Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews - North Gwinnett

Following a trip to the quarterfinals a season ago, head coach Eric Godfree enters his third season leading the North Gwinnett football program. Godfree and the Bulldogs have won over eight games in three-straight seasons as they remain as one of the premier teams in the state heading into the new season. Following last season's defeat against Buford in the quarterfinals, the North Gwinnett Bulldogs are seeking their second state championship appearance of the decade, following their title in 2017. As he begins his third season with the Bulldogs, Godfree has been able to keep North Gwinnett as a perennial powerhouse in 6A with a 12-1 record a season ago including an undefeated region schedule, awarding them a Region 7-6A title over teams such as Brookwood and Norcross. The 465 points the offense scored were the most by a Bulldog team since 2019 while the 193 points the defense let up were the least since 2020. Though they lost a lot of production from last year's team, Godfree and North Gwinnett will be ready to go once the season opens up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Mascot: Bulldogs

County: Gwinnett

Head Coach: Eric Godfree (2023-2025)

Coach’s School Record: 20-5

Coach’s Overall Record: 143-92

2024 Record: 12-1

2024 Region Rank: 1st

2024 Playoff Finish: Quarterfinals (L 43-7, Buford)

Overall School Record: 373-306-9 (1961-2024)

State Championships: 2017 (7A)

Key Returning Offensive Starters: Zachary Lewis (OL), Braylon Jackson (WR), Kalil Mazone (RB)

Key Returning Defensive Starters: Jake Godfree (LB), Chauncey Davis (CB), Ethan Robinson (LB), Connor Coxwell (DE)

Returning Kickers: Liam Hughey (K)

Key Newcomers: Elam Rahman (QB), Stephen Brown (RB)

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 4-3

School Enrollment: 3,097

This year's North Gwinnett roster will have to replace some valuable production from a year ago as the upperclassmen-led Bulldogs from last season have gotten much younger heading into 2025. For the first time in three seasons, North Gwinnett will have a new face under center as Elam Rahman takes the reins and looks to lead the Bulldogs to glory in 2025. The rising-junior has served as the back-up quarterback to longtime signal-caller and last year's recipient of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association North Offensive Player of the Year, Ryan Hall, and will now get his first full season as the starting quarterback.

Losing important offensive skill position players such as leading rusher Tommy Lafayette and leading receivers Erik Ronning and Nicholas Bookman opens the door for familiar faces to make the leap into more prominent roles for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs lost five of their six leading receivers from a year ago to transfers or graduation. Running backs Stephen Brown and Kalil Mazone return as the leading rushers for this year's team. While they are dealing with turnover on offense, their defense will also have some new names making plays for this season.

With the losses of Malekhi Weedon, Cole Funderburk, CJ Hollinquest and Braxton Kyle there will be plenty of opportunities for guys to make plays on defense this season for North Gwinnett. Linebacker Jake Godfree returns following a stellar sophomore season a year ago where he led the team with 129 total tackles and managed to accumulate 19 tackles for loss. Another linebacker to watch, rising-senior Ethan Robinson will be back along with Connor Coxwell off the edge as the two combined for 148 total tackles and 33 tackles for loss last season. Expect the Bulldogs defense to continue to wreak havoc on opposing offenses with plenty of talent remaining on the roster.