Milton head coach Ben Reaves shares how mindfulness, yoga, and a homegrown feeder pipeline fuel the Eagles as they host Gainesville on senior night. Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett explains the Red Elephants’ week‑to‑week standard, while Houston County’s Jeremy Edwards breaks down the Bears’ best start and bye‑week plan before a brutal stretch. Plus, region storylines from South Georgia and a quick nod to Marist legend Alan Chadwick reaching 450 wins.

milton

 

Milton’s Ben Reaves opens with culture over scoreboard. He outlines a program that trains “the total human,” from weekly mindfulness sessions and yoga to FCA, player‑led studies, and practical media coaching. On the field, Milton has leaned on effort and defense, allowing few touchdowns all season, and carries a 42‑game region win streak and seven straight region titles into senior night against Gainesville. Coach Reaves wants the toughest non‑region slate so nothing on Friday surprises his group.

Gainesville’s Josh Niblett stays ruthlessly process‑driven. The philosophy is familiar from his Hoover (AL) days: play up to the program’s standard, be explosive on offense, tackle well, limit explosives on defense, and be sound on special teams. The staff studies tendencies without getting lost in data, focusing on alignment, formation recognition, and situational tendencies so players can play fast and free.

Down in Middle Georgia, Houston County’s Jeremy Edwards gives his team a needed reset. The Bears are banged up after a demanding schedule, so the open week is about healing, practice Tuesday–Thursday, and yes, a family trip to the Georgia National Fair. Edwards praises a selfless locker room and a defense creating takeaways, while tipping a cap to an under‑recruited playmaker who embodies their heartbeat. With Coffee, a road date at Thomas County Central, and Lee County ahead, it is complementary football or bust.