With each season, there is an ultimate goal that goes beyond the numbers — to be a state champion, state playoff team, region champion, etc. However, there are always milestones that those programs and individuals eclipse along the way. Here are the notable milestones to watch for in 2025. We’ve ordered them by the rarity of each.

Commerce – 29 Straight Playoff Trips

This stands as one of the more remarkable streaks. Making the playoffs these days is much easier than it was prior to the 1990s, but it’s still one of the state’s top streaks. Commerce, under Steve Savage, Marvin Justice, Michael Brown, and Mark Hollars, have now combined for 28 playoff trips consecutively. With new coach Lenny Gregory in command, the streak seems a sure bet to continue.

Ty Truelove – 5,000 Passing Yards, 60 Passing TD

QB1 Ty Truelove for Rabun County has 3,272 yards to his credit so far. Last year saw him just go for 808 due to a severe shoulder injury that meant missing several games. A big season like his sophomore year (2,298 pass yds, 24 TD) could get him well over 5,000 passing yards. That’s not shabby, as only 14 other BLITZ-era QBs have eclipsed that number. He is at 34 TD passes, needing 26 (which would be a career high) to reach 60, a mark seen by only seven BLITZ QBs (Gunner Stockton, Bailey Fisher, Joseph Mancuso, Coey Watson, Keegan Stover, Zach Holtzclaw, Tyler Dominy).

Reid Giles – 3,500 Rushing Yards, 45 Rushing TD

Reid Giles for Rabun County has 2,473 career rushing yards and 31 TDs on the ground. A third straight 1,000-yard season gets him up over 3,500 yards and knocking on the door to 4K. Only 10 BLITZ-era RBs ever hit the 3,500 mark, and only six hit the 4K mark. 45 rushing scores is doable with 19 this coming season. Seven RBs in BLITZ history reached that mark as well. Rare air.

Jefferson – 15 Straight Playoff Trips

Every season since 2011, Jefferson has made the postseason. Going back to 1998, the Dragons only sat out in 1999 and 2010. Another trip this year – which is almost guaranteed – is 15 in a row. Coming off a State Runner-Up finish and bringing back one of the nation’s top recruits in Clemson commit Max Brown, the goal is so much bigger.

Rabun County – 14 Straight Playoff Trips

Rabun County now has 13 consecutive playoff appearances, and one more this season with new coach Rance Gillespie would make for 14. A school record, but these guys like other teams listed above are out for so much more.

Gaines Clark – 1,500 Receiving Yards

Truthfully, Gaines Clark for White County could get 1,500 yards in a single season if he were not surrounded by other talented wideouts. He has 842 yards through two seasons, going for 553 last year. The junior needs just 658 this season to reach 1,500 career receiving yards. 27 BLITZ-era receivers have done it, but far less by the end of just their junior year. If Clark goes for his first 1,000-yard season, he’d stand at 1,842, which would put him at #17 on the BLITZ Legacy WR list. He’s also just 841 receiving yards from matching Cooper Turner (White Co ’21), who has the most for the Warriors aside from Darius Cannon, who finished at Gainesville.

Todd Winter (Banks County) – 100 Wins

Todd Winter comes into this season with 92 career wins. He has a major uphill run to another eight wins to #100 with still only being in year two at Banks, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility to happen this fall.

Union County – 8 Straight Playoff Trips

The Panthers have made state all but one season since 2013, and now have 7 straight trips and working on number 8. New head coach Rob Stowe looks to ratchet things up a bit at Union.

Towns County – Back-to-Back Winning Seasons

This has never happened before. A 7-win 2008 is still the high-mark for the Indians at Towns County, and last year’s 5-4 record marked the first winning season since ’08. The 2017 team was the only playoff-bound group, though they finished 5-6. To notch a third overall winning season and second in a row is unheard of going back to 1969 for Towns.