Red-Hot Dodge County Eyes Region Supremacy in Clash with Northeast

The Dodge County Indians (7-1, 6-1) ride a five-game winning streak and an explosive offense into a pivotal Region 2-A Division I showdown at Memorial Stadium for the Week 11 Game of the Week

EASTMAN, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – With just two weeks left in the regular season, late-region showdowns can make or break playoff hopes, and Friday night’s matchup in Eastman is no exception.

The 7-1 Dodge County Indians are rolling into their Region 2-A Division I battle against Northeast on a five-game winning streak, averaging more than 30 points per game while holding opponents to just 15. In fact, they’ve hit the 30-point mark in every contest this season except their lone loss to ACE in Week 4.

Head coach Philip Brown, now in his second season, said that early setback served as a turning point.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Brown said. “They could have easily lost that game and folded, but they’ve had a positive mindset throughout this. They want to get better, and that’s all we can ask of them.”

That mindset has translated to dominant football. Even without standout Duke Johnson, the offense hasn’t skipped a beat thanks to junior quarterback Kain Mincey, who ranks second in the state in Class A Division I passing yards, and 19 touchdowns, with only six interceptions.

His top targets have been dynamic junior wideouts Jauriel Bray and Jeremiah Burns. Bray, who earned his first college offer from Tulane last weekend, has 644 yards and eight touchdowns on 35 receptions. Burns isn’t far behind, hauling in 600 yards and six scores on 28 catches – both ranking among the state’s top 10 receivers.

On defense, the Indians have tightened up, led by a secondary that snatched five interceptions in last week’s win. Senior Terrance Fordham Jr. leads the team in picks after grabbing two in that game, while sophomore Peyton Butts anchors the defense with a team-high in tackles and three sacks. Up front, senior captain Tecarian “Big T” Williams, a 6-foot-4, 360-pound force, sets the tone in the trenches.

The team’s growth and unity have been key, Williams said.

“Everybody’s playing for each other, not being selfish,” Williams said. “We’re playing as a team, as a brotherhood, coming in every day and putting in the work.”

Fordham added that it’s about commitment.

“Everybody’s on one level, doing what we’re supposed to do and playing Dodge County football,” he said. “There’s always something to improve, but we’re getting better every week.”

Friday’s matchup carries major implications, with Dodge County and Northeast both 6-1 in region play, tied atop the standings. The two programs also share mutual respect. Brown said he speaks weekly with Northeast head coach Jeremy Wiggins, including just this past Saturday.

“We’re where we want to be,” Brown said. “That ACE loss opened our eyes, but we’ve fixed a lot since then. Now the level steps up. Coach Wiggins has a great team, and this is a big game for us – program-wise – to see where we’re at.”

For Dodge County’s seniors, it’s also personal. The Indians fell to Northeast by three touchdowns last season, and they’re eager for redemption.

“Last year was bad, a team loss and a personal loss,” Fordham said. “It’s a little personal this time.”

“I’m not trying to do too much,” Williams added. “Just doing what the coaches tell us to do.”

Coach Brown said he’s seen a complete culture shift in his players’ approach to late-season football, something that was missing just a year ago.

“Coming into a place that had been 1-9, they weren’t used to meaningful football this late,” Brown said. “Now, their focus is different. A win like this could change the trajectory of our program for the next few years.”

With region title hopes and playoff positioning on the line, Dodge County hosts Northeast in the 10th all-time meeting between the two schools, and the Week 11 Game of the Week at Memorial Stadium. Catch highlights from this game, along with several others, on The Endzone Friday night during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Tune into pregame coverage live from Peacock Field during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m.