Rebuilding Burke County still eyeing staggering heights

Burke County is coming off a resurgent season under second-year head coach Franklin Stephens. The Bears made a run to the state finals behind their traditional triple-option offense.
Stephens is one of the states the most accomplished coaches in recent memory. Across five different stops, he has posted a 181-49-1 record, won 39 playoff games, made four finals appearances, and captured two state championships, all in just 18 seasons. This coming season, he looks to lead the Bears back to the mountain top for the first time since 2011.
The Bears will lose some major pieces from last year’s team, including A’merre Williams and Kel’von Scott. Williams and Scott were the team’s top rushers and receivers, combining for over 2,400 rushing yards, over 1,000 receiving yards, and 52 total touchdowns.
However, Burke County returns a strong core, led by starting quarterback Sean Vandiver. Vandiver is the team’s leading returning passer and rusher. He threw for 1,868 yards, completing 62.1% of his passes with 19 touchdowns to just five interceptions. On the ground, he added 537 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, the Bears bring back standout linebacker Chris Flournoy, their second-leading tackler from last season. Flournoy recorded 67 tackles, two sacks, and nine quarterback hurries.
The 2025 schedule will once again test the Bears. In non-region play, they open the season against Richmond Academy, possibly the best team to miss the playoffs in 2024, having battled in the tough Region 1-6A. Two weeks later, they host 4A powerhouse Benedictine, winners of four state titles in the past 11 seasons and home to the nation’s top recruit in the class of 2027. They’ll then wrap up non-region play against a resurgent Northside-Warner Robins team expected to make noise this season.
Region play won’t be any easier. They’ll face Thomson, just four years removed from a state title and a quarterfinal or better finish in three of the last four seasons. They’ll also have to contend with a dangerous Laney squad that has made the playoffs in four straight years under head coach Ronnie Baker, including back-to-back second-round appearances, their best postseason run since 2005-06.