Phil Jones, ITG Next content creator
Today’s interviewee is Phil Jones, content creator for ITG Next and host of the Extra Point! With Phil Jones podcast and the Friday Night Scoreboard Show, streamed live from 10 p.m. to midnight on the ITG Next Georgia sites. Jones is the host six coaches shows. His primary coverage area includes Region 1-6A in South Georgia.
1. Who do most people in the area consider the team to beat in Region 1-6A, and why? What do they have that the others might not? “First of all, I feel that most people consider the region to be up for grabs, with no unanimous favorite. However, if there was one team that seems to be the top choice to win region 1-6A it would probably be Colquitt County. The fact they have won the region the last three years gives them an advantage. They have played what is considered to be the most competitive non-region schedule of any 1-6A program. Three of the five non-region opponents were Benedictine, North Gwinnett and Lee County. Colquitt was 2-1 in those games. This should have the Packers ready for the gauntlet of region opponents. And then there’s talent. Colquitt’s Jae Lamar is considered to be the top running back in the region.”
2. How do you see the Lowndes-Colquitt game playing out? Who do you pick to win? Why? “This game is huge. Earlier this year, I picked five make-or-break games to watch for in 2025, and this was the top matchup. Why? This game was the difference maker in deciding last year’s region champ, and it could once again have the same impact. Colquitt edged Lowndes by a field goal last year 38-35, which proved to be the tiebreaker in deciding the region’s top seed. With Colquitt taking on Valdosta right after the Lowndes game, Sean Calhoun’s team does not want to be facing a must-win game against Valdosta, which is playing very well so far. The Packers do not want to be facing an 0-2 start in the region. A lot is riding on this Lowndes vs. Colquitt region opener."
3. How do you see the Valdosta-Camden game playing out? Who do you pick to win? Why? “Both teams have played well through the first half of the season, with each Wildcat program undefeated at 5-0 heading into this matchup. But, Valdosta has the better overall talent. They should win this one.”
4. In 2024, Region 1-6A was underwhelming in the playoffs. How do you view Region 1’s prospects this season? What are reasons to be optimistic, or not? “I think Region 1 has a better shot in the postseason this year, at least in the opening round, and maybe beyond that. Here’s two reasons: One, the Region 1 teams will face Region 8’s top four teams, likely to include Buford, Collins Hill and Mill Creek. Mill Creek and Collins Hill don’t seem to be playing at the high-caliber level we have seen from those programs in recent seasons. Region 8’s fourth seed will likely be the underdog against any of the Region 1 teams. This could prove to be the equalizer in this year’s first-round playoffs. Two, Class 6A overall seems to be down this season compared to last year and prior seasons. It’s also worth noting that Region 1-6A has four teams in the Class 6A top 10. That is more of an indictment of the lack of overall championship-caliber programs of the classification compared to previous seasons.”
