Episodes

  • Playoff Preview: Why Lassiter Is Dangerous and How HoCo Can Win the Series | Ep. 12

    Playoff Preview: Why Lassiter Is Dangerous and How HoCo Can Win the Series | Ep. 12
    Apr 23 2026
    Houston County baseball head coach Matt Hopkins previews the Class 5A state playoffs as the Bears enter Round 1 at home against Lassiter, a battle-tested 4-seed that’s made postseason runs before.

    Coach Hopkins also explains how HoCo uses late-season games to pressure-test pitching depth, then lays out the best-of-three schedule.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored


    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • Region Title Clinched, Eyes on the Playoffs | Ep. 11

    Region Title Clinched, Eyes on the Playoffs | Ep. 11
    Apr 17 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins breaks down how the Bears clinched the No. 1 seed in Region 2-5A on a head-to-head tiebreaker with Thomas County Central, then shifts into postseason mode with a Jones County “dress rehearsal” to set the Game 1 lineup.

    Coach Hopkins also explains how Georgia’s best-of-three playoff format and home-field work, plus the calculated decisions, like lineup, baserunning aggression, and pitching/defense alignment, that can swing a series.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored


    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    16 mins
  • Lee County Win, Battling the Flu, and Region Title on the Line | Ep. 10

    Lee County Win, Battling the Flu, and Region Title on the Line | Ep. 10
    Apr 10 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins recaps the spring break Florida trip, then breaks down a big 6-2 region win over Lee County as the Bears battle the flu and adjust their pitching rotation.

    With TCC close behind, Coach Hopkins explains what HoCo needs in the final two games at Leesburg to lock up the region title, and he walks us through how Georgia high school baseball playoff seeding and the postseason format work.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored




    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • Spring Break Games in Tallahassee Before Final Push for Region Title | Ep. 9

    Spring Break Games in Tallahassee Before Final Push for Region Title | Ep. 9
    Apr 3 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins checks in from spring break in Tallahassee, Florida, after the Bears ride region momentum, including shutout wins over Coffee, into a 7-6 comeback win against Lincoln.

    Coach Hopkins breaks down how HoCo responded after a rough first inning and updates the region race with TCC close behind.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored



    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    10 mins
  • “No Rest for the Weary”: Tight Region Race, Coffee Series, and Out-of-State Challenges | Ep. 8

    “No Rest for the Weary”: Tight Region Race, Coffee Series, and Out-of-State Challenges | Ep. 8
    Mar 26 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins recaps a big region road win at Coffee and highlights ace Tyson Gainer’s dominant two-week run on the mound as the Bears sit 15-4 overall and 8-2 in region play.

    Coach Hopkins also explains why the final two games versus Coffee are critical with Thomas County Central close behind, then previews spring break matchups against out-of-state opponents as playoff preparation.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored



    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Cold Weather, Hot Arms, and the “Win 2 Before You Lose 2” Rule | Ep. 7

    Cold Weather, Hot Arms, and the “Win 2 Before You Lose 2” Rule | Ep. 7
    Mar 19 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins breaks down a gritty 3-1 region win at Thomas County Central in a true pitcher’s duel, highlighted by Tyson Ganas carrying a near no-hitter into the 7th and strong defense behind him.

    Coach Hopkins also shares how HoCo protects arms in cold weather and manages long road trips, then updates the Region 2-5A race with two more games against TCC ahead.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored



    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
  • Rebuilding the Approach at the Plate & Prepping for Veterans | Ep. 6

    Rebuilding the Approach at the Plate & Prepping for Veterans | Ep. 6
    Mar 12 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins explains how the Bears have started 11-2 while staying perfect in region play, then dives into the biggest adjustment: adding more structure at the plate to reduce strikeouts and manufacture runs.

    Coach Hopkins also breaks down lineup tweaks, when he gives hitters the green light, and how HoCo is preparing to finish the series with Veterans on the road.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored



    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • “Good Isn’t Good Enough”: A 9-0 Win & the Hunt for More Arms | Ep. 5

    “Good Isn’t Good Enough”: A 9-0 Win & the Hunt for More Arms | Ep. 5
    Mar 4 2026
    Houston County head baseball coach Matt Hopkins recaps a dominant 9-0 region-opening win over Northside (Warner Robins) as the Bears improve to 8-2 with yet another shutout from the pitching staff.

    Coach Hopkins explains why he’s still pushing for cleaner baseball, how region three-game series work, and why Houston County is testing new arms now to build bullpen depth for the stretch run.

    Presented by Ryan Lyons, State Farm Agent #sponsored


    For more great coverage of high school sports in Georgia, Florida, and across the country, visit www.itgnext.com.

    Follow us on socials!
    Instagram: @itgnext.georgia
    Facebook: @itgnext.georgia
    TikTok: @itgnext
    X (Twitter): @itgnext_georgia
    YouTube: @itgnext

    Are you a business that wants to work with ITG Next? Email us at info@itgnext.com or visit our website to learn more about advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins