Macon County Eyes Back-to-Back Region Titles in Rivalry Clash with Taylor County

The Macon County Bulldogs (4-5, 4-1) look to cap their season off with another region crown with a regular season finale victory over the Taylor County Vikings (7-2, 5-0) Friday night as small-town pride takes center stage in Montezuma in the End Zone's Week 12 Game of the Week

MONTEZUMA, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – The regular season finale doesn’t get more “Friday night lights” than this. Two small-town schools with a combined student body of just 700 will square off in one of Georgia’s longest-running rivalries – and a region title on the line.

The Macon County Bulldogs (4-5, 4-1 Region 6-A Division II) host the Taylor County Vikings on Friday night at Adams-Maffett Field, with hopes of capturing back-to-back region championships under second-year head coach Kurt Williams.

After an 0-5 start in non-region play, the young Bulldogs – featuring just four seniors –  found their rhythm in time for region competition. They’ve since won four straight, averaging 40 points per game, and scoring over 40 in each victory.

“It’s been great to see them grow up through the region and be able to win two in a row,” Williams said. “Hopefully we’re playing our best ball in November.”

A big part of that offensive surge has been junior running back Jakeyveon Parker, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Parker’s bruising ground game will likely be front and center Friday, especially in what’s expected to be cold and wet conditions.

On the defensive side, senior linebacker Timothy Warren has anchored the unit with more than 50 tackles, including 10 for loss and a sack, as the Bulldogs have allowed just 15 points per game in region play, including a shutout over Chattahoochee County.

“We had a turnover bug early in the year,” Williams said. “But we’ve done a better job taking care of the ball and not giving people short fields. That’s been a huge improvement for us.”

Following in the footsteps of former head coach Dexter Copeland hasn’t been easy, but Williams has continued the program’s winning standard. A victory Friday would give Macon County its 17th region championship and its first back-to-back titles since Copeland accomplished the feat in 2020 and 2021.

It won’t come easy against their oldest rival. The Bulldogs have won 10 straight over Taylor County, including a 20–3 victory last season in Butler, but Williams knows history means little in rivalry week.

“This is the second year in a row playing them for the region championship,” he said. “They’re a great team. We just have to play hard, stay composed, and execute.”

For Macon County, the stakes are clear – win and allow fewer than 20 points, and they’ll host a home playoff game to go along with the region crown.

“This is a big one,” Parker said. “We’re locked in. We have to focus and work together, but we’re ready.”

Kickoff between Macon County and Taylor County is set for Friday night in Montezuma, marking the 29th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Bulldogs lead the series 19–9 and will look to make it 20 wins – and another region championship – under the lights. Catch highlights from this game of the week, along with others, on the End Zone during 41NBC News at 11 p.m. Tune into pregame coverage live from Adams-Maffett Field during 41NBC News at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m.