Last Season: East Paulding 38 Woodland 13 (at E.Paulding)
A matchup between two teams that are both entering their 2nd season under their new coaching staffs. At the helm for the Raiders is Chris Hirschfield and at Woodland Wildcats are led by Brandon Haywood. Both teams play tough Region schedules later in the year and will be looking to get off on a positive note to start the 2023 season.
East Paulding Raiders: The Raiders have made some noise this offseason at the 7v7 and the padded camps they have attended. They return Senior QB Baylor Thomason who passed for over 1000-yds last season as well as Junior RB Javen Parker who went for over 1000-yds on the ground. ’25 6’3 WR Camron Jones also returns after leading the Raiders in receptions.
4 Other Players to Watch:
#94 Chris Stokes (’24 6’5 310 DE): the recent Marshall commit is tough to block. You want to runaway not toward him.
#9 Norvis Martinez (’24 6’0 210 LB): This kid is a ball player. Loves to hit.
#75 David Postell (’24 6’4 275 OL): Good offseason for the big guy picking up offers from Ga State and UAB among others.
#95 Landon Shaffer (’25 5’9 150 K): Thats right a kicker. Maybe the best in NW/W GA.
Woodland Wildcats: A lot of experience returning on both sides of the ball for the Wildcats, who play in the gauntlet Region 7-5A. They also return their QB/RB combo in Senior QB Brelace Williams (6’3 180) and Jr RB Isaiah Livsey who garnered 1st Team All Region honors last season.
4 Other Players to Watch:
#2 Jamarion Walker (’24 5’9 135): The Wildcats reception leader in ’22. Heck of a track athlete. Picked up Shorter offer earlier this Summer.
#74 Kwadrus Wilson (’24 6’0 240): Quick for a big man. Also picked up a Shorter offer post camp.
#78 Sam Carlsen (’24 6’3 260): Athletic big man that also picked up an offer from Shorter.
#3 Zach Wiggins (’24 6’0 170): 1st Team All Region FS for the Wildcats in ’22.
Calpreps Prediction: East Paulding by 9
NwGaFootball Prediction: Will be a fun to game to watch. Two of the best Jr RBs in our area going head to head. I like the East Paulding defense, especially in a game early in the season before the offenses have a chance to gel. East Paulding 28 Woodland 7