CUTHBERT, Ga. (WALB) — Randolph-Clay, 7-0 for the first time since 2004, is one win away from taking control of Region 1-A. To get there, the Red Devils must beat Early County, winners of four straight region titles, on Friday, Oct. 23.

Both Randolph-Clay and Early County are 3-0 in Class A Region 1. Friday’s game is expected to decide the region title.

Chasing the program’s best season

It has been 11 years since Randolph-Clay last won the region title. The Red Devils are in the middle of one of the best seasons in program history.

Head Coach Charles Truitt said the team understands what’s at stake.

“I think it’s a situation where they understand the importance of this game and what’s at stake in this one,” Truitt said. “Going against a great team like Early County, we understand that we need to play one of our best games that we’ve played all season to have a chance to be competitive, and these kids know that. It’s carried through our practices all year.”

Playing for family

Randolph-Clay has played this season to honor Assistant Coach Brenton Truitt, the head coach’s son, who passed away in late July.

“He’s still here,” Truitt said. “Kids understand that they still feel him. They still play for him and they’re emotional, but they understand the situation of the game. When they made that statement at the beginning of the year that they’re going to play for him, it’s been carried over throughout this whole season. They really have been playing for him on the football field.”

Early County’s turnaround

Early County opened the 2026 season with four straight losses. Since region play started, the Bobcats have won three consecutive games, outscoring opponents 122-7. Early County’s seniors have never gone a season without winning a region title.

Early County Head Coach Laversay Taylor said the team has cut down on mistakes since the start of the season.

“Us just staying together, understanding what we had to cut down on, a lot of flags in the first couple games,” Taylor said. “I think we had over 100 yards in flags. We were beating ourselves, but now we got it under control. Like I said, keeping them together and understanding that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. We’re so grateful for their first four games of the season because they helped us mold into the team we are today.”

Key matchups

Senior quarterback, Rae’Shawn Clyde, has 19 total touchdowns this season, averaging 143.7 rushing yards a game. Truitt said the team rolls like Clyde rolls.

Taylor said Early County’s defense is prepared regardless of who lines up against it.

“I don’t care who we’re going up against,” Taylor said. “Our defense is ready for the task, whoever it is.”

Early County’s defense has given up seven points in three weeks, led by Chandler Means, Jamarion Dunwood, Ra’Keevian Lee, and Nekovian Brown.

Truitt said Randolph-Clay will need to match that defense’s physicality.

“They’re so physical,” Truitt said. “They’ll line up and you can know what they’re going to do, but you still have to stop them. Defensively, they’re coming at you and they’re relentless. We understand that to be successful, we’re going to have to meet their physicality and play ball.”

History on the line

Randolph-Clay is chasing its first region title since 2015, while Early County is looking for its fifth straight.

Taylor said the team has used outside doubt as motivation.

“There’s been a lot of disrespect going on,” Taylor said. “They wrote us off when we were 0-4. Everybody says we are in a rebuilding year, so every game is a championship game for us. This is win or go home, so that’s the kind of mindset we’re going in with.”

Randolph-Clay hosts Early County on Friday, Oct. 23. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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