Jones County Opens Season Under New Head Coach Justin Montgomery
The Greyhounds prepare for the Veterans Warhawks in a battle of two new Middle Georgia Head Coaches and a rematch of the 2024 season opener
GRAY, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Jones County Greyhounds will kick off their 2025 football season Friday night at Freedom Field against the Veterans Warhawks, in a opening season rematch from 2024, featuring two programs with new head coaches.
For Jones County, that new leader is Justin Montgomery, who takes over the purple and gold after a successful run as defensive coordinator at Carrollton from 2021 to 2024. During his time there, Montgomery helped guide the Trojans to two state championship game appearances.
Montgomery isn’t new to Middle Georgia. He began his coaching career at John Milledge Academy in 2012 and later served as co-defensive coordinator under former Greyhounds head coach Mike Chastain for the Warner Robins Demons.
He inherits a program that went 10-2 last season but suffered a close second-round playoff loss to Marist. The Greyhounds have had six 10-plus win seasons in the last decade, a feat that took the program its first 85 years to accomplish, according to Georgia High School Football History Association records.
Jones County will need to replace 22 graduated seniors, including six who are now playing college football. Among them are three players now in the Atlantic Coastal Conference: Jaivon Solomon, Zacari Thomas and Javion Butts.
Montgomery and senior lineman Garrett Green say this year’s team will lean on its offensive line and special teams to push for the program’s first-ever state championship.
“A ton of growth,” Montgomery said. “We tell our guys we’re either growing or decaying, and so that’s the big thing for us, making sure we’re growing every single day. That happens with our habits. Once you get your routine down and your habits right, then you can really start focusing on being a championship program.”
Green credited Montgomery for improving the team’s energy and culture since his arrival. “Greatest coach I’ve ever played with,” Green said. “Practice has been better, tempo has been better, culture has been a lot better. He goes by these words: tough times don’t last, tough people do.”
Montgomery expects a tough opener against Veterans. “Coach Devo (Steven DeVoursney) has got a good staff. He’s been successful everywhere he’s been. We expect a really good football team that’s going to play sound, fundamental football, and that’s what we want to bring too.”
As for their season goals, Green put it simply: “We’re very hungry. We’re ready to get that ring.”
The Jones County Greyhounds head to Freedom Field Friday night to take on the Veterans Warhawks at 7:30 p.m. Tune into The Endzone on 41NBC News at 11 p.m. for highlights of the game and more.
