Courtesy of Howard High School

Central Georgia GHSA football capsules

ACE

Head coach: Keith Hatcher

Returning offensive starters: 7

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Brice Whitley (Sr., WR); Bryson Vincent (Jr., RB); Ace Hatcher (Soph., QB); Jaylon Davis (Soph., WR); Sawyer Raugh (Sr., LB); James Patterson (Sr., S)

Schedule:

Aug. 23: Central

Aug. 30: At Jefferson County

Sept. 6: Dodge County

Sept. 13: At Wilkinson County

Sept. 20: At Northeast (Thompson Stadium)

Sept. 27: East Laurens

Oct. 4: At Dublin 

Oct. 18: Southwest

Oct. 25: At Bleckley County 

Nov. 1: Washington County

Baldwin

Head coach: Kevin Patterson

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: Jonquavious Russell (Sr., DL); Lamar Pounds Jr. (Sr., QB); Sadur Saludduhin (Jr., RB); Brandon Whisby (Sr., DB); Jaylen King (Jr., DL/TE); LaBrayden Burden (Sr., DB)

Schedule:

Aug. 17: Perry (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: Northside

Sept. 6: Cross Creek

Sept. 13: At Harlem

Sept. 27: West Laurens

Oct. 4: At Richmond Academy

Oct. 11: Hephzibah

Oct. 18: At Aquinas

Oct. 25: Westside, Augusta

Oct. 31: At Howard (Thompson Stadium)

Bleckley County

Head coach: Von Lassiter

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 4

Players to watch: Tyrek Mack (Sr., WR/DB); Kam Everett (Sr., QB); JB Blackshear (Sr., OL/DL); TJ Fountain (Sr. OL); Joshua Stanley (Jr., RB) 

Schedule:

Aug. 17: Rutland (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: Dodge County 

Aug. 30: At East Laurens

Sept. 6: Southwest 

Sept. 20: At Washington County

Sept. 27: Jefferson County

Oct.3: At Northeast (Thompson Stadium)

Oct. 18: Dublin 

Oct. 25: ACE 

Oct. 31: At Central (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Central

Head coach: Jarrett Laws

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 9

Players to watch: Stephun Bryant (Jr., DB); Nikee Walker (Sr., LB); Jadavien Lewis (Sr., DL); Justin Releford (Jr., QB); Ronald Smith (Jr., OL); Joshua Pettigrew (Soph., Edge/TE)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Dougherty (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: At ACE

Aug. 30: At Dodge County

Sept. 5: East Laurens (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 20: Southwest (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 27: Washington County (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 4: At Jefferson County

Oct. 18: Northeast (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 25: At Dublin 

Oct. 31: Bleckley County (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Crawford County

Head coach: Dusty Jump

Returning offensive starters: 9

Returning defensive starters: 9

Players to watch: Isaac Meadows (Sr., QB); CJ Anderson (Jr., WR/DB); Xavier Blassingame (Sr., DE); KT Colbert (Jr., OL); Perce Belvin (Jr., RB/DE)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Pike County

Aug. 23: GMC

Aug. 29: At Kendrick

Sept. 13: Macon County

Sept. 20: At Schley County

Sept. 27: Central, Talbotton

Oct. 4: At Marion County

Oct. 11: Atkinson County

Oct. 25: At Taylor County

Nov. 1: Chattahoochee County

Crisp County

Head coach: Lawrence Smith

Players to watch: Cayden Daniels (Sr., CB)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Sumter County

Aug. 23: At Lovett

Aug. 30: At Fitzgerald

Sept. 6: Peach County

Sept. 13: At Dougherty 

Sept. 20: Swainsboro

Oct. 4: At Tattnall County

Oct. 11: At Appling County

Oct. 18: Pierce County

Nov. 1: Cook

Dodge County

Head coach: Phillip Brown

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 4

Players to watch: Duke Johnson (Sr., ATH); Ralph Howard (Sr., LB); Jamal Smith (Jr., RB); Landon Sheffield (Jr., TE/LB); Jeremiah Burns (Soph., WR); Kain Mincey (Soph., QB)

Schedule:

Aug. 23: At Bleckley County 

Aug. 30: Central

Sept. 6: At ACE

Sept. 13: Vidalia

Sept. 20: At East Laurens

Sept. 27: Southwest

Oct. 4: At Washington County

Oct. 18: Jefferson County

Oct. 25: At Northeast (Thompson Stadium)

Nov. 1: Dublin

Dooly County

Head coach: Cecil Lester

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 4

Players to watch: TyQuan Glover (Sr., ATH/DB); Ken Lucas (Jr., LT); Jayvion Sanders (Jr., ATH); Justin Askew (Sr., DT); Charles Nance (Soph., ATH/T/DT); Tamarion Lee (Sr., RB); DaBrion Eugley (Sr., DE); Scotty Freeman (Jr., DE); Amaji Felton (Jr., G/DT); Jamario Westbrook (Sr., RB/LB); Jamonte Taylor (Soph., ATH); Markevion Riggins (Soph., T)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Spencer

Aug. 23: Mitchell County

Aug. 30: At Worth County

Sept. 6: At Irwin County

Sept. 20: At Wheeler County

Sept. 27: Montgomery County

Oct. 11: At Wilcox County

Oct. 18: Treutlen

Oct. 25: At Telfair County

Nov. 1: Hawkinsville

Dublin

Head coach: Roger Holmes

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Micha O’Neal (QB/DB); Xavier Bostic (FB/OLB); Willie Batts (RB/OLB); Tamaj Carswell (OL); Brennan McCloud (C); Travion Bostic (RB/DB); Brandon Chatman (TE/DE)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: At Swainsboro

Aug. 23: East Laurens 

Aug. 30: At Southwest (Thompson Stadium)

Sept. 6: Washington County 

Sept. 20: At Jefferson County

Sept. 27: Northeast 

Oct. 4: ACE 

Oct. 18: At Bleckley County 

Oct. 25: Central 

Nov. 1: At Dodge County

East Laurens

Head coach: Jesse Hicks

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Ty Snead (Sr., QB/FS); Justin Ashley (Sr., OL/DL); Carson Smith (Sr., WR/DB); Brandon McWilliams (Sr., OL/DL); Wesley Stanley (Sr., OL/DL); Norrion King (Jr., RB/LB); Caleb Jackson (Jr., OL/DL); Logan Clements (Jr., LB/TE); Jeremiah Rozier (Soph., RB/LB); Major Floyd (Fr., WR/DB); Lagen Mack (Fr., RB/LB); Bryson Hazley (Fr., QB/WR/DB)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Johnson County

Aug. 23: At Dublin 

Aug. 30: Bleckley County

Sept. 5: At Central (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 20: Dodge County

Sept. 27: At ACE

Oct. 4: At Southwest (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 18: Washington County

Oct. 25: At Jefferson County

Nov. 1: Northeast

GMC

Head coach: Gavin Tierce

Returning offensive starters: 8

Returning defensive starters: 7

Players to watch: Cam Lango (Jr. TE/DE); Caleb Hinton (Sr., RB/LB); Noah Yohan (Jr., RB/SS); Gonzalo Caballero (Soph., FB/LB); Jose Caballero (Sr., G/DE) 

Schedule:

Aug. 2: At Montgomery County

Aug. 9: Stratford Academy

Aug. 16: At Atkinson County

Aug. 23: At Crawford County

Aug. 30: Brentwood School

Sept. 6: Taylor County

Sept. 13: At Creekside Christian

Sept. 27: At Twiggs County

Oct. 4: Glascock County

Oct. 11: At Hancock Central

Oct. 25: Wilkinson County

Nov. 1: At Johnson County

Hawkinsville

Head coach: Tim Suttles 

Returning offensive starters: 7

Returning defensive starters: 7

Players to watch: Harlem Phillips (Sr., TE); Nieem Blair (Jr., CB/RB); Zernard Smith (Sr., RB); Mason Coley (Sr., T/DT); Nakivius Releford (Jr., ILB); Landon Johnson (Jr., ILB); Malek Brown (Sr., QB/FS)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: At Marion County

Aug. 23: Schley County

Aug. 30: Lanier County

Sept. 13: Rutland

Sept. 27: Wheeler County

Oct. 4: Wilcox County

Oct. 11: At Telfair County

Oct. 18: At Montgomery County

Oct. 25: Treutlen

Nov. 1: At Dooly County

Houston County

Head coach: Jeremy Edwards

Players to watch: Peyton Joseph (Sr., OL); Antwann Hill (Sr., QB)

Schedule:

Aug. 17: Alpharetta (at Mercedes Benz Stadium)

Aug. 23: Effingham County

Aug. 30: At Perry

Sept. 6: Warner Robins

Sept. 13: At Tift County 

Sept. 27: Veterans (Freedom Field)

Oct. 4: Northside 

Oct. 18: At Coffee

Oct. 25: Thomas County Central 

Nov. 1: At Lee County

Howard

Head coach: Trey Porter

Returning offensive starters: 2

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Deon Wellons (Sr.); JaColbie Allen (Sr.); Kam Clark (Sr.); Connor Smith (Sr.); Zelin Pollard (Sr.); James Blackmon (Sr.); Courtney Wallace; Jaylen Wallace (Jr.); Isaiah Respret (Jr.); DJ Sheffield (Jr.); Jaiden Grayer (Jr.); Ta’Shawn Poole (Soph.); Tristian Sands (Soph.) 

Schedule:

Aug. 17: Westside (at FVSU)

Aug. 29: Rutland (Ed Defore Stadium)

Sept. 6: At West Laurens

Sept. 13: Richmond Academy (Ed Defore Stadium)

Sept. 20: At Hephzibah

Sept. 27: Aquinas (Thompson Stadium)

Oct. 4: At Westside, Augusta

Oct. 18: Cross Creek (Thompson Stadium)

Oct. 25: At Harlem

Oct. 31: Baldwin (Thompson Stadium)

Jones County

Head coach: Mike Chastain

Returning offensive starters: 3

Returning defensive starters: 7

Players to watch: Devin Edmonds (Sr., QB); Jaivon Solomon (Sr., WR); Javion Butts (Sr., S); Zacari Thomas (Sr., LB); DJ Ingram (LB); David Little (Sr., RB); Bruno Hicks (Jr., RB); Daniel Hawk (Sr., LB)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Veterans

Aug. 23: Woodland, Stockbridge

Aug. 30: Hampton

Sept. 6: At Ola

Sept. 13: Union Grove

Sept. 27: At Stockbridge

Oct. 4: McDonough

Oct. 11: At Eagle’s Landing Christian

Oct. 25: Eagle’s Landing

Nov. 1: At Locust Grove

Macon County

Head coach: Kurt Williams

Returning offensive starters: 4

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Jakeyveon Parker (Soph., RB); Jeremiah Solomon (Sr., ATH); Jamarcus Lumpkin (Sr., DE); Josh Fulks (Sr., WR/DB); Jhai’Morrion Whitehead (Sr., DB); Eric Rice (Sr., ATH); Ricardo Byse (Sr., OLB); Oscar Smith (Sr., OLB); Willie Baisden (Sr., DL); Jewun Westberry (Soph., OL/DL)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Southwest (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: Bowdon

Aug. 30: At Lakeside-Atlanta

Sept. 6: Manchester

Sept. 13: At Crawford County

Sept. 20: Chattahoochee County

Sept. 27: Schley County

Oct. 18: At Marion County

Oct. 25: Central, Talbotton

Nov. 1: At Taylor County

Mary Persons

Head coach: Brian Nelson

Returning offensive starters: 4

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Nic Arnold (Sr., DB); Jaise Davis (Sr., LB); Sidney Carter (Sr., DB); Gevone Sands (Sr., DL); Christian Stewart (Sr., DB/RB); DerMarian Davis (Sr., OL); Gavin Martin (Sr., WR); Caden LaVinka (Sr., TE); Mac Nelson (Jr., QB); Ryan Bankston (Sr., K); Nick Howard (Sr., LS)

Schedule:

Aug. 23: At Jackson

Aug. 30 New Westminster Secondary School

Sept. 6: Fayette County

Sept. 13: Troup County

Sept. 27: Upson-Lee

Oct. 4: At Trinity Christian

Oct. 10: At LaGrange 

Oct. 18: At Spalding 

Oct. 25: Sandy Creek

Nov. 1: At Whitewater

Courtesy of Bibb County Schools

Northeast

Head coach: Jeremy Wiggins 

Returning offensive starters: 7

Returning defensive starters: 8

Players to watch: Reginald Glover (Jr., ATH); Kavon Concaurio (Jr., WR); Zan Towles (Sr., OL); Isiah Stubbs (Jr., OL); Harold Sims (Soph., DL); Amari White (Jr., DE); Santana Balkcom (Sr., LB); Tailen Sampson (Jr., LB); Javoris Morgan (Jr., CB); Nick Woodford (Sr., RB); Zakie Denson (Sr., WR)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Peach County (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: Southwest (Thompson Stadium)

Aug. 30: At Washington County

Sept. 5: Jefferson County (Thompson Stadium)

Sept. 20: ACE (Thompson Stadium)

Sept. 27: At Dublin 

Oct. 3: Bleckley County (Thompson Stadium)

Oct. 18: Central (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 25: Dodge County (Thompson Stadium)

Nov. 1: At East Laurens

Northside

Head coach: Ben Bailey

Returning offensive starters: 4

Returning defensive starters: 5

Players to watch: Michael Clayton (Sr., DB); Chastan Brown (Sr., OT); Kheldon Butler (Sr., DL); Say Robinson (Sr., WR); Briston Blasingame (Jr., WR)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Eagle’s Landing

Aug. 23: At Baldwin

Aug. 30: Warner Robins

Sept. 13: At Burke County

Sept. 20: At Peach County 

Sept. 27: At Coffee

Oct. 4: At Houston County

Oct. 18: Thomas County Central

Oct. 25: Lee County

Nov. 1: At Veterans

Peach County

Head coach: Marquis Westbrook

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 3

Players to watch: DJ Hudson (Sr., QB); Chris Scott (Sr., WR); Jykerion Hill (Sr., RB); Carson Freeman (Sr., LB); Jalen Hillman (Sr., CB); Deandre Stinson (Soph., S); Justin Willock (Sr., WR); Cam Cherry (Sr., WR); Bryson Hughley (S); Ashon Montford (TE); Jaden Owens (DL); Hunter Hill (T); Greg Johnson (G); Jordyn Millerhorne (T)

Schedule: 

Aug. 16: Northeast (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: At Perry

Aug. 30: Berkmar

Sept. 6: At Crisp County

Sept. 20: Northside

Sept. 27: Westover

Oct. 4: At Dougherty 

Oct. 18: At Bainbridge

Oct. 25: Cairo 

Nov. 1: At Monroe

Perry

Head coach: Kevin Smith

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: Ahmad Gordon (Sr., RB); Corrion Daniels (Jr., QB/CB); Korey Pettigrew (Sr., WR); Kiel Sparks (Sr., WR); Jukorin Thomas (Sr., T); Ashlon Ashley (Sr., DE); Jordan Donald (Sr., LB); Chayden Barber (Sr., NG); Devon Smoot (Sr., SS)

Schedule:

Aug. 17: Baldwin (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: Peach County

Aug. 30: Houston County

Sept. 13: At Veterans

Sept. 20: East Coweta

Sept. 27: New Hampstead

Oct. 4: At Wayne County

Oct. 18: Ware County

Oct. 25: At Benedictine 

Nov. 1: At Warner Robins

Rutland

Head coach: Anthony Williams

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 7

Top players to watch: KT Spivey (Jr., WR); Jarvis Washington (Sr., DB); Mondrial Whitfield (Sr., WR); Rico Stephens (Sr., RB/LB); TJ Gasaway (Sr., LB)

Schedule:

Aug. 17: Bleckley County (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: Jeff Davis (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Aug. 29: Howard (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 6: Lamar County (Thompson Stadium)

Sept. 13: At Hawkinsville

Sept. 27: At Jackson

Oct. 4: At Morgan County

Oct. 11: Callaway (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 25: Westside (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Nov. 1: Pike County (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Southwest

Head coach: Joseph Dupree

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: Chase Dupree (Jr., QB); Steve Robinson (Sr., WR); Octavious Raglin (Jr., WR); Aiden Young (Sr., OL/DL); Rinaldo Callaway (Jr., DE/TE); Marquis Hutchings (Sr., DE); Christian Hill (Sr., LB); Lavaris Harris (Jr., DB)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Macon County (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: At Northeast (Thompson Stadium)

Aug. 30: Dublin (Thompson Stadium)

Sept. 6: At Bleckley County 

Sept. 20: Central (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 27: At Dodge County 

Oct. 4: East Laurens (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 18: At ACE

Oct. 25: At Washington County

Nov. 1: Jefferson County (Thompson Stadium)

Twiggs County

Head coach: Roderick Cummings

Returning offensive starters: 4

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: Brandon Davis (Sr., QB/S); Daniel Pitts (Sr., WR/DB); Kamarrion Butler (Sr., WR/S); Zonrequeo Mays (Soph., RB/LB); Jamarcus Stephens (Soph., TE/LB); Jaden Jones (Soph., OL/DL)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: At Treutlen

Aug. 23: Greene County

Aug. 30: Portal

Sept. 6: At Wheeler County

Sept. 13: Josey

Sept. 27: GMC

Oct. 4: At Johnson County

Oct. 11: Glascock County

Oct. 25: At Hancock Central

Nov. 1: At Wilkinson County

Veterans

Head coach: Josh Ingram

Returning offensive starters: 3

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: Kane Byrd (Sr., OLB); Justin Shine (Sr., RB); Brooks Master (Sr., QB); Judd Perdue (Sr., DL); Mahamadou Mane (Jr., WR); Christian Askew (Jr., DB); Hudson Warden (Jr., LB); Lincoln Goode (Jr., LB)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: At Jones County

Aug. 23: At Statesboro

Aug. 30: At Starr’s Mill

Sept. 13: Perry

Sept. 20: At Warner Robins

Sept. 27: Houston County 

Oct. 4: At Thomas County Central 

Oct. 18: Lee County 

Oct. 25: At Coffee

Nov. 1: Northside

Warner Robins

Head coach: Shane Sams

Returning offensive starters: 5

Returning defensive starters: 7

Players to watch: Isaiah Gibson (Sr., DE); Resean Dinkins (Sr., S); Tyquon Brewton (Sr., DL); Nick Linder (Sr., C); K.E. Edwards (Sr., LB); Jayden Jones (Sr., LB); Jakhi Woodford (Sr., LB); Chase Plank (Jr., OL); Tre Glover (Jr., OL); Daveon Latimore (Sr., RB); Skyler Willaims (Sr., QB); Ezra Goings (Jr., WR)

Schedule: 

Aug. 16: At Lee County

Aug. 23: Fayette County 

Aug. 30: At Northside

Sept. 6: At Houston County

Sept. 20: Veterans

Sept. 27: Wayne County 

Oct. 4: Benedictine

Oct. 18: At New Hampstead

Oct. 25: At Ware County 

Nov. 1: Perry 

Westside

Head coach: Spoon Risper

Returning offensive starters: 6

Returning defensive starters: 8

Players to watch: Kadiphius Iverson (Sr., RB); Jaden Dawson (Sr., OL); Tristian Houston (Sr., WR); Courtavious Coleman (Sr., LB); Jakari Smith (Sr., LB); Jaden Williams (Jr., DB); Paul Risper (Jr., FS)

Schedule: 

Aug. 17: Howard (at FVSU)

Aug. 23: at First Baptist Academy, Fla.

Aug. 30: Westover (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 6: Bowdon (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Sept. 20: At Lamar County

Sept. 26: Morgan County (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 3: Callaway (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 11: Pike County (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Oct. 25: At Rutland (Ed Defore Sports Complex)

Nov. 1: At Jackson

West Laurens

Head coach: Kip Burdette

Returning offensive starters: 8

Returning defensive starters: 7

Players to watch: Ty Cummings (Jr., ATH); Shannon Adkins (Jr., RB/LB); Branden Brooks (Jr., RB/WR)

Schedule:

Aug. 23: Groves

Aug. 30: North Clayton

Sept. 6: Howard

Sept. 13: At Cross Creek

Sept. 20: Harlem

Sept. 27: At Baldwin

Oct. 11: Richmond Academy

Oct. 18: At Hephzibah

Oct. 25: Aquinas

Nov. 1: At Westside, Augusta

Wilcox County

Head coach: Rob Stowe

Returning offensive starters: 3

Returning defensive starters: 7

Players to watch: Keyshawn Ball (Sr., DL); Trebor Brown (Sr., DL); Johnny Nutt (Sr., QB); CJ McAdoo (Jr., FS/WR); Myles Davis (Jr., OLB); Tyler Tisdol (Jr., SS/WR); Jacobia Bolden (Jr., RB/CB); Tanner Gibbs (Jr., DE)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: Emanuel County Institute

Aug. 23: At Clinch County

Aug. 30: At Terrell County

Sept. 13: Turner County

Sept. 20: Treutlen

Sept. 27: At Telfair County

Oct. 4: At Hawkinsville

Oct. 11: Dooly County

Oct. 25: At Wheeler County

Nov. 1: Montgomery County

Wilkinson County

Head coach: Jamoski Ward

Returning offensive starters: 7

Returning defensive starters: 6

Players to watch: Terrell Blount (Jr., RB); Jatavious Hill (Sr., WR/DB); Chanler Sinkfield (Sr., OL/DL); Addai Hart (Sr., DL/TE); Javion Downing (Sr., DE); Quinterrion Sanford (Soph., QB); Myles Cobb (Soph., WR/LB); Roosevelt Coates (Sr., WR/TE); Camari Smith (Sr., WR/DB); Ryheim Thompkins (Jr., WR/DB); Justus Bass (Jr., OL); Dezmond Walker (Sr., DB)

Schedule:

Aug. 16: At Wheeler County

Aug. 23: Treutlen

Aug. 30: At Jasper County

Sept. 6: At Stratford

Sept. 13: ACE

Sept. 27: Glascock County

Oct. 4: At Hancock Central

Oct. 11: Johnson County

Oct. 25: At GMC

Nov. 1: Twiggs County