Gainesville was the cream of the crop in Region 8-6A and Class 6A last season. Under new head coach Josh Niblett, the Red Elephants rolled through the region, scoring 41 points per game while giving up just eight ppg. They captured their first region title since 2013 and made their first state championship game since 2012.
The Red Elephants are on a mission to prove last season was not a fluke and have the players to back it up.
The biggest question is who will push Big Red for the top spot in the region?
North Forsyth, who led most of the game last season but failed to finish against the Red Elephants in a 34-21 loss, will be breaking in a new quarterback and replacing several defenders. Lanier returns several key players on both sides of the ball but has to improve everywhere. Could Habersham Central and Jackson County, both of whom return a slew of talent, make a push for a home playoff berth, even the top spot?
Currently, the region championship is Gainesville's to lose, and the only other question is who has enough firepower to get close to Big Red.
REGION 8-6A
2022 Champion: Gainesville
2022 Playoff Teams: Gainesville, finals; North Forsyth, second round; Shiloh, first round; Lanier, first round
2022 Region Standings: Gainesville (14-1, 6-0), North Forsyth (8-4, 5-1); Shiloh (5-6, 4-2); Lanier (4-7, 3-3); Jackson County (3-7, 2-4); Habersham Central (3-7, 1-5); Apalachee (0-10, 0-6)
What to expect in 2023:
APALACHEE – If the Wildcats finish against Lanier, Jackson County and Habersham Central in 2022, they would have made the Class 6A playoffs. They lost those three games by a combined average of 13 points. However, they only averaged eight ppg all season and gave up 35. They return quarterback Howard Holloway, running backs Prince Tate and Traver Park, and three of their top four tacklers on defense. Oh, and they have a new head coach as Mike Hancock took the reins from Tony Lotti. The Wildcats will look different this season, but will they be any better? Only time will tell. KEY GAMES: The Wildcats will need to take care of business against Jackson County (Sept. 22), Shiloh (Sept. 29), Lanier (Oct. 12) and Habersham Central (Oct. 27).
GAINESVILLE – The Red Elephants had a magical season in 2022, winning their first region title since 2013, advancing to their first championship game since 2012, and finishing as state runner-up. They lost some key elements to that group, including leading rusher Naim Cheeks, dynamic receivers Darius Cannon and Tre Reece, and LB Jeremiah Telander. But they return Sr. QB Baxter Wright (3,343 yards, 40 TD, 4 INT), Sr. TE Sky Niblett, Sr. WR Travien Watson, and most of their offensive line. And they are still loaded on defense despite Telander’s graduation. Most experts say they are an overwhelming favorite, and the region title is theirs to lose. No argument here. KEY GAMES: They have a tough finish with road games at North Forsyth (Oct 27) and Jackson County (Nov. 3) that will likely decide the region title.
HABERSHAM CENTRAL – The Raiders finished a disappointing sixth in the region last season but were just one play from forcing a tie for fourth and two more plays from making a second straight trip to the playoffs. They return a ton of experience, including 3-year starter at QB Carson Parker (874 yards, 3 TD, 7 INT) and WR Zeke Whittington (96 rec., 987 yards, 2 TD). They also return five on defense, including Sr. LBs Braden Henslee and Carter Barrett, who combined for 205 tackles last season. Winning the close games is the key in 2023, as they had second-half leads in four losses. KEY GAMES: A 4-game stretch, starting with the region-opener at Lanier (Sept. 22), followed by three consecutive home games vs. Jackson County (Sept. 29) and Gainesville (Oct. 13) and North Forsyth (Oct. 20), will decide their fates. They went 0-4 in that stretch last season. Find one win, and more than a playoff spot may be at stake.
JACKSON COUNTY – Like Habersham, the Panthers were just one play and two second-half collapses from a second straight playoff berth. New coach Korey Mobbs is bringing in a spread attack and knows how to build tough-minded defenses based on his years at Lanier. But they will be breaking in a new QB in Jr. Zack Scott. However, they have arguably the region’s most versatile player in 6-foot-3, 240-pound Sr. RB/LB MJ Spurlin (132-748 yards, 9 TD rushing; 32 rec., 217 yards, 1 TD; 41 tkl, 12 TFL, 2 sacks). They also return 7 of their top 8 tacklers on defense. If they, too, can learn how to win the close games, a playoff run is more than capable. KEY GAMES: Region opener at North Forsyth (Sept. 15) and a finish at Lanier (Oct. 20) and home vs. Gainesville (Nov. 3).
LANIER – The Longhorns were marginally better than Habersham Central, Jackson County and Apalachee last season, sneaking into the Class 6A playoffs as the No. 4 seed. They've struggled to win more than four in the previous three seasons. The Longhorns gave up almost 30 points per game last season while scoring 13.5 ppg. In 2023, they return quarterback Preston Ratliff (101-187, 1,393 yards and 7 TD) and return three of their top four rushers as well as their top-four receivers from a year ago, including leading receiver Chase Jameson 38-648, 4 TD). Defensively, three of their top-four tacklers, Bryce Garner (65 tkls), Gabriel Falade (65 tkls) and Tayo Ashadele (60 tkls) all return to lead what should be an improved defense. Lanier was three TDs away from being the No. 2 seed last season. If they improve on both sides and finish in the close games, they might be battling for a home playoff game. KEY GAMES: The Longhorns will know where they stand in the region when they travel to Gainesville on Sept. 29, followed by North Forsyth at home on Oct. 5. More importantly, for a playoff berth, they’ll have to take care of business down the stretch against Jackson County (Oct. 20) and on the road at Shiloh (Oct. 27).
NORTH FORSYTH – Despite replacing their quarterback for the third straight season and a hard-hit wide receiver room, the Raiders saving grace on offense might be the offensive line and backfield. They return almost all upfront, giving them a solid foundation to break in new quarterback, junior Eli Seaney. Also helping calm the quarterback room will be leading rusher junior Karson McBrayer (184-718 yards, 3 TD). As for receiver, seniors Cole Smith and Jonathan Lin have stepped up, and Walker Roberts has solidified the tight end position. Defensively, Braden O'Shields (33 tkls), Abdiel Espinosa and Brody Hancock (42 tkls, 7 TFL) are leading the reload. The Raiders are widely expected to compete for the region title again this season. Depending on how all the new pieces come together in a tough non-region schedule will give fans a glimpse of what to expect in a competitive region slate. KEY GAMES: The Raiders get what is expected to be a much improved Jackson County team under new head coach Korey Mobbs to open region play on Sept. 15, followed by three crucial road games to Shiloh (Sept. 22), Lanier (Oct. 5) and Habersham Central (Oct. 20) before hosting defending region champ, Gainesville (Oct. 27).
SHILOH – The Generals have made the playoffs in the past two seasons, a program first. But they should be in full rebuild mode in 2023. They graduated their top 5 receivers and 3 of their top 4 rushers, totaling more than 2,750 yards, not counting QB Jeremiah Harden (2,148 yards, 25 TD), who also graduated. They also graduated 7 of their top 8 defenders, totaling 332 tackles on defense. They should have some young talent, but finding wins in a region with experience returning for most everyone else will be difficult. KEY GAMES: Three consecutive road games at Apalachee (Sept. 29), Jackson County (Oct. 6), and Gainesville (Oct. 20) will probably decide their chances.
