While most of the 2025 Georgia high school football schedules are simply a flip of the home and visiting teams from the 2024 schedules, a handful of changes are scattered among the Georgia teams, and one has certainly got our attention. The Benedictine Cadets will make their first ever trip to Mack Tharpe Stadium in Norman Park, Georgia, setting up quite the 2025 season opener against the Colquitt County Packers. The two teams have met only once previously, and that was in 1951 when they played to a 13-13 tie.
Benedictine head football coach Danny Britt talked about starting the 2025 season at the home of the Packers, known as the Hawg Pen.
“Benedictine has never played there,” Britt said. “It’s a great venue and certainly one of the toughest places to play. They have great fans, and this will be a great experience for our players, playing great competition in one of the best venues in the state.”
Colquitt County head football coach Sean Calhoun said finding an opponent to open the season against was a bit tougher than people may realize.
“It took me a while to find a game to be honest,” Calhoun said. “We had almost closed a deal with two out-of-state teams, but those didn’t come through. Then, we saw where Benedictine had an opening for their first week, so I reached out to Coach Britt, and he didn’t mind travelling, so we got it done.”
Calhoun said he is excited to welcome in a team like Benedictine while admitting that the Packers are going to be tested in the early part of their schedule.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t want a game of that magnitude only because we are looking at road games at North Gwinnett and Lee County, but at the same time we welcome the competition,” Calhoun said. “No doubt we will be tested right out of the gate this year.”
These two programs are among the best in Georgia high school football, especially over the past decade, where they have a combined 6 state titles between them. Both Colquitt County and Benedictine won state titles in 2014, with Colquitt County repeating in 2015. Benedictine also won state titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022.
Both teams are hoping to rebound from 2024 seasons that saw Benedictine finish 7-5 and Colquitt County finish 8-4. Benedictine lost in the Class 4A quarterfinals, and Colquitt County lost to Collins Hill in the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs.
The Packers and Cadets are facing similar challenges and opportunities heading into the 2025 season. Both teams must replace college-bound kickers and almost their entire offensive lines, and both teams welcome their starting quarterbacks back from injury-riddled 2024 seasons.
Here’s a detailed look at both teams ahead of the 2025 season.
2025 Season Outlook for Benedictine
Benedictine will return the core of their offense, including quarterback Stephen Cannon, who missed the second half of last season with a shoulder injury, which was diagnosed as a sprained AC joint.
“Stephen is back, and he’s 100% stronger than ever,” Britt said. “They (doctors) chose to not do surgery, and that turned out to be a great decision. He has been playing basketball this season and doing well. We are looking forward to getting him back.”
The Cadets will also return four-star recruit Bubba Frazier, who was the team’s leading receiver and rusher in 2024. Frazier just picked up his latest offer from Notre Dame.
“He’s a speed demon,” Britt said of Frazier.
Rising senior receiver Joshua Washington is back, as is rising junior running back Stanley Smart.
“Stanley is our primary running back, and at 190 pounds he can fly,” Britt said. “He won the New Balance 16-under track meet in Philadelphia last summer.”
While Britt and Benedictine are in good shape with playmakers, the offensive line is a different story.
“We have to replace our entire offensive line, which is going to be a struggle, but I’m feeling good about our skill position guys for sure,” Britt said.
The defensive line is in much better shape and will be bolstered by returning three-year starter Kameron Cody and five-star edge LaDamion Guyton, who transferred into the program this offseason from Savannah Christian.
“Cody has been our main guy over there (on defense) with 30-plus offers, and of course we’re excited to have LaDamion joining us on that side of the ball this year too,” Britt said.
The secondary will return three of the four starters from last year, including Micah Williams, and linebacker Larson Little will return.
2025 Season Outlook for Colquitt County
Colquitt County returns starting quarterback Cohen Lawson, whom Calhoun said did an admirable job last season.
“When you look at what he did for us last year as a ninth-grader, being asked to lead one of the top programs in the state was a tough deal, but I thought he did very well,” Calhoun said.
Rising senior Jae Lamar will return as the Packers’ top back for the 2025 season.
“He really burst out on the scene last year among running backs, and no one knew much about him, but they do now,” Calhoun said.
Lamar scored 13 touchdowns, including 11 rushing scores, in 2024.
Colquitt returns a good bit of experience at receiver with Na’Ryan Sumlin, Malik Walker, and A’Zhiyen Alridge.
Known for using his tight end as a main part of his offense, Calhoun welcomes back Alexis Barge Jr. in 2025.
“All those guys saw a lot of playing time last year,” Calhoun said
The offensive line was decimated by graduation, according to Calhoun.
“Our most experienced o-lineman returning is Jamaal Jackson,” Calhoun said.
Defensively, Calhoun likes who he has returning, especially up front.
“Our defensive line has been a really good group for us, and Stacey Lambright, Jacorey Anderson, and Kamdon Gay all played a lot for us last year, which is a good thing,” Calhoun said. “I’m glad those guys got a lot of playing time.”
One of the most glaring holes for the Packers will be in their kicking game, and not only with All-State and All-American kicker Brett Fitzgerald graduating.
“We lose our long snapper (Chason Glenn), holder Logan Morris, and, of course, Brett Fitzgarald,” Calhouns said. “Two of the three are headed off to college football, and they have been together for the past two seasons, so we’ll somehow have to find three guys to take their spot.”
Glenn has an offer from Georgia Military College. Fitzgerald is headed to Florida State University, where he will compete for the starting job formerly occupied by his brother, Ryan Fitzgerald, who also played for Colquitt County and has declared for the NFL Draft.
What will the Packers’ kicking game look like with the departure of this successful trio?
“We’re going for it,” Calhoun said, joking.
