Daily Dive: Northeast Georgia football players to watch

As we reach the halfway point of the season, teams and players have demonstrated their full potential. The Northeastern part of the state has more talent than it has in years. Many of these breakout players are helping their teams exceed preseason expectations.

Flowery Branch’s Tre Shields is one of the state’s breakout stars so far in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound wide receiver has been one of the biggest reasons the Falcons have started 4-1 this season. Shields transferred in the offseason from Gainesville to Flowery Branch. While this year is the first time he is getting playing time, you wouldn’t know it by how he plays. He has caught 18 passes for 422 yards and four touchdowns this season. This past week, in the biggest game of the season, Shields had four catches for 153 yards and a touchdown, helping the Falcons come away with the win against Eastside and start region play 1-0.

Dawson County receiver Dylan Edwards has been the Tigers’ most reliable pass catcher through four games. So far this season, he has made 35 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns. While Dawson County has not had the start they wanted in year one under Jaybo Shaw, there are many reasons for optimism about the rest of the season. With Edwards as the lead receiver and the offense being as explosive as it is, the Tigers should contend for a playoff spot.

Flowery Branch linebacker Ryland Garrison has been one of the most productive linebackers in the state. The 6-foot, 180-pound linebacker has seemingly been everywhere this season, making 64 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks through five games. So far this season, he has had double-digit tackles in every game, anchoring the Falcon defense.

Lumpkin County senior running back Nolan Matthews has been a dominant force on the ground, powering the Indians to a 3-2 record. Matthews is one of the state’s leading rushers, already amassing 892 yards and 14 touchdowns through five games. In those five games, he has broken 200 yards twice and rushed for no fewer than 135 yards in every game. Because of Matthews, coach Heath Webb’s team looks like it can beat anyone and possibly even challenge region front-runner North Hall.

Winder-Barrow’s Demetrius Dowdy is one of the state’s leading rushers and has kept the Bulldogs’ heads above water through a brutal non-region schedule. Through six games, Dowdy has 1,063 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He has accounted for nearly half of the team’s offense this season. His most impressive game of the year so far came two weeks ago against county rival Apalachee, where he ran for 321 yards and five touchdowns.

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