Houston Co. teams preparing for fall nights

HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga — The spring has begun on the gridiron around “War-Town” and Houston County. All five of the Houston County high schools are currently competing in their individual spring practices.

Coach Marquis Westbrook and the Demons are looking to repeat as state champions. The Demons won the GHSA State Title for the second consecutive year, in 2021. Warner Robins also lost seniors such as, Frederick “Fred-P” Perry and Chrisiton Lane. Returning veterans, Malcolm Brown and Victor Burley are the key players for Warner Robins, heading into this summer.

Veterans High School has a new head football coach that will lead the Warhawks. In Kathleen, coach Joshua Ingram was promoted from offensive coordinator shortly before the start of spring practices. Coach Ingram replaces coach Milan Turner, who retired after being with the Hawks since 2018. Coach Milan Turner led the Warhawks to a 2-9 record and a first round visit to the state playoffs, in 2021. Veterans competed in a short-timed spring game against the Jones County Greyhounds, recently. The Warhawks look very solid on both ends of the football. Coach Ingram becomes one of the few coaches to have coached, at Veterans High School. The Warhawks have had less than five football coaches during the school’s entire existence.

Coach Jeremy Edwards is building a new foundation and culture of winning in “Bear Down” country. With the completion of their spring practices on May the 18, the Bears are nearly completed with their spring on the gridiron. The anticipation and suspense is at an all-time high in Warner Robins. A new group of coaches at a school can be a hard task. On May 19, Coach Jeremy Edwards and his coaching staff will show everyone a sample of what we can expect to see this fall. Houston County’s “silver and black ” spring game will take place on May 19, 7pm, at Freedom Field.

Coach Kevin Smith and the Perry Panthers will loose some key veterans, due to graduation. Dae’Quan Wright and Khiari Miller are headed to Virginia-Tech, as the two will become Hokies at the division-one level. Coach Smith is also loosing several players to Gardner Webb and Georgia Military College. The Panthers had an historic season, in 2021 and will look to regroup in 2022.

Coach Chad Alligood has brought in a few new coaches to help him on the sidelines, this fall. Amongst these new coaches are former Perry Panther and Fort Valley State Alumnus, Jhi’Marre Brown. Brown was a standout athlete for the Panthers and a stellar wide receiver, as a Fort Valley Wildcat. Alongside new coaches, Northside has a few athletes who have gained notoriety on the gridiron, as well. Rising senior, Quinton Lewis has gained national attention after receiving several offers, this spring — Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Tulane, Western Kentucky, UAB, Army at West Point, Air Force, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Eastern Carolina, Buffalo and UNC Charlotte, since January 19th of this year. The 6’3 offensive lineman also has a very high GPA, which has many ivy-league schools interested.

Also on the radar is rising sophomore, Ricardo Jones. Ricardo Jones is a four-star safety from Northside. Jones turned heads during his freshman season, catching eight interceptions. The star defensive back is currently entertaining a long list of offers, which includes: Kentucky, West Virginia, Stanford, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Georgia, Western Kentucky, Pitt, Notre Dame, Auburn, Tennessee, Nebraska, Georgia Southern, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Tech and Middle Tennessee. There is plenty of talent of both sides of the ball, at Northside. Northside will compete in their annual spring game on May 19, at North Gwinnett. At 5pm the junior varsity squads of Northside and North Gwinnett will compete. At 6pm, each team’s varsity will clash and collide. This game will also be televised on Peachtree TV and tickets will be sold at the gate. After the duration of spring practices, teams will take part in summer practices and conduct their required acclimation periods.

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