Class AD1 Preview: Northeast looks to bounce back following state title loss

Since head coach Jeremy Wiggins took over the Northeast football program in 2018, the Raiders have continued to see tremendous success on the field.
The Raiders have compiled five eight-plus win seasons in a row and look to continue their streak headed into the 2025 season.
Last season was the farthest the program has ever gone in the GHSA state playoffs as they are coming off its first-ever state championship appearance a year ago after compiling a 12-3 record before falling to Toombs County in the state title game.
Now entering his eighth season at Northeast, Wiggins and the Raiders have made the postseason for a program-record five-straight times, with a first round appearance, two second round appearances, a quarterfinals appearance and the state championship appearance last year.
Knowing what it took to get to the state championship game a season ago, the 2025 Northeast team knows not only are they prepared to put in the work once again, but they won't accept anything less than making it back to Mercedes-Benz Stadium headed into the new season.
“After seeing how surreal making it to state feels, we're definitely not settling for anything less than that,” said Northeast senior linebacker Tailen Sampson. “Over the offseason we’ve been working 100x harder nonstop. My outlook on the season is that we should not only be undefeated region champs but also state champions.”
Sampson led an impressive Northeast defensive unit that held opponents to under 10 points scored in six different matchups last season.
For the Raiders, Sampson totaled a number of team-highs including 132 tackles to go along with 20 tackles for loss on his way to an impressive junior showing.
On offense, the Raiders return quarterback Reginald “Bam” Glover who played a very prominent role in the teams offense from a season ago as he totaled 1,245 yards through the air on a 54% completion percentage and threw for 18 touchdowns. While he is a talented passer, Glover is just as dangerous with his legs as he totaled 1,317 yards a season ago, averaging just about 88 yards per game and finding the endzone on 14 different occasions on the ground.
Grover only trailed standout running back Nick Woodford as he accumulated 2,603 yards on the ground during his senior season a year ago while rushing for 37 touchdowns.
Replacing Woodruff on the field is no easy task but the Raiders will be well equipped and ready to roll when the season comes around.
With plenty of talent coming back on the roster, expect the Northeast Raiders to capitalize off of their historic season a year ago and keep the train rolling heading into the new season.