Morgan’s Preseason Top 5 Class A D1 (Public)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get close to the start of Spring practice I take a look at my Preseason Top 5 in Class A D1 Public. Toombs County is the defending Champ but they have a lot of holes to fill in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(1) Northeast (Macon)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Raiders had a good post season run in 2024. They made it to the Title game, losing to a stout Toombs County team 38-18. Northeast will have to find a replacement for 2600 yard rusher Nick Woodford but they have a solid core of experience returning on both sides of the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1780178' first='Reginald' last='Glover']</strong> returns at the QB1 spot after putting up 2500 total yards last season, scoring 32 TDs. <strong>Keandre Jackson</strong> and <strong>Josh Evans</strong> return as downfield receiving threats. The duo combined for 44 catches last season for the Raiders. Their strong suit in '25 will be the defense. They return one of the hardest hitting LBs in the State in Rising Senior <strong>Tailen Simpson </strong>who led the team with 132 TT. I've seen Simpson several times in person and he always brings it, a head hunter. Joining Simpson will be 6'4 DE <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401470' first='Amari' last='White']</strong> who had 16 TFL and led the Raiders in sacks. A young fella to keep an eye on is rising Junior 5'7 DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1648895' first='Kortnei' last='Williams']</strong> who is an absolute ball hawk in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2) Worth County Rams</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Rams made the QF round in '24, losing to Fitzgerald for the second time on the year, 42-38. The Rams gained a lot of experience last Fall vs a tough schedule and I feel like this is their year to get to Atlanta. Returning at the QB1 spot is 6'3 rising Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1096362' first='Lyndon' last='Worthy']</strong> who had a breakout sophomore season. The pro style QB passed for over 3400 yards with 37 TDs and an impressive 128 QBR. Joining Worthy in the backfield is a 2000 yard duo of RBs returning for their Senior seasons. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1090740' first='Kaden' last='Chester']</strong> and<strong> Tre'shaun Jones</strong> split carries, scoring 33 TDs combined.<strong> Jaden Farley </strong>is a solid WR prospect returning after putting up 700 yards last Fall. They do have to replace their two leading tackler from last year but keep an eye on rising Junior <strong>Daylon Smith </strong>that was dominate last year with 24 TFL and and led the team with 4 sacks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(3) Thomasville Bulldogs</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldogs have the potential to be the dark horse in Class A. They lost 3 games last year to high quality teams, Thomas Co Central, Dublin and Worth Co by a score of 28-27. Dual threat QB Cam Hill returns after putting up 2200 yards last Fall. He will be joined in backfield by rising Senior RBs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1776947' first='Lavonte' last='Cole']</strong> and <strong>Leelend Chapman</strong> who combined for 143 carries with 18 TDs in '24. Rising senior <strong>Demario Sawyer</strong> returns after finishing 2nd on the team in catches with 21. A duo of 100+ tacklers return on an experienced defense, Rising Junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='941658' first='AJ' last='Hill']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1577615' first='Joe' last='Douglas'],</strong> who led the Bulldogs in TT last Fall, will be the anchors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(4) Fitzgerald Purple Hurricanes</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't count the Hurricanes out any season. Great tradition combined with a great coaching staff always has the Purple Hurricanes a tough out come playoff time. Fitzgerald finished the regular season 7-3 but went on a run in the post season knocking off 3 quality opponents (Worth Co, Bleckley Co, and Rabun Co) on their way to the Semi Finals. They will be led once again by rising Senior dual threat QB<strong> Victor Copeland</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(5) Heard County Braves</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have to throw a local shout out to a area team with a lot of upside potential. The Braves have tons of next level talent on both sides of the ball to make a run at the Benz. One of top dual threat QBs in the 2027 Class returns in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='315480' first='Ethan' last='Tisdale']</strong>. The 6'1 rising Junior accounted for over 3200 yards with 42 TDs last Fall. Two way standout <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215857' first='Antonio' last='Heath']</strong> is healthy and has the potential to have a breakout season at RB. They return close to 100% of their receiving yards, led by 2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1568668' first='Brody' last='Buc Cofield']</strong>. A solid returning defense led by rising Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201789' first='Max' last='Lasseter']</strong> who had 22 TFL and 5 sacks last year. Rising Senior DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1201794' first='Andrew' last='Tinker']</strong> returns after grabbing 5 Ints in '24 and has garnered some D1 attention this Spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->