After weeks and months of teasing from spring football, summer 7-on-7s and padded camps and preseason scrimmages, the 2024 high school football season is slated to kick off in earnest Friday. Here’s a team-by-team capsulized break down of our Richmond and Columbia County football playing schools, including several non-GHSA private schools.
BUTLER BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Myron Newton, 13th year
2023 Record: 3-6 overall, 2-5 in Region 4-AA
Returning Starters: 4 on offense, 5 on defense
Season Outlook: Speed. In a word, that’s how coach Newton wants to describe his 2024 squad. He likes the speed that the Bulldogs will bring to the table, despite their relative inexperience, although the Bulldogs do have a three-year returning starter at quarterback. Guys like Ricardo Collier and Treshod Smith are players who Newton says will bring track and field speed to the gridiron as Butler tries to capture its first winning season since 2020 and first state playoff berth since 2017.
Quotable: “I’m going to be starting some new faces, but I’m excited about the new faces because the new faces have bought in. They came right on in and they bought in to what’s going on. They’re new, but they’re not new. But you know, everybody’s good when there aren’t no pads on. But our guys are ready to play and see how good we are. We believe we’re a playoff team. As hard as these guys work, I couldn’t bring myself to stand there and tell them they aren’t a playoff contender. They are.”
CROSS CREEK RAZORBACKS
Head Coach: Ezzard Horn, 3rd year.
2023 Record: 3-6 overall, 1-4 in Region 4-AAA
Returning Starters: 9 on offense, 6 on defense.
Season Outlook: Coach Horn says his rebuild at Cross Creek is “right on schedule.” And the budding confidence around the football program is palpable. Practices run more crisply and with precision. The overall numbers are up, and the Razorbacks have a senior in Nasan Houston who has four committable college scholarship offers, while also boasting a returning sophomore at quarterback in Brandon Wallace who’s a year smarter and more experienced after throwing for close to 1,000 yards as a highly-touted freshman straight out of middle school last year. Horn had to start a ton of freshmen and sophomore his first season, but he’s looking at that now as a positive, as those players have gained ample experience and make Cross Creek a much more battle-tested team.
Quotable: “We’re going to be a team that’s gonna step on the field every night and compete, no matter what. We’re not going to back down. If you want to beat on them, go ahead. What you’ll see is, you can try to wear on them and beat on them but you’ll see they won’t stop coming at me. And when that happens, that puts a little fear into an opponent sometimes, and as soon as you get afraid, our guys can punch you in the mouth. More than anything, we want to be tough, physical and relentless.”
GLENN HILLS SPARTANS
Head Coach: Coach Harry Desile, 1st year.
2023 Record: 1-9 overall, 1-6 in Region 4-AA.
Returning Starters: 8 on offense and 8 on defense.
Season Outlook: Coach Desile is coming into his first year at the helm after former coach Brandon Tull’s six-year tenure. He comes to a somewhat beleaguered program that hasn’t had a non-losing season since a 5-5 finish in 2017, and the Spartans haven’t made the postseason since 2016. You’ll have to go all the way back to 2008 to find the last Glenn Hills football team that finished a season with a winning record. But when you talk to Desile, he understands that getting where he wants this team to go isn’t going to happen overnight, and he’s okay with engaging in the slow grind to build the kind of program he wants. Several athletes do standout for the Spartans, including 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior wideout Devontae Leverett. He’s the team’s leading returning pass catcher. Senior defensive backs Kiante Buchanan and Ephesian Tanks should help anchor the secondary, and Desile is high on versatile freshman Jamonie Grier who will look to make an immediate impact both as a wide receiver and defensive back.
Quotable: “We will be a disciplined team. We are definitely going to be better than we were last year, and I have no doubt that we’re moving in the right direction. — Coach Harry Desile
HEPHZIBAH REBELS
Head Coach: Daniel Dorsey, 5th year.
2023 Record: 7-4 overall, 3-2 in Region 4-AAA
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 5 on defense.
Season Outlook: For the last two years, Hephzibah has lost big-time talent to graduation. After the 2022 season, it was quarterback Jalen Patrick and his favorite pass-catching target Eric Grant. After last season, it was running back and linebacker Telly Johnson — now a freshman at Northern Illinois — and wide receiver D. Singleton, just to name a few. But here’s the kicker — The Rebels have added to their win total each year of Dorsey’s tenure. And the coach says he sees no reason why that should stop now. In fact, Dorsey says he feels this is the most comprehensively talented team he’s had since arriving at Hephzibah after the 2019 season. Similar to last year, the strength of the offense should be up front with players like four-year starter Jamal Hawkins, Solomon Mathis and 6-foot-4, 340-pound John Harrell. Look for 6-foot-4, 190-pound athlete Dextavion Reese, who’s got an offer from Georgia State, to turn some heads. Quarterback J.J. Gant returns for his second season as full time starter, and Dorsey says he’s “grown by leaps and bounds.” The mix of seasoned experience and new, fresh, talented athletes will be intriguing to watch.
Quotable: “You should’ve heard them in the locker room on the first day of padded practice. They know it’s time for the season. Just kind of going through the motions with helmets only, kids get bored. It’s football. They want to hit somebody. The majority are ready to go. Some of your younger players whose eyes were already big about playing varsity may be a little hesitant, but most of them are like, ‘hey, this is what we’ve been waiting for.’” — Coach Daniel Dorsey.
JOSEY EAGLES
Head Coach: Lawrence Pinkney, 2nd year.
2023 Record: 1-9 overall, 0-7 in Region 4-AA.
Returning Starters: 3 on offense, 3 on defense
Season Outlook: Coach Pinkney’s formula for Josey’s success sounds simple: Play good defense, ball control offense and win the field position game. Commit turnovers and score in the red zone. The thing that makes it hard is the numbers game he has to play. With only six returning starters combined and a roster of about 30 kids — give or take a half dozen — Pinkney’s going to have to count on some very green athletes to help his program take a big “year two step.” Among those who return that should stand out our senior defensive end and receiver Frank Davis, sophomore running back and free safety Jayandre Brown and junior offensive and defensive lineman Ryan Oliver, Jr. that trio represents the most experienced of the Eagles’ core. They’ll be tasked with not only making plays on the field, but helping a bunch of freshmen straight out of middle school and sophomores — some who’ve never played football before — get acclimated to the high school game.
Quotable: “I’ve been here two years as a head coach, six years total, and I’ve seen this — we have to stress accountability. We got a lot of young kids, a lot of rising ninth graders, straight out of Murphy Middle School. We’re playing kids who’ve never played, and guys stuck in doing things the way they want to. We gotta change the culture. We have to teach them how to build a program.” — Coach Lawrence Pinkney
LANEY WILDCATS
Head Coach: Ronnie Baker, 4th year
2023 Record: 8-3 overall, 6-1 in Region 4-AA
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 6 on defense.
Season Outlook: Coach Baker hasn’t missed the playoffs since he took the program’s reins in 2021. The three-year postseason streak is the longest since the Wildcats went on a consecutive postseason run from 2010 through 2016 under coaches Lemuel Lackey and Rodney McFadden. Two region titles were won during that time. Most people likely won’t be picking Laney as a favorite in the new Region 4-AA alignment which adds Burke County to a slate of teams that includes Thomson, Butler and Glenn Hills. That’s because seven of Laney’s 15 seniors from last year are now playing college football. Losing playmakers like Carl Holmes, Javaris Harris and DJ Dagger puts Baker in a bit of a “reloading” season. The cupboard isn’t bare, though. But younger players like junior Tiquavious Kemp, Chimera Sturgis and Trevon Griffin will have to step up, particularly as a committee at quarterback. Baker feels good about two-year starters Marcus Taylor and Demotez Harris at defensive line. Watch for 6-foot-5, 270-pound newcomer Jonathan Jones to make immediate impact on the o-line.
Quotable: “With the right preparation, growth and mindset, I think we can make a run at the region and the playoffs. Our biggest thing is always physicality. It’s slow, but surely we’re getting to be the physical team we need to be and that we’ve been in the past. Whenever you lose guys to the collegiate level with that much talent like we have, you’re gonna take a step back. But we just gotta make sure we keep our heads on right and do what we need to do to get to that next level.” — Coach Ronnie Baker
RICHMOND ACADEMY MUSKETEERS
Head Coach: Keenan Grissett, 2nd year (1st full season)
2023 Record: 4-7 overall, 2-3 in Region 4-AAA
Returning Starters: 3 on offense, 3 on defense
Season Outlook: It was a topsy-turvy first year for Grissett who took over the Richmond Academy program after the 2023 season began, then had to help his team navigate the loss of one of their teammates. With a number of seniors departing from last year’s squad, and just six total returners, Grissett is pushing the reset button in some ways, and looking forward to building it back his way. Despite all the transition, the program is only three seasons removed from its last 10-win season and region championship. Because of its nine-team Region 4-AAA setup, ARC will only have room on its schedule for two non-region opponents. Those two opponents? Burke County and Thomson. Those games will certainly make the Musketeers battle tested for an 8-game region gauntlet.
Quotable: “I believe we are a 7-win team at minimum. As far as the kind of team we’re going to be? We’ll be disciplined. We’ll be fast. And we’re gonna be hungry.” — Coach Keenan Grissett
WESTSIDE PATRIOTS
Head Coach: Lee Hutto, 4th season
2023 Record: 4-6 overall, 3-4 in Region 4-AA
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 7 on defense.
Season Outlook: The last few seasons have been a bit of a mixed bag of success for the Patriots. Westside had a 6-5 finish with a playoff berth in coach Jon Wiley’s last year in 2020. Coach Hutton’s first season saw the program reach nine wins for the first time since 2002. A big senior class departed, and it showed with a 2-8 campaign in 2022. Last year was a bit of a bounce-back season where the Patriots found an offensive weapon in Jeanarion Kamga, arguably the best returning running back in the CSRA. Now, Hutto believes he’s got a squad that can get Westside back to its winning and postseason ways. Kamga is back after rushing for more than 1,500 yards last year as a junior. Josh Crawford was on his way to a promising sophomore season on defense before he tore his ACL against Aquinas in game two last year. He’s healthy and has returned. Hutto says the offensive and defensive lines will be his team’s strength, which bodes well for Kamga especially on offense. He calls his team’s depth across the board “exceptional.” With its move up to Class AAA and a nine-team Region 4-AAA, there won’t be much time for the Patriots to play “tune up” games against non-region opponents. They’ll open with Laney Friday and Glenn Hills next week in non-region action, and then straight into a region slate with teams such as Aquinas, Harlem and Hephzibah, not to mention an improved Cross Creek squad and newcomers like Howard, Baldwin and West Laurens.
Quotable: “This will be the first time in two years we won’t have to start a sophomore or a freshman as we’ve had to do. I learned this while coaching at Thomson: If you’re starting a bunch of freshmen and sophomores, you can start counting up losses. Most of these guys — our seniors — have been in our program since ninth graders, and they’ve seen what it’s like to win close games and have success. They’re bigger and stronger and hungrier. A much more mature team.”
EVANS KNIGHTS
Coach: Barrett Davis, 4th year.
2023 Record: 4-7, 3-3 in Region 2-AAAAAA
Returning Offense: Mason Short, Justin Tillman, Camden Myers, EJ Hogan, Jaden Whisby, Christian Scott, Tripp Furgeison.
Returning Defense: Jack Herrington, Bryson Crewe, Jeremy Howard, Allen Morris
Key Departures: Rayshaun King, Jacob Jackson, Stephen Heard, Anterriyon Moore
Season Outlook: The Knights are loaded coming into the season, and are headlined by national talent. Opposing teams will not look forward to preparing for this offense that has players like four-star offensive lineman Mason Short and three-star Buddyrow Garrer will certainly help take this team to new heights. The Knights will have some holes to fill on defense, and they have the talent to do so. This team is going to be a fun watch every Friday night this season.
Quotable: “We’re trying to find more vocal leaders and be more player oriented in this upcoming season. We’ve also got to build some depth before we get into region play. We want to win our county and compete for our region.” — Coach Barrett Davis
GREENBRIER WOLFPACK
Coach: Sean Tiernan, 1st year.
2023 Record: 1-9, 1-4 in Region 1-AAAAA
Returning Starters on Offense: 5 total: Cole Trupp QB; Ryan Clayborn WR; Harold George OL; Grayson Collett – OL; Cannon Taylor – OL
Returning Starters on Defense: 10 total: Nate Rank DL; Cole Trupp LB; Elijah Chavez DL; Grayson Collett DL; Verkaree Guyton DB; Remer Cobb DB; Ryan Clayborn DB; Craig Johnson DB; Ethan McKenzie DL; Mitchell Horton LB
Season Outlook: The Wolfpack return almost its entire defense and look to turn things around in their first year under new head coach Sean Tiernan. Last season, five of their nine losses were in one possession games, so it’s not hard to see how coach Tiernan can turn this ship around fast. Greenbrier moves into an easier region this season compared to the gauntlet they have been playing and will have more of a chance to compete. On offense, the Wolfpack return five starters including their quarterback, so things are looking up for the 2024 campaign.
HARLEM BULLDOGS
Coach: Mark Boiter, 5th year.
2023 Record: 7-4, 4-1 in Region 4-AAA
Returning Offensive Starters: 5 Total: Cainan Thomas (Sr.), Liam Thompson (Jr.), Taylor Hart (Sr.), Malik Tyler (Jr.), Jayden Futrell (Jr.)
Returning Defensive/Special teams Starters: 8 Total: Ronald Oliver (Sr.), Baylor Davis (Sr.), Banks Young (Sr.), Will Holder (Sr.), Taylor Hart (Sr.), PJ Williams (Sr.), Chris Arroyo (Sr.), Marcus Wheeler (Sr.)
Key Departures:
Quarterback – Ethan Evangelista
Wide Receiver – Elijah Evangelista
Wide Receiver/Corner – Kee Williams
Defensive Back – Dyson Maddox
Defensive Back – Tucker Combe
Season Outlook: Even with Harlem losing their top two offensive weapons, the Bulldogs return an excess amount of talent across the board. On the defensive side of the ball, Harlem returns eight defenders to a unit that only allowed 12 points per game in Region play. Coach Boiter and staff have plenty of offensive talent to fill the holes, but it will be about who steps up on those Friday nights.
Quotable: “Our guys have shown an unprecedented level of commitment over the summer. We’ve had two OTAs and two padded camps. We hosted one of each. Our team has seen strong competition all summer, which is a must if you want to be competitive in the fall. There’s nothing like competing under the lights on Friday nights.” — Coach Mark Boiter
LAKESIDE PANTHERS
Coach: Steve Hibbitts, 11th year
2023 Record: 3-7, 1-5 in Region 2-AAAAAA
Returning Starters on Offense: 8 Total: Ty Jones (QB, WR); BJ Grissom (RB); Jack Thexton (TE); Solomon Humphreys (WR); Saquan Marshall (Slot); Mikeal Grissom (WR); Ayaan Sharfudeen- (RT); Evan Scott- (LT)
Returning Starters on Defense: 5 Total: Josh Young (DE); Corbin Velez ( OLB); BJ Grissom (OLB); Jack Thexton (LB); Mikeal Grissom (CB)
Key Departures:
Dylan Usry
Caleb Jackson
Justin Barnes
Ciatrick Pickett
Parth Patel
Season Outlook: The Panthers are bringing a lot back on offense this year and look to improve on a unit that averaged 22.3 points per game last season. Only having to replace guys on the offensive line, the skill guys should thrive. Players like Jack Thexton can lead this team to where they want to go. On the defensive side, the Panthers return only five guys to a defense that struggled at times last year. Coach Hibbitts is confident they’ll be much improved in the upcoming season. Lakeside is a great place to watch a game and this team will be better and fun to watch.
Quotable: “I want us to take that next step to be up there with the elite teams, I want us to play into December this season. I feel like we have a great team, so why not set the goal high. I feel like we have the best atmosphere anywhere in the CSRA, we have a great stadium, our student section is awesome and we have some great promos. We have just an electric atmosphere, I would really encourage people to come out and watch this team, it’s going to be a fun season.” — Coach Steve Hobbits
AQUINAS FIGHTIN’ IRISH
Head Coach: James Leonard, 12th year.
2023 Record: 9-3 overall, 3-1 in Region 8B-A D2
Returning Starters: 7 on offense, 5 on defense
Key Departures: WR BuddyRow Garrer, WR Mekhi Quiller, MLB/RB Clark Jackson, LB Wesley Michaelson, ILB Copelan Thurmond, CB Zyaire Douglas.
Season Outlook: Last year’s 9-3 record which included a playoff berth was mainly attributed to Jack Franklin staying healthy throughout the year. Jack Rhodes’ move to receiver allowed another target for Franklin other than Garrer. After Garrer’s transfer to Evans, Rhodes will be staying at receiver after seeing such a connection between him and Franklin last season. RJ Evans will also be a big target for the Irish this season. Head Coach, James Leonard, has seen big improvements from his young offensive line this offseason, which should give Franklin more time in the pocket. The move up to AAA this coming season will not be easy for the Irish, due to the lack of depth from a Single A school playing AAA football. Leonard still has his eyes set on winning the region.
Quotable: “Our ultimate goal is winning the region and the only way we achieve that is taking it week by week. If we can manage to do that then we will have a successful season, with a lot of wins and a long playoff run.” — Coach James Leonard
AUGUSTA PREP CAVALIERS
Head Coach: Todd Booker, 2nd year
2023 Record: 3-10 overall, 0-2 in GIAA AA Region 4
Returning Starters: 10 on offense and 10 on defense.
Key Departures: ATH Sam ConnellandLB/OL Fripp McDougal
Season Outlook: Despite finishing with a 3-10 record in 2023, which included a 27-11 win in the 2023 GIAA Class AA Playoffs over Georgia Christian. Head Coach, Todd Booker, is excited to see what his young team is capable of this season. After starting seven freshmen throughout last season, this young Cavaliers team has gained another year of varsity football confidence under their belt. This offseason has been heavily focused on conditioning, with most players playing both ways, with over 100 snaps a game. If Booker can get his young squad playing the power football that we are used to seeing from the Cavaliers, then don’t be surprised to see a deep run in the playoffs.
Quotable: “There are only three things we can control in this game, our attitude, our effort, and our execution. If we can get back to focusing on those three things, we will be playing good football consistently.” — Coach Todd Booker
AUGUSTA CHRISTIAN LIONS
Head Coach: Mark Ethridge, 2nd year (1st full season)
2023 Record: 4-7 overall, 3-3 in SCISA 4A
Returning Starters: 6 on offense, 7 on defense.
Key Departures: QB/K Wilson Donnelly, RB Troy Booker, WR Jackson Williamson, MLB Jack Altman, RS Scott Alexander
Season Outlook: After a tough 4-7 finish to the 2023 season, Head Coach, Mark Ethridge, is looking to turn the page and start a new season. After graduating quarterback Wilson Donnelly, who threw for over 3,000 yards in his two-year tenure at ACS. Ethridge will have to turn to some young talent that can still get the ball to star wide receiver and defensive back, Dallas Carter. Carter not only led the team in all-purpose yards but had the most interceptions in the state, with nine. If Carter can mesh well with his new general on offense, then the Lions could make some noise in the SCISA.
Quotable: “I want these kids to know that if you want something you have to work for it, and that is why we have been in the weight room so much since January. If we want a good record, we all have to put in the time and the effort for it.” — Coach Mark Etheridge
WESTMINISTER SCHOOLS OF AUGUSTA WILDCATS
Coach: Chris Murphey
2023 Record: 11-1, 2-1 in GIAA (8-man) Region 1 (State Champions)
Returning Starters: 7 Total: Levi Murphey; Levi Ketterman; Porter Grinalds; Charlie Grinalds; Henry Wilke; Henry West; Eli Allsup.
Key Departures: James Kasner; Cable Best; Rader Ketterman; Hank Daniel; Caleb Franks; Josh Garner; Brock Hasten; Mack Whitcomb.
Season Outlook: Last year, the Wildcats won the state championship in dominant fashion with a 35-14 win over Windsor Academy. A year later, they look ready to compete for another title. Coach Murphey and company have reloaded on both sides of the ball. In 8-man football, skill players are the name of the game and the Wildcats have guys that can beat you in a plethora of ways.
Quotable: “We have a good returning group of core guys. I think we have a good chance to make another deep run. We’ve had a great summer of conditioning and workouts, we’re excited to defend our state title this fall.” — Coach Chris Murphey
Edmund Burke Academy
Coach: Andy Woodard, 3rd year.
2023 Record: 12-1, 1-1 in GIAA Region 4-AA (State Champions)
Returning Starters: 7 Total: Owen Redd – WR/FS; Aden Hickman – RB/SS; Matthew Hood – OL/ILB; Clint Miller – OL/DL; William Gelderman- OL/NG; Davis Brown – OL/DL; Maddox Lee – WR/DB; Ryan Reddick – K
Key Departures: Grant Mobley – QB/CB; Connor Syms – RB/OLB; Kade McGill – H/ILB; Harrison McClellan – OL/DL; Braydon Tindell – WR/CB/K; Parker Oliver – H/OLB/P
Season Outlook: EBA was loaded with high end talent last year, and that talent took them to a State Championship win over Gatewood 16-10. The Spartans will have to replace guys like the GIAA Player of the Year Grant Mobley, but have brought in the talent to do so through underclassmen and transfers.
Quotable: “We are excited about the opportunity to defend the title heading into the season. Unfortunately for us, we will be playing in class A this upcoming season and cannot try and repeat as the AA state champs. Instead it provides us a new challenge to win back to back state titles in two different classifications. It means so much to go into the season with several players that were such key pieces of the state title run and know what it takes to win it all. We know that everyone will circle our game on the schedule and we are excited about taking everyone’s best shot every Friday night.” — Coach Andy Woodard
