Region 6-A North could be balanced as ever in ’19
In previous years, you could pretty much count on the final standings in Region 6-A North to look pretty much the same year-in and year-out.
Darlington was a given, usually at the top, and then the rest of the teams would find their places in the pecking order as the season played out.
That’s not exactly the case anymore.
While Darlington is still a contender for the top spot in the subregion, many other teams have stepped up in recent years to challenge the Tigers and, in some cases, beaten them.
Mount Zion, a team that once struggled to win any games, is one of those teams that have stepped to the forefront in the past few years. The Eagles won 10 games for a second consecutive year in 2018, while the subregion’s other set of Eagles, North Cobb Christian, came out of nowhere last year to also pick up 10 victories and record their best season ever.
Trion and Christian Heritage are also coming off strong campaigns last fall, while Bowdon is out to prove that last year’s 1-9 mark was just an anomaly and that they will be back to their winning ways very soon.
With an extensive preview of Gordon Lee found elsewhere in this issue, let’s take a closer look at the other teams that will be gunning for the subregion title this fall.
Bowdon Red Devils
Rich Fendley (2nd year, 1-9)
1-9 overall, 0-6 subregion
You have to go back a long time to find the last time that Bowdon endured as tough a season as they did in 2018. Last year was all the more frustrating for the Red Devils as five of their nine losses came by 10 points or less. The defense was solid for most of the year, but the offense struggled, scoring just 10 points a game and getting shut out twice.
However, don’t expect the Devils to stay down long. Senior running back Lane Ackles and sophomore running back Gage Stephens should give the offense a boost, while the offensive line returns All-region first teamer Cooper Smith and All-region second teamer Brandon Sheets. Smith was recently named preseason All-state by Recruit Georgia.
On the defensive side, Bowdon has a second Recruit Georgia All-state pick in senior defensive back Ben Fortson, who was also an All-region selection a year ago. Upfront, Bowdon will have a solid anchor in senior Garret Gray, while junior Luke Rainwater will help out in the secondary. Williamson, who recorded over 150 tackles last year.
Senior Will Brumlow will anchor the secondary, while senior kicker Joe Dixon is getting looks from college scouts.
Darlington Tigers
Tommy Atha (18th year, 141-56)
9-3 overall, 4-2 subregion
The Tigers have been turning out some big college prospects over the years, but perhaps none as big as senior offensive lineman Tate Ratledge. The 6-foot6, 325-pounder is a fourstar prospect according to 247Sports and committed to University of Georgia back in May. Ratledge was also a second team All-region selection as a punter in 2018.
However, Ratledge will just be one obstacle for opposing defenses to deal with as Darlington will have one of their biggest offensive lines ever. The Tigers will also have senior Tysen Dougherty and senior Adyen Langford, while junior Davis Watson will also cut an imposing figure at tackle.
Senior quarterback Griffin Brewster will be handing the ball off to first team Allregion running back Kolin Rogers, but the Tigers will miss two-way standout athlete Demetrius Rogers, as the junior has reportedly transferred to Hebron Christian. Another senior, Frank Manning, can also play quarterback, as well as linebacker. The defense will get an additional boost from senior lineman Cade Brock. schedule until the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. Now the question is, can NCCS maintain that momentum going forward?
The Eagles will have to deal with the graduation of Region Defensive Player of the Year Timothy Walker, but the cupboard is far from bare.
Senior first team running back Ryan Pruitt returns, as does junior second team tailback Sharnard Banks.
The offensive line will be led by senior Brian Arp and junior Ben Hollers, while senior defensive lineman Grant Coleman and Austin Mathis, along with sophomore defensive back Levi Brown, will look to shutdown subregion opponents.
Trion Bulldogs
Justin Brown (8th year, 48-30)
8-4 overall, 3-3 subregion
The Bulldogs enjoyed another successful year in 2018. Their eight victories equaled the most by the program since the 2015 season and extended their streak to seven consecutive years with a .500 record or better. They went on to edge out Wilcox County in the opening round of the state playoffs, before falling to Schley County in the second round.
Trion will have some big shoes to fill on offense in 2019 with the graduation of the Region’s Offensive Player of the Year, Hagen Willingham, who signed with Berry College and, broke Trion’s single-season rushing record with 1,634 yards. A replacement will have to be found, but the Bulldogs will have a solid line to pave the way for someone else as seniors Colin Harris and Bo Jones will anchor the line of scrimmage.
On the defensive side, the Bulldogs will be strong with the return of four players with All-region credentials. Seniors Clay Baker and Alex Stewart will give Trion experience along the front.
Linebacker Will Wyatt had over 100 tackles a year ago, while Kodiak Crabbe will give the Bulldogs a senior leader in the secondary.