Peach County ranks second in Score Atlanta’s 3A rankings, only behind defending champs Calhoun. They have won their region championship six out of the last eight seasons and are looking to make it seven out of the last nine. The Trojans started their season with a 33-14 victory over defending Class A division one runners up Northeast. They followed this up with more impressive wins over Perry 27-6 and Crisp County 30-24. The Fort Valley school is in prime position to make a run at winning its fourth state title since 2000.

The Running back duo of Ashton Barton and Zion Ellison have provided strong performances. Barton has 720 yards while Ellison has 329 yards through the school’s first five games. Barton also had over 100 receiving yards against Perry. The Trojans also have two other rushers with over 100 yards in Josh Reis and Deandre Stinson. What is even more impressive is that none of the four are seniors meaning that the rushing attack is just going to get better. 

Just because the team has run the ball a ton does not mean that quarterback Caiden Ivory has not had his fair share of moments. The junior has thrown for nine touchdowns so far this season. Ivory stepped up big time in the win over Perry with 172 passing yards and two touchdowns. Senior receiver Zion Hudson has been Ivory’s favorite target. This season the Army commit has caught 29 passes for 441 yards and give touchdowns. Another playmaker for the Trojans is Cam Cherry. Cherry has offers in both football and basketball (and was the region player of the year in basketball). He has ideal size that makes him a weapon for this explosive Trojans’ offense. 

Peach County has a second service academy commit in defensive back Bryson Hughley. The Air Force commit has been a starter since he was a sophomore and he has been dominating on the gridiron ever since. The safety was listed by IG Next Georgia as a top 10 safety in the state going into the season. His last go around might be his best, he already has multiple picks this season and has anchored down the defense. It has been clear that Hughley hit the gym a lot this summer, as he has destroyed receivers and running backs this season. Match that with his 6-foot-3 frame and he is a nightmare for opposing defenses. He was also recently named a top 10 performer of week eight by ITG Next after a win over Doughtery, in which he totaled eight tackles and one interception. Hughley has family ties to Peach County, and it would mean the world to him to bring home a state title.

“I was on the Sidelines when Peach County won their last State Championship over Gainesville. I was just 2 years old. My Mother was the cheerleader Coach and currently still holds that position. My main focus is winning a State title for the city of Fort Valley, Georgia. Hughley continued on about his role on the defense, “my job is to make sure our defense is lined up correctly and has the right personnel or adjustments each play.”

Other stars on the defense including linebacker Ace Blunt, the junior was named to Matt Stewart’s preseason 3A All-State defense. Army commit Zion Hudson also plays on the other side of the ball as a talented defensive back. Finally, defensive back Kamorious Smith is one of the top underclassmen on this team. He already has multiple interceptions this season as well as being a force all around the field. 

Beyond this season, it is clear that Peach County fields a lot of young players and the future of the program is in good hands. Senior Bryson Hughley sees bright things for the Trojans in the coming years. 

The Trojans are led by third year head coach Marquis Westbrook. Westbrook has gone 20-9 through two and a half years as the coach. The two coaches before Westbrook won state titles with the Trojans and Westbrook might just extend the streak this season in 2025. Westbrook and the Trojans are off to a 7-0 start to the season, the school’s first undefeated start to a season since 2019.