We tell you everything you need to know about the 2023 Brantley County football team, including roster changes and what fans can expect from the Herons this season.
2022 Stats
- Overall Record: 5-5
- Points Scored: 192
- Points Allowed: 240
Key Losses
When discussing the losses for Brantley County, we see one player who will leave behind quite the legacy from his time as a Heron, and it will be very hard to replace what he meant to the program. Kellon Middleton starred for Brantley over his entire high school career, and he will be missed. He will continue his football career at Berry College.
Other Herons who have graduated and are moving on include LB Nathan Willis, who was also a four-year contributor for Brantley. He ended up with 145 tackles. Safety Joel Willis was a force on the Herons defense, ending his career in Nahunta with 136 tackles, 2 INT and 4 fumble recoveries. TE/LS Garrison Chesser and OL Kasey Hendrix have also graduated from the Brantley program.
Who’s Back
Among the key players returning for coach Geoff Cannon and the Herons this season are the ITG Next Defensive Player of the Year for Brantley, LB Mason Thomas. The senior has recorded 60 tackles over the last two seasons. Junior DE Carson Jacobs will join Thomas on the defensive unit again this year, and he’ll hope to repeat his 2022 performance of 57 tackles, including 4 sacks. Jacobs was selected to play in the GACA All-Star game in the offseason.
On offense, the Herons welcome back junior OL Kyler Knox, and WR Greyson Guy. The senior receiver had right at 200 yards receiving last year, and he’ll be one of the top targets again this season for returning senior QB Kirkland Cannon. The Herons signal caller has thrown for 1,717 yards over the last two seasons while rushing for just over 300 yards.
What to Expect
Middleton will be tough to replace. He was a do-it-all type player for Cannon and the Herons, but that just means someone else will have the opportunity to step up and contribute this season. It’s always a good thing when you have your starting quarterback and a couple of top defenders returning, which Brantley County has with Kirkland Cannon, Carson Jacobs, and Mason Thomas. The key to the offense may be having Greyson Guy step up with more production in the Herons passing offense this season, because you feel that Cannon’s going to be able to distribute the football quite well, just as he has done the past two seasons.
Prediction
If Brantley can win their tossup games with Johnson-Savannah, Tattnall County, and Vidalia, that could mean a seven-win season or better. I’ll split the difference and predict a 6-4 regular-season finish.
Game to Watch
The September 29 game at Toombs is a key region contest to watch.
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