Region 8-4A was all North Oconee last season. The Titans, who made the Class 4A semifinals, roughed up everyone in the region by an average of 50 points/game. And they have most of their playmakers back in 2023, making them the overwhelming favorites to defend their region title.
If the Titans prove to once again be that strong, what will be left will be a wild, seven-team slobberknocker for the final three playoff spots.
While none of the local contingents in the region managed to finish in the top four and grab a playoff spot in 2022, several may be ready to make playoff pushes in 2023. But all will come in with question marks, as well some developed strengths.
Cherokee Bluff returns an experienced offensive line and some talented, but unproven, running backs. Chestatee is morphing its offense into a spread/wing-T hybrid that could be even more potent than usual. East Hall has talent at every skilled position and may be ready to finally put all the pieces together. East Forsyth, now in its third season, may be ready to challenge for its first playoffs. And North Hall, now in its second year in its new spread offense, may be ready to unleash its full potential.
But Walnut Grove, Madison County, and Cedar Shoals also will be primed to get back into the playoffs as well.
It should be an interesting race to the finish where virtually every game could have huge implications.
REGION 8-4A
2022 Champion: North Oconee
2022 Playoff Teams: North Oconee, semifinals; Walnut Grove, second round; Madison County, first round; Cedar Shoals, first round
2022 Region Standings: North Oconee (13-1, 8-0); Walnut Grove (9-3, 6-2); Madison County (6-5, 5-3); Cedar Shoals (5-6, 5-3); East Forsyth (6-4, 4-4); Cherokee Bluff (3-7, 3-5); North Hall (3-7, 3-5); Chestatee (2-8, 2-6); East Hall (2-8, 0-8)
What to expect in 2023:
CEDAR SHOALS – Despite starting the 2022 season 0-3 and dropping the region opener to East Forsyth, the Jaguars beat Walnut Grove, East Hall, Chestatee, North Hall and Cherokee Bluff to get into the Class 4A playoffs. In 2023, they’ll be breaking in a new quarterback. Mandrell Glenn, who passed for 1,904 yards and 18 TDs last season, graduated, leaving the post for Anthony Hubbard to take over. He completed 13 of 30 passes for 131 yards last season. Leading rusher Kayden Scott returns. At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, the bruising back rushed for 604 yards and four TD last season. Also returning is leading receiver, Devin Hester. The rising senior hauled in 51 passes for 953 yards and 13 TDs. Defense is where the Jaguars will need to see improvement in 2023, giving up 35 points per game last season. KEY GAMES: Cherokee Bluff, East Forsyth, Madison County, Walnut Grove
CHEROKEE BLUFF – The Bears took a step back in 2022, not making the playoffs after winning consecutive region titles in Region 7-3A. They do return Sr. QB Asher Wilson (1,359 yards, 10 TD, 5 INT) but he will have to improve on his 52% accuracy. That should improve and he will have KT Thompson (20 rec., 266 yards) looking for a breakout season and the return of TE Ryan Graves, who missed most of 2022 with an injury. Defensively, Bluff also should be able to improve on a unit that gave up its most points (268, 26.8 ppg) since its inaugural season (2018). The secondary of Thompson, an All-Region selection with five picks last season, Landon Kemp, and Jordan Justice will anchor a deep unit that could be one of the region’s best by the end of the season. If they can stay healthy, they should challenge for a playoff spot. KEY GAMES: They play 3 of last year’s playoff teams (Cedar Shoals, Walnut Grove, North Oconee) on the road.
CHESTATEE – Changes have been under way for the War Eagles, who have not made the playoffs since 2016, its longest drought since the program began in 2002. They are melding their old spread attack with elements of the wing-T under new coach Stuart Cunningham and it could be a work in progress early on. But they do return Jr. QB Josh Kermode (1,961 yards, 60% completions, 14 TD) and a deep receiver group. But defense is always the issue off Sardis Road and they will have to improve on a unit that allowed 35.5 ppg in region play. They may still be a year away from a serious playoff challenge but they may have the firepower on offense to pull an upset or two. KEY GAMES: 8-4A opener vs. East Hall (Sept. 8), at rival North Hall (Oct. 13).
EAST FORSYTH – The Broncos are coming off their first-ever winning season. But in the brutal 8-4A it did not translate into their first playoffs. They may be ready to break that ceiling in 2023 with an experienced group overall returning. They did lose 64% of their rushing attack but do return Troy Hoover, Tripp Morris, and Will Moffit, who all saw action in the backfield last season. Jr. QB Brock Szakacs has improved each of his first two seasons and will need to continue that trend. The big question mark will be an inexperienced defensive line in a good offensive region. They gave up 129 points (32.1 ppg) in their four region losses last season and will need to improve that stat to make a serious run. KEY GAMES: Region opener vs. playoff team Cedar Shoals (Sept. 1) could set the tone. Road games at Cherokee Bluff (Oct. 6) and North Hall (Nov. 3) will be huge for any possible playoff possibilities.
EAST HALL – The Vikings, who have been in a rebuild mode, were the only winless team in region play in 2022. They may be ready to make a modest move in 2023 with a slew of talent, and starters, back. The QB tandem of So. Jamarcus Harrison (766 yards passing, 7 TD, 12 INT; 298 yards rushing) and Jr. quarterback Peyton Llewallyn (685 yards passing, 3 TD, 7 INT) appear ready to take the next step and will have plenty of talent at WR in juniors Caden Daniels and Jevon Harrison and So. Chasen Jones to spread the ball around. Like Chestatee, defense has been the issue in Valhalla. But they improved by 100 points from 2021 to last season and also seem poised to continue that trend in 2023. If the offense, which scored just 101 points in 2022, the fewest since 2009, can find its rhythm, they could be a darkhorse to make a playoff push. KEY GAMES: Region opener vs. Chestatee (Sept. 8) and North Hall (Sept. 15) and get 3 of the 4 playoff teams (Cedar Shoals, Walnut Grove, North Oconee) at home in 2023.
MADISON COUNTY – The Red Raiders' start to the 2022 campaign was a bit rocky. They dropped a nail-biter to Cherokee Bluff, 20-19, then were boat raced by region champion North Oconee, 42-0. However, they won the last five out of six games to make the playoffs. The good news for Madison County is dual-threat quarterback and Region 8-4A Athlete of the Year Camden Smith returns. He rushed for over 1,400 yards in the Red Raiders’ triple-option attack. They also return Curion Hyche, Trynt Latimore, Zahkari Shiflet and Bryson Drake in the backfield. Defensively, Madison County gave up 24 points per game and return leading tackler linebacker Drake and senior defensive back Casen Duggin. KEY GAMES: Cherokee Bluff, East Forsyth, Walnut Grove and North Hall
NORTH HALL – Despite massive growing pains from system changes in 2022, the Trojans were only a few possessions in a pair of close losses from forcing a tie for fourth place. They should be right in the playoff mix in 2023 as Sr. QB Tanner Marsh looks the part in his second season running the spread offense. He will have 2022 surprise RB Tate Ruth in the backfield once again as well as several other playmakers in the passing game. They also return their two leading tacklers in Sr. LBs Zeke Harris and Trey Patterson. The pieces are in place for a playoff run if they can stay healthy. KEY GAMES: A pair of early road games at Walnut Grove (Sept. 8) and Cherokee Bluff (Sept. 22) could set the tone for any playoff possibilities.
NORTH OCONEE – The Titans rolled through Region 8-4A like a freight train in 2022, posting 50 points per game while making the Class 4A semifinals. The Titans have several key players back, including quarterback Max Wilson to direct the Titans' spread attack. He’s elusive, can run and throw it. He’ll be breaking in a new receiver as Khalil Barnes, Region 8-4A Player of the Year, graduated. Defensively, the Titans led Class 4A in points allowed, giving up just over seven points per game. All-Region linebacker Mack Brice and cornerback Trey Lenhardt return to lead the Titans’ defensive attack. KEY GAMES: Until a region team can score more than one touchdown and slow down the Titans’ offense, it’s North Oconee and everybody else.
WALNUT GROVE – After a successful 2022 season that saw the Warriors finish second in the region and make the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, the Warriors will be replacing their quarterback and most of the receiving corps in 2023. However, leading rusher Emadd Howard is back. He rushed 230 times for 1,236 yards as a sophomore and 11 TDs. Defensively, the Warriors gave up just under 20 points per game. They’ll need to make up 484 tackles as the Warriors lost six of their seven top defenders to graduation. They’ll look to linebacker Cameron Selman to pick up the slack. He recorded 67 tackles, 12 for a loss, last season. Also back are junior defensive ends D’lante Overstreet (42 tackles, 5 TFL) and Nicholas Smith (40 tkls, 5 TFL) and junior safety Kayden Miller (25 tkls). KEY GAMES: Cherokee Bluff, Madison County, North Hall and East Forsyth
NOTES: Johnson and Seckinger play a non-region schedule … North Oconee has won the last two region championships and made the Class 4A semifinals … Cherokee Bluff is seeking to get back on track after only winning three games last season.
