Region 8-A Division 2 in the Georgia High School Association was one of the more competitive regions in the classification in 2022.
Lincoln County is the defending champion and advanced to the Class A Division 2 semifinals in 2022. Greene County was a surprising second, with Washington-Wilkes and Aquinas taking the final two playoff spots. However, Towns County was just one win from forcing a possible three-way tie for fourth place. It was that close.
The 2023 campaign looks to be more of the same.
The Red Devils are expected to field another solid team, but Aquinas, which may have had the most talented team in the region last year, is healthy and loaded. Both Greene County and Washington-Wilkes return several key players from 2022 as well.
This could be one of the more competitive regions in the classification once again. Every game will be a slugfest. Towns County, which is trending up as far as numbers and experience, showed signs last year that it may be ready to put a consistently competitive team on the field. The Indians could be a dark horse pick to make the playoffs, but they will have to stay healthy and continue to build quality depth.
REGION 8-A D2
2022 Champion: Lincoln County
2022 Playoff Teams: Lincoln County, semifinals; Greene County, first round; Washington-Wilkes, second round; Aquinas, first round
2022 Region Standings: Lincoln County (10-3, 5-0); Greene County (6-5, 3-2); Washington-Wilkes (8-4, 3-2); Aquinas (7-4, 3-2); Towns County (3-7, 1-4); Warren County (2-8, 0-5)
What to expect in 2023:
LINCOLN COUNTY – Sr. RB Semaj Jenkins, who led the region in rushing (1,002 yards, 17 TDs), returns, but the Red Devils lost QB/LB Trey Huff to graduation. Huff was 2nd in rushing and touchdowns, 2nd in total tackles, and added 2 INTs as well. He will be a huge loss on both sides of the ball. They also return So. QB Mekhi Wade, who had 497 yards rushing playing behind Huff. On defense, Jr. LB Christian Crite returns after a 162-tackle season with 12 TFL, both of which led the team, and two sacks. Expect Lincoln County and Aquinas to ultimately battle for the region title. KEY GAMES: Aquinas and Greene County
GREENE COUNTY – The Tigers lost 63% of its rushing attack with the graduation of RB Malik West, but they do return Jr. QB Steve Miler, who threw for 1,500 yards and 20 TDs last season. They also return their top 2 receivers in seniors Javaris Harris and JaQuavious Burdette, who combined for 15 TD catches. They also return 3 of their top 4 tacklers, who had 35 TFL and eight sacks combined in 2022. KEY GAMES: Lincoln County, Aquinas, and Washington-Wilkes.
WASHINGTON-WILKES – The Tigers return So. RB Tamari Curry (nearly 1,000 yards rushing and receiving) and Sr. QB Andrew Meech, who passed for over 1,400 yards in 2022. They also return 7 of their top 8 tacklers, their top 3 sack leaders, and their top 4 TFL guys on defense. KEY GAMES: Lincoln County and Aquinas.
AQUINAS – The Fighting Irish return most of a talented roster that got hit hard by injury late in the season but still made their 12th straight playoff appearance. Three key guys that missed the last month of the 2022 campaign all return. Talented So. QB Jack Rhodes 1,273 yards, 70% completions, 9 TD,3 INT), their top two rushers, and 2 of their top 4 receivers from last year on offense all are back. They return 4 of the top 5 tacklers, including seniors Clark Jackson and Copelan Thurmond (188 tackles, 18 TFL, and nine sacks combined). KEY GAMES: Lincoln County, Greene County, and Washington-Wilkes.
TOWNS COUNTY – The Indians continue to show improvement under Jason Roquemore but are in one of the toughest regions in the classification. The Indians' offense should continue to improve after a down season and will need to. The defense gave up a respectable 25.1 ppg against a slew of explosive offenses. The Indians are building depth after fielding their first-ever JV team in 2022, and we’ll see if that begins to pay off in 2023. They will open region play on the road against Greene County but get both Aquinas and Lincoln County at home. KEY GAMES: Warren County and Greene County.
Warren County, along with Towns County, which beat Warren County in 2022, both will need to find an upset win somewhere to have a shot to break into the top four.
