CANEY BAY — Brantley County put a wrap on its pre-season and will officially get the Matt Hickox era started Friday night in Alma when the Herons kick off the 2026 campaign against Bacon County.
Hickox’s first edition has partaken in two jamborees — the first was two weeks ago in Folkston facing Rutland of Macon and Charlton County. BCHS came away with a 13-0 win over the Hurricanes before falling 9-0 to the Indians.
This past Friday night, Brantley County traveled to Alamo to face a set of Bulldog squads in Butler of Augusta and host Wheeler County. The Herons blanked Butler 21-0 over two quarters and followed with a 20-0 decision over Wheeler County.
“I thought we played extremely well,” said Hickox of the outing Sunday prior to his coaches meetings. “We executed and showed growth from the first jamboree. We played with effort and physicality.”
BCHS got two touchdowns from Malachi Saunders and one from Tallan Collins.
Freshman kicker Tristan Fredrickson was perfect on three PAT’s. “We were able to run the ball pretty effectively,” Hickox said of the Butler two-quarter scrimmage. “We did a good job of controlling the game. We were able to complete some passes. Defensively, I was happy to see a zero up on the board. There still a lot to cleanup, though.”
In the second game, Clark Carter connected with Jayden Byron on a touchdown pass. Dennis Raulerson and Saunders scored a rushing touchdown apiece. J.T. Johns converted a two-point pass play following a bad snap on one of the PATs.
“We forced some turnovers and played at a high level,” said Hickox. “Offensively, we controlled the line of scrimmage. There are still things we’ve got to get better at. We (coaches) are going to discuss our behavior on the field. We had some issues with talking to the other team after a play. We’re going to hold the players accountable for the actions.”
Friday’s season opener against Bacon County is the 35th between the two programs since 1972 with the Red Raiders holding a 24-10 series advantage. Brantley County has won six of the last eight matchups since
a 14-game losing streak from 1986 to 2003.
“This is a big game for us,” said Hickox of the game called by officials in the third quarter with Brantley County leading
14-7. “There were some issues (fighting) in Alma two years ago. I’m hoping everything goes good and both sides behave.”
Bacon County rolled 41--
15 last season at Caney Bay to end a two-game losing streak in the series. The teams have split the last four matchups following a four-game winning streak by the Herons.
Thad Williams enters his second season as the Red Raiders’ head coach. He lead Bacon County to a
5-6 record in 2025 with the season ending with a first round loss at Swainsboro.
Bacon County returns three second team all-Region 1-A offensive players with senior quarterback Scottland Hennesy, junior fullback Noah Cothern and senior offensive lineman Whitman Tyre.
“We saw Bacon County at an OTA at Atkinson County during the summer,” Hickox said. “They (Red Raiders) executed better than we did. They are going to lineup in the spread and get the ball to their best athletes.”
Bacon County, according to Hickox, mixed up its fronts during the OTA matchup.
“I’ve got to look at the film of their scrimmage(s),” he said. “I know they (Red Raiders) did some switching with their fronts.”
Bacon County’s defense is anchored by senior Nolan Powell, who was an first team all-Region defensive lineman a year ago.
Second team returnees include senior defensive lineman Cameron Merritt, senior linebacker Jaylen Marion and sophomore defensive back Amare’ Ryals.
BCHS vs. Bacon Raiders lead 24-10 BCHS Bacon 1972.............16 ............10
1973 ..............6............37
1976 ............14............20
1977 ............20............48
1978..............0............39
1979.............15............35
1980 ............15............25
1981 ............28 ..............7
1982..............0..............7
1983 ............14............23
1984............23..............6
1985 ............27............20
1986..............7 ............21
1987 ............13 ............31
1988 ............21 ............31
1989 ............19............34
1990..............7 ............14
1991 ..............0............22
1992 ............12............35
1993 ............14............28
1994 ............10............28
1995..............0............33
2000...........20............26
2001..............7 ............18
2002............13............33
2003...........34............65
2004...........20 ............13
2005............21 ............14
2006...........28..............0
2007 ...........24..............0
2020.............0............42
2021 ............21 ............13
2024............14 ..............7
2025............15 ............41
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