Wesleyan School

Head Coach: Frank Pridgen

Head Coach Record: 135-70

2022 Record: 4-7

2022 Region Record: 3-3

2023 Region: 7-AAA

Stadium Name: Henderson Stadium

2023 Schedule:

8/18 @ Mount Vernon

8/25 @ Decatur

9/01 vs. North Cobb Christian 9/08 vs. Whitefield Academy vs. Gilmer

@ Lumpkin County vs. White County

@ Dawson County

@ West Hall vs. Pickens

Frank Pridgen took over the Wesleyan football program in 2006, and it took just two seasons to lead the Wolves to the program’s only state championship in 2008. Since 2011, when the Wolves finished 7-3 overall and 5-1 but missed the playoffs, Wesleyan has appeared in the postseason each year. After the recent reclassification cycle, Wesleyan went from Class A Private to Class 3A, where it’s entering its second season in a higher class. Pridgen coached the Wolves to the Class A Private state championship game in 2019 and then the semifinals in the following season. However, the Wolves have had a second round and first round exit in the past two seasons, respectively. Last season, Wesleyan finished 4-7 overall and 3-3 in Region 7-3A and lost to Stephens County 51-14 in the opening round of the 3A playoffs. The team favored the pass last season, averaging 212 passing to 669 rushing yards per game. Ben Brown returns after a sophomore season where he was 173-of-291 passing for 2,123 yards and 25 touchdowns. He rushed 58 times for 117 yards and one touchdown. Also returning is the team’s leading receiver from last season – Jamie Tremble –who made 55 receptions for 890 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. Receiver Shepard Jones made 21 catches for 234 yards and three touchdowns as a junior last year. On the ground, Townes Hardy led the team with 33 carries for 178 yards and two touchdowns as a junior.

The Westminster Schools

If there’s one person who wants to cap a season with a state championship, it’s probably Woodward head coach John Hunt. He’s led the War Eagles since 2011 and won seven region titles but has not found a way to extend the season to a state championship game. He’s led Woodward to the semifinals three times – 2014, 2015 and 2019 – and the quarterfinals in 2016, 2017 and last season. Woodward – in some form or fashion – has been playing football since 1902 and won state championships in 1970 and 1980 under head coach Graham Hixon. Last season, Woodward went undefeated through Region 3-6A and beat Riverwood and Lee County in the first two rounds of the playoffs but lost to Hughes 56-28 in the quarterfinals. The War Eagles favored the pass last season and averaged 200 passing to 107 rushing yards per game and return large pieces of the offensive puzzle despite losing quarterback Jalen Woods to graduation. Senior Griffin Marshall was 22-of-37 passing for 378 yards and five touchdowns last season and returns. On the ground, Lucas Farrington had 126 carries for 668 yards and eight touchdowns last season as a sophomore and Myles Graham had 86 carries for 465 yards and six touchdowns as a junior and had 13 receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns. Ben Grice will anchor the receivers and had 50 catches for 910 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. Josiah Abdullah made 35 catches for 536 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore and returns.

Head Coach: Gerry Romberg

Head Coach Record: 226-136

2022 Record: 6-5

2022 Region Record: 3-2

2023 Region: 6-AAAA

Stadium Name: Thompson Stadium

2023 Schedule:

@ Holy Innocents vs. Stephenson

@ Hapeville

@ Southwest Dekalb vs. Miller Grove

Westminster began last season with a 14-0 victory over local-rival Lovett but was left with a sour taste after losing to Lovett in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs 13-6. But if there’s one thing about Westminster – and the program’s longtime head coach Gerry Romberg – it’s that they are resilient. Romberg has been at Westminster since 1992 – that’s 32 seasons – and has amassed a 226-136 record. He’s led the Wildcats to one state championship victory in Class 2A in 2015 and captured seven region titles, but not since 2016. Westminster spent 2016-2021 in Class 3A before climbing one class last season due to the reclassification cycle. In its first year in Class 4A, the Wildcats finished 6-5 and 3-2 in Region 6-4A while outscoring opponents 189-160. Returning for Westminster is senior defensive back/wide receiver Armstrong Jones, who has offers from Georgetown, Colgate, Toledo, The Citadel, Lehigh and Appalachian State. Jones is 6-foot-1 and 170 pounder who can interrupt both the pass and the run. Also returning is senior Jett Hartley, a 6-foot, 180-pound strong safety who will help anchor the defensive backfield for the Wildcats alongside Jones. The one-two defensive punch should cause fits for quarterbacks and receivers. Known for its string of excellent punters/kickers – including former Georgia Tech great and two-time Super Bowl winner Harrison Butker – Westminster returns Carson Wilkie, who made 53 punts last season and averaged 40 yards with 25 punts being downs inside the 20-yard line.