PHOTOS: High School Football Week 1

Photos from week one of high school football on August 16-17, 2024.

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Sports
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August 19, 2024
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Photos from Central versus Dougherty Co., Westside versus Howard, Northeast versus Peach Co., Southwest versus Macon Co., Rutland versus Bleckley Co. and Tattnall versus Brookstone. Photos by Mark Powell, Donn Kester, Donn Rodenroth and Jason Vorhees.

A football player wearing a black uniform with the number 5 is running with the ball while being pursued by a player in a white uniform with the number 6.
Northeast quarterback Reginald Glover (5) runs for a first down during the Raiders’ game against Peach County Friday night.
A football player wearing a white uniform is tackled by a player in a black uniform.
Peach County quarterback DJ Hudson Jr. (1) is taken down by Northeast linebacker Tailen Sampson (16) during their game Friday night.
A football player wearing a black uniform with the number 77 reaches for the ball while of a player in a white uniform with the number 11.
Northeast offensive lineman Zantavius Towles (77) collects a tipped ball for a short catch during the Raiders’ game against Peach County Friday night.
A football player wearing a white uniform with the number 12 runs between two players in black uniforms.
Peach County running back Ashton Barton (12) splits through a couple of Northeast defenders for a long touchdown run during their game Friday night.
A football coach wearing a black shirt and hat talks with a player on a crowed sideline.
Northeast coach Jeremy Wiggins speaks with players on the sideline during the Raiders’ game against Peach County Friday night.
A football player wearing a blue uniform stretches for a ball in the air behind him while being a player in a white uniform with the number 6 falls to the ground.
Southwest defensive back Montese Green tips Macon County’s Eric Rice’s (6) attempted pass before being intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Southwest’ Kaleb Taylor during their game Friday night.
A football player wearing a blue uniform runs with the ball down the sidelines while being followed by teammates.
Southwest defensive lineman Kaleb Taylor (36) returns a tipped pass for a touchdown during the Patriots’ game against Macon County Friday night.
A football player wearing a blue uniform with the number 18 runs between two players in white uniforms.
Southwest wide receiver Jamarea Watkins (18) heads to the end zone for a touchdown during the Patriots’ game against Macon County Friday night.
A football player wearing a blue uniform with the number 18 is tackled to the ground with the ball in the air by a player in a white uniform with the number 2.
Macon County’s Jhai’Marrion Whitehead (2) breaks up a pass intended for Southwest receiver Jamarea Watkins (18) Friday night.
A football player wearing a white uniform with the number 6 is tackled to the ground with the ball by a player in a blue uniform with the number 13.
Macon County’s Kelan Harpe (6) is sacked by Southwest Ricardo Byse (13) during their game Friday night.
A football player wearing a white uniform with the number 9 catches the ball in front of two players in a blue uniforms.
Macon County’s Joah Fulks (9) intercepts a pass from Southwest quarterback Chris Golphin (3) in the fourth quarter of their game Friday night.
A football player wearing a white uniform with the number 13 signals for a touchdown while players in white and orange uniforms stand in the background.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Bleckley County dominated the first half, leading 24-0 at intermission. Kaden Perkins (13) celebrates Joshua Stanley’s rushing TD for the Royals.
A football player wearing a orange uniform with the number 15 is tackled by a player in white uniform.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Bleckley County dominated the first half, leading 24-0 at intermission. Rutland QB Brandon Elliott fights for yards against Bleckley’s stifling defense.
A football player wearing a orange uniform with the number 15 throws the ball with no one around him.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Bleckley County dominated the first half, leading 24-0 at intermission. Rutland junior QB Brandon Elliott (15) attempts a pass under pressure.
A football player wearing a orange uniform with the number 5 is tackled while in the air by players in white uniforms.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Bleckley County dominated the first half, leading 24-0 at intermission. Rutland QB Antonio Taylor (5) is tackled by multiple Royal defenders.
A football player wearing a white uniform with the number 7 waits for a thrown ball while being defended by a player in an orange uniform.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Bleckley County dominated the first half, leading 24-0 at intermission. Bleckley’s Tyreck Mack (7) receives a pass after eluding Rutland’s TZ Zellner (5).
A football player wearing a garnet uniform with the number 17 catches a thrown ball while being defended by a player in an white uniform with the number 19.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Syveon Hodges (17) of Westside records a reception over Howard’s Jaylen Brown (19).
A football coach wearing red visor hugs a player on the field of play with coaches and players waiting behind them.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, the Westside defense celebrates holding Howard scoreless to begin overtime.
A football player in a white uniform with the number 21 runs past a player in an garnet uniform.
In the second game of Saturday’s inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Howard’s Jaidon Grayer (21) returns Westside’s opening kickoff for a touchdown.
A football player in a white uniform with the number 1 runs towards a player in an garnet uniform with the number 12.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, Howard’s Deon Wellons (1) faces off against a Westside defender.
A football player in a garnet uniform with the number 2 breaks up a pass intended for a player in an white uniform with the number 18.
In the inaugural Gridiron Classic hosted by FVSU, CB Jayden Williams (2) of Westside breaks up a pass intended for Howard’s Robert Newkirk (18).
A football player in a white uniform with the number 5 hands the ball to a teammate with the number 3.
Charger QB # 5 Justin Releford hands off to #3 EJ Avant. Special to The Macon Melody by Donn Kester 08/16/2024
A football player in a white uniform with the number 15 falls to the ground between teammates and players in dark red uniforms.
Charger # 15 Austin Shannon is upended on a kick off return. Special to The Macon Melody by Donn Kester 08/16/2024
A football player in a white uniform with the number 5 runs with the ball between teammates and players in dark red uniforms.
Charger # 3 AJ Avant finds a hole for a 5 yard gain Special to The Macon Melody by Donn Kester 08/16/2024
A football coach points to the right while taking with a player in a white uniform with the number 71.
Chargers Coach Jarrett Laws coaches # 71 Jaylen Minter. Special to The Macon Melody by Donn Kester 08/16/2024
A football player in a white uniform with the number 11 runs and player in dark red uniform with the number 15 jump in the air for a thrown ball.
Trojan # 15 Jayden Owens breaks up a Charger Pass. Special to The Macon Melody by Donn Kester 08/16/2024
A football player in a white uniform with the number 11 looks to pass the ball while player in blue uniform runs towards him.
Tattnall’s middle linebacker Anson Talcott (54) pressures Brookstone quarterback Carson Lott.
A football player in a blue uniform with the ball is tackled by a player in white uniform with the number 3.
Tattnall’s Christian Weeks with a big 1st quarter reception that set up Tattnall for their first touchdown of the night against Brookstone..
A football player in a blue uniform with the number 7 loses control of the ball while being tackled by a player in white uniform.
Tattnall’s Christian Weeks fumbles a kick off return in the first half against Brookstone.
A football player in a blue uniform with the number 3 runs the ball while a players in blue and white uniforms lie on the ground behind him.
Antone Johnson of Tattnall scoops up a fumble from Tattnall’s Christian Weeks on a kick off return in the first half against Brookstone.
A football player in a blue uniform with the number 1 runs the ball while being tackled by a player in white uniform.
Tattnall’s wide receiver Ty Hunnicutt gains a couple yards after a reception Friday night against Brookstone.
A football player in a white uniform with the number 10 is tackled with the ball by a player in blue uniform.
Tattnall defensive tackle Cameron Brown sack Brookstone quarterback Broughton Branch in action Friday night,

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Author
Jason Vorhees

Jason is our photographer. An award-winning journalist, he has spent more than 25 years capturing the sights, sounds and people of Middle Georgia. He lives in Macon with his wife, Brandi, and their sons Cooper and Evan. Jason is an avid sports fan and bourbon aficionado.

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