Summer season is a wrap! Swim meets, travel ball, and family vacay are fading into sweet memories, and we're shifting our focus to the GRIDIRON!  For families of football players and cheerleaders, this season is everything. It's more than a game; it’s our culture, our community, our heartbeat under Friday Night Lights.

North Gwinnett High School’s football team delivered a thrilling 2024 season, finishing with a 12–1 record and an undefeated regular season, a feat that energized the community and reaffirmed the Bulldogs' dominance in Class 6A. Despite a tough loss in the quarter-finals that ended their title run, the team’s performance sparked something bigger: momentum.

Now, with the cheerleaders bringing unmatched energy to the sidelines and the players training harder than ever, all eyes are on 2025. We spent the past few weeks catching up with some of Edinburgh's gridiron die-hards and spirited sideline cheerleaders. We are excited to share a bit about them with you this month as we celebrate The Boys of Fall and the Girls Who Cheer Them On!

Robert Baxter is a 15-year-old NGHS Linebacker. He is learning all about turf rash, getting ready for the JV season. You'll also see him around the driving range and the pool, enjoying time with all his neighborhood pals in  Edinburgh.  

NGHS Junior Linebacker Keller Copeland has played football since he was only six years old. The start of this season marks his eleventh season! Keller loves the brotherhood that football brings, and he hopes to play football in college. This kid is ALL IN!

We said it best last year, so we'll double down this year...Family traditions and football positions run deep in the Copeland family! NGHS Freshman linebacker Kiptyn Copeland loves being part of the NGHS team, and like his older brother, he too aspires to play football in college someday.

When we asked LoraMarie about this family passion, she told us, "I love the brotherhood of football, and watching them grow alongside each other over the years is really special. I love watching them play a sport they truly love. "

Otherwise known as "Dusty Ew-Bob", NGHS Junior Ewan Glass is a force to be reckoned with! We asked his mom, Kim, about his nickname. She tells us, "His nickname stems from when he was a little boy and frustrated because people couldn’t pronounce his name. He would say, “My name’s Ewan, but you can call me Bob.” It’s evolved into an explanation of his persona. He’s just on the field to do his job. He wants to hit people. He’s not a clout chaser, or a “look at me” guy. He loves his football family, and he goes to work for them whenever he gets the chance." 

Ewan plays Defensive End, is starting his eleventh season, and hopes to play through college. Ewan tells us, "I love football because of the relationships and friendships I’ve built through the years.  Plus, I get to chase people and hit them.  What’s not to love?"  He is carrying on a family legacy as his older brother Liam (now a Senior at Georgia College) played through high school and into his freshman year of college. This is one talented family, and we know their hearts beat red and black!

For 15-year-old NGHS Sophomore Will McFarland, it's about commitment. Not just on the field, but in the weeks, days, and hours leading up to the game. Will plays Defensive Tackle and has one goal: "To do what I can to help my team win a championship!"

Eighth grader Teagan O'Hern plays Defensive End for the NGFL 13U Team. He has played for four years and is excited about his football future. Like his neighborhood friends, he hopes to play throughout high school and college.

Football Mom Lennette O'Hern tells us, "Watching Teagan play brings a smile to my heart. He loves his past and present teammates on and off the field. It’s a great atmosphere, with parents and the community supporting the kids from Saturdays to Thursdays and even Friday nights. The North Gwinnett football family is the best!

Junior Chloe Hager is an NGHS Varsity Cheerleader, kicking off her fifth cheer season. Chloe soars as a Varsity flyer for North Gwinnett High School. She loves the adrenaline rush of flying, the excitement of cheer camp, and the school spirit of Homecoming games. While she’s not planning to cheer after high school, Chloe is all in for making every jump, stunt, and cheer count this season!

Natalie is a 10th Grade, NGHS JV Spirit & Competition Cheerleader. Outside of school, Natalie is a member of the Atlanta Jayhawks Rav3 cheer squad. Now in her fifth cheer season, Natalie does it all—base, flyer, and backspot! She thrives on the energy of big competitions, traveling nationwide with her teams, and making lifelong friends along the way. Her biggest goal? Taking home an All Star Worlds title with Jayhawks Rav3 and one day cheering for a top-tier college program. Watch out—this powerhouse is just getting started!