In Countdown to Kickoff, WALB Sports’ Aaron Meaux and McKenzie Blaze break down everything you need to know before football season in South Georgia. Watch LIVE and view previous episodes on WALB.com, the WALB News 10 app and on streaming apps at 7 p.m. every weekday from July 28 to Aug. 12.

SOUTH GEORGIA (WALB) — Five Class 4A Region 1 teams are preparing for the 2026 football season with varying degrees of continuity, new coaching, and unfinished business.

The Bainbridge Bearcats enter the season under first-year head coach Jamie DuBose, who previously coached at Lowndes for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The program went 2-18 over the previous two seasons.

DuBose inherits a senior class of 25 players and has described the group as motivated to change the program’s trajectory.

“These seniors, they’re sick of losing,” DuBose said. “They’ve had two wins in the last two seasons.”

DuBose has identified a fast-tempo identity as the program’s foundation.

“Our motto is smart, fast, and physical,” DuBose said. “We’re a tempo team, and both offensively and defensively, we do things on the run. We think the ball — more times it’s snapped for us on offense, more opportunities we have.”

Jeremy Jones, a transfer from Lee County, is expected to start at quarterback. Benji Dollar is listed as the backup, and freshman Caden Keys is described as a future option at the position. Playmaker Vontrey Willingham is expected to line up at both wide receiver and in the backfield, with X’zabion Jackson among the running back options. Defensively, the Bearcats return starting linemen Korbin Bryant and Kristian Garland. DuBose said the defense, led by multiple returning starters along the line, is expected to be the team’s overall strength.

Meaux projected Bainbridge could finish 6-4, a significant improvement from recent seasons, with winnable matchups against Columbus, Monroe, Shaw, Spencer, and a toss-up game against Dougherty.

Cairo Syrupmakers

The Cairo Syrupmakers are the defending 2025 Class 3A Region 1 champions and return a substantial portion of their roster under head coach David Coleman.

“Each year, it’s a new team, new chemistry, and you have to work to develop that,” Coleman said. “It’s good to have players that have played a lot in the past, but each year, it happens over the course of the fall season.”

Cairo’s defense returns outside linebacker and defensive end Stevan Thornton, who recorded 91 tackles last season. Thornton is listed at 6-foot-5, 213 pounds. Both inside linebackers also return.

Bryian Duncan, a senior committed to West Virginia, is expected to play on both sides of the ball and in special teams. Coleman described Duncan’s versatility as central to the team’s identity.

“Bryian’s always been just a great competitor and a great young man,” Coleman said. “He plays defense. He plays offense, does different things on offense. So he can contribute in so many different ways. He’s that dynamic.”

Junior quarterback Bryce Puckett enters his third year as a starter. Running back Xiquavian Teal also returns. The secondary was identified as the team’s primary question mark, with fewer returning starters in that unit compared to the front seven.

Meaux projected Cairo could go undefeated in the regular season, citing a schedule that includes Thomasville, Worth County, Hardaway, Columbus, Westover, Bainbridge, Dougherty, and Monroe. He identified the game against Westover as the most likely competitive challenge.

Westover Patriots

The Westover Patriots finished as a playoff team last season despite dealing with injuries and two high-profile transfers. Head coach Corey Joyner returns for another season leading the program.

“The best thing that happened [is] that we had a lot of losses, had a lot of people that transferred out,” Joyner said. “And also the injuries didn’t help as well. But what it did was it allowed us to play a lot of young guys. JV guys had to step up and be varsity guys, and they got the experience that they need coming into this season.”

Offensive lineman Kyson Mallard, committed to Louisville, returns after missing time last season with a knee injury. Running back Malik Young, who moved into the starting role from third string in 2025, is expected to carry the bulk of the rushing load. Quarterback Gabriel Hopper and receiver Kel Simmons also return. Westover also returns three defensive linemen and four players in the secondary.

Joyner described the program’s approach as built on discipline.

“You’re going to do it the way I asked you to do it,” Joyner said. “And until things change, you’re going to do it the way I asked you to do it, or you just can’t play here.”

Meaux projected Westover could finish 9-1, with the only projected loss coming at Cairo. A Sept. 11 road game at Cairo was identified as the likely region title deciding matchup.

Dougherty Trojans

The Dougherty Trojans enter the season with a young roster. Head coach Uyl Joyner said senior linebackers will serve as the leadership core for a team that includes a sophomore quarterback and multiple sophomore skill players.

“We really are a young team this year,” Joyner said. “We got experience in the right places. But we’re young up front. Our whole O-line will be back next year. Quarterback is a sophomore. We got three sophomore receivers that’s making plays.”

Sophomore quarterback Micah Joyner is expected to start. Wide receiver David Burgess — who played some quarterback last season — returns as a full-time receiver. Joyner said Burgess is considered one of the better receivers in Georgia.

“Right now it’s about competing for us,” Joyner said. “It’s about keeping our composure when times get bad.”

Dougherty opens the season with a bye week before facing Sumter County. Meaux projected the Trojans at 6-4, noting that the three toughest region games — against Cairo, Westover, and Bainbridge — do not come until October.

Monroe Golden Tornadoes

Monroe enters the season under first-year head coach Bo Daniels, who came from the Westover coaching staff. The Golden Tornadoes went 3-7 last season. Daniels said he is emphasizing a culture he calls “NADAS” — an acronym for no excuses, accountability, discipline, all-in, and sacrifice.

“Coming off the spring game, the biggest thing has been to continue to set our culture and be natives in everything that we do,” Daniels said. “Working hard in the weight room, conditioning, getting the mental aspect of the game down pat, watching the film.”

Jordyn Shorter is expected to start at quarterback after primarily playing receiver and tight end in previous seasons. The team returns five players with experience in the trenches. Junior defensive back Isaiah Rivers was identified as a key player in the secondary.

Daniels said the team has made progress since the spring.

“We’re making progress,” Daniels said. “The team that we are now is not the same team from the spring game. We’ve gotten better. We’ve gotten an identity. We’re more physical. We’re more stronger. We’re more mentally strong.”

Monroe opens with a game against Colquitt County before a bye week. Meaux projected Monroe at 4-6, with winnable games against Hardaway, Columbus, Spencer, and Shaw.

The 2026 GHSA football season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 21.

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