You’ve probably heard the name. If you follow Georgia high school sports at all, the Lincoln County Red Devils aren't just another small-town team. They’re an institution. But lately, people have been talking about them like they're a relic of the past, a "remember when" program that peaked decades ago.
That's a mistake.
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Honestly, if you think the Red Devils are done, you weren't watching this past December. While the rest of the state was arguing about private school multipliers and NIL deals, Lee Chomskis had his squad at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on a Monday afternoon, fighting for the Class A Division II title. They lost a 35-31 heartbreaker to Bowdon, yeah, but let's be real: Lincoln County is officially back in the conversation.
The Larry Campbell Shadow
It is basically impossible to talk about Lincolnton without mentioning Larry Campbell. The man is a legend. Period. He won 477 games over 42 seasons. That’s not a typo. 477 wins. He’s the winningest coach in Georgia history and ranks third all-time nationally.
Under Campbell, the Red Devils didn't just win; they dominated. We're talking 11 state championships and 33 region titles. For decades, if you were a tiny school in Georgia, your season ended when you ran into the Red Devils.
But here is what most people get wrong: they think the "magic" left when Campbell retired in 2014.
For a few years, it kinda looked that way. The program stayed competitive, sure, but that "aura of invincibility" felt a little thinner. Then Lee Chomskis arrived. He didn't try to be Larry Campbell—nobody can—but he brought back that physical, "we’re going to run the ball and you can’t stop us" mentality that defines Lincolnton.
Why the 2025 Season Changed Everything
Coming into the 2025-26 season, the Red Devils were ranked, but some folks were skeptical. Could they handle the heavy hitters? They answered that pretty quickly.
They tore through the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. They didn't just win; they embarrassed people. They beat Washington-Wilkes 42-7 and shut out Greene County 42-0.
The playoffs were even more of a statement.
- Randolph-Clay: 43-6 win.
- Hawkinsville: 56-0 shutout.
- Brooks County: 52-16 blowout.
- Early County: 34-0 semifinal masterclass.
By the time they reached the state championship against Bowdon, the Lincoln County Red Devils were 14-0. They fell four points short of the ultimate goal, but they proved that the blueblood status isn't just history. It’s the present.
The Names You Need to Know
This isn't a one-man show, but every great Red Devil team has its stars. Think back to Garrison Hearst. Before he was a Heisman finalist at Georgia and an NFL star, he was tearing up the turf in Lincolnton, leading the team to a 1989 state title.
The 2025 roster had its own share of ballers.
Mekhi Wade was the engine. As a senior quarterback and running back, he was voted the Region 8 Overall Player of the Year. He’s the kind of dual-threat kid who makes defensive coordinators lose sleep. Then you’ve got Kelby Glaze, the Offensive POY who put up huge numbers on the ground.
And defense? That’s where the Red Devil identity really lives. Jeremiah Johnson and Jeremiah Wynn (another name in a long line of Wynn standouts in this town) were absolute menaces on the line. Between them and linebacker Christian Elam, who took home Defensive POY honors, teams just couldn't move the ball.
It’s a Town, Not Just a Team
If you’ve never been to Lincolnton on a Friday night, you’re missing out. It’s different here.
The town has about 1,500 people. On game nights, it feels like all 1,500 of them—plus everyone from the surrounding woods—are in those stands. They call it "Buddy Anderson Stadium," and it’s one of the most intimidating places to play in the South.
The community support is intense. You see it in the Lincoln County Pop Warner programs, where kids start learning the Red Devil system before they can even do long division. The goal is simple: prepare them for the Friday nights that define their teenage years.
The Reality of Small-Town Ball
Is it all perfect? No. Small-town schools face challenges that the big suburban Atlanta programs don't even have to think about. Enrollment numbers can fluctuate. Resources are different.
But the Lincoln County Red Devils have something those suburban schools often lack: a soul.
There is a continuity here. Coaches stay for decades. Families stay for generations. You’ll see grandfathers in the stands wearing jerseys from the 1970s, watching their grandsons run the same plays. It’s a cycle.
What’s Next for the Red Devils?
Losing a state title game by four points is a bitter pill. But for Coach Chomskis and this program, it’s fuel. They’ve proven they belong at the top of Class A Division II.
The "Red Devil Way" isn't about fancy facilities or 5-star recruits (though they have their share of talent). It’s about being tougher, more disciplined, and more connected than the team across the field.
If you want to follow the team's progress or catch a game, here is what you should do:
Keep an eye on the GHSA Class A Division II brackets for the 2026 season. With several key juniors like Jonathan Norman and Zayden Hardy returning, the Red Devils are going to be a problem for anyone on their schedule.
Check the MaxPreps or GPB Sports feeds for the 2026 schedule release. If you can make the drive to Lincolnton for a home game, do it. Grab a seat early, get some stadium food, and watch how high school football is supposed to be played.
Follow the local coverage from outlets like the Augusta Chronicle or WRDW. They cover the Red Devils with the depth a program like this deserves.
Lincoln County didn't win the trophy in 2025, but they won back the respect of the entire state. The Red Devils aren't going anywhere.