44:06):
got to All star running back. You lose these guys, Phil,
what does this Lee County offense look like? That's why
I don't I can't say one thing about Lee County
because I'm so confused. What do they look like?

Speaker 2 (44:16):
Is?

Speaker 1 (44:16):
Are they gonna throw it more. I mean, what do
they do phil.

Speaker 2 (44:20):
So I think Dean Fabrezi, he's been around too long.
I think he's built a great feeder system. And of
course they're gonna have some move in. It's just like
everybody else does. I think they're gonna be fine at
running back. I think quarterback is indeed gonna be Look
every team, this is the case for every team. You'll
go as far as your quarterback will take you. Okay,

(44:43):
And unless they find the right guy at quarterback, which
they've had the right guy in Western Bryan these last
couple of years, it's gonna be interesting to see what
Leek County is able to do. I just don't know, again,
because of that quarterback question mark, I don't know if
they're gonna have enough to get over the top. Again
what we're talking about, Larry call it earlier. Class five
A the toughest classification I think in the state, from

(45:05):
top to bottom.

Speaker 1 (45:08):
One hundred percent agreed, no doubt.

Speaker 2 (45:10):
Jose Vadilla, by the way, says Milton versus TCC for
the state title. I'm calling it right now. Central has
got a lot of returning players. He may not be
that far off. Guys I'm telling you and I think
that's going to be a good one if they are
able to meet up.

Speaker 1 (45:25):
Phil, I got a question for you and from a
kind of from a comment, I want to get Larry's
thought on thoughts on this as well. We had coment
Brian came in and said, coffee versus cockwit Thursday night
in a spring scrimmage game. How do we feel about
scrimmage games? Guys? You know I want to hear you
both of your thoughts on are they necessary? What do
we look at these scrimmage games to tell us something?

(45:47):
Your thoughts guys.

Speaker 3 (45:50):
First, Yeah, when it comes through spring scrimmages, I put
especially playing another team, it's fun. If you're a fan,
I put zero stock in spring scrimmage as far as
competition goes, because the purpose of a spring scrimmage is
to play every player, get them on film and for

(46:11):
the purpose of coaching evaluations, right, And so as a fan,
you can't put any stock in a spring scrimmage. We've
seen teams just fall flat on their face in the spring,
and that's because they played everybody on the roster, right. So,
and in a spring scrimmage, you've you've basically got a

(46:34):
more condensed game. You don't have really live conditions. There's
no usually no kickoff, there's no Harley punting, you can't
bring the quarterback to the ground, that kind of stuff.
So it's entertaining for fans. It gives us an indication
of what we think our team has coming back. But

(46:56):
that's about it. Anything other than that is just a
fan enter.

Speaker 2 (47:01):
All right, Flint, I'll give you my answer on that, okay,
and kind of along the lines with Larry. I think
at the end of the day, it's not real. It's
more for the fans than anybody. Now, I will say this.
You know, teams get to get a little bit of
gate out of it, which always helps, Okay, especially if
you're going to be you know, if you're not going

(47:21):
to have that many home games during your regular season,
so maybe you're able to get a little bit of
money off the gate if you charge charge withever, what
five people five dollars for people to come in and
watch the spring game. That's one at it been hit.
But let me answer it this way. I think the
spring games, it's meaning. Their meaning has a lot depending
on what your team's expectations are. And let me tell

(47:42):
you what I mean by that. Tiff County for example, Okay,
we all know what Jeff Littleton has been able to do.
He's got that community excited for the first time in
a long time about high school football. Thank you. Guys
would agree with that. We saw the game last year.
We did the game. It was our game of the week,
Tiff County versus Calwood County. Tiff County did not win,

(48:05):
but Tiff County threw the ball up and down the field.
They moved the ball up and down the field on
a very good Cauquit team, and that costs a lot
of excitement. Tiff County is reborn under Jeff Littleton. I
say that to say, if you're a team like Tiff
County and looking for positives, the spring game can mean
a lot to you. Okay, Now, if you're a team

(48:28):
and let me mention this speaking of Tiff County. So,
Tiff County is going to go to battle with Langston
Hughes in the spring game. I talked about this a
couple of weeks ago. I think this is going to
be one of the more interesting and intriguing spring games,
as intriguing and interesting as spring games can get. Okay, Hey, Phil.

Speaker 1 (48:46):
Can I chime in for one second right here? Yeah,
just so everybody watching knows this funny enough that you
mentioned this spring game. As soon as I look down
at my phone, Miller, who does the show with me
on Thursday, text me and he will be at that
screen of spring game giving us info Thursday night on Langston,
Hughes and Tiff County. But go ahead, Phil, yep, go ahead.

Speaker 2 (49:09):
So the reason this is intriguing, and again I'm with
Larry for you know, ninety nine percent of the time
to mean nothing, coaches don't like them. I mean, we're
seeing a lot of coaches not even having spring practice.
I mean we've talked about this. You only get ten
total practices out of the fifteen days allowed, so you
don't really gain a lot. However, however, one of the
few exceptions, one of the exceptions is less Jiff County

(49:31):
get situation. Tiff County still building, still looking for positives.
Last year, you know they were able to break through.
There were rays of sunshine that finally shone down on
the Chiff County program er Jeff Wilson. So they're going
to try to get as much as they can. They
will put forth and effort in the spring game, Tiff
County will against Langton Hughes. On the flip side of that,
Langston Hughes, But what do they have to prove? They

(49:53):
played for a state title last year, they wanted one
in twenty twenty two. By the way, They've got Coachime
who was their offensive coordinator of that record setting offense
that year. He's back as the head coach this year,
replacing coach Boone. So two different situations Lax and Hughes.
They want to go down to Tiff County and get
out of there with nobody hurt. They have nothing to prove.

(50:13):
Tiff County, on the other hand, they hope to get
a big crowd. They hope to bring excitement to build
on that in the off season heading into the twenty
twenty five season. So two different levels of expectations in
that spring game. But that's what these spring games mean
to different programs.

Speaker 3 (50:31):
Yeah, absolutely, man. So you know, I just as a
fan that kind of keeps track of this stuff, I
just don't put very much stock into these things other
than just to give us a glimpse of what's coming.

Speaker 2 (50:46):
Yeah, yeah, I'm with you. I'm with you, all right.
So Carver Columbus. I mentioned them, I mentioned Grayson, I
mentioned Milton. I think those are three state champions that
I think have a very good shot at return at
going back to another state title. I mentioned Bowden earlier,

(51:06):
the Bowden Red Devils, And again a lot of people
don't give them credit. You know, they're the other Carrollton team.
Loveill don't even know where they are. They're in Carleton, Georgia.
You know they're playing there in the shadow, of course
of the Carrollton Trojans, which, by the way, Flint Carrollton
may have been considered for a top five program.

Speaker 1 (51:25):
Just saying one hundred you know out there, I'm sure
I'm surprised no one else got on me about that.
I mean, come on, how did Juju having juju last year?
Doing what they did? And and we'll get off this, guys,
but what are they looking like this upcoming season? I
haven't really heard much from the Carleton camp. What's what's
going on with them? Guys?

Speaker 2 (51:44):
So a Hi, Larry, I.

Speaker 3 (51:46):
Really don't have an answer for you. I really don't
know who they're going to because because he was their offense.
Could we all agree on that the last several.

Speaker 1 (51:55):
Years he was definitely if you think if you think Carrollton,
you think you and so as soon as he left.
And it's not a knock or anything. You know, I
just haven't heard as much coming out of you know,
the training and the practices as much as these other schools.

Speaker 3 (52:09):
Let me say that, Yeah, I will answer the question
this way. Juju Lewis and the Carrollton Trojans are a
great example of and he had a great supporting cast
around him as well. Right, So, great athletes all across
the board of Carlton, but there's usually a superstar athlete

(52:30):
like Juju Lewis that will propel a team for several
years in a row. And that's why in high school
in particular instead of Georgia, sometimes you'll see a team
get on a run, whether it's two or three years straight,
maybe a back to back state championship and throw in
a semi final or a quarterfinal there. And so it's

(52:51):
very commonplace to see some of these programs go through
cycles of great athletes. Now you can debate whether or
not they're homegrown or move in or whatever. But sometimes
when we especially when we started let off this show
by talking about the top schools, over the last five years, right,

(53:13):
A lot of those schools included teams that just got
on a run because they had great cycle of athletes.
So what's going to be interesting about Carrollton is now
that Juji Lewis and others have graduated, right, So are
are they? Is their run over? Joey King hopes doesn't
hope that, right, He hopes not, But it's going to

(53:36):
be interesting to see if that run is over and
another cycle picks up with another program.

Speaker 2 (53:42):
Guys, real quick, like, there's a lot of similarities here
between Carrollton and Gainesville. Okay, that the ultimate state championship, Okay,
has eluded both schools over the last few years. All
the both schools, we know that they have great programs. Boy,

(54:03):
you want to talk about facilities, you know, Carrollton really
was one of the first programs in the state to
put up the inside practice facility. My gosh, they've got
their own bus, Guys, Joey King, I'm saying that he's
the highest paid coach by far in the States, over
two hundred grand a year. And that's okay, guys, that's

(54:23):
public record, So I'm not saying anything that you know,
it is private, but Gainsville, on the other hand, kind
of like the same thing. Expectations are sky high. We
keep waiting though, for both programs to bust through and
win that state title. So I see a lot of
similarities to programs with everything you could ask for. Let's
just see if they can finally break through and get

(54:43):
that state title this year. But I do want to
ask this while I go back and check some of
the comments we got coming in. Guys. By the way,
great new debut of our new format today. Let us
know what you guys think about it. Let us know
what you think about the new starting time of five
point thirty. Do you guys like this? I do, But
let me know what you guys think. And again big
shout out to our show's sponsors, Pepsicola of Valdosta and

(55:07):
doctor Kevin Collins, orthopedic surgeon orthopedic doctor with the Houston Clinic,
Doctor Kevin Collins MD dot com. Check them out, guys
if you have any kind of need for orthopedic work.
All right, So who is taking the place of Juju Lewis?
I've heard they've got a transfer quarterback. I think he
came from Tennessee. Now here's what's intriguing. You guys, remember

(55:31):
when Juju went out last year in the playoff game
and the backup quarterback came in and man, they did
not miss a beat. And again his name is case
me you guys, I know we got some smart viewers
out there to help us out with those names. So
I think that they were not satisfied with the guy returning.
They went out and got a transfer. Who's coming in

(55:52):
maybe from North Carolina, one of those states. Anyway, let
us know who it is, let us know what you
think about him. But I just wanted to ask that
real quick about Carrollton's quarterback and guys just like looking
for a replacement for Weston Bryan, Yeah, trying to and
Luke Nickel imagine trying to replace Juju Lewis Is it possible?

Speaker 1 (56:14):
Yeah? I don't think. I don't think. I don't think
it's replacing. I think it's just you know, who can
we get to fill this gap? You know?

Speaker 2 (56:20):
For now? Yeah? One hundred percent? All right again, looking
for your comments here. Oh Dias's TG says Milton Eagles
sleeper team this year not as loaded, but they are thorough.
I think it's an excellent assessment. I want to see.
Give a big shout out to Oscar Miles who is
checking in. All right, let us know who the replacement

(56:44):
is for Juju, guys, I know you guys know who
it is. All right. So we've come down to our
other two state champions that I think will be repeating
this year, talking about Uh, we talked about Tombs are
we talking about We've got Carver Columbus gonna repeat. I

(57:04):
think we've got Milton gonna repeat, Grayson gonna repeat. And
that leads us with my other two predictions of who
I think is gonna repeat this year, and that is
Bowden and Tooms County. We've got n Toombs County fans.

Speaker 3 (57:21):
Uh.

Speaker 2 (57:21):
And again here's another situation where Toombs County where they
had Alliance Georgia Class A Division, what is the division two?
Those schools don't get a lot of prep, don't get
a lot of recognition, but man, they are as strong
as anybody. But those are the other two programs I
think guys in the state that are gonna be looking
at repeat twenty twenty five. It's gonna be the year

(57:44):
of the repeat.

Speaker 3 (57:47):
You know, at first feel in that same division that
Toombs's County is in what are they single aid division
IE or something like that. So, so the top program
last year, but there's some really really strong teams in
that that division, right, so what do you have Dublin.

(58:09):
Fitzgerald is in that division now and so so is.

Speaker 2 (58:18):
Oh, looks like we might have lost Larry, Larry, we
lost you, Larry. There he's back.

Speaker 3 (58:23):
I'm sure why I keep getting disconnected? So so I
talked to Flint about that offline. So you know that
that producer. We're gonna have to.

Speaker 1 (58:34):
Get me in check, guys.

Speaker 3 (58:37):
So speaking of that division, feel you got some intriguing
storyline heading into uh the season with with Fitzgerry and
a Tucker crew going to Appling, uh tanklishly getting hired
at Fitzgerald. He's he's a capable coach, right, but you've
got two two games that Fitzgerald. I'm I'm looking forward

(59:00):
to this year. I'm not usually a Fitzgerald football follower. Man.
That was a tongue twister, but Fitzgerald and Irwin County
because Erwin County is going to have I think a
new head coach this year. Yep, So you got a
major rivalry with two brand new head coaches. Then You've
got a game a little bit later in the year September.

(59:21):
Later in September Fitzgerald against Appling County and Appling is
the team that Tucker pru just went to, right, So
two games that I'm looking forward to seeing Fitzgerald play
this year.

Speaker 2 (59:34):
Yeah, and listen, you mentioned Irwin County again. They could
very well be in the conversation. When's the last time
Irwin County had a losing season? And by the way,
Erwin County another team. How about this Erwin County and Fitzgerald.
They've had these the same coaches for years and years.
Now they're going to be going into twenty twenty five

(59:55):
with brand new coaches. And I can't think of who
Erwin County's new head football coach is. But again, new
faces in both those programs. Great rivalries between those two.
By the way, I will mention this West tankers Lee,
I meant some of my rivalies, I ask Wes and
you guys can check out the interview I had with
West Ankersley, as I see that it has now been

(01:00:17):
posted at our itg Next Georgia platform. West Tankersley said,
you know, look at Fitzgerald when it comes to our
non region schedule. I want us to play our neighbors
for the non region schedules, so that means not going
you know, we saw some of these teams that went
out of state this year to play these non region games.
Tankersly said, look, I'm not opposed to that, but I'd

(01:00:38):
rather us play some of our neighbors. Hey, that means
that could mean a return to have tiff County and
Erwin playing Erwin, Fitzgerald playing and I think that's what
fans want to see. What are y'all's thoughts about these
non region games, but trying to stay in close and
have these natural rivalry games.

Speaker 3 (01:00:57):
I like them, I really do. I think they they're
fun to watch, especially you know, two programs like Fitzgerald
and Irwin County. Larry Harold is the guy that you're
thinking about. He is the new head coach for Ierwin County,
so that's gonna be fun to watch a little bit
earlier in the season. So I love these these I

(01:01:19):
wish some of these teams down here would re establish
some of these longtime rivalries. You know, they don't play
each other, especially the higher classification schools, they don't play
each other anymore. For the most part when they leave classifications.
I would love to see a Lownes and Coffee County

(01:01:40):
strike up their rivalry they've had over the years. Right,
I would love to see a Thomas County Central come
over to Lownes or a Thomas County Central go over
to Ware County. That would be an awesome rivalry to set.

Speaker 2 (01:01:55):
Up one hundred percent all right, I want us to
take one last swing through our comments. I want to
thank everybody for checking out the show today. Uh, Flint,
I want you to take a look. I know that
you've got you're monitoring all three of our platforms. I'm
monitoring our Facebook comments. So, Flint, what you got man?

(01:02:16):
Who's talking about what on our different platforms?

Speaker 1 (01:02:19):
Yeah, let's get Larry. If we're gonna have to figure
Larry's situation out right here, Larry, I don't know if
it's me or you, but we're gonna have a chat
about this offline.

Speaker 2 (01:02:28):
If you're if you're monitoring comments too, Larry, you can
check in as well, brother and say this rufus as
demand being a smart butt. Lownes is gonna repeat and
I think you're talking about baseball and Phil.

Speaker 3 (01:02:42):
We got the go ahead shot. Lownes is leading the
number nine team Edawa Eagles, number nine team in the nation, yes,
number one in the Georgia Insteate of Georgia the Edawa
Eagles four to three in the bottom of the seventh.

Speaker 2 (01:02:56):
How about that? I posted by the way that matchup.
You want to talk talk about two icons in the
state and real quick like Flint hold that thought. But
we've been talking about having these these top teams battle
each other before it gets to the state championship. We
had this with Lee County Milton and the football state playoffs.

(01:03:17):
I mean, we seem to have it in ever Sport,
and now we've got it in Class six A baseball playoffs.
Flint and Larry, You've arguably got the two best teams
in the state's highest classification playing in this semi final.

Speaker 3 (01:03:30):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:03:30):
Absolutely one of these teams is gonna have to go
home and that is a shame. These are the two
best teams playing for a semi final. I'm all for
a reclassific a receding rather I've been talking about it.
It's not an easy thing to do. It's gonna take
some decisions, some different discussions. But this is why you

(01:03:51):
have receeding for this right here, Flint, go back to
what you were saying.

Speaker 1 (01:03:53):
Brother, Yep, no, I was just gonna go through and
read some of the comments. I don't want to forget. Oh,
Evan Reese up here says, I don't forget about north
O Cooney, Phil, You're right. And then we got Julian
Colber coming back with us and guy who's forgive me
if I mispronounced this name, but Mason haltz Claw is
the new QB transfer at Carleton and that actually is

(01:04:14):
a lot of good news. We need to confirm that,
but we need to find out who Mason haltz Call is.
Can he save the Carleton Trojans? Then we got good
one and then Obadi, that was a great comment. He says,
the new setup is okay. Maybe add the names on
other people so we know who is speaking, and then
that's an awesome, awesome comment, Obadi. And then Jamie goes
like the new setup, So thank you Jamie. And then

(01:04:36):
we got Jeffrey down, had a tough day and need
to chill. Think I'll do it with a pepsi and
smooth tones of Uncle Phil. What a better way, Jeffrey,
Isn't that Jeffrey. I told Phil Jeffrey that his voice
is just that voice. So Jeffrey, good comment man, Thank you,
Jeffrey Rowl.

Speaker 2 (01:04:53):
And we're gonna ease it out of here with a
little Verry White call it that. I'm definitely enjoying my
zero sugar pepsi by the way, without a fact, without
without a doubt.

Speaker 1 (01:05:07):
Yeah, and that wraps up the comments.

Speaker 2 (01:05:09):
Phil.

Speaker 1 (01:05:09):
I think Greg Maddox came in said, whoever wins between
Lowndes and Etawah will be your state champions.

Speaker 3 (01:05:16):
So Phil, I've just been told that Lowndes takes game
one versus thataway.

Speaker 2 (01:05:22):
That is huge. Wow, guys, that is major. That's at
Noel George Field and it's the best of three. Now, Lownes,
all they've got to do is win one more. The
best team in the state arguably has got to come
back and win two in a row. It's not over yet,
but that's a huge that's a huge. Get Listen to

(01:05:43):
the home standing Lowndes vikings.

Speaker 3 (01:05:44):
Shout out to those those baseballers and to coach Ryan Page,
head coach of the Lowndes baseball team. Listen, I was
listening to that game, you know, on the road coming
into the hotel and they got down quick. Edewall went
up three one early in the game, and those Vikings
man showed a lot of heart, battled back, held Edawas

(01:06:07):
scoreless through the last half of that game and took it.
I believe four to three.

Speaker 2 (01:06:12):
That is fantastic. So congratulations to Ryan Page and the
lown Side Vikings. All right, continuing to monitor some comments
before we get out of here again. It is our
brand new format, our first day. A big shout out
to my buddy Flint Dykes. Flint is the one that
helped us put together, but also Larry has been a
proponent of going to this format for quite some time. Listen,

(01:06:34):
it's definitely a stripped down version. We don't have the
helmets in the background, we don't have the lights. You know,
I'm not having to put on makeup, thank goodness, but
we are stripped down and listen, at the end of
the day, all you need is us talking football. I
think that's what It's just the content that matters for sure.
Stephen Tate checking in coffee, Finn, what's up, Stephen steven says,

(01:06:58):
evening guys, Kelly Mitchell listen. Kelly reminds us about his
Brooks County Trojans, says, my Mighty of Brooks County Trojans
will be making another run. Guys, let me mention this flint.
You mentioned spring football or one of y'all did mention
spring football practice? Does it really mean anything? Let me
tell you the beauty of this time of year. The

(01:07:19):
thing that spring football practice does for you. It gives
everybody renewed hope. We're number one, We're gonna win it all.
We're all zero and zero, okay, And that's the beauty
of spring football. But now, between now and this summer,

(01:07:39):
these seven on sevens, this is going to separate the
men from the boys.

Speaker 3 (01:07:43):
As they say, man, you are not kidding when it
comes to springball. Hope springs e term. So it's it's
always our team is the best. We're gonna beat our
chest and we don't have to be proven wrong until
September rolls around.

Speaker 2 (01:08:03):
That's right. So as we get ready to close shot today,
here on this again, this brand new this first rollout
of our brand new format where you guys can check
us out at any of our three platforms, our x
Slash Twitter account, our YouTube, and of course is always
our Facebook page. It's extra point with Phil John's gonna
be coming to you on a five thirty every Tuesday.

(01:08:27):
Greg Mattocks, by the way, the the all time Baseball
Hall of Famer, always give him a hard time about that.
He's a big Lownes fan. Greg Maddox says, whoever wins
between Lowndes and Edawa going to be your state champions.
You're probably going to be right about that one, my friend.
So all right, Gabe Garrett, like I've said the last
few weeks Toomb's gonna repeat season loading, I'm with you there.

(01:08:50):
By the way, my story will be out shortly. I
just wrote this story on who I think the twenty
twenty four state champions that will be repeated, and I'll
give you a little bit of tease on that. I
think Teams County is going to repeat. I think Bowden's
going to repeat. I think Carter Columbus is going to repeat.
I think Milton is going to repeat, and I think

(01:09:13):
Grayson is going to repeat. And I don't think it's
that hard when you take a look at their rosters,
I think those are gonna be your this and I
don't know if this is movie the first year, maybe
in a while. We've had so many repeating state champions
And by the way, somebody, somebody helped me out here.
If Bowden wins four in a row, when's the last time,
if ever, that's been done in George High school football? Listen,

(01:09:36):
I've never purported that I know everything. I don't. The
beauty of this show is I reach out to you, guys.
I ask y' all questions. I ask you to help
me out on this. So when's the last time anybody
won four in a row? If they've ever done it?

Speaker 3 (01:09:49):
I don't know, man, that's a great question. Did the
did the great Valdosta teams ever do that?

Speaker 2 (01:09:56):
You know? I've got to look back in and do
some some some research here, Flint, I don't guess you
know anything. Do you know about that at all?

Speaker 1 (01:10:02):
I'm lost, man. The first thing that came to mind
is what Larry said with the old Valdosta teams. And
I'm trying to picture that wall at Valdosta in my
head to see if there was any four in a
row there. But I can't think right off the river
right now.

Speaker 3 (01:10:13):
I can answer the question for you right now, Okay,
Valdosta has never won it four years in a row. Now,
they've had plenty of stretches where they've wanted three years
in a row, four out of five, that kind of stuff,
but never four consecutive years in a row.

Speaker 2 (01:10:31):
Gabe Garrett, like the predictions field, I kind of figured
you would, Gabe. But again, winning a state championship is hard.
Winning two in a row is hard. Winning three in
a rows almost unheard of, winning four in rows almost
the rest. What you got to remember, I think you
keep Toombs County. I'm sorry, Bowden when you're talking about
truly great programs in the state. Joshua Jay Chase Garnto ads,

(01:10:56):
I'm glad everyone's sleeping on lounges. Larry, you're pretty you're
pretty close to this that you Larry hosts the Viking Nation,
Larry does Lownes have what it takes in class six
A to go all the way. When we talk about
facilities top of the line there.

Speaker 3 (01:11:12):
That is an interesting question just because of what's happening
at the six A level with with some of the
I think you've heard me use this phraseology before, with
what's happening with some of these super assembled teams in
the metro Atlanta area. Right, So, it's it's going to
be moving forward. I don't want to say it's it's

(01:11:36):
not possible, but it's going to be very very difficult
for teams in Class one six A, whether it's Calquitt, Lowns, Camden,
Valdosta to whoever, maybe even Richmond. It's going to be
very difficult for one of our teams to go up
there and knock off of Buford or knock off a Grayson.

(01:11:56):
Now Here. What I just said, we all started this
show talking about these teams that repeat and the reason
why they repeat, whether it's Grayson or or Buford or
some of these other teams up there. And then you
follow it up by asking the question, can a Lownes
win a state title? Can of Calwood County win a

(01:12:17):
state title? In order to do that you have to
go through teams like Buford and teams like Grayson. Can
we do it? Yeah, we beat Grayson before. We beat
them plenty of times before. We've never beat Buford. I
think we've only played at one time. But it's going
to be very difficult to overcome what the super Assembled
teams have done in the Metro Atlanta. So I think

(01:12:39):
your specific question is heading into this season, can Lownes
do it? I think Lownes has the potential. Lownes is
putting together a very special team this year. I didn't
think so earlier earlier in the year, but some of
the talent that is starting to rise up to the

(01:12:59):
time Lownes is very impressive. The thing that may hold
them back is some youth and inexperience, especially on the
defensive side of the ball. But if those guys can
learn quickly, then then the sky's the limit for this
this program. That's that's gonna hit the field this year.
Lounce is going to have a really really good team
this year.

Speaker 1 (01:13:18):
Hey Larry, Hey Larry, let me, let me let me
pugs and let me just give you one word. One name.
Jace Johnson. That's all. That's all I'm telling you. That
kid has impressed me so much, even from last year, Larry, Uh.
I mean, he's an awesome, awesome kid.

Speaker 3 (01:13:34):
Man.

Speaker 1 (01:13:35):
I'm very excited to see him and especially his development
over the offseason. And I'm very excited to see him
and who and and fill us in and sorry, I
don't want to ramble about that, but the wide receivers
was very familiar with Jalen last year, but I know
he's gone. Who had the Who's at the wide receiver?
Who's he throwing that pickskin to?

Speaker 3 (01:13:51):
Well, there's a kid that's starting to stick out, you
really young kid. I think he is either going to
be a freshman or sophomore this year. Keep your eyes
for the name cave On Cavin Kevon Thomas. So you
know he he's getting some offers early on. He was
a standout last year for the Lownes program. Keep your eye.

(01:14:13):
Now there's a couple of other kids, uh that I
won't give away their names just yet, that they are there.
There are a couple of kids that well, I'm that's
That's where I'm going to stop right there. But the
name to keep your eye on this coming season, it's
gonna be keve On Thomas. So Jase Johnson throwing to
cave On a pretty good bit. There's a there's another

(01:14:35):
running back, you know. We one of the things that
we that Lowndes had to do as well is replace
a couple of really really good running backs from last
season primarily uh road dog Allen Brown. So we've got
another kid that's coming up that's gonna be really really
special as well. So I'm telling you man, from the

(01:14:56):
skill position, Lownes is going to be very very loaded.

Speaker 2 (01:14:59):
Uh.

Speaker 3 (01:14:59):
The thing that that that's got to come around quickly
is is that defense.

Speaker 2 (01:15:05):
Right. Yeah, I was gonna mention Finn you worked out
with Lowndes. I know it's been a little wall. Uh
so you had a chance to see him up close.
And personally, you think they've got the big guys. You
think they've got the big hogs the strength to get
it done up front.

Speaker 1 (01:15:22):
I can I can just point you to one play
fill that sticks out in my head. Is that time
they pushed themselves to a touchdown?

Speaker 2 (01:15:27):
What was it?

Speaker 1 (01:15:28):
Eighty yards? Seventy yard push push?

Speaker 2 (01:15:31):
Yeah, that should tell you.

Speaker 1 (01:15:32):
That should tell you they got the grit, they got
the heart. I don't care how big they are, Phil,
because I promise you you take you get that little guy.
I will take what I saw that day any day
of the week.

Speaker 2 (01:15:43):
Now, you're unbelievable. Who was that quarterback or who's that
running back? Larry that ran that that the marves Wade
fence mars Perrish unbelievable.

Speaker 3 (01:15:51):
Yeah, guy, Larry, you asked about the offensive line up front, Uh,
Lownes has all their offensive linemen returning.

Speaker 1 (01:16:00):
Oh so everybody, I worked out with them, we'll be back.

Speaker 3 (01:16:04):
The two Bookkends, in particular, are getting major offers from
the D one level. You got you talking about kids
like Abram Eisenhower and Ben Corhy, the left tackle and
the right tackle respectively, and those guys are going to
be anchoring that offensive line. We got some some some

(01:16:25):
really really good athletic offensive guards as well, and so
that that offensive line I am not worried about at all.
Last year I was a little bit worried about these
skill players because we graduated a whole bunch of them.
But man, we got some studs ready to step up again.
My only concern is how quickly can that defense learn

(01:16:46):
on the fly?

Speaker 2 (01:16:47):
All right, guys. That is going to wrap us up
for this debut edition of Extra Point. I say debut edition.
We've been doing the five years, but a different a format,
a different look, a different time. I we get in
some mostly positive comments next week. I want to hear
about your Dark Corse teams. I've seen so many great comments,
but I want to say some of these for next week.

(01:17:09):
Looking at some of these teams who were trying to
get back Bainbridge Tiff County. Yes, that's kind of what
I'm looking for next week. Who are some of the
other dark course teams? And by next week, guys, we're
going to see how this Tiff County team did against
Langston Hughes. That's one as spring games go that, as
I mentioned earlier, it's going to be intriguing to watch

(01:17:31):
for guys. I'll give you the final word as we
get ready to get out of here. What you got.

Speaker 3 (01:17:35):
It's gonna be a fun off season starting here in
just a few weeks. When when graduation hits us, that's
when we'll take a little bit of time off. But
the football programs all across the state will start their
summer workouts with OTA's and seven on seven's, that kind
of stuff, and so we'll so you'll see fans like

(01:17:56):
us have glimpses across the state of how their skilled
players are. We'll get reports on OTA's that kind of stuff.
So I'm really looking forward to the offseason. But this week,
for a lot of programs, you'll see spring activities come
to a conclusion as well. Some teams are going to

(01:18:16):
have spring scrimmages against other programs this coming Thursday night,
Lownes is going to be playing an intrasquad Crimson and
White scrimmage. Some teams are going to take the spring off,
but it's what we'll start to see where the team
start to jail and we'll have a better idea. Is
you know, mid June to late June, we should start

(01:18:37):
to have an idea of where these programs are headed.

Speaker 2 (01:18:41):
Plant what you got man, You're parting shot today.

Speaker 1 (01:18:44):
Yep, Man, I just want to say thanks again for
having me on. Feels good to be back talking some football.
Very excited to get into the season. And yeah, guys,
if you like talking sports, I go live overy Thursday
night on X playing Call of Duty, talking with athletes,
talking with videographers, all the above, just talking what's going
on in sports. And thanks to your chat man, Thanks
to the Extra Point family for having me.

Speaker 2 (01:19:07):
Absolutely again for man.

Speaker 3 (01:19:10):
James Rymer's got an interesting I saw that you said,
like the new format, I really needed to save costs
to cover Larry's here, we need to reopen negotiation.

Speaker 1 (01:19:23):
He's exactly.

Speaker 2 (01:19:24):
Larry is very reasonable on our on our cost savings format.
I ain't promise you that, all right, guys, thanks so
much for all the comments. If I overlook your comment,
don't take it personally. I try to get everybody, but
I do miss some of you, and again love all
you guys. Man, Thank you so much. Flint Dikes, thanks
for making it happen. Larry, thanks for making it happen. Guys.

(01:19:46):
Thanks for joining us today and we will be seeing
you guys next Tuesday, five thir

All Episodes

Episode Transcript

Popular Podcasts

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

The Breakfast Club

Fudd Around And Find Out

.css-15opob5{left:0;position:absolute;top:0.8rem;} All Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}Who Are the Top High School Football Programs in GA for 2025?

Episode Transcript

Popular Podcasts

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

The Breakfast Club

Fudd Around And Find Out

All Episodes

Who Are the Top High School Football Programs in GA for 2025?

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce