Bleckley County Royals Seek Redemption in Rivalry Game Against Dodge County
The 1-0 Royals will face the Dodge County Indians in Eastman on Friday night for their 48th all-time matchup
COCHRAN, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – Week Two of the high school football season brings one of Middle Georgia’s fiercest rivalries back into the spotlight as the Bleckley County Royals prepare for a rematch with the Dodge County Indians in the Endzone’s Game of the Week.
The Royals, led by ninth-year head coach Von Lassiter, opened 2025 with a 35-13 win over Rutland. Now sitting at 1-0, Bleckley County has its sights set on redemption after falling to Dodge County 19-16 on a last-second play last season at Shelly Hayes Field in Royal Stadium.
Bleckley finished the 2024 season with five wins, but six of its seven losses came by a combined six points, including a four-point defeat to Fitzgerald in the second round of the playoffs. Lassiter said this year’s team is hungry to turn the page and take the next step.
The Royals graduated 16 seniors, but several new leaders are stepping in. Senior defensive backs and wide receivers Josh Stanley Jr. and Eric Burns are making plays in place of standouts Tyrek Mack and Nykez Farrow, who is now at Valdosta State. Junior quarterback Brody Fleming has taken over under center, while senior center John Teston anchors the offensive line. Junior running back Deondrez Robertson is also expected to carry a heavy load, with Lassiter adjusting the playbook to emphasize the ground game more in the Rutland victory. Which could be key heading into game that will be won in the trenches with rain possible in the forecast.
On defense, linemen Tug Pasby and Kmarion McLintock are among those looking to create havoc in the backfield. Lassiter said the leadership from players such as Jireh Campbell, Terrollieo Brimidge, Landry Nobles and Pat Roberts has been key to the team’s growth.
“You know, it’s their time. It’s their turn to do this,” Lassiter said. “Those guys are gonna step up. They’re gonna make plays, they’re gonna make mistakes. They’re gonna hold each other accountable when they do, and they’re gonna encourage each other to get better.”
The Royals have dominated the series in recent years, winning five straight before last season’s defeat. They have not lost in Eastman since 2018. A win over Dodge County, Lassiter said, could set the tone for the rest of the season.
“It’s a game that we all look forward to,” he said. “It’s a fun time in our school building when we play this game. It’s a fun time in our community, and then it’s electric on Friday night.”
Kickoff between Bleckley County and Dodge County is set for Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Eastman at Memorial Stadium. Tune into highlights from the game, and several others, on The Endzone on 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Catch live pregame coverage from John M. Peacock Field on Friday during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.
