The attention of most Georgia high school football fans lies with the powerhouses and title favorites. However, every season, a select few programs burst onto the scene with dynamic play, establishing themselves as title contenders by the arrival of the state playoffs. This year is no different. Here are four teams with the potential to make the 2023 high school football season exciting and unpredictable.
Camden County
The Wildcats made themselves known with defeats of Valdosta and Lowndes in back-to-back games last season. Under five-time state champion head coach Jeff Herron, all pieces are in place for a special Camden County season. The Wildcats return their top two rushers and six of their top eight leading tacklers.
Most notable, though, is the addition of five-star athlete Elyiss Williams, who transferred in from Charlton County. The Georgia commit provides a physical presence on both sides of the football, key for a Camden County squad with region championship aspirations. An eight-win team last season, the Wildcats may easily break the 10-win ceiling as Georgia high school football contenders in 2023.
Jackson County
The Panthers struggled last season, finishing with a 3-8 record. In fact, they have yet to record a 10-win season in school history. That may change under new head coach Korey Mobbs, who led Lanier to its only four 10-win seasons in school history.
Mobbs is aided by the return of several starters from last season’s squad, including MJ Spurlin, Peyton Scott, and Luke Mobbs, who combined for 32 tackles for loss and 214 total tackles. Spurlin also is the team’s leading returning rusher. While Gainesville projects as the clear frontrunner in the Panthers’ region, a runner-up finish for Jackson County could be within reach.
Spencer
It isn’t common knowledge, but the Greenwave have four state championships to their name. That appears more surprising considering Spencer won just one game two seasons ago. However, change may be on the horizon. The Greenwave went 8-3 last season (their best record since 1967), and they return key offensive playmakers in QB Gary Gaither and RBs Tony Montgomery and Justyn Williams.
Spencer claimed a region championship last year with an upset over Northeast, but fell in the first round of the playoffs. With significant returning production and a favorable region, the Greenwave have the opportunity to be Georgia high school football contenders and reach the quarterfinals for the first time in five decades.
Jones County
The Greyhounds snapped a streak of three straight 10-win seasons with a 6-5 record last year. Blowout losses against Perry and Peach County marked the lowest points of the season, but signs of a return to success were evident in wins over Northside-Warner Robins and Dutchtown.
Three-star quarterback Judd Anderson returns alongside his favorite target, speedy four-star receiver Zion Ragins. Defensively, three of the team’s top four leading tacklers are back for their senior seasons, and the secondary remains largely intact. If the Greyhounds can win the turnover battle in 2023’s most important games, a return to the quarterfinals is a real possibility for these Georgia high school football contenders.
