After 35 years, Worth County football back at No. 1 in Georgia rankings

SYLVESTER — Thirty-five years vanished Friday night as Worth County climbed to the top of Georgia football again. A decisive 44-25 win over Brooks County, coupled with losses by Toombs County and Thomasville, vaulted the Rams to No. 1 in the Class A Division I poll — their first time holding the top spot since 1990.

Toombs, last year’s state champion, fell 49-28 to Rome. Thomasville, a region rival, was thumped 55-7 by Thomas County Central. Fitzgerald, idle last week, moved up to No. 2. That left unbeaten Worth County — 4-0, unrelenting, and suddenly undeniable — alone at the top.

“I am happy to be respected by the state, but it has no outcome on our season,” head coach Jeff Hammond said. “We have to keep getting better and there is a lot of football left to play this year.”

Hammond’s turnaround

Hammond took over in 2022 and by his third season delivered Worth County’s first region title since 1998. Now, in Year 4, he has the Rams carrying the No. 1 banner for the first time in a generation.

Firepower everywhere

Everywhere you look, the Rams have weapons. Quarterback Lyndon Worthy, the preseason Class A Division I Player of the Year, directs an offense with plenty of firepower. Senior running backs Kaden Chester, Treshaun Jones, and Khalijah Thomas give Worth a bruising rotation on the ground. On the perimeter, All-State tight end Jayden Farley and receivers Colbie Griffis, Jace Collier, and Jaquaven Nelson keep defenses stretched.

The result: 44 points on a top-five opponent and an offense that looks capable of striking from anywhere on the field.

Defense and kicking just as strong

If the offense dazzles, the defense suffocates. Worth County opened the season with three consecutive shutouts and built a 21-0 lead on Brooks before the Trojans finally ended a 13-quarter scoreless streak. Senior linebackers Chance Sims and Brady Weaver set the tone in the middle, while defensive end Josh McGee, noseguard King Toomer, and sophomore end Malik Muhammad anchor one of the stingiest fronts in the state.

And then there’s the kicker. Sophomore Brody Hancock has been automatic, hitting all 22 of his point-after attempts, drilling two field goals and blasting four touchbacks against Brooks. In a year when every point matters, Hancock has given Worth County consistency few high school teams can match.

Now comes No. 2

Worth County gets a bye this week before turning to its biggest test yet: a Sept. 19 home showdown with No. 2 Fitzgerald. The Purple Hurricanes have dominated the rivalry of late, including a 28-21 win last fall.

For now, the Rams can savor a milestone unseen in Sylvester since the days of shoulder pads with neck rolls. The rest of Georgia can chase them. Hammond’s reminder still applies — there’s a lot of football left — but Worth County is No. 1 again.m. Hammond’s reminder still applies — there’s a lot of football left — but Worth County is No. 1 again.