We tell you everything you need to know about the 2025 Appling County High School football team in this preview, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Pirates this season.
2024 Season Stats
- Overall Record: 0-14*
- Points Scored: 237
- Points Allowed: 238
*After the completion of the 2024 football season, Appling County was forced by the GHSA to forfeit all 10 wins from the season due to an ineligible player.
Key Roster Losses
Tucker Pruitt, Appling County’s new head football coach, will start his first year with the Pirates without several key pieces from last year’s squad.
The biggest loss is perhaps outside linebacker and running back Tavion Wallace, a four-star recruit with blazing speed who is now at the University of Arkansas. His production on both sides of the ball will be missed.
Pruitt will miss another two-way standout in wide receiver and safety Kemoni Ryals, a Hutchinson Community College commit.
Wide receiver Kellen Echols moved on to Shorter University, middle linebacker Coleman Parmer graduated, and offensive lineman Brian Wheat transferred in the offseason.
Key Players Returning
The Pirates return quarterback Harrison Hickox, who did a great job leading the offense last season as a freshman following a season-ending shoulder injury for starter Dayson Griffis. Hickox was a Second Team All-Region selection last year and is considered a pro-style QB.
Joining Hickox on offense again this season is running back Jaiden Knight. The junior will also play linebacker on defense in 2025.
Senior Cameron George is back and will play defensive end, H-back, and tight end.
Edwin Burt and Jaiden Solomon return to the defensive line.
What to Expect From the Appling County Pirates in 2025
It will be interesting to see what kind of Pirates squad we get with Pruitt taking over this season. Although most people associate the former Fitzgerald head coach with a run-first style of coaching, Pruitt actually ran more balanced offenses as an offensive coordinator for other teams.
“I would say my style of play-calling was more balanced when I was at Lowndes and Valdosta, but we were definitely more pass-heavy than what we have been doing at Fitzgerald,” Pruitt said.
What does that mean for the 2025 Pirates? With one of the state’s top young quarterbacks returning, Appling County fans may see more passing than what Pruitt showed at his previous school.
2025 Season Prediction
I see Appling County going 9-4 overall in 2025.
Game to Watch
Season-opener on Aug. 15 at Ware County
