CANEY BAY — Brantley County’s murderous row schedule of Top 10 teams continues this week when the Herons play host to top-ranked Region 3AAA foe Toombs County.
The Herons (2-3 overall, 1-1 region) were beaten 45-6 last week at then fourth-ranked Appling County. Meanwhile in Lyons, the Bulldogs knocked off then second-ranked Pierce County 28-7 scoring three touchdowns in the second half to pull away from a 7-all halftime score.
Friday night’s encounter is the eighth in the series that was last played in 2023. Brantley County has a 5-2 series advantage with Toombs County ending a four-game losing streak to the Herons in the 2023 matchup.
Toombs County is just the third No. 1 ranked school to visit Caney Bay — all coming since 2010 when Charlton County came to town and left with a 41-26 decision. Eventual Class A DI state champion Worth County rolled 50-0 last year.
Overall, the game marks the eighth time Brantley County has taken the field against a top-ranked team with five losses coming on the road.
The Bulldogs, a favorite to win the Class AAA title entering the season, is living up to the hype with one of the most talented teams at any level. Toombs County has six players already signed to play at the next level at Power 4 schools with a bevvy of players still uncommitted.
“I’m very impressed with their (Bulldogs) team speed,” said head coach Matt Hickox. “They’ve got a lot of college-level talent and players with multiple stars beside their name.
“I’m excited and the players are excited at the chance to face them at home. Any time we can put on the school colors and play we’re excited. The biggest thing, though, is to play hard for each other and compete for one another.”
The Bulldogs bring in the state’s all-classification touchdown leader in senior Donterrius Mincey (5foot-10, 195 lbs.), who has entered the endzone 21 times. He’s also in the top five in rushing with 1,033 yards.
Pierce County ended his streak of games surpassing 200 yards at three surrendering 175 yards and his four-touchdown game streak at four holding him to two.
Senior quarterback Joseph Owens (6-foot, 175) directs the offense. Junior Nick Carroll, a five-star recruit, and senior Brandon Stevens (5-11, 160) are the top two receivers.
“They are going to spread the field and get their athletes in space,” said Hickox. “We’ve got to be able to tackle in space. We’ve got to understand our assignments and be focused. This is a very tall task we’re facing against that offense.”
Toombs County’s defense is based out of a 3-4 alignment. Many coaches consider it the best collection of defenders in the state with every starter holding a college offer.
Hickox said he wants to keep things simple for his players. He stated his offensive unit broke out a few wrinkles against Appling County causing some issues for the Pirates’ defense.
“You can’t go into every game adding trick plays,” he said. “We just have to execute what we do and not worry about trying to trick the coaching staff on the other side.”
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