The Southeast Bulloch football team did not hold a scrimmage game at the end of the spring but head coach Jared Zito believes the Jackets got in some good work and is excited about the off season leading into the fall.

“I think it was really good and a success in a lot of ways,” Zito said. “I feel like we are maybe a little further ahead than we were last year at this time. We have a lot of guys back which helps in terms of transition from one season to the spring. There are a lot of young kids who have stepped up and into some rolls and it we came out healthy, so that’s even better.” 

The Jackets return five starters on offense and seven on defense on a team that had SEB's most successful season since the 1973 team won a state championship. The Yellow Jackets won two playoff games – both on the road – for a berth in the Elite Eight, and finished the season 10-3.

Among returning offensive starters, the Jackets have two talented backs in Jaden Murphy and Colby Smith who combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing and 30 touchdowns.

"I feel like running back is probably one of the deepest positions on the team,” Zito said. "Along with Colby and Jaden we also have Stevie Padget and Chase Douglas. We could end up with six guys who can run the football.”

The Jackets will have to find a few replacements on the offensive line, as well as quarterback. The 2024 starter Rhett Morgan has decided to focus on baseball, leaving a void at quarterback where Zito’s son Colton and Aeden Peterson look to be the top two candidates coming out of spring.

“I told them both that they were going to get reps in the spring at quarterback,” Zito said. “Aeden was the number two last year and Colton played J.V.  I said for the spring let's not put any pressure here, let's just split the reps. I rotated them both each day on who went with the ones and who went with the twos. 

"The good news is we came out of spring feeling really good about both of them. We're going to go through the summer and go through the early fall in terms of preseason and figure out what makes the most sense for the team who gives the best chance. Aeden also plays corner and he will stay there, as well. Colton has also taken reps with the receivers.”

Zito thinks that while the quarterbacks ease into their roles, he will probably lean on his defense and run game early in the fall.

“We do return a lot on defense,” Zito said. “I think that will be our big strength entering the fall and I hope they can keep us in games as our offense continues to improve.”