New Coach, New Era: 2025 Etowah Eagles Football Preview

After two of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory, the Etowah Eagles football program is entering 2025 with a clean slate and renewed optimism. Following a fast but fractured start in 2023 and a promising yet unfulfilled 2024 campaign, Etowah welcomes new head coach Brett Vavra.

Vavra joins the Eagles from Sprayberry , where he led the Yellow Jackets to five playoff appearances over eight seasons, including a Class 6A quarterfinal berth last year. His arrival signals a new direction for an Etowah community eager to return to the playoff discussion.

2025 Etowah Football Schedule: Rivalries and Reunion

Etowah opens its season with the Battle of Towne Lake against crosstown rival Woodstock, a matchup expected to draw heavy interest. The following week, the Eagles travel to face Sprayberry—Coach Vavra’s former team—in what promises to be an emotionally charged contest.

Non-region games against Campbell and Chapel Hill round out the early schedule. Both teams bring unpredictability, setting the stage for Etowah’s first real tests. Region play gets progressively tougher week over week, opening with Marietta and closing against perennial power North Cobb.

Offensive Preview

Despite back-to-back injury-riddled seasons, Etowah may have the most battle-tested young offensive core in Cherokee County. Junior quarterback Zeke Douglass, who took over last season, has demonstrated strong arm talent and accuracy. He’ll be targeting returning receiver Walker Hughes, creating a potentially explosive passing duo.

Running back duties shift to junior Mike Goines, who impressed with his top-end speed in the spring game.

The offensive line faces a major challenge after losing standout Andrew McNair, but veteran linemen like Cooper Kerr return to anchor the group. If the line can gel early, this offense could be one of the most improved units in the region and county.

Defensive Preview

Etowah faces significant turnover on the defensive side of the ball. Key losses include Jaysen Pertz-Moye, Grant Griffith and Brody Hendrix, leaving question marks across all three levels. The secondary will be anchored by Cain Moss, who brings two years of varsity experience at both safety and corner.

In the linebacking corps, emerging talent like Drake Mason and Donovyn Pollard have shown promise, especially in blitz and run-stopping situations.

The defensive line remains a work in progress. In their spring game against Sequoyah, Etowah rotated multiple players up front, suggesting the starting unit is still being finalized as camp continues.

Season Projection

Let's address the elephant in the room, Etowah has not reached the postseason since 2019, and returning to Georgia’s highest classification has added difficulty in rebuilding. But optimism surrounds the program, especially with Coach Vavra now at the helm.

His track record, paired with the unexpected experience gained by the Eagles' young roster over the past two seasons, offers real hope. While it's difficult to project how big of a leap Etowah can take this year, a few surprise wins in region play could push the Eagles back into the playoff conversation.

Stranger things have happened—just ask that school down the street.