ITG Next broadcaster Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 1 of the 2025 Georgia high school football season.
Buford vs. Milton
What a game to start the 2025 season, and what a way to start our first Pick 6 for the 2025 Georgia high school football season.
Buford versus Milton is one of the most anticipated high school football games in the history of the state of Georgia. It has everything fans could want, including two of the most successful programs in the state. It also marks the debut of the much-talked-about, impressive home of Buford High School’s football team, Dexter Wood Field at Phillip Beard Stadium.
Milton will open the season without Luke Nickel at quarterback for the first time since 2020. His replacement is Derrick Baker, who transferred in to Milton this offseason from St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida.
Buford was hit hard by graduation, losing top rusher Justin Baker, top receiver Jordan Allen, and a linebacking corps that included Jadon Perlotte, AJ Holloway, top tackler Kenyon Rivera, and Montrez Walker.
Returning for Buford are starting quarterback Dayton Raiola and athlete Tyriq “Ty Boggie” Green, who will fill the role of receiver, running back, and kick returner.
I’ll go with the home field advantage making the difference, but won’t be surprised at Milton winning either. How’s that for taking a stand? Not.
Phil’s Pick: Buford 21, Milton 20
North Gwinnett vs. Douglas County
This Saturday battle between North Gwinnett and Douglas County will serve as the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic finale at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The story of this one will be the defense of North Gwinnett head coach Eric Godfree’s Bulldogs trying to slow down the high-flying offense of Douglas County head coach Johnny White’s Tigers.
Douglas County lost quarterback DJ Bordeaux, but replaced him with offseason transfer and former Dutchtown quarterback Mike Johnson.
North Gwinnett is trying to replace several key members of a stingy defense that allowed just a little over 14 points per game in 2024. That includes the Bulldogs’ top two defensive backs from last season, Malekhi Weedon and Sean Ferguson.
That could be huge for a North Gwinnett defense trying to cover the top two receivers in the state in Douglas County’s Aaron Gregory and Devin Carter and trying to slow down Douglas County’s leading rusher and top scorer from 2024, Zamarcus Lindley. The senior running back ran for 15 touchdowns last year.
North Gwinnett will have one of the state’s best linebackers in Jake Godfree leading the defensive charge against the explosive Douglas County. Will he be enough?
Phil’s Pick: Douglas County 34, North Gwinnett 14
Collins Hill vs. Grayson
We all remember the 2024 season-opener between Collins Hill and Grayson, when the Eagles stormed back from a 19-3 deficit to stun the Rams 20-19.
Here we are one year later as both teams are set to kick off the season once again, this time at The Hill in Suwannee, Georgia.
Both teams are talented. Grayson features ITG Next’s top quarterback in the state in Travis Burgess. Collins Hill features Top 10 defensive lineman Deuce Geralds and top quarterback Makyree “Dudda” Cross leading the offense. Those are just a few of the many highly recruited playmakers who will take the field Friday night.
Both teams have looked solid in offseason workouts, passing camps, OTAs, and scrimmages.
This is a tough one to call. Somebody flip a coin for me.
Phil’s Pick: Collins Hill 24, Grayson 21
Gainesville vs. Marietta
Gainesville and Marietta are two proud programs that will open the season against each other for the second straight year, but there’s a much different feeling surrounding this game compared to last year, when Gainesville won easily over Marietta at Northcutt Stadium.
Marietta has a new head coach in Cameron Duke, who was hired this offseason from Edgewater High School in Orlando.
Gainesville is looking to rebound from their 7-4 season last year, when the Red Elephants fell in the first round of the playoffs to an underdog Sequoyah team.
Phil’s Pick: Gainesville 35, Marietta 17
Irwin County vs. Fitzgerald
Much has changed for Irwin County and Fitzgerald in the year that has passed.
Both head coaches are no longer at the schools where they started last season. Former Irwin County head coach Casey Soliday retired from Irwin County to join his brother, Erik Soliday, at GIAA school Tiftarea Academy. Former Fitzgerald head coach Tucker Pruitt resigned from his post with the Purple Hurricane to accept the head coaching job at Appling County.
The new head coaches leading their respective programs are Irwin County’s Larry Harold and Fitzgerald’s Wesley Tankersley.
Irwin County lost leading rusher Shane Marshall, quarterback Luke Snyder, receivers Javion Woodard and Brodie Suggs, and safety Tyon Jones to graduation.
Fitzgerald lost rushers Oreian Bly, Antwan Doctor, and Diontae Paschal and tight end Quincy DeBerry, all of whom graduated. The Purple Hurricane returns quarterback and running back Victor Copeland, who serves as the spark plug for Fitzgerald’s offensive attack.
To start the season, at least, I think Tankersley and his Fitzgerald team have a bit more experience to lean on than Irwin County, and that may be enough to give the visitors the edge.
Phil’s Pick: Fitzgerald 30, Irwin County 16
Fellowship Christian vs. Bowdon
This game is a battle between the Red Devils of Bowdon head coach Rich Fendley and the Paladins of Fellowship Christian head coach John Thompson as Bowdon kicks off the campaign for its fourth consecutive state championship.
Last season, Fellowship Christian went into Bowdon and got the 1-point win 36-35, but Bowdon rebounded and went 13-1 the rest of the season en route to its third straight state title.
Bigger schools may attract the spotlight in season-openers, but rest assured that there are no bigger games than this one.
