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South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season

South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season
Photo: Prep redzone
Matt DeBary
Matt DeBary October 5, 2025 @ 09:27 AM
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In this article:

Gene Watson
Gene Watson 5'10" | 170 lbs | RB | 2026
GA
Lavonte Cole
Lavonte Cole 5'11" | 190 lbs | RB | 2026
GA
Justin Powell
Justin Powell 6'1" | 205 lbs | RB/LB | 2026
GA
Marquis Fennell
Marquis Fennell 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB | 2027
GA
Damari Baynard
Damari Baynard 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB | 2026
GA
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These South Georgia backs are running wild so far in 2025...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1096365"],"_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-68de8bbb1ff37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A fantastic junior back who has turned Valdosta back into a power program, Fennell has been one of the more productive backs in South Georgia so far this fall and should see his recruitment really take off this winter because of it. Ranked as the No. 15 RB prospect in the state for the 2027 class, the speedy Fennell has rushed for 731 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. He's rushed for at least 100 yards in five of his six games and has rushed for at least two touchdowns in every game. He's fresh off his biggest game of the season where he rushed for 193 yards and four touchdowns during a 63-19 win over Camden County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1923875"],"_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-68de8bbb1ff8c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A small-town back from Nashville, Georgia who is lighting up the stat sheet right now, Watson is a big-play back who has been one of the more productive backs in the state over the last three weeks. In game two of the season, Watson had a breakout game where he rushed for an eye-opening 334 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns in game three before rushing for 132 yards and three touchdowns in game four. In total, the speedy, balanced back has rushed for 621 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's having an outstanding final season and will be an easy addition to the next 2027 Prep Redzone rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1584701"],"_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-68de8bbb1ffd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A powerful, shifty back having a dominant senior season so far, Powell is one of the top 2026 running backs in the area and one of the most productive in that area of South Georgia. The Lyons, Georgia native has used for 641 yards and 10 touchdowns through the first six games of the season. He's hit the 100-yard mark in each of his last four games and has rushed for a touchdown in fix of his six games. He's rushed for an eye-opening 12.1 yards per carry and has rushed for at least two touchdowns in three games. He's running hard and is showing he can play somewhere at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1776947"],"_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-68de8bbb2001a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2026 running back flying under the radar, Cole is a Thomasville native who has been a touchdown machine through the first six games of the season. Leading the Bulldogs to a 5-1 record, Cole has rushed for an impressive 485 yards and 10 touchdowns. He's rushed for at least two touchdowns in five of his six games and has hit the 100-yard mark twice so far. He shows good vision, burst, and the ability to pick up big yards after first contact. He plays hard, runs behind his pads, and can score any time he has the ball. He's also a weapon on special teams and is hoping to lead Thomasville to a deep playoff run in his final season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401487"],"_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-68de8bbb2005f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Down in Quitman, Georgia is where you'll find another senior back who has really impressed over the last two weeks. After a slow start to the season for Brooks County, Baynard and the Trojans have really turned their play around of late. Over the last two weeks, Baynard has rushed for 156 yards against Pierce County and rushed for another 177 yards and two touchdowns against Turner County. In total, this sleeper South Georgia back has rushed for. a total of 481 yards and four touchdowns. He's on a tear right now and is hoping to continue his excellent play through the rest of the regular season and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->

These South Georgia backs are running wild so far in 2025...

Marquis Fennell

Marquis Fennell

GA
RB
HEIGHT 5'9"
WEIGHT 175
POS RB
CLASS 2027
View Player
​
Marquis
Fennell RB
Class
2027
Height
5'9"
Weight
175
HS
Valdosta High School
|
GA
South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season
A fantastic junior back who has turned Valdosta back into a power program, Fennell has been one of...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Marquis Fennell

Instagram Twitter
State: Georgia
School: Valdosta High School
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Gene Watson

Gene Watson

HEIGHT 5'10"
WEIGHT 170
POS RB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Gene
Watson RB
Class
2026
Height
5'10"
Weight
170
HS
Berrien
|
GA
South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season
A small-town back from Nashville, Georgia who is lighting up the stat sheet right now, Watson is a...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Gene Watson

State: Georgia
School: Berrien
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Justin Powell

Justin Powell

HEIGHT 6'1"
WEIGHT 205
POS RB/LB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Justin
Powell RB/LB
Class
2026
Height
6'1"
Weight
205
HS
Toombs County
|
GA
South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season
A powerful, shifty back having a dominant senior season so far, Powell is one of the top 2026...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Justin Powell

Twitter
State: Georgia
School: Toombs County
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

South Alabama
Lavonte Cole

Lavonte Cole

HEIGHT 5'11"
WEIGHT 190
POS RB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Lavonte
Cole RB
Class
2026
Height
5'11"
Weight
190
HS
Thomasville
|
GA
South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season
Another 2026 running back flying under the radar, Cole is a Thomasville native who has been a touchdown...
Written by Matt DeBary
South Alabama
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Lavonte Cole

State: Georgia
School: Thomasville
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Damari Baynard

Damari Baynard

HEIGHT 5'9"
WEIGHT 175
POS RB
CLASS 2026
View Player
​
Damari
Baynard RB
Class
2026
Height
5'9"
Weight
175
HS
Brooks County
|
GA
South Georgia Running Backs Having A Big 2025 Season
Down in Quitman, Georgia is where you’ll find another senior back who has really impressed over the last...
Written by Matt DeBary
Read more at PrepRedzone.com
Prep Redzone

Damari Baynard

Twitter
State: Georgia
School: Brooks County
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

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