Bowdon, Toombs County Head Coaches Weigh In on Teams’ Chances in 2025
In this second part of our preview of the 2024 state champion teams that I think have a solid shot at repeating the feat in 2025, we look at the defending Class 1A-Division II state champion Bowdon Red Devils and the defending Class 1A-Division I state champion Toombs County Bulldogs.
Bowdon is not only trying to repeat in 2025, but actually trying to make it four state titles in a row. Head football coach Rich Fendley’s team will return many of the players responsible for putting up points last season, including five-star athlete Kaiden Prothro.
Toombs County lost some key pieces among the 13 seniors who graduated, but will return most of a defensive unit that head football coach Buddy Martin thinks may be even better than last season’s unit.
Can Bowdon Red Devils Win 4th State Title in a Row?
Don’t bet against Bowdon in 2025. If you’re expecting some kind of let down or rebuilding excuse from Fendley and his team this year, you aren’t going to get it. Don’t let that single A designation fool you; the Red Devils have as much talent as any team in the state.
“We have a lot of our scorers back this year,” Fendley said. “We will return 18 seniors, and I feel as good about this team as any I have had heading into the season.”
That senior class has never lost a playoff game in their high school careers as a Bowdon Red Devil. That class includes Prothro.
“He scored 22 TDs for us last year and can play anywhere for us,” Fendley said of the QB.
Prothro also caught 56 passes last year for 1,203 yards, an average of 21.5 yards per catch. He is wanted by virtually every major college in the country, but has yet to announce his college of choice.
Tight end Jonah Wilson, a returning senior, will give opponents yet another pass catcher to worry about in 2025.
“He had over 500 yards receiving for us last year,” Fendley said of the two-way standout.
Wilson also had 61 tackles in 2024 for the Red Devils and, like Prothro, has several collegiate offers to consider.
Running back Josh Davis returns to the Bowdon backfield for the 2025 season. He had 17 TDs with 1,100 yards rushing in 2024.
Berkley Perkins, a three-year starter at receiver, will return as a target on offense this season. He had 23 receptions in 2024.
On the offensive line, Fendley said that Stewart Powell and John Harden will return.
“We look for those two to anchor our O-line this year,” Fendley said.
On the defensive side, Perkins will also return at safety.
Fendley said he is making a position change on defense with one of the team’s top two-way players.
“Jonah Wilson will move from defensive end to linebacker for us this year,” Fendley said.
The defensive line will welcome back Powell and Marcus Harper, both seniors, along with senior outside linebacker Jack South, who had 59 tackles last season.
Fendley said as talented as the past three teams for Bowdon have been, this season’s squad of seniors will have the best leaders of any of them.
“I feel great about this group,” Fendley said.
Toombs County a Solid Favorite to Repeat as State Champion
Toombs County graduated 13 seniors from last year’s 13-1, Class 1A-Division I state championship team, most notably Loganza Heyward, who played receiver and safety and returned kicks for the Bulldogs in 2024.
Three others whose impact will be missed are quarterback TJ Stanley, tailback Dabvn Wadley, and wide receiver and cornerback Mike Polke. Stanley is now at Georgia State, and Polk is at Mercer.
There will be enough returning talent to make Toombs County a solid favorite to repeat as state champion in 2025.
The Bulldogs will return three tailbacks who all contributed quite a bit of production last season: Justin Powell had eight TDs, Alex Scott rushed for five TDs, and Donterrius Mincey rushed for five TDs and caught another TD.
“All three of those guys can score, and I’m glad to have them back this season,” Martin said.
Scott is also the team’s strong safety and has 179 tackles and four sacks over the past two seasons. He has multiple Division I college offers, including Missouri and Texas A&M.
Martin called Hayden Roy the team’s Swiss Army knife, saying that Roy can play at OLB, as a receiver, on special teams, and anywhere else on the field the team needs him. Roy has received several collegiate offers so far, according to Martin.
Gavin Fletcher will return for his senior season and, according to Martin, “can run like the wind and jump.”
Martin said that the biggest question mark on offense is who will take over at QB.
“We have two guys battling it out,” Martin said. “They are junior Joseph Owens and sophomore Nick Carroll. I’m excited to see those two guys battle this offseason.”
While there may be some holes yet to fill on offense, Martin said the defense will likely be even better than last season’s unit was.
“Our front seven on defense is stout,” Martin said.
The head coach is especially high on sophomore Jamarcus Johnson. He is a Class of 2028 player who stands at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds.
“He’s a monster,” Martin said of Johnson, who will line up alongside returning All-Region defensive end Hayden Bullard this season.
Scott will be the leader of the secondary as the strong safety, and he’ll be joined by returning defensive backs Deon Moore and Carroll.
Roy, Kareem Palmer, and Slade McDonald give the team returning experience at linebacker for the 2025 season.
“We have a real committed group coming back this year, and I’m excited about some of the rising freshmen we have coming up from eighth grade as well,” Martin said.
Look for Toombs County to make a run at a second straight state championship in 2025.
