CANEY BAY — Brantley County faces its biggest challenge Friday in the Region 1-A “Southeastern Conference” schedule as top-ranked Worth County visits for homecoming.
The Rams are the third No. 1 team (Atlanta Journal- Constitution, Writer’s Poll) to visit Caney Bay and the eighth overall to matchup with BCHS. Charlton County (AJC) beat the Herons 41-26 in 2010 with Clinch County (Writer’s Poll) winning 41-19 in 2011. Brantley County has faced Charlton County four times (0-4; 1995 - 27-6, 2000 - 33-0, 2006 - 37-7, 2010), Peach County (2019 - 19-0, first round playoffs) and Pierce County (2024 - 42-7) from the AJC polls to go along with Clinch County. The Herons are 0-7 in those matchups.
The defending region champion Rams (50), winners in 12 of their last 13 games, have shown a prolific offense (39.4 points per game) and a smothering defense (6.4 points; three shutouts) through the midway point of the season.
“Worth is the BEST team in 1A-D1, hence the #1 ranking,” said Herons head coach David Shores. “They (Rams) are extremely balanced on offense with best pocket passing quarterback in south Georgia and extremely strong in the run game.
“They are equally as solid on defense ... front, middle and back end. They are fast and physical.”
Brantley County(0-5) is looking for its first win of the season and first points since falling 19-6 to Windsor Forest in the second game of the season. The three consecutive defeats by shutouts are tied for the second-longest in school history.
BCHS was blanked five consecutive games in 1978 starting with Game 5 (Clinch County) through Game 9 (Blackshear High) being outscored 143-0 breaking the mark of three straight first set in 1973 (Metter, Clinch, Patterson) and tied in 1977 Patterson, Charlton County, Atkinson County).
The next occurrence was 1979 (Bryan County, Patterson, Charlton County) with shutouts in the first three games of the season. The last came in 1995 (Bacon County, Jeff Davis, Pierce County).
Friday’s meeting is the second between the two schools. Worth County posted a 49-0 victory in the season finale last year en route to reaching the quarterfinals.
The game was originally scheduled for September 27 before the devastating arrival of Hurricane Helene.
The Rams’ high-powered offense is led by junior quarterback Lyndon Worthy (6-foot-3, 170 lbs.). He has completed 60-of-89 passes for 993 yards with 10 touchdowns and an interception. Worthy threw for 3,408 yards and 37 touchdowns last year during a 9-4 campaign.
Senior Kaden Chester has accumulated 449 yards rushing with seven touchdowns and two 100-yard rushing nights. Chester totaled 1,150 yards with 22 scores last year.
Classmate Tre’shaun Jones (5-9, 195), who rushed for 839 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago, has produced 358 yards and eight scores this year with one 100-yard night.
Four receivers have double-digit catches with seniors Jace Collier (5-7, 155) and Colby Griffis, along with junior Jaquaveion Nelson (5-10, 160) tied with 12 apiece. Chester is next with 11 catches out of the backfield.
On the defensive side of the ball, Worth County has five players with 19+ tackles, a combined 27 tackles for loss, three quarterback sacks and three interceptions.
Senior linebacker Chance Sims has a team-high 43 stops to go along with nine TFLs, two sacks and an interception. Senior linebacker Brady Weaver is next with 37 tackles, a team-leading 12 tackles for loss, a sack and an interception.
Sophomore linebacker Malik Muhammad has 24 tackles, four TFLs and a sack. Senior defensive end Joshua McGee has recorded 20 tackles and eight tackles for loss to go along with three sacks.
Senior defensive back Dewhite Council (5-9, 165) and classmate defensive back Dashaun Rockwell (5-11, 170) each have 19 tackles and a tackle for loss.
