PRZGA Class 4A Mega Preview, Part I

*Use code "jackson30* for 30% off your PRZ subscription*   Class 4A regions 1-4 are headlined by plenty of returning talent, but some giants that will need to be replaced as well. Here is part I of my 4A mega preview.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 1</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Cairo   2. Westover   3. Spencer   4. Monroe   5. Dougherty   6. Columbus   7. Bainbridge   8. Shaw   9. Hardaway   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Cairo ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1567281' first='Bryian' last='Duncan']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Cairo LB [player_tooltip player_id='2125074' first='Jaylen' last='Teall']   Preseason LOTY: '27 Cairo DL [player_tooltip player_id='2113879' first='Stevan' last='Thornton']   Summary   Cairo won 10 games and finished with an undefeated record in their region a year ago. They debut in this newly formed region as the overwhelming favorite to win it. '28 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1217853' first='Bryce' last='Puckett'] returns as the starter at QB. '27 gadgety athlete and Kentucky commit [player_tooltip player_id='1567281' first='Bryian' last='Duncan'] returns as the best overall player in this region. He is a threat as a runner, receiver, and a threat to score from any spot on the field on any given snap. Duncan is the reigning player of the year in his region, and they also return the reigning DPOTY in '27 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2125074' first='Jaylen' last='Teall']. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2113879' first='Stevan' last='Thornton'] gets my preseason LOTY nod, giving the Syrupmakers a clean sweep of my preseason awards. Also returning are '27 first-team all-region LB Tavon Jenkins and a pair of all-region players on the OL in '27 Jayden Hopkins and '27 Gage Phillips.   Westover finished 6-4 a year ago with a one-possession loss to Cairo late in the season. '28 Gabriel Hooper returns as the starter at QB. Their top two leading rushers are gone, but '28 Malik Young ran for almost 500 yards while playing 3rd in line, and still received all-region honors. 3/4 top four leading receivers last year were freshmen and sophomores, adding continuity in the passing game with Hooper. There is more turnover on defense, but '27 DL [player_tooltip player_id='2213387' first='William' last='Owens'] was a first-team all-region performer a year ago. '27 LB Jordon Wallace and '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='861680' first='Morgan' last='Williams'] also return after receiving all-region accolades. Williams has received FBS recruiting attention.   Spencer finished 6-5 last year with 3 wins over current teams in this region. They return their highly productive and efficient QB in '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2134564' first='Elijah' last='Fudge']. Highly productive and underrated '27 WR Jordan Hudson returns. '29 OL Skyler Crenshaw received all-region honors as a freshman and is developing into a building block for Spencer on the offensive front. He was Fudge's go-to target and finished with over 800 receiving yards in 2025. Defensively, they return all-region talent, centered around '27 LB Chris Star.   The rest of the region will be tight, as there are a lot of fringe teams and not enough wins to go around. Columbus won 7 games last year and was featured on my 2025 Redemption List. They lose some senior talent from that team, but return '28 breakout candidate at RB in [player_tooltip player_id='2049811' first='Rayshaun' last='Glover']. '27 OL Zach Clay received first-team all-region honors a year ago. They nurse losses to all-region players and an all-region athlete of the year pick, but there is positive momentum for Columbus as they shoot up a few classifications. Monroe returns region newcomer of the year in '27 TE Jordyn Shorter. They should be solid on defense, headlined by '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2105286' first='Eric' last='Spann'], who has tacked on D1 recruiting attention. Dougherty won just 2 games a year ago, but there is some firepower here. '28 QB/ATH David Burgess won region athlete of the year. '29 QB [player_tooltip player_id='2166742' first='Micah' last='Joyner'] won region freshman of the year, so they have some weapons at the most important position to experiment with.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 2</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Troup County   2. Peach County   3. Mary Persons   4. Baldwin   5. Upson Lee   6. Howard   7. Spalding   8. Westside Macon   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Peach County RB [player_tooltip player_id='1956764' first='Ashton' last='Barton']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Troup County EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1924595' first='Jeremiah' last='Culpepper']   Preseason LOTY: '27 Troup County DL [player_tooltip player_id='2128364' first='Monyah' last='Johnson']   Summary   The race between Troup County and Peach County will be one of the closest in the state. Both teams finished with 9 regular-season wins a year ago, and that number is reachable again for both programs. Troup County will have to replace a prolific dual-threat QB, but returns the core of this offense. '27 RB Javaris Warner is committed to Duke and one of the top rushers in the state. He will be the engine offensively. Each of the top three leading receivers returns from last year, consisting of '27 Blaize Bell, '27 [player_tooltip player_id='571882' first='Davis' last='Moncus'], and '27 Trey Dean. What Troup County brings back defensively is what really sets the tone. '27 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='1924595' first='Jeremiah' last='Culpepper'] is a gamebreaker who had double-digit sacks last year; he is committed to Ole Miss and one of the top EDGE prospects in the state. '27 Coastal Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='2128364' first='Monyah' last='Johnson'] is as disruptive and athletic as it gets for IDL prospects, and he teams up with '27 Rylan Cantrell, another dynamic player on the front. '27 Coastal Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='2092347' first='KJ' last='McQueen'] is a chess piece who offers a downhill presence from his safety spot. Troup County is dynamic and will be exciting to watch this fall.   '27 QB Caden Ivory returns at QB to offer Peach County some continuity at that spot. '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1956764' first='Ashton' last='Barton'] is back and my preseason pick for region OPOTY. In 2025, Barton rushed for over 1500 yards and added 21 TDs while rushing for over 8 yards per carry. He rushes behind 2028 OL [player_tooltip player_id='644456' first='Hunter' last='Hill'], a bona fide P4 prospect. 2027 OL Phorest Sinkfield also received first-team all-region accolades in 2025. Their top 5 leading tacklers return from last year, including '27 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2004834' first='Ace' last='Blunt'], who finished with triple-digit TOT on the year. They return a potent pass rush led by '27 DL Triston Day, who finished with 6 sacks on the year. They lose D1-bound Bryson Hughley in the secondary, but four separate returners had an INT in 2025, including the traitsy and versatile 2028 Kamarious Smith, who came away with 3 picks last fall.   I am intrigued with the strong core of players that Mary Persons returns on offense. '27 RB CJ Banks is one of the most productive backs in the region. '28 WR [player_tooltip player_id='891880' first='Mason' last='Stephens'] and '27 WR/TE Isaiah Hendricks were both productive receivers a year ago, and two guys I consider underrated. They will have to replace their starter at QB, but I watched '27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='2182037' first='Jordan' last='Singleton'] throw this offseason, and if he gets the nod, he is someone I would consider more than capable of pushing the ball.   Baldwin returns an underrated, athletic playmaker at QB in '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2003846' first='Kamden' last='Patterson']. '28 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2048654' first='Tavares' last='Hooks'] was productive in 2025 and will line up next to him and behind some all-region talent up front. Spaulding returns '27 RB Camauri Berry, adding to the list of productive ball carriers in this region. Upson-Lee is a wildcard. They exit their top playmakers from a year ago and welcome a new HFC, but typically have enough talent on roster to keep their heads above water.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 3</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. West Laurens   2. Liberty County   3. Harlem   4. Long County   5. Southeast Bulloch   6. New Hampstead   7. Windsor Forest   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 New Hampstead ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1855270' first='Christian' last='Kinlaw']   Preseason DPOTY: '28 Harlem LB [player_tooltip player_id='2092721' first='Jax' last='Stadler']   Preseason LOTY: '27 West Laurens DL [player_tooltip player_id='1573491' first='Maxx' last='Chafin']   Summary   There are a lot of moving pieces in this region and plenty of unpredictability sure to follow. In any scenario, this seems like a three-horse race at the top between West Laurens, Liberty County, and Harlem.   West Laurens is the returning region champion and fell one possession short of a state championship game appearance in 2025. West Laurens graduates their centerpiece on offense in '26 RB Ty Cummings, who was one of the most productive rushers in the entire country, breaking 2600 yards and scoring 31 times on the ground. They graduate their QB, leading receiver, and a backup RB who rushed for over 700 yards as well. '28 RB Braylen Robinson is a breakout candidate. He rushed for over 300 yards on 6.1 YPC in 2025. With plenty of yards to replace, Robinson is a candidate to double, maybe even triple his production and grow into the X factor offensively for West Laurens. Despite rushing for over 4300 yards as a team last year, West Laurens returns most of their intrigue on defense. '27 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2097691' first='Leroy' last='Mack'] has a chance to be the most productive tackler in the region. He plays behind a front with '27 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1573491' first='Maxx' last='Chafin'], who finished with double-digit sacks last year and is my pick for region LOTY. 3 of the top 5 leading tacklers are back, including '28 JD Hogan, who also came away with 3 INTs. Despite replacing historic production, I like the core of this team and the positive program momentum, so they're my pick to win the region again.   Liberty County is off the heels of a 7-4 playoff campaign in 2025 and returns proven production from that team. '28 QB Ja'eir Roberts is athletic and looking to make a jump in year two as a starter. He doubles as his team's leading returning rusher. '27 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1648848' first='Aaron' last='Brown'] is the leading returning receiver and clear go-to target. They graduate their top two leading tacklers from last year, but return '27 LB David Bacon, who had double-digit TFLs in 2025. '27 DB Ny'Kiel Ezell is a difference-maker on the back end of the defense. He finished with 3 INTs and 8 PBUs as a junior. Liberty County returns a strong nucleus from a playoff team and should be in contention to make another push at the postseason.   It was a 9-win season a year ago for Harlem, but similar to West Laurens, they have a lot to recreate on offense. They graduate their starter at QB, but I watched '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2131819' first='Hayden' last='Youmans'] throw this offseason and think he has the tools to replicate success at QB. He is a breakout candidate if they decide to go this way. '27 RB Finn Martin and '28 RB Keaton Tillery both flashed behind a near 1,000-yard senior last year and will be a solid duo in the backfield. They return '28 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2092721' first='Jax' last='Stadler'] on defense, who is my pick for preseason DPOTY. He is disruptive and can make plays in the backfield, finishing with 9 TFLs and 4 sacks in 2025. They graduate plenty of production, but return a strong enough mix of impact players and breakout candidates to remain at the top of this region in 2026.   Southeast Bulloch and Long County highlight the next group here. Southeast Bulloch suffers losses to two 900-yard rushers last year, but return their starter at QB in '27 Colton Zito. '27 ATH Aaden Peterson is a breakout candidate on offense with many yards to replace in front of him. Defensively, their top two tacklers from a year ago were sophomores. '28 LB Brant Horst had over 120 TOT and is far and away the building block on this side of the ball. The aforementioned Aaden Peterson was a difference-maker as a DB last year, finishing with 3 INTs and 4 PBUs. From 2017-2020, Long County went a combined 1-41. HFC Mike Pfiester has pulled off a truly impressive turnaround, rallying off 4 winning seasons in 5 years (!). '28 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1988553' first='Tyrell' last='Grayson'] is the leading rusher out of this triple-option offense and has a chance to break 1000 yards as a junior. '29 Markyl Allen is the leading returning tackler from last year, and 3 of the top 4 return. '27 OL/DL Isaiah Miller is a multiple-time all-region performer and an anchor on the LOS for Long County. They should keep the ball rolling and continue the positive program momentum.   New Hampstead returns who I believe to be the best playmaker in this region in '27 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1855270' first='Christian' last='Kinlaw']. He is a true bell cow with his 6'2 215 frame and rushed for over 1000 yards in 2025. I am interested to see where he positionally settles long-term.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 4</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Sandy Creek   2. Hampton   3. North Clayton   4. Luella   5. McDonough   6. Mt Zion, Jonesboro   7. Woodland, Stockbridge   8. Riverdale   9. Fayatte County   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Sandy Creek QB [player_tooltip player_id='661460' first='Caleb' last='Hill']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Sandy Creek DL [player_tooltip player_id='1623447' first='JT' last='Austin'] & '27 Hampton DB Kamauri Dorsey   Preseason LOTY: '27 Sandy Creek DL Steven Hannon   Summary   Sandy Creek swept their schedule to a 15-0 state championship season and will be the favorite to win it all yet again in 2026. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='661460' first='Caleb' last='Hill'] will close out his historic career this fall for Sandy Creek. He has been a giant in Georgia, and last year was no different, accounting for 33 total TDs while passing for over 2600 yards and rushing for 500. 2 of the top 3 receivers from last year are back in '27 WR Khaylin Stevenson and '27 Rylan White. '27 OL [player_tooltip player_id='826587' first='Ryan' last='Moore'] has over 2 dozen offers and returns as the anchor of this OL. ''26 RB Amari Latimer is a major loss. They will have to replace the 2400 yards and 44 TDs he provided on the ground, but [player_tooltip player_id='661460' first='Caleb' last='Hill'] was a good runner in his own right, and '27 Omari Jackson is likely to emerge as the feature back. Defensively, it's an embarrassment of riches for Sandy Creek. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1623447' first='JT' last='Austin'] and '27 Steven Hannon team up on the DL to form one of the most disruptive duos in the state. '27 Nebraska DB commit Corey Hadley is one of the most decorated recruits in the nation and will play both ways. He pairs up with '28 [player_tooltip player_id='1626351' first='Nathan' last='Holston'] at DB to form another elite duo. This team is loaded as usual and could run the table again, despite the loss to their top playmaker.   Hampton went 8-3 last year and should land in that range again. Elite '27 TAMU commit is as good as advertised and the engine of this team. He is not only the leading returning tackler, but the leading receiver as well, and a true game-breaker on both sides of the ball. Also returning is '27 QB Tristan Parks, who quietly passed for over 2,000 yards in 2025. 3 of the top 4 leading tacklers return, including '27 ATH Tahj Harris, who has picked up some recruiting buzz of his own. '28 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1243205' first='Thomas' last='Griggs'] is a breakout candidate on both sides of the ball. Hampton will settle at the top of this region, and their ceiling will ultimately come down to what they can find in the run game.   North Clayton finally broke through last year with their crop of talent, finishing 8-3, a far cry from the 2-27 stretch they hit from 2020-2022. '27 QB/ATH Georgia State commit [player_tooltip player_id='662177' first='Justin' last='Murphy'] is one of the most elite playmakers in the state. He is a capable passer, but a true gamebreaker as a runner. '28 ATH Dre'von Glass will be the top playmaker on the outside, and '29 WR/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1740547' first='Jaylen' last='Washington'] is a breakout candidate. Senior QB with multiple years of starting experience is a recipe for success at every level of football. I expect North Clayton to finish above .500 again, and that should be their floor.   Luella and McDonough highlight the next group. There's a lot of uncertainty at the bottom of this region, which ultimately makes for some consequential games down the stretch.

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