The Dodge County Indians look to repeat their 19-16 winning performance over the Bleckley County Royals, to start the 2025 season
EASTMAN, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Two region rivals are gearing up for a showdown Friday night as Dodge County and Bleckley County meet again in a rematch of last year’s Week Two Game of the Week.
The Indians stunned many in 2024 by bouncing back from a 1-9 season in 2023 to finish 9-3 under first-year head coach Phillip Brown. Dodge County opened last year with a thrilling three-point win over Bleckley County, then rattled off seven straight victories to start the season 8-0. The momentum slowed late, with the Indians losing three of their final four games, including a second-round playoff loss to Worth County.
Despite the tough finish, Brown has his team believing in 2025. The Indians will look to build on last season’s turnaround, though they’ll have to replace around 10 seniors, including star linebacker ‘Duke’ Johnson, a five-star recruit now at the University of Alabama.
Brown leaned on underclassmen last year, and that experience could give Dodge County an edge this season. Key returners include All-State junior kick returner and wide receiver Jeremiah Burns, senior nose tackle Tecarion “Big T” Williams, junior safety Kawaski Robinson, and junior quarterback Kain Mincey. Linebacker and runningback Jamal Smith, who shined against Bleckley County in last year’s opener before injuries sidelined him, is also eager to step into a bigger role.
“Last year we set the bar really high, but our message all offseason has been ‘chase’. Chase what we believe in and the pillars of our program: hard work, energy, accountability, resilience and team,” Brown said. “We want to continue to have those show up in ball games. Our message all week is, block out the noise.”
Players echoed that focus heading into Friday’s rivalry matchup.
“It just means a lot. We’re coming in, day by day, putting in our work, doing whatever it takes to win,” Smith said. “They’re working hard, the same as we are working, just got to come out on top.”
Coach Brown gave praise to his upcoming opponent. “Got to execute. Coach Lassiter and his staff always do a really good job. They’re going to be prepared for this game. We’ve got to be able to adjust, play fast and play physical.”
The Indians are coming off a bye week in Week One, and Brown believes his junior-heavy squad has the tools to bring Dodge County its eighth region championship and first since 2020. However, the Royals are determined to spoil those plans, keeping the cross-county rivalry alive and well under the Friday night lights in Eastman.
The Dodge County Indians will host the Bleckley County Royals Friday, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. under the lights of John M. Peacock field at Memorial Stadium. Tune into highlights from the game on The Endzone, during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Catch live pregame coverage from Memorial Stadium during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.
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