There are just 29 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2025 high school football season. But make no mistake, preparations for the upcoming campaign got underway months ago. And teams throughout northeast Georgia already are in full countdown mode.
With that in mind, we spent the last couple of weeks catching up with programs around our area to get a feel for how spring practice went, how the summer is going, and what coaches believe the fall will look like. Our "Two-a-Days" series honors those old-school grinding sessions that lead us out of summer and into fall, asking each area coach two key questions about the state of their respective programs.
Over the next two weeks, AccessWDUN's Friday Game Night will get you prepped for the start of gridiron action with responses from coaches throughout northeast Georgia.
(Teams run in alphabetical order)...
EAST JACKSON (4-7 in 2024; 1st round Class 2A playoffs)
Despite a losing season, the Eagles made the playoffs for a second time in three seasons in a region that featured the state champion (Hebron Christian) and the state runner-up (Prince Aenue) in the Class A Private classification. They took No. 8 seed Morgan County down to the wire in a gut-wrenching 52-49 loss in the playoffs.
But they return nearly their entire offensive production, including senior quarterback Drew Richardson.
This could be the season they snap their 16-year playoff win drought. We asked Coach Cameron Pettus how the summer has gone as they continue to build momentum for the program.
QUESTION: Coach, last year y’all were just 4 points from winning the program’s first playoff game since 2009. You’ve been building to this season. What has been the focus this offseason?
ANSWER: How we battled back (in the playoffs) showed how much character these young men truly have. They could have folded easily after the first half but they fought so hard and we had a chance at the end to win. This showed our players and their mental toughness and resilience. The focus this offseason has been preparing both mentally and physically everyday. The staff and players know we have a shot. There is a different level of commitment. Our process with player ownership is at a all time high. Teams win with great player ownership.
QUESTION: Y’all have QB Drew Richardson, one of the area’s most dynamic athletes. But he will need some help. Who are some guys that have stepped up this summer on that side of the ball?
ANSWER: Drew is phenomenal, no doubt about that, but one player does not make the team. He knows that and so do our players and staff. It always starts upfront. Jaylan Dominguez, Xander Gholston, Ry Henson, Tristan Smith, Tyler Barnes, Chase Wingfield and Paul Jenkins have been busting it to provide that protection and lanes for both the QB and our RB's. These guys just grab that lunch pail and go to work. Our RB's are returners Jamarion Parks and Deston Mitchell. They are our version of Lightning McQueen and Mator from the movie ‘Cars.’ A very dynamic duo. Explosive, savvy and particular strengths for each back. At WR we have Branturan Callahan so if you load the box to stop Drew and our RB's then you leave him 1 on 1 and that is a good thing for us. He is a matchup nightmare. The twins Brooks and Brady Saunders are our savvy, smooth are on the same wavelength as Drew at WR. Super smart and athletic guys who know how to play ball. Finally Denim Cooper rounds out our last starting WR. He has turned into that big body that runs great traffic routes and with last year’s experience he now plays with confidence and speed.
- Up Next in Two-a-Days: FLOWERY BRANCH
- Previous Two-a-Days: EAST HALL
http://accesswdun.com/article/2025/7/1292780/two-a-days-east-jackson