Class 5A: Two Teams That Could Be Sleepers in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some Powerhouse favorites at the top of Class 5A, which could arguably be the most competitive class in the State in 2025. The two teams below have the potential to add their name to the mix come post season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brunswick Pirates</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024: 10-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates reeled off 9 straight regular season wins after dropping the season opener to Camden Co. They finished 9-1 and captured the 1-5A Region Crown. They defeated Villa Rica in Rd 1 but then lost to a very good Coffee Co team in the 2nd Round of the playoffs. The Pirates have tons of offensive talent returning this Fall. The question mark will be on the defensive side of the ball where they will have to replace leading tacklers Jshawn Towns and [player_tooltip player_id='1826142' first='Caleb' last='Butler']. Towns and Butler combined for close to 200 TT last season with 11 TFL. The Pirates have a lot of talent in the pipeline and if they can have some young guys step up on defense they could find their way to Atlanta in December. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brunswick Pirate Recruits </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Grant Moore","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"180","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Brunswick","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ff2a4d05d2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'2 195 Rising Senior QB is still relatively under the radar on the Statewide scene. He had a very efficient season in 2024 passing for over 2500 yards and 22 TDs while completing 67% of his 188 attempts. An athletic kid with great feet and quickness. He has an outstanding ability to escape pressure in the backfield and make surprisingly accurate deep throws on the run. He is not your classic dual threat QB but he showed some speed and quickness when he did decide to run. A good decision maker that is calm under pressure, only threw 5 INTs last season in 188 attempts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not sure how he has flown under our radar but he is a QB that we will be watching close this Spring/Summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["942201"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ff2a4d05d9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Pirates are losing a 1400 yard rusher in [player_tooltip player_id='1571598' first='William' last='Heck'] from last years team. They appear to be in good hands this Fall with 2 very good potential replacements. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gardner is a 5'9 170 back that is shifty and has great open field speed. The rising Junior puts up great numbers in the weight room and has a 10.77 100m time to his credit on the track. A natural athlete that has already recorded a 10+ LJ heading into his Junior season. He averaged over 14 yards per carry last Fall on 70 attempts and looks to be a big part of the Pirate offense in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He debuted in our rankings as the #12 overall RB in the 2027 Class. He already has tons of interest at the D1 level with East Carolina extending an offer back in January. Statewide known prospect after this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1622142"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ff2a4d05de4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 5'11 175 RB is another rising Junior in the Pirate backfield that has a chance to have a huge breakout season in 2025. He averaged over 10 yards per carry in '24 on just 52 attempts and is sure to see his work load increase this Fall. Tall powerful runner with good vision that can change direction on a dime. Is physical enough to break through arm tackles and has the open field speed to out run the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gibbons size and speed have already caught the attention of National Scouts with WVU, Kennesaw State and Liberty among the handful of D1 programs that have extended an offer. Having to split carries between these two RBs is a problem a lot of teams wished that had. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newnan Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2024: 9-3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars finished 2nd in Region 3-5A in 2024 with their only Region loss coming to Powerhouse Langston Hughes. A young offense in '24, the Cougars will be much more polished in 2025 and if things come together they could be right their competing for a chance to play in the Benz in Mid December. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newnan Offensive Standouts</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1544909"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ff2a4d05e26"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 6'3 Rising Junior had an outstanding Sophomore season and proved himself vs some stout competition. The Pro Style passer threw for over 2100 yards and 19 TDs while completing close to 67% of his attempts. His play caught the eye of our ranking staff who have him as a Top 10 QB in the '27 Class heading into the Spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Campbell took a break from the diamond last week to earn All Camp honors at the Annual MVP Camp that is known to attract some of the best talent in Georgia each Spring. He has a good presence in the pocket and delivers the ball with zip. A tough kid that made some good, accurate throws while taking a shot from the LB. Campbell has the natural ability and size to be a QB to keep your eye on this Fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1652985"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ff2a4d05e65"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you like to follow Underclassmen with a lot of upside then Matthews is your guy. The 5'11 160 WR finished his freshman season with a flurry last year. He caught 11 passes for 176 yards and 3 TDs for the Cougars final stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs. Lean right now but that comes with age and as he matures he will fill out. Good hands and a very good route runner for a Freshman. Matthews is one to watch over the next 3 years and his continues to develop on the field and in the weight room. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1658577' first='Jaylen' last='Britt']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Newnan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67ff2a4d05eea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Britt continues to fly under the radar on the Statewide recruiting scene but that has more to do with "Metrics" than production. The rising Junior has produced on the Varsity stage as well as in the Georgia Elite Classic last December. He tied for the team lead at Newnan last Fall in catches (51) and was 2nd in receiving yards (588). He had 3 catches for 70 yards in the GEC All Star game matched up against some stout competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A sure handed target that doesn't mind traffic. An above average route runner with good hands and concentration. He does an outstanding job of adjusting to the ball in the air. Big upside potential for this rising Junior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->