Coach Jay Cawthon: Bleeding Green and Building Culture at Eastside High School – Episode 52
Welcome back to The Town Square Podcast, where local advocates for a better Newton County bring their different perspectives to the messy middle—a space where our aim is unity, not uniformity. I’m Trey Bailey, alongside my co-host Gabriel Stovall, and this week we’re talking high school football, team culture, and the power of tradition with a Newton County legend—Coach Jay Cawthon, head football coach of the Eastside High School Eagles.
In this extended conversation, Coach Cawthon gives us an inside look at the upcoming season, the players to watch, the lessons learned from last year’s playoff run, and how Eastside football has built a standard that’s about much more than the scoreboard. Whether you’re a diehard Eagle fan, a Newton County sports follower, or just someone who loves hearing how leaders shape young lives, this episode is full of insights, laughs, and that small-town pride we love to celebrate.
Summer Work, Year-Round Commitment
If you think high school football is just a fall sport, Coach Cawthon will set the record straight. In Newton County—and especially at Eastside—football is a year-round commitment. After last season’s Elite Eight appearance, his players only got about a month off before workouts resumed on January 6th.
But it’s not just about grinding every day. In fact, one of Coach Cawthon’s deliberate changes over the past few years has been balancing work with rest. June practices run just three days a week, allowing players time for family, summer jobs, and other sports. July ramps up to four days a week, and once the season starts, it’s full throttle. The approach keeps players fresh and focused for the long haul.
Battling the Georgia Heat (and the Rain)
This summer threw everything at the Eagles—40+ straight days of 90°+ heat, followed by over a week of nonstop rain. Add in Georgia’s infamous humidity, and the challenge isn’t just about perfecting plays—it’s about keeping players safe.
That’s where the wet bulb temperature reading comes in. For those unfamiliar, it’s a safety metric that combines temperature and humidity to determine how dangerous outdoor activity might be. Coach Cawthon takes readings starting 90 minutes before practice and follows strict guidelines—if the wet bulb hits a certain level, practice moves indoors. It’s all about player safety first. As Cawthon puts it, “I don’t think losing one day outside is going to win or lose you a championship.”
The 2025 Eastside Eagles – Players to Watch
While Eastside lost several key players from last year’s roster, the cupboard is far from bare. Cawthon is excited to see young, homegrown players step up under the Friday night lights.
Key Returning Players:
Xavier Joseph – Star defensive end, App State commit, two-way player, early enrollee candidate.
Payton Shaw – Three-year starting quarterback who got his first snaps as a freshman.
Myles Mims & Tyler Solomon – Talented running backs in a deep rotation.
Chase Jordan – Shifty wide receiver with experience and sure hands.
Decorey Crumbley – Havoc-wreaking defensive lineman.
Jameel McMichael – Returning linebacker ready to step into a leadership role.
Rising Talents:
Garrett Brooks – Promising wide receiver with a strong summer.
Adrian Bird – Offensive tackle stepping into a big role.
Cameron Griffith – Young talent with potential to surprise.
Jonathan Gomez – Kicker who led the state in touchbacks last season.
Haseen Camacho – Sophomore punter ready to prove himself.
Coaching Staff Continuity and Culture
One of Eastside’s secrets to success? Stability on the coaching staff. Cawthon has been at the school for 21 years, with many assistants having decades of combined experience. Several are former Eastside players who’ve returned to give back to the program that shaped them.
Cawthon credits this longevity to:
Family-first scheduling (efficient use of time, no unnecessary late nights at the office).
Opportunities for professional growth.
A shared commitment to “The Standard.”
The Standard – More Than Football
At Eastside, “The Standard” isn’t just a slogan—it’s a way of life. It applies to the field, the classroom, and the community. From day one, players are taught that there’s a right way to do things, and that way doesn’t change for anyone. It’s about accountability, respect, and pride in wearing the green and white.
And while “The Standard” is the official mantra, another unofficial nickname has fueled the team’s underdog mentality for years—“Little Old Eastside.” As the smallest high school in Newton County, Eastside often faces larger programs, but their track record of sending athletes to college (and even the NFL) proves that size isn’t everything.
Looking Ahead – The 2025 Season
The Eagles’ schedule is no cupcake run. Non-region games include Newton, Hiram, Alcovy, and Archer, along with Flowery Branch and Madison County for homecoming. Region 6-AAAA features perennial powerhouse North Oconee, plus tough matchups with Walnut Grove, East Forsyth, and Cedar Shoals.
Cawthon uses the first four games as a proving ground—“big interviews” to see how young players respond under pressure. And while he knows fans get hyped for rival games, he reminds everyone that it’s region play that determines playoff fate.
Eastside Eagles schedule:
Aug 15 - @ Newton
Aug 21 - Hiram
Aug 29 - Alcovy
Sep 5 - @ Archer
Sep 19 - @ Flowery Branch*
Sep 26 - Madison Co*
Oct 3 - @ Walnut Grove*
Oct 10 - North Oconee*
Oct 17 - @ East Forsyth*
Oct 23 - Cedar Shoals*
A New Stadium Era on the Horizon
One big change coming to Newton County athletics? Each high school will soon have its own football stadium. While construction is still in the early phases, Cawthon is excited about the future—though he admits some nostalgia for Sharp Stadium, where he played and coached for decades.
He envisions Sharp being repurposed for middle school games and community events, ensuring it remains a central part of Newton County sports history.
Why This Episode Matters
Coach Cawthon’s story is more than a football preview. It’s about:
Building a sustainable culture in youth sports.
Valuing safety over short-term gains.
Developing young people into leaders.
Maintaining community pride through tradition.
Whether you bleed green, blue, or gold, his insights on leadership, perseverance, and culture are worth the listen.
Listen to Episode 52 Now
🎧 Click here to listen to Episode 52 on The Town Square Podcast
Important Links from This Episode
Eastside High School Football –
Follow on Twitter @EHS_Eagles
Instagram @EastsideEaglesFootballFamily
Facebook @EagleFootballFamily
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