CANEY BAY — Something will give Friday night when Brantley County travels to Alma to face Bacon County in a Region 1-A DI matchup.
Both squads are entering on three-game losing streaks courtesy of region play. The Herons (1-7 overall, 1-3 region) are coming off a 34-14 setback to then winless Berrien while Bacon County (4-5, 1-4) dropped a 25-3 decision to fifth-ranked Fitzgerald.
Friday’s meeting is the 33rd between the two programs since 1972. The Red Raiders hold a 239 series lead with Brantley County winning five of the last six after losing 14 straight from 19862002. The last meeting was a 21--13 victory for the Herons in 2021.
The two teams have four common region opponents. Brantley County’s lone win was a 28-21 decision against Jeff Davis with the Red Raiders falling 24-14. Bacon County rolled to a 51-12 decision against Berrien with the Herons falling 34-14.
Both programs fell to Fitzgerald (46-14 Brantley County, 25-3 Bacon County) and Thomasville (62-0 Herons, forfeit Red Raiders). “We’re going into our last two games with a mindset of trying to improve and just have fun,” said Brantley County head coach David Shores. “We want to learn from our mistakes and just improve to end the season on a high note.”
Bacon County brings a potent scoring attack into the game predicated on its running game. The Red Raiders operate out of the wing-T and spread. They are averaging 28 points on the season and 23 points in region games. Brantley County is allowing 38.5 points a game for the season and 41 in region matchups.
Senior running back Travion Richardson (5-foot-8, 170) leads the ground game. Senior Knox Ledbetter (6-3, 205) directs the offense. Senior Adian Cothern (5-10, 175) is the top receiver.
“They (Red Raiders) have scored a ton of points,” said Shores. “They have good skill players and a trio of good running backs who can beat you with their feet. We’ve got to do a good job of hemming them up.
“They have a good offensive line that does not cross over and play on the defensive line. We’ve got to develop and build depth because I thought our linemen got tired against Berrien.”
Defensive, Bacon County’s 4-3 scheme has allowed 26 points a game during the season and 24 in region games. The Herons’ offense has averaged 10.5 points through eight games and 14 in four region games. “We’ve (coaches) have tweaked our game plan,” Shores said. “We’re simplifying it in hopes of executing better. That’s our mindset.”
