Northeast Raiders Ready for Region Showdown With Dodge County in the Game of the Week
With Region 2-A Division I title hopes on the line, the Northeast Raiders (6-2, 6-1) aim to tighten the details and continue their dominant defensive streak on the road in Eastman
MACON, Georgia – (41NBC/WMGT) – As the high school football regular season nears its close, Week 11 brings one of the most anticipated matchups of the year – a Region 2 Class A Division I battle between the Northeast Raiders and the Dodge County Indians, featured as The End Zone’s Game of the Week.
The 6-2 Raiders have once again put together a stellar season under head coach Jeremy Wiggins, looking poised for another deep playoff run. Northeast has averaged 30 points per game this season while giving up just 61 total points, including four straight shutouts earlier this fall.
Aside from a 33-point opener against Peach County, the Raiders’ defense has been nearly impenetrable, surrendering only 28 points in region play, half of those coming in a narrow loss to Bleckley County in Week 8.
Anchoring the defense are senior captains, linebackers Tailen Sampson and Tayvon Shivers, who have combined for more than 130 tackles, while defensive captains Amari “Agent Zero” White and Isaiah Stubbs have tallied 10 sacks. In the secondary, juniors Keiland “Juju” Miley and Kortnei Williams have accounted for nine of the team’s 16 interceptions.
Offensively, the Raiders have found a star in freshman quarterback Jordan Wiggins, who ranks among the top five in Class A Division I with over 1,600 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just five interceptions – while also leading the team in rushing. The young signal-caller has spread the ball effectively, with four receivers eclipsing the 300-yard mark this season.
Senior Captain Reginald “Bam” Glover, last year’s starting quarterback, has shifted roles and thrived as a playmaker, leading the team in all-purpose yards with more than 700 – 300 more yards than the next player.
Coach Wiggins said the team’s focus has been on sharpening execution as the playoffs approach.
“Just staying disciplined, staying focused, really picking up our film, and cleaning up the little details,” Wiggins said. “We want to be real good on special teams and keep improving in the red zone each week.”
Glover echoed that message of consistency.
“Play how we practice – come to practice, work hard, and execute in the game,” he said. “This year we’ve improved in the passing game. We’re more balanced, and the chemistry is real strong.”
Junior safety Emmanuel “Eman” Thorpe added,
“I trust these boys and they trust me. We stay locked in and come out Friday ready to give it everything we’ve got.”
The Raiders will need that energy when they take on a tough Dodge County squad Friday night. Although Northeast won last year’s meeting by 21 points, players say they aren’t overlooking the 6-2 Indians.
“Them boys are good over there,” Thorpe said. “They’ve got a good program, and we know we have to be ready to play, but I feel like we’re going to come out on top victorious.”
Coach Wiggins emphasized the importance of focus heading into what could be the most important game of the season, with both teams tied atop the region standings alongside Dublin.
“The mindset is we’ve got to take care of business,” Wiggins said. “This is a huge game for us and Dodge County, with the region title and power rankings on the line. We know we’ll get their best shot, and they’ll get ours. It should be a great game.”
With the Raiders aiming for win number five in region play and their shot at region supremacy, all eyes will be on Eastman Friday night at Memorial Stadium, as two powerhouse programs clash in the 10th all-time meeting between the Raiders and the Indians. 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.
