Region 6-5A Heavyweights Collide as Sequoyah hosts Sprayberry in Hickory Flat

Scouting the Chiefs

The Chiefs have been suffocating on defense. They’ve posted two shutouts and have allowed just one touchdown over the last 14 quarters, holding opponents to a mere 6.7 points per game. Turnovers and pressure have been the difference: Sequoyah has forced 11 takeaways and collected five sacks.

Carson Bahry is the unit’s heartbeat with 29 total tackles, while senior Michael Fountain leads the team in solo stops with 16 and, along with defensive lineman Michael White, has notched two sacks. That front seven will be tasked with slowing one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the state of Georgia.

Offensively, Sequoyah has shifted into high gear at the season’s midpoint. The Chiefs are averaging 44.5 points per game and 224.5 yards on the ground behind an imposing offensive line anchored by tackles Alex Brewer and Brody Craig — both drawing Division I attention. Running back Will Rajecki has been the beneficiary, racking up 648 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Scouting the Jackets

Sprayberry’s rise has been just as impressive. The Yellowjackets are 4-0 after a shutout win of their own and are scoring 46.7 points per game while surrendering just 11. The engine of the offense is senior quarterback Jaden Duckett, who has thrown for 628 yards and 11 touchdowns with zero interceptions. He’s also rushed for 310 yards and two scores, giving Sprayberry a true dual-threat at the helm.

Duckett isn’t alone. The backfield tandem of Jrue Keeling and Ian Hulbert has combined for 352 rushing yards and six touchdowns, pushing the Jackets’ ground game to 261.3 yards per night. When Duckett takes to the air, he has two go-to targets: Jorden Edmonds (10 catches, 257 yards, six touchdowns) and Kobe Lewis (10 catches, 169 yards, three touchdowns).

Defensively, Sprayberry fields a loaded front seven and one of the state’s most talented secondaries. Linebackers Reyson Bachman (29 tackles), Isaac De Silva (27 tackles, three sacks) and Saiky Minnifield (27 tackles, two sacks) form a disruptive trio, while Adonis Vickerstaff anchors the line with 23 tackles and two sacks. The back end features three Division I prospects: Alabama commit Jorden Edmonds, Georgia commit Kealan Jones and Kobe Lewis, who holds six D-I offers. The unit has already intercepted four passes this season.

Keys to the Game — Sequoyah

1. Establish the Run Early: Keep Rajecki rolling behind Brewer and Craig to shorten the game and keep Duckett off the field.

2. Win First Down on Defense: Force Duckett and company into obvious passing downs; they’ve thrived on balance.

3. Contain Duckett Outside the Pocket: Last year he hurt Sequoyah by extending plays; set the edge and make him throw on the move.

4. Take Care of the Football: Sprayberry’s secondary is opportunistic; long drives need to end in points, not turnovers.

   
   

Keys to the Game — Sprayberry

1. Neutralize Sequoyah’s Interior OL: Get penetration from Vickerstaff and the linebackers to disrupt Rajecki before he hits the second level.

2. Spread Sequoyah Out: Use Duckett’s arm to loosen the box and open rushing lanes for him, Keeling and Hulbert.

3. Attack on Special Teams/Field Position: Make Sequoyah play on long fields to limit their ground-game rhythm.

4. Stay Disciplined Defensively: Sequoyah thrives on methodical drives; force them into third-and-long and trust the secondary.

Pundit's Pick

This matchup may only be the second region game for both schools, but it carries the weight of a region championship. Sequoyah is expected to lean on the same bruising interior rushing attack that helped them grind out a win against Kell. For Sprayberry, the question will be whether Sequoyah can contain Duckett, who gave the Chiefs fits last season and has shown a knack for making plays when it matters most. Sequoyah’s run game will keep this one tight, but Duckett’s versatility proves the difference.

Prediction: Sprayberry by 5.