Houston County Bears take on the Northside Eagles in our Game of the Week
The Bears (5-1) look to make it three in a row against the Eagles (2-4) Friday night at Freedom Field
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The Houston County Bears are coming off their 56-0 shutout victory over Veterans in their first Region 2-AAAAA matchup of the season. HOCO Head Coach Jeremy Edwards not only has this team clicking – but has these bears dominating their opponents this season.
Led by two seniors on offense, the 5-1 Bears have been lighting up the scoreboard. Quarterback Antwaan Hill and Wide Receiver Isaiah Mitchell have helped the Bears put up almost 300 points so far in just six games; averaging over 45 points a game.
From stats obtained by MaxPreps, Hill is leading the entire state of Georgia in passing yards, while being ranked 44th in the country, with 1,709 yards through the air on a 69% completion rating, to go along with 22 touchdown throws and just one interception.
However, the four star Memphis commit couldn’t do it on his own though. Mitchell is sitting at a number four ranking in the state in receiving yards at 703, while averaging over 15 yards a catch and nine touchdowns so far in 2024.
Although, the wins are not obtainable without the defense squad. Houston County is only allowing half of what they are averaging on the scoreboard, at 23 points a game.
The Bears have switched gears in this rivalry game having grounded the Eagles the last two years, and five of the last nine matchups, including a 42-14 victory in 2023.
Coach Edwards is proud of how far this team has come this season on and off the field, including the two seniors making it happen every Friday night.
Now, the third year Bears coach is ready to have his senior’s shine once again to help this team stay undefeated in region play against an Eagles team he hasn’t lost to yet.
“They’ve done a really, really good job in preparation before the season. Going into your senior year, you never know what you’re going to get. ‘Are they going to have “Senioritis”? Not the case in our guys” said Coach Edwards at Tuesday’s practice.
“They’ve worked really hard on the passing game and the timing. Times when we weren’t out here, they were out here throwing and working together. Not just those two, but all of them. We got a lot of gym rats that we got to kick out of here a lot because they just love ball, so its just good to be around kids like that” said Coach Edwards.
HOCO QB Hill said “We just need to execute our game plan that we’ve been working the whole week, offense, defense, and special teams because that plays a big part too, so if we all just execute and do our jobs, go 1-0 this whole week, and then just execute the game plan on Friday, I feel like we will be good.”
“Me and the quarterback have a great relationship” said Mitchell at practice. “We talk on and off the field. If you watch film they like to press a little bit. I love when they press. A little off coverage, they love to do one-on-ones. I’m going to take advantage of it. They have a little fast [defensive back] over there so we’re going to see what he’s up to.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Freedom Field.
Catch live pregame coverage during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. Don’t miss highlights from our Game of the Week, and others, on this Friday’s edition of The End Zone during 41NBC News at 11.
