CAIRO, Ga. (WALB) - The Cairo Syrupmakers are hunting for their first region title since 2018 and their first under fourth-year head coach David Coleman.

To claim that title, they must defeat defending champion Peach County. The Syrupmakers and Trojans are tied 3-3 in their all-time series, with Cairo winning the first three meetings and Peach County taking the last three. The Trojans defeated Cairo 48-17 at Cairo last season.

This year, Peach County arrives in the Syrup City undefeated.

“They’re a great football team. Very well coached, very talented, a lot of guys all over the football field,” Coleman said. “Do a good job of getting the football to a lot of different players in space, go fast on offense. One of the best football programs in the state, so a very big challenge.”

Cairo trailed by three points at halftime in last year’s game before standout Bryian Duncan went down with an injury.

This season, Duncan has returned and is splitting carries with junior Jaylen Teall while also taking more reps at receiver. Teall and Duncan have combined for over 1,000 yards this year.

Their impact extends to the defensive side of the ball. The Syrupmakers’ last six opponents have been held to an average of 8.5 points per game.

Teall leads the team in tackles with 74. Defensive end Steven Thornton III has recorded 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks and six quarterback hurries. The secondary consisting of Duncan, Justyn Teall and Treshaun Breeland have combined for nine interceptions.

Coleman says the recipe to that syrup consists of one ingredient.

“Preparation makes the difference and hopefully we can prepare and be ready this Friday,” Coleman said.

Region title implications

Kickoff from West Thomas Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday.

A win for the Syrupmakers would put them in the driver’s seat for the region title. They will face one more tough opponent in Westover on Halloween.

Cairo was in the same situation last year at 6-2 before meeting Peach County. Back-to-back losses to the Trojans and Westover resulted in a third-place region finish, but this year the team is using that disappointment as motivation.

“It’d mean the world to me, you know, sophomore quarterback winning the region championship. It’d be pretty cool,” a Cairo quarterback Bryce Puckett. “They came with an upset last year, so if we just come out here, execute, everybody do their job, execute, we’ll come out with the win,” said Bryian Duncan.

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