Jefferson was clearly the class of the region in 2022, going undefeated, allowing just 26 points, and walloping the field by 28.6 points per game. But the Dragons will be in a reloading mode as just a handful of key players return in 2023.
Normally that would be good news for the rest of the region. But Loganville, Clarke Central, and Winder-Barrow are also in rebuilding mode. As a result, Eastside and Flowery Branch may be in the best position to reap the benefits as the two teams return the most experience in 2023.
But neither the Eagles nor the Falcons are in any way set in the starting lineup, bringing questions as well.
What does that all mean? After a season of little drama, Region 8-5A could be wide-open from the moment region play begins in late September.
The Dragons will possess the region’s best player in senior Sammy Brown, who is dynamic on both sides of the ball. They may also have the best young talent in the region. But if they can’t find enough production to complement Brown, it could be anyone’s ballgame for the region title.
REGION 8-5A
2022 Champion: Jefferson
2022 Playoff Teams: Jefferson, first round; Loganville, first round; Clarke Central, first round; Eastside, first round
2022 Region Standings: Jefferson (8-3, 6-0); Loganville (9-2, 6-1); Clarke Central (5-6, 4-2); Eastside (6-5, 3-3); Winder-Barrow (5-5, 2-4); Flowery Branch (3-7, 1-5); Heritage-Conyers (2-8, 0-6)
What to expect in 2023:
CLARKE-CENTRAL – Despite their first losing season since 2015, the Gladiators made the playoffs for a seventh consecutive season. But a first-round playoff loss ended their postseason quickly. The 2023 campaign may be a rebuilding one in Athens. They must replace their quarterback, 2 of their top 4 rushers, and 2 of their top 4 receivers. No matter who wins the starting slots, the Gladiators must improve an offense that had 17 turnovers in 11 games, including 13 fumbles, in 2022. On defense, they gave up the most points of any 8-5A team in 2022 (282, 25.6 ppg). They return 3 of their top 4 tacklers, but as a team, they were minus-3 on turnover ratio. KEY GAMES: They will know quickly if they’ll be in the playoff race with road games at Jefferson (Sept. 22) and Loganville (Oct. 5) sandwiched around a home tilt against Flowery Branch (Sept. 29) to open region play.
EASTSIDE – The Eagles may have graduated two of their top three tacklers in May but return several key players on a defense that gave up just 16 points per game in 2022. Led by returners LB Elijah Davis (85 tkls), DE Jacorey Jackson (77 tkls, 10 TFL), LB Bailey Benson (61 tkls, 13 TFL) and SS Jayden Barr (59 tkls), the Eagles' defense most likely will carry a rebuilding offense early on. Payton Shaw, who played in seven games at quarterback last season, will likely step into the starting role. He completed 61 percent of his passes in 2022. The Eagles will also replace 2,189 total rushing yards, including leading back Ken Grier, who complied 1,422 yards and 19 TD last season. Barr returns as the leading candidate in the backfield. If the Eagles want to make it to their eighth straight playoff berth, the offense will need to improve quickly. KEY GAMES: The Eagles region opener at Flowery Branch (Sept. 22) will reveal just how fast the rebuild is going. Scattered throughout the schedule are Loganville (Sept. 29), Clarke Central (Oct. 19) and Jefferson (Nov. 2).
FLOWERY BRANCH – It's no secret the Falcons were not happy with last season's results. A 3-7 record was the worst since the 2016 season and only the seventh time they've missed the playoffs in their 21-year history. The Falcons will need to learn how to finish in 2023. Last season, they lost one-possession games to Winder-Barrow, region runner-up Loganville, and a low-scoring battle against Clarke Central. If they win two of those three games, they make the playoffs. Offensive production also is going to be key. Only averaging 18.5 points per game in 2022, they'll look to first-year starter Josh Oliver to direct the offense at QB and hope for a solid year out of running back Malik Dryden (104-569 yards, 2 TD). Seth Larson (41-386 yards, 2 TD) and Jeremiah Ware (18-359 yards, 5 TD) will be Oliver's top targets in 2023. Defensively, Frank Perez (72 tkls), Cam Haynes (50 tkls) and Jordan Elder (50 tkls) are expected to lead a defense that gave up 23.7 ppg last season. The Falcons could be a dark horse in Region 8-5A. They must take care of those one-possession, defensive battles to be in the region title race. KEY GAMES: The Falcons' region opener at home against Eastside on Sept. 22 will show how far they've come after a brutal four-game non-region slate. Still, though, Jefferson (Oct. 13) and Loganville (Oct. 27) await.
HERITAGE-CONYERS – The Patriots were not very good in 2022, giving up 42.6 ppg while scoring just 9.3. They'll break in a new quarterback in 2023 but return their top two rushers, Tyler Bercy (88-362, 2 TD) and Dion Dean (42-140). If the Patriots are going to compete in Region 8-5A this season, a ton of adjustments will need to be made on both sides of the ball. KEY GAMES: All of them.
JEFFERSON – The defending champions will be in a reloading mode with several key spots to fill, including at quarterback as two-year starter Max Aldridge graduated. Juniors Forrest Ross and Gavin Markey will battle for that spot. Their biggest offensive weapon returning is Sr. Sammy Brown (1,449 yards, 21 TDs rushing), who is also the second leading receiver returning (246 yards, 3 TD) behind Sr. Zay Minish (18-249 yards, 1 TD). The defense also will be under construction as the Dragons, who allowed just 26 points in region play (4.33 ppg), graduated their entire defensive line and 3 of 4 starters in the secondary. Brown is the nation’s top-rated LB but will need help. KEY GAMES: The Dragons region opener with Clarke Central (Sept. 22) could tell a lot. They also close region play on the road vs. Eastside (Nov. 2) in what may be the defining game in the region.
LOGANVILLE – After a successful 2022 season, going 9-2 and making the Class 5A playoffs, graduation hit the Red Devils hard. They'll be looking to replace 2,271 total yards of offense, breaking in a new quarterback, the entire backfield, their top two receivers and several on the defensive side of the ball. Loganville hired former Jefferson and Habersham Central head coach Gene Cathcart to lead the program in the offseason. He's been successful in his 17 seasons as a head coach, but this season might be one of his most challenging yet. KEY GAMES: The Red Devils' final four region games -- at Eastside (Sept. 29), Clarke Central (Oct. 5), Jefferson (Oct. 20) and at Flowery Branch (Oct. 27) will either make or break them.
WINDER-BARROW – The Bulldoggs, who missed out on the playoffs by a game in 2022, will be in a rebuild as they return less than 600 yards of total offense. They will be breaking in a new quarterback and lost their top two rushers and 2 of their top 3 receivers as well. Defensively they will have to replace over 250 tackles, 40 TFL, and 11 sacks. KEY GAMES: They get Loganville, Jefferson, and Eastside all at home.
