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The bright lights of Friday night and all the action throughout the week have returned. Welcome, High School Football 2024! As the season bursts into action, the excitement will only grow as the air turns crisp and the leaves change.
High school football is a staple of American culture, and for many students, it provides more than just a physical outlet or a Friday night tradition. It is an important
stage in an athlete’s career.
High school football plays a pivotal role in molding the lives of our young adults. It instills in them crucial life skills and creates enduring memories. It's not just a game; it's a profound life lesson we can all be proud of.
In Coweta County, football games are more than just a sport. They are the heart of our community. They unite families and friends in their support for their team. It's a bond that goes beyond the field.
The Newnan Times-Herald is your onestop shop to keep up with our local heroes' wins, losses, and exploits. We have covered high school athletics since November 1910, when Newnan beat LaGrange 21-0.
We do not take it lightly. It is a privilege to cover the six programs in our county, and we consider it a great responsibility.
So, let's enjoy the upcoming four months together and make memories we can recall when the season is over.
Whether you are a Newnan Cougar, an East Coweta Indian, a Northgate Viking, a Trinity Christian Lion, a Heritage Hawk, or a Central Christian Crusader, we wish you good luck with the season ahead.
We will be with you every step of the way.
- Rob Grubbs Sports Editor
East Coweta
had over 600 yards rushing last year and will be the
back for the Indians offense.
The Newnan Times-Herald is a one-stop shop to keep up with the local heroes’ wins and losses. It is a privilege and a great responsibility to cover the six programs in the county.
East Coweta
East Coweta
Built Indian tough
LAST SEASON – 7-4, lost to North Paulding in the first round of state playoffs.
INTRO – It was supposed to be different this year. East Coweta was a perfect case study of why the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) reduced classifications and made 6A the highest.
Since 7A was created in 2016, the Indians have played in a region with six or fewer teams. In the past four years, they have played in five team regions, where one region win gets you in the state playoffs.
While that is an advantage,
the disadvantages are more significant. With only four region games, scheduling is complex, and travel is necessary to get to non-region opponents.
When the initial reclassification was presented, East Coweta was placed in an eight-team region, which meant seven region games and three out-of-conference contests.
Unfortunately, that did not last long; three schools petitioned to move to a lower division, and after being approved, it returned to a five-team region for the Indians.
To make it more challenging, the Indians compete against
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON Dural Thompson (No. 1)
feature
Carrollton, Westlake, and Douglas County for the region title, which is no small task. Head Coach John Small does not make excuses and plays the hand given to him. There are no shortcuts, so they will roll up their sleeves and continue doing what they do.
Consistency is underappreciated in today's flashy society, but Coach Small is a master at balancing competition and teamwork.
LEADERSHIP— Head Coach
Small is a graduate of Westside High School in Augusta, where he played for Head Coach Don Fendley. After lettering four years at West Georgia at tight end, he stayed as a graduate assistant before moving to South Gwinnett as an assistant coach under the legendary T. McFerrin. Small later returned to be their head coach in 2005.
This will be his eighth season at East Coweta, where he has won 44 games and a region championship in 2020. Overall, he has 112 career victories.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW –
The Indians opened in 2023 with
a young quarterback, and he grew up in a hurry. Cohen Peeples waited his turn in the program, and when the junior got the call, he was ready. He led East Coweta to a dramatic season-opening win against Starr’s Mill with the help of a long Derrion Horsley kickoff return.
The Indians won their first five before suffering a tough one-point loss to Lambert. They regrouped to get region wins against Campbell and Pebblebrook to claim the #3 spot in the standings. The Pebblebrook win was a dramatic one in overtime on the road.
Two of their most impressive wins were on the road; they defeated Newnan 35-7 and Lowndes County 42-30.
Although they played well against Carrollton and Westlake, two of the best teams in the state, they came up just short. In the state playoffs, they traveled to North Paulding.
After falling behind early, they played their best football of the year in the second half but fell short in overtime.
OFFENSE – Head Coach John
Small has the luxury of a senior, returning starter at quarterback in Cohen Peeples. In 2023, Peeples threw for 1,679 yards and 18 touchdowns and added seven rushing touchdowns.
His favorite weapon was receiver Derrion Horsley, a senior who committed to Mississippi State. Another weapon that is back is receiver Jayshon Stegall, who had a huge sophomore season in 2022.
Dural Thompson is a workhorse-type running back who rushed for 605 yards and six touchdowns last year. The Indians have a change of pace back in Ricky Howell, who has a quick burst at the point of attack.
Chayse Beadles and Eastin Bowles handle the tight end position.
The offensive line is big and punishing. The group features twin brothers Courtin and Courtney Heard at the tackle positions. The guards include Josmel Burgos-Baez and Jaydin Amie, and Carson King will be at center.
DEFENSE—The defensive
EAST COWETA • 8
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
The 2024 East Coweta Indians, led by Tyler Horsley (No. 0), take the field for their scrimmage against Spalding.
Running back Ricky Howell (No. 11) was used as a change of pace when starter
EAST COWETA
FROM PAGE 7
front has a big man in front of the middle. Tyler Horsley has played three years for the Indian defense, and it is poised for a bigtime senior season.
Others on the front include Joshua Acevedo-Albuzi, Terance Ware, and Christopher Robinson.
Behind those guys at linebacker are PJ Clennon, Lucas Naquin, Dylan Holston, and Tristan Prescot.
Derrion Horsley, Austin Arrington, and Chase Gilbert are in the defensive backfield, which is always a strength for the Indian defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS –
Sophomore Aaron McWilliams has assumed the kicking and punting duties.
OUTLOOK –
Never underestimate the value of an experienced starting quarterback. Peeples proved last year he was tough, and he protected the football.
Coach Small has an innate ability to develop a team concept that permeates the entire program. The Indians will need every advantage because the schedule is rugged. Westlake, Carrollton, and Douglas County have strong teams, but the Indians may have something for them this year.
Their non-region schedule is also not full of cupcakes. They
travel to North Cobb and Perry, the defending GHSA Class 4A state champions.
But the Indians always win the games they are supposed to and find a way to pull off a couple of upsets to finish solid every year, and this will be no different. A 7-3 finish with a couple of playoff games is not out of the realm of possibility.
KEY GAME ON THE SCHEDULE –
The Indians will have to wait until the final game of the season to play their key matchup, the Chapel Hill Panthers. This game could easily decide whether the
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
Dural Thompson needed a breather.
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PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
Derrion Horsley (No. 7) is off to the races against Starr’s Mill last year; he returned a kickoff 90 yards to help the Indians pull out the victory. Horsley recently committed to Mississippi State University.
East Coweta ROSTER ROSTER
Tyler Horsley
Dural Thompson
Cohen Peeples
James Stroud
Walter Maestre
Jayshon Stegall
Alijah Ferrell
Gabriel Townsend
Derrion Horsley
Jacob Chapman
Sam Gritton
TJ Gates
Cameron Green
Marlon Elder
Ricky Howell
Jarrel Beadles
Lucas Naquin
Kyle Black
Devin Footman
Jakob Gonzalez
Jax Bowles
Andrew Shoch
Brandyn Seaborn
O’Ryan Moss
Justin Brown
Dylan Holston
Austin Nunez
Chance Gilbert
AJ Gates
Isaiah Alford
Z’Karia Asia
Triston Prescott
Arrington
BrodyJohnson
Christopher Robinson
Jayden Peacock
Austin Atkinson
Chayse Beadles
Melo Zackery
Gavin McCoy
Noah Greenwood
Connor Dailey
Jayden Perry
Zion Daniel
Ryan Story
Karsen Perry
Easton Bowles
Brayden Smith
Caleb Taffa
Ian Heaven
Royal Maxwell
Liam Hass
Ian Navarro
PJ Clennon
Bruce Neal
Terance Ware
Jackson Williams
Tommy Satterfield
Jeremiah Brewer
Aaron McWilliams
Aaron Abke
Luke Cartin
Kayden Johnson
Silas Stover
Andrio Perez
Maxwell Goodwin
Myles Ramsay
Andrew Chase
James Haberman
Gavin Thompkins
Antrez Allen
Bryan Williams
Adam Abke
Josmel Burgos-Baez
Courtlin Heard
Noah Bellamy
Will O'Neal
Courtney Heard
Caleb Roberts
Carson King
Nicholas Williamson
Dylan Weston
Dylan Cleveland
Jaydin Amie
Daniel Rivers
Larry Williams
Ethan Colton
Carter Sharpe
Tyler Harmon
Nasir Griffin
Toby Krass
Kennedy Almond
Zach Bidne
Cason Rainey
Josh Williams
James Starr
Tanner Deloatch
Liam Alford
Cooper Johnson
Ryler Duron
Gio Fournie
Logan Novitzke
Luci Lepoma
Joshua Acevedo-Albuzi
Connor Williams
Mathew Delong
Tyler Hollins
Devoris Reams
Gavin Connell
Kaden Cambrice
Avery Clements
EAST COWETA
FROM PAGE 8
Indians get a home playoff. Last year, the Panthers finished 8-3, including a playoff loss to Eastside.
It will be the fifth meeting between the two schools, but the first one since 2011 and the first time it will be a region game since 2009. Regardless of what happens the rest of the season, a win in this game will go a long way toward their postseason status.
The Indians will have to board the buses to Douglasville to close out their regular season, but they will be a festive return with the playoffs on their minds.
NAMES FROM THE PAST
– Coming into the 1973 season, the East Coweta Indians football team did not have much to brag about. In the six seasons before, their best record was 4-6, and they had never been ranked, nor had they defeated a ranked team. Both happened that season.
Head Coach Glenn Cato was hired away from McEachern to replace Dan Pritchett, and the Indians opened the year with a 44-6 win over East Fannin.
After a tough loss to Bremen, the Indians went on a four-game winning streak, culminating with a 32-6 win over Palmetto on October 5. Curtis Spear led the offense with 103 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Jim Adam-
East Coweta SCHEDULE
son rushed for 36 yards and two touchdowns.
The game was East Coweta’s homecoming, but Palmetto showed up in their dark home jerseys, which forced the Indians to change.
Unfortunately, none of the players brought their away jerseys to the game, and East Coweta was forced to play in their practice uniforms.
The other Indian score came from current East Coweta announcer Larry Robertson, who returned an interception 42 yards for a score.
After the win, the Indians rose to sixth in the Class C rankings, their highest in school history. It would take 17 seasons for the Indians to be ranked that high again; they reached #4 during the 1991 season.
Newnan Cougars Newnan Cougars
Getting back to normal
LAST SEASON – 3-7, did not qualify for the state playoffs.
were sorting themselves out, the school took a direct hit from an EF4 tornado.
INTRO – It has been a long time. On November 15, 2019, the Newnan Cougars fell in the first round of the state playoffs to close out their season. While there was disappointment, there was optimism about the program's future.
Little did anyone know that would be their last taste of normal for an extended period. In early 2020, a worldwide pandemic stopped everything, and when things
Suddenly, the Cougar coaching staff had to deal with outside weightlifting sessions, equipment kept in temporary storage, and insufficient space.
Things are slowly getting back to 2019. The school building is completed, restored, and new, the athletic facilities are first-class, and the routines of a successful program are back in place.
It is a new day for Newnan and Head Coach Chip Walker. Sometimes, it takes hav -
ing something taken away to appreciate what you have. Small things become big things, and big things develop into consistency.
That consistency is what the Cougars strive to find this year and the seasons going forward.
LEADERSHIP –
Coach
Walker is about to embark on his eighth season as the leader at Newnan. He played high school football at Stephens County for his father, legendary coach Rodney Walker.
After a college career at
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
Brodie Campbell (No. 2) is one of the two talented sophomore quarterbacks Newnan is blessed to have.
Tusculum, Walker went into coaching, first at Wofford and then on to Mary Persons, before following his dad to Sandy Creek. As the head coach there, he won three state championships and has 162 career wins.
Coach Walker and his father have combined for 462 career high school coaching wins, which is second most in Georgia, 26 behind Ray and Hal Lamb, who have 488.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW
– The Cougars dropped their first two games last year and could never regain the momentum needed to find a postseason berth. Playing with two freshman quarterbacks meant a period
of growth, and that was on display when the Cougars upset playoff-bound South Paulding at home midway through the season. These two guys are good, and they are getting better.
However, region losses to New Manchester and Paulding County, who did not qualify for the playoffs, were too much to overcome. Even with the losses starting to mount, Newnan still went into the season's final game with a chance to make the postseason.
A win over New Manchester in the season finale would have put the Cougars back in the playoffs by virtue of the South Paulding victo -
each visit,
happy to “welcome you
ry. Newnan took an early 7-0 lead on a touchdown pass from Hayes Maginnis to Gus Anderson and went into the half up 7-6.
Unfortunately, they could not finish New Manchester out and ended the season 3-7.
OFFENSE –
Those two quarterbacks who had to grow up quickly last year are a year stronger and wiser. Even though they took some lumps, they got better every week, and the improvement this season will be significant.
Hayes Maginnis and Bro -
NEWNAN
FROM PAGE 13
die Campbell could be the starting quarterbacks for most high schools in Georgia. Newnan has both, but unfortunately, only one can play simultaneously. Luckily, they complement each other extremely well.
At running back, Jaylon Teagle brings back experience from last year, and Shawn Grier will get some reps, too. Receivers are anchored by Gus Anderson,
who was named all-region in 2023. Others in the mix include Jamarion Brewer, Porter Child, and Jaylen Britt.
Javeon Hinton, Ian McReight, Hudson Huey, Waylon Tate, and Zion Williams anchor the offensive line. The group has an opportunity to be a strength of the offense, which is always helpful to a young quarterback.
DEFENSE – There is star power here. Rodney Colton, Emarion Nichols, and Josiah Smith will all have a big sea -
son, and their names will often be called over the speakers at Drake Stadium.
The overall defensive unit is based on speed and pursuit to the ball.
Emmanuel Ward, Rommell Willis, Ashton Lawless, and Jamarion Neville will be included in the mix up front, and Nathan Scales and senior Jeb Baggett will be on the back end.
SPECIAL
TEAMS – The Cougars lost a really good kicker to graduation but return Brooks McCray and
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
Rodney Colton (No. 1) is looking for a breakout season. The junior is committed to South Carolina and getting tons of college attention.
Braydn Hutcheson to handle the duties this season.
OUTLOOK –
There is new optimism surrounding Newnan High School. New buildings and athletic facilities are completed, and pride is high. It is a great day to be a Cougar, and the football team will benefit significantly from the return to normalcy.
A dry spell helps every
one appreciate the successful times more. The tornado and its aftereffects, which tried to destroy the proud school and program, will ultimately fuel the rebirth.
With two quarterbacks growing up fast, the Cougars will surprise some teams and pull off an upset or two. Ultimately, the 2024 season will be remembered as the year the Cougars returned to prominence in Georgia High School football.
important one of the year.
The Newnan Cougars will travel to Henry Seldon Field to play the Northgate Vikings for just the fourth time in school history and the first time as region rivals.
Region 3-5A will be super competitive; five of their seven region opponents (Northgate, Langston Hughes, Dutchtown, Lovejoy, and McIntosh) played in the 2023 state playoffs, so every win will matter.
first region game is the most
If it takes four region wins to get to the state playoffs from 3-5A, the loser of this game is going to have to upset either Dutchtown or Lovejoy to get back into the mix.
NAME FROM THE PAST
– In 1992, Atlanta built the Georgia Dome, and the Falcons moved from Fulton County Stadium to the new, shiny facility. But before the Falcons could play their first game, the facility hosted a new idea: a high school kickoff classic.
Four teams were selected, and the first of the two-game series on September 5, 1992, included the Newnan Cougars and Southwest Dekalb. The Max Bass-led Cougars opened the season ranked second in Class 4A, the largest classification at the time.
When the two schools took the field for the 5 p.m.
BY
MICHAEL CLIFTON
Senior defensive back Nathan Scales (No. 17) brings an attitude to the back end of the Cougar defense.
Nathan Scales
Colton Brodie Campbell
Emarion Nichols
Jakeleb Stegall
Jaylon Teagle
Corey Boler
Kari North
Shawn Grier
Hayes Maginnis
Jamarion Neville
Rommell Willis
Gus Anderson
Porter Child
Josiah Smith
Jeb Baggett
Jamarion Brewer
Jaylen Britt
Tamarcus Mitchell
Braidyn Hutcheson
Rashad Johnson
Colton Dodds Val Hudson
Nalls Nate Brown
Kendall
Davis
Ransby
Reese
Lemons
ROSTER
Newnan ROSTER
Mckinnon
Lawless
Logan Bubel
Cameron Ellison
Evan Russell
Xavier Whatley
Jake Cantrell
Myles White
Camarious Gates
Ryker Scoville
Derrian Hinton
Gavin Bowen
Chris Jackson
Keldriq Stepp
Noah Miller
Quinton Cook
Jermaine Fendley
Jordan George
Brian Moore
Elijah Miles-Allen
Charles Griggs
Jaden Dutton
Kam Wilkins
Emmanuel Ward
Jayson Mitchell
Javeon Hinton
Aiden Tate
Hudson Huey
Conoly
Ian McCreight
Joshua Latimer
Edward Rice
Jamal Jones
Waylon Tate
Kyle Morgan
Roger Florence
William Crum
Noah St. John
Ethan York
Zion Williams
Curtis Thompson
Braylin Roberts
John Matthews
Jaiden Johnson
Dylan Clark
Noah Mattera
Brandon Gilardo
Kaden Whatley
Cade Whitman
Richard Rosser
Latravious Britt
Jackson Hardy
Kimoni Melson
Randez Tolbert
Chris Battle
McCray Brooks
Tucker Dye
Daveon Benton
PHOTO
NEWNAN
FROM PAGE 15
game, they became the first high school teams in Georgia to play in a domed stadium. While most high schools play on artificial surfaces today, it was a novelty back then for the Cougars, who boasted a group of speedy running backs.
The Cougars won that day, 27-6, behind Tony Portress' 94 rushing yards on ten carries and a touchdown. Corey Bridges added two touchdowns on the day, as 29,872 fans paid to see high school football indoors.
Overall, Newnan outrushed Southwest Dekalb 269 yards to 50 and won their first of 11 consecutive games that year.
Senior receiver Gus Anderson (No. 9, getting some assistance from Radar Brantley) was an all-region receiver last year and will be the first option for the two Cougars quarterbacks.
Northgate Vikings The Whitley era begins
INTRO - There has been a changing of the guard at Northgate High School. After six seasons, and just a couple of months after earning his 100th career victory, former Head Coach Mike McDonald retired.
Coach McDonald entered the program in 2018 after the Vikings had missed the playoffs three of
the previous five seasons. They were in the state playoffs in his final two years at Northgate. He left the program in a good place. That is evident from the level of the coach who accepted the opportunity to be the sixth head coach in school history for a program that began in 1998. Enter Kevin Whitley, who took the
reins to the program in February.
Whitley spent the past five years as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern University, including an eight-month stint as interim head coach. He has coached previously at three other high schools and has accumulated 160 wins and seven region championships.
PHOTO BY VINCE NALIN
Malik Dixon (No. 7) will share some time at running back in the Vikings’ fast-paced offense in 2024.
He is the perfect man to take the Northgate program to the next level. Like his predecessor, he played and coached defense in the past; that is where his heart is. But look for a more wide-open philosophy on offense. In scrimmages, there have been glimpses of no-huddle and hurry-up.
The program was not in a place where it needed to be rebuilt, but rather some tweaks to take it to the next level. Coach Whitley has always been successful wherever he has been, and he will be no different at Northgate in the days ahead.
LEADERSHIP – In
February, Northgate High announced Kevin Whitley as the school's sixth football coach to replace Mike McDonald, who retired after the 2023 season.
Coach Whitley graduated from Lakeside High School in DeKalb County and played collegiately for four years at Georgia South ern, where he won two national championships.
After college and a brief stay in professional football, Coach Whitley began his coaching journey as an assistant coach at Redan and became a head coach in 2001 at North Springs. In his 18 seasons, two at North Springs, six at Creekside, and ten at Stockbridge, he has won 160 games and seven region championships.
Additionally, he served as an assistant coach at Georgia Southern University from 2019 through the 2023 season, in cluding a stint as the interim head coach in 2021.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW –
The Vikings went into 2023 with
the goal of winning their first region championship since 2011. They had won a playoff game in 2022 and had many returning players.
After opening region play with a win over McIntosh, the Vikings returned home to face the Northside Columbus Patriots, who prevented Northgate from winning the 2022 region crown.
After falling behind early 14-0, the Vikings slowly and methodically clawed their way back into the game and used a late drive that saw the offense execute 14 straight running plays to close out the victory.
That set up a showdown with Harris County, with the championship on the line. Unfortunately, the Vikings lost the game midway through the third quarter, and Northgate had to settle for
For the second year in a row, the Vikings hosted a playoff game, but the Dutchtown Bulldogs ended their season just like they had done in 2022.
OFFENSE –
With both quarterbacks from 2023 gone, the job is wide open, and a freshman is taking charge. Ledger Clements led Bass Middle School to a championship last year and is ready to take a step to the next level.
He plays like a much older player, and while there will be some growing pains, the Vikings are set at quarterback for the next four years.
Malik Dixon is the starter in the backfield, but another freshman is also pushing for playing time there. Woody Schettini, another
Hitting so hard the numbers came off: senior linebacker Peyton Liggett (No. 51) and the Vikings defense will be a strength.
NORTHGATE • 20
PHOTO BY LAWRENCE WALLS
NORTHGATE
FROM PAGE 19
Bass Middle championship team member, will get carries, too.
Clifford Polk, Ahmaud Hogans, Zolen Louis, and Tripp Kelly will catch the ball and make Clements
look good.
The offensive line features Caden Chandler, Isak Bergum, Ridge Harper, Darrian Parks, Rian Lavelle, and Hayden Privett.
DEFENSE – The defense is going to be the strength of the team
ROSTER
Keaton Stigall
Kieran Williams
Xavier King
Mason McKnight
Clifford Polk
Malik Dixon
Raymond Vargas
Braylen Hopkins
Logan Taylor
Braxtyn Davies
Ledger Clements
Duke Sutherland
Brysen Davies
Brice Jarvis
Kwasi Hawthorne
Javian Cameron
Zolen Louis
Connor Chubb
Chase Ingram
Tre Gill
Woody Schettini
Elijah Jones
Ahmaud Hogans
Braylon Pearson
Jaylen Hardy
Hudson Dearing
Timothy Gibson
Nathan Holston
Justin Britt
Walker Johnson Kingston
Eli Gentry
Fernando Phillips
Graden Coburn
Clayton Grooms
Kyng Williams
William With Charlie Currie
Landon Nelson
Cohen Wilder
RaQuavious Jackson
Isaiah Kwon
Solomon McCoy
Camden Shirley
Peyton Liggett
Jet Clark
William With
Zach Lowe
Ridge Harper
Zeke Mitchell
John Joliff
Jean-Francois LeBlanc
Aiden Hogan
Yuriel Diaz
early. The linebacker-brother combination of Braxtyn and Brysen Davies plays with an attitude and is tough inside.
Two guys in the secondary are big-time performers. Mason McKnight committed to Georgia Southern, and Keaton Stigall plays safety and owns the middle.
Others who will stand out include Braylen Hopkins, Jet Clark, Jaylen Hardy, and Peyton Leggett.
SPECIAL TEAMS – Sophomore Charlie Currie will handle the
NORTHGATE • 22
Chase Black
Isak Bergum
Scott
Boswell Sydney Mayes Knox Kornacki
Logan Romig
Darrian Parks
Alexander Betts
Landon Fricke
Cole Hayes
Evan Harrell
Kai Rutherford
Tripp Kelly
Lucas Walker
Sebastian Tibuguy
Camdyn Dyer
Charles Caswell
Ace Clark
Jacob Cain
Michael Jackson
Brian White
Jayden Smith
Thad Higgins
Christian Vansant
Isaac Sandahl
Juan Alden
Jobani Ramirez
Northgate SCHEDULE
NORTHGATE
FROM PAGE 20
punting and place-kicking duties.
OUTLOOK –
The talent is there to make the playoffs. The question is, can the young players grow up quickly, and can the team grasp the new offensive and defensive quantities quickly?
However, Coach Whitley has achieved in the past with the same conditions. In his first season as head coach at North Springs and Stockbridge, he doubled those teams from the prior year.
With many pieces from a defense that went to the playoffs in back-to-back seasons remaining, he will create a recipe for success that will put the Vikings back into the postseason.
KEY GAME ON THE SCHED-
ULE –
While it is no longer a region matchup, the contest with Northside Columbus will be important and tell how the season will play out. As the last of the non-region games, the team can gauge where they are with a young quarterback as they prepare for the Newnan game, which is the following week.
Like Northgate, the Patriots have been to the playoffs for the past two years. It will be the fifth time the two schools have played each other in a row, but the first time, it will be a non-region game. Northside Columbus dropped down to 4A while the Vikings stayed in 5A.
NAMES FROM THE PAST –
The 2009 season did not start the way the Vikings wanted it to. After qualifying for the state playoffs in 2008, the expectations were high for a return to the postseason. After losing four of their first five, the
Vikings got a 24-7 win over Fayette County.
That set up a key matchup with Whitewater, with the Vikings' season on the line. Senior quarterback Toby Slagle ran for 77 yards for a touchdown to give the Vikings an early 7-0 lead. He followed that with two touchdown passes to Malcolm Poindexter to take a 20-7 lead at the half.
One of the touchdown passes from Slagle to Pondexter came on a 4th-and-23 play.
After Whitewater cut the lead to six in the third quarter, Slagle led the Vikings to one more scoring drive, a field goal from Casey Vaughn for the final margin of 2314.
Slagle finished the game 6-for8 for 91 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 102 rushing yards on 13 carries. Payton Usher added 85 rushing yards on seven carries.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
Defensive backs Mason McKnight (No. 24) and Keaton Stigall (No. 27) bring talent and experience to the back end of the Vikings defense.
Working hard when nobody is watching Trinity Christian
6-5, lost to Bainbridge in the first
The more things change, the more they remain the same, and over the years, the Trinity Christian Lions football program has undergone a lot of change. In 2017, they brought in Head Coach Kenny Dallas to lead the program, and his efforts paid immediate dividends when he led the Lions to the Georgia Independent School Association
The following season, they moved from GISA into the Georgia High School Association (GHSA), where success continued to follow. They went to the second round of the playoffs in their first season and then made back-to-back state championship appearances in 2020 and 2021, including a state title in Class
While winning that championship was important, they also wanted to play and compete with local teams to create rivalries. Thus, they made an unprecedented move up to Class 4A in 2022, went undefeated against Fayette County schools, and made it to the state playoffs in both
With reclassification, they moved down to 3-A this year, but they are in one of the toughest regions, pound-forpound in the state. They never take the easy way; that is how Coach Dallas and the Trinity leadership approach
The phrase “Iron sharpens iron” is a Biblical reference, but it is the center of how the Lions approach things. At Trinity Christian, teammates push each other to improve through hard work, competition, and mutual support. There is no substitute for hard work and discipline, and the formula has proven to be true season after season.
Head Coach Kenny Dallas has been at
PHOTO BY MICHAEL CLIFTON Bakari Hamilton (No. 23) will be the feature back in Head Coach Kenny Dallas' offense.
TRINITY CHRISTIAN
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the helm of the Trinity Christian program since 2017. He has won a state championship (2021), two state runners-up (2017 and 2020), and three region championships in his seven seasons.
He is the all-time winningest coach at Landmark Christian (88) and Trinity Christian (64).
After playing college football at Austin Peay, Coach Dallas started coaching in Tennessee but soon became the Head Coach at Landmark Christian, where he spent 11 seasons. After a stint as defensive coordinator at Eagles Landing Christian, he returned to head coaching with the Lions.
Coach Dallas has a mantra, “Champions are built when no one is watching,” which signifies his team does the dirty work, including his predawn workouts in the offseason.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW –
After a slow start to the season, their record was 1-2 going into region play. They used the Riverdale and North Clayton games to tune up the offense and reeled off four straight region wins, including victories over a Starr's Mill team that went to the final four and a good Whitewater team.
Back-to-back losses to LaGrange and Troup ended their hopes of a region championship, but the Lions closed out a win against Fayette County to make the state playoffs for the 13th consecutive year.
The playoff journey took them
on a long road trip to Bainbridge to face the third-ranked Bainbridge Bearcats. In typical Lions fashion, they fought toe-to-toe, but the Bearcat depth wore down Trinity Christian in the second half.
OFFENSE –
Coach Dallas is excited about the development of sophomore quarterback Asheton Clare, who has progressed through the middle school program and is ready to take the next step.
Another long-time Trinity program guy, Bakari Hamilton will be at the running back spot. Look for his downhill style of running to be featured more this year.
A tight end can be a young quarterback’s best friend, and the Lions have a very good one in senior Kaden Hanson, who has committed to Mercer. At the receiver position, there is Peyton Echols, Welsey Middlebrooks, Trevor McDowell, and DJ Dumars.
The offense line is manned by center Cole Woodward, along with Matthew Wells, Turner Morris, Grayson Ingram, Andy Henderson, and Jayden Lemons.
Greg Brezina will also line up and play tight end; he caught a touchdown pass in the preseason scrimmage against Wesleyan.
DEFENSE
– A Kenny Dallas-coached team always includes a hard-nosed defense. Henderson, Ingram, Lemons,
Henry Zueck, and Rudd Phillips will get time on the defensive front this year.
Cam Rodgers, Ben Wesson, Sam Burgess, and Hanson are fast and strong linebackers, while RJ Coker, Jackson Ross, Chase Randolph, and Preston Funk will be in the defensive backfield.
SPECIAL TEAMS
– Colin DePriest and Aiden Comfort will handle the kicking roles.
OUTLOOK
– For the second time in three years, the Lions must adjust to a new region. During the reclassification process, they were from region 4-4A to region 2-3A. In addition, while they will play a full region slate, they will move to a separate bracket for the GHSA state playoffs, with just private schools from Class 1A through 3A.
A power ranking system will rank each private in the playoffs and place them into a seeded bracket. A regular season region championship will guarantee the team a first-round bye in the private school bracket.
Region 2-3A is rugged from top to bottom. There are 59 teams in class 3A and eight of the top 17 are in the Lions' region and on the Lions' schedule. Again, Coach Dallas and the Lions never back down from a challenge.
With the gauntlet of a schedule and the guarantee of a playoff spot awaiting them regardless, the Lions will compete for a region championship, win seven or eight games, and make a deep run in the playoffs. They have done it before, and they
will undoubtedly do it again.
KEY GAME ON THE SCHEDULE –
While the Lions have had great success against the neighboring Fayette County schools, they have not had the opportunity to compete against the Sandy Creek Patriots.
The Patriots, who won a GHSA championship in 2022, are just up the road from Trinity Christian and are loaded with talent as usual. They feature three AllState players.
Last year, the Patriots went 7-4 and lost in their first-round playoff game to Monroe Area in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year.
This will probably be the most talented roster the Lions will face until they enter the later rounds
of private playoffs. Luckily, the Lions will be home and need every advantage they can get.
NAMES FROM THE PAST
– The Lions made the transition from the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) to the GHSA before the 2018 season. Their first game in the new association was on August 17, 2018, when they hosted the Northeast Macon Raiders.
It was a huge step for Head Coach Kenny Dallas, in his second year, and his program to venture into the unknown. The Raiders first varsity season was in 1970, while the Lions only started in 2011.
The game was tied 7-7 at the half, but the Raiders took a 19-14 lead with five minutes left in the
contest. With time running out, Lions quarterback Carson Walter found tight end Jacob Blair open for the winning play, and the Lions won 20-19.
Even though the Raiders outgained Trinity Christian by 200 yards (359 total yards for Northeast to 159 for the Lions), Coach Dallas' team found a way to win.
Walter also found James Lye for a touchdown pass in the first half, and Zach Seymour scored a touchdown from the five-yard line in the wildcat formation. Shamari Reed had an interception on defense, and Jason Marx recovered a fumble.
The Lions finished the regular season 7-3 and won their first-ever GHSA playoff game later in the year, defeating Whitefield Academy 52-7.
COURTESY OF SHANNON DALLAS Kaden Hanson (No. 2) rips through the defense; the senior is committed to Mercer.
ROSTER
Trinity Christian SCHEDULE
Aug. 16
Aug. 23
Aug. 30
Sept. 5
Sept. 13
Sept. 20
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
Oct. 11
Oct. 18
Oct. 25
Nov. 1
Ola Mustangs
Spalding
Sandy
Whitewater
Troup
Fayette
Heritage Hawks
Construction in progress under Moncrief
LAST SEASON – 2-8, did not qualify for the state playoffs.
INTRO – It has been a journey for the Heritage School on the football field. They started playing varsity football in 2006 and have had some great success, including the opportunity to play for the GISA state championship in 2012. In total, the Hawks went
to the playoffs ten times before making the switch to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) in 2020, While Heritage did well in many sports at the GHSA level, it was not the right fit, and they moved back to the Georgia Independent Athletic Association (GIAA) in 2022, where they immediately went back to the playoffs.
Unfortunately, some transition in 2023 hurt their overall performance on the field, but building blocks were put into place to return to the Heritage of the 2010s. Enter a new head coach to solidify that move. In December, Richard Moncrief was hired as the school’s ninth head football coach to replace Jake Copeland, who stepped away to spend in
PHOTO BY GREG KEITH
The Hawks will count on the leadership and experience of senior Dominic DiGiulio (No. 7)
his athletic director’s role.
Like Copeland, Moncrief played quarterback in high school and went on to play college football. He also has a reputation for building quarterbacks. He is just what the doctor ordered for Heritage, and now it is time to roll up his sleeves and slowly and methodically put the pieces in place to restore Heritage to the success it is used to.
LEADERSHIP –
Coach Richard Moncrief was a star quarterback at Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Alabama (now named Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School) and signed with Clemson University in 1989. While in college, his defining moment came in Tokyo, Japan. The Tigers played the Duke Blue Devils in the final regular game of the season, and Moncreif came off the bench to play quarterback and lead Clemson to a 33-21 victory. He ran for a 34-yard touchdown and passed for a 34-yard touchdown for the ACC Champion Tigers.
His coaching journey took him to Alabama, where he had stints at Sidney Lanier High School and Selma High School, then onto the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Alabama State.
In 2013, he came to Atlanta when he accepted a position at Pace Academy High School and then returned to college at Clark Atlanta. Last year, she was the interim head coach for the Clark Panthers after they dismissed their head coach last October.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW
– It was a year of transition. The roster underwent an overhaul, and Coach Copeland opened the
in Barron Ofosu, Landon Freeman, and Dominic DiGiulio.
When the Hawks try to control the clock and run the ball, they have junior Bill Watroba in the backfield alongside Chapman.
On the line, the Hawks boast some size and experience in Landon Allen, Will Chapman, Parks Agee, William James, and Will Bracey.
DEFENSE
– With a 23-man roster, most players will play both offense and defense, so the offensive line mix of Allen, Chapman, Agee, James, and Bracey will also play on the defensive line.
They have Alex Mazon, who will be a playmaker, along with Watroba, at linebacker. And in the secondary, Ofosu is a lockdown corner.
SPECIAL
2023 season with a slimmeddown group of young players who bought into the Heritage Way, throwbacks to the program's infancy.
They took some lumps but did some good things before injuries took a toll, which is hard to overcome with a small roster team. Back-to-back wins over Cross Keys and Calvary Christian gave them a vision of where they wanted to end up eventually.
They played their best game of the year against one of the top GIAA teams in the state. They held their own with the 7-1 St. Anne Pacelli Vikings before falling 21-0, but the contest validated their hard work.
OFFENSE
– Coach Moncrief handed the offense keys over to senior Field Chapman. Fortunately, he has some big-play receivers
TEAMS – The Hawks have the luxury of one of the best kickers in the state with Quint Johnson.
OUTLOOK – Growth will come in incremental steps. While the roster is not deep, some great players are ready to take the program another step in the process. Eight- or nine-win teams that go to the playoffs yearly are not grown overnight; it takes time, patience, and a process.
This season will be part of that process, but that does not mean it has to be a throwaway year. There is a real possibility that the Hawks could earn six wins and make a run for a playoff berth from their region.
KEY GAME ON THE SCHEDULE – After going through their
PHOTO BY GREG KEITH
Senior quarterback Field Chapman (No. 1) will be the general on the field for Head Coach Richard Moncrief’s offense.
first five non-region games, the Hawks will travel to Williamson to play the Rock Springs Christian Academy Eagles in the first game that matters in the standings.
The Eagles, coached by GHSA offensive genius Clint Ashmore, will be a good test for the Hawks team. Heritage has lost six region games in a row, so starting 2024 with a win will be huge for their psyche and for their goal of making the playoffs.
The Eagles are in transition. They moved from the Georgia Association of Private & Parochial Schools (GAPPS) to GIAA this year to compete at a higher level. After winning a GAPP state championship in 2021, the Eagles
have taken some lumps, so it will be an excellent test to see where the Hawks are heading down the home stretch of their 2024 schedule.
Another interesting game is against King's Ridge Christian, coached by Zach Slaney, a Heritage alumnus.
NAMES FROM THE PAST
– When legendary East Coweta coach Danny Cronic in 2007, he left the door open to return at some point. That day came on January 19, 2010, when he accepted the job at Heritage and returned to replace Larry Harrison.
The Hawks won their first two under Cronic, and three of their first four. On October 15, they traveled to Douglasville to face Harvester Christian Academy. The
game was over before it started.
The Hawks took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on touchdowns from John Veal, Byron York, and Candler Rich. In the end, Heritage won 54-6 to improve its record to 4-3 on the season.
In addition to the rushing touchdowns, quarterback Joe Bonner also had a 36-yard scoring pass to Kyle Kimsey. Ben Dudley was perfect in kicking the point after touchdowns.
Unfortunately, the Hawks lost their final three games and missed out on the playoffs. Coach Cronic's stay at Heritage was a shot one. After the season, he took the job to start the college program at Reinhardt University.
The win over Harvester Christian was the 222 and final win of his high school coaching career.
Flag Football Flag Football Flag Football
Don’t forget about the girls
Once again, it was another banner season for flag football in Coweta County. Three teams went to the state playoffs, with East Coweta and Trinity Christian making deep postseason runs.
No one embraced Flag Football more after it was sanctioned as a sport by the Georgia High School Association more than Coweta County. Under head coach John
Perkerson, the East Coweta Lady Indians made it to the third round of the playoffs before losing to Lithia Springs 27-7. They finished the season 14-7. East Coweta Lady Indian senior quarterback Jaylin Schmitt is one of the best players in Georgia.
The Trinity Christian Lady Lions won 12 games under the leadership of Head Coach Kayla Freund. They also made
it to the third round of the playoffs before falling to Loganville 7-0. They concluded their season with a record of 17-6.
At Northgate, the Lady Vikings finished the regular season 7-9 and fell to McDonough 26-6. The Newnan Lady Cougars finished 2-8.
The 2024 Flag Football season opens on Monday, Sept. 30.
PHOTOS BY MICHAEL CLIFTON
East Coweta senior Jaylin Schmitt (No. 25) has thrown for 96 touchdowns in her two seasons as the Lady Indians starting quarterback.
Middle school
Middle School Football Bass looking to run it back
Blake Bass running back Woody Schettini (No. 5) led the Bulldogs to an undefeated season and CCMSAL Championship in 2023.
Smokey Road @ Arnall; Madras @ Lee; Bass @ East Coweta; Evans Bye
Oct. 9
Arnall @ Lee; Madras @ Smokey Road; Evans @ East Coweta; Bass Bye
Oct. 16
Evans @ Arnall; Bass @ Madras; Lee @ Smokey Road; East Coweta Bye
Oct. 23
East Coweta @ Arnall; Lee @ Evans; Smokey Road @ Bass; Madras Bye
Oct. 30
Arnall @ Madras; Lee @ East Coweta; Evans @ Bass; Smokey Road Bye
CCMSAL playoffs
Nov. 6
Semi-finals at field of higher seeded team (#3 v. #2; #4 v. #1)
Nov. 13
Championship (hosted at the highest seed's high school field and sideline of choice at 6 p.m.)
In just their third season, the Blake Bass Middle School football team dominated and won the 2023 Coweta Middle School Athletic League (CCMSAL) championship.
The Bulldogs played their first official football game in 2021, losing to Madras 46-0. They lost their next seven before earning their initial win in 2022 over Smokey Road, 36-22.
They dominated the 2023 gridiron season with a perfect 8-0 season, including a 36-22 win over the Evans Cougars to win their first CCMSAL football championship. Led by Head Coach John Crosby, the Bulldogs were led by quarterback Ledger Clements, running back Woody Schettini, and receivers Nathan Holston and Trevon Gill.
The 2024 CCMSAL season starts on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, and the Bulldogs will be set to defend their title.
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Central Christian
Ready for a new era
LAST SEASON – 6-5, defeated Lafayette Christian in the first round of playoffs, lost to Unity Christian in the semifinals.
INTRO – For the Central Christian Crusaders, 2023 was a season to build on. Just nine years removed from their 2014 NHSA National Championship win over the Memphis Nighthawks in 8-man football, Central went back to 11-man for a while and suffered through some lean years.
In 2022, they returned to 8-man, where they are most comfortable, and started putting the pieces back together. Head Coach Joey Farlow began his second stint last year, and the program
took a huge step forward by qualifying for the Georgia Association of Private & Parochial Schools (GAPPS) state playoffs and winning their first-round matchup.
This season will be a minor change, as GAPPS has mandated the league convert from 8-man to 9-man for the 2024 season. Therefore, there will be an extra player on the field this season.
Three players from last year's team were named All-State by GAPPS, but unfortunately, they are not back. Senior tight end Evan Cauble graduated and went to Shorter University, while two others transferred to GHSA schools nearby. But that is the nature of Central Christian Crusader football.
On a positive note, Central Christian's middle school program has been solid for the last two years, and a solid crop of young players who grew up in the program will make an impact.
Coach Farlow takes what he has and gets the most out of it game after game. You should never feel sorry for the Crusaders; just be prepared to see their next move.
LEADERSHIP – Head Coach
Joey Farlow has done it all at Central Christian High School. He bleeds the school colors. He has been a parent of players, a position coach, a defensive coordinator, and now the head coach for his second season.
PHOTO BY NATALIE RIVERS
Carter Huckaby (No. 3) played center last year but will take a more active role in the offense in 2024 as a slot receiver.
During his coaching career, his teams have won region and conference championships; he was a state runner-up twice, earned one state championship, and won one national championship. While at Central Christian, Coach Farlow assisted in sending 26 student-athletes to play at the collegiate level.
He has coached the Crusaders in 11-man- and 8-man football, where he has succeeded at the highest level. This year, he will coach 9-man, and there is no reason to doubt he will find ways to expose the opponent's defense and shut down their offense.
LAST YEAR IN REVIEW – It was a bleak start for the Crusaders. On the second play from scrimmage, one of their top players was injured and missed the remainder of the season. Losing one of your best is challenging when you have a roster of 17 players.
However, Head Coach Joey Farlow does not make excuses, although his entire off-season work changed instantly.
Although the Crusaders lost that day, they reeled off three straight wins before dropping their first region game against the Lafayette Christian Cougars. They finished the regular season and qualified for the state playoffs, where they got the rematch with Lafayette.
Impressively, they kept the Cougars out of the endzone and won 12-2. They lost the next week to eventual state champion Unity Christian, but the Crusaders' journey in 2023 was special.
OFFENSE –
The offense, especially in the skill positions, is talented but extremely young. Carter Patterson takes over at quarterback. He played multiple positions last year and has the potential to be one of the best ever produced by the program.
Tucker Handly, Bradley Marsh, and Josh Taylor will get the rushing carries, while Landon Couch, Hudson Clough, and Reese Kramer will work on the outside as receivers.
Carter Huckaby, who was the center last year, moved to an eligible position
this year and will play the H-Back position.
Grady Eagle, Kaden Barnes-Cloud, Ethan Henson, Brody Harmon, and Treavor Hill will rotate on the offensive line to stay fresh.
DEFENSE
– Patterson will also be the centerpiece of the Crusader defense. From his linebacker spot, he calls the defenses and makes the plays over the middle.
The defensive line will be a strength, with seniors JR Noles, Marsh, and Ben Wright, a run stuffer. Taylor will look to get to the opponent's quarterback as a rush, defensive end-type player.
Couch, Long, Andrew Simpson, and Kramer will defend the pass. With nine men using the full football field, those guys have a lot of ground to cover.
OUTLOOK
– They always get it done. Coach Farlow and his staff always have the knack of putting the right people in the right places, Inju-
CENTRAL • 38
ries, transfers, and tough losses are all just part of the process.
In nine-man football, three ineligible linemen are on the line of scrimmage, while the other six are eligible to run and catch passes. The key to success is to get those six players in space and get them the football.
However, Coach Farlow stays the course, and the consistency gives the team a quiet confidence that builds through the season and gets stronger in the postseason. With that in mind, the Crusaders will again find themselves in a postseason run and with a GAPPS playoff spot.
KEY GAME ON THE SCHEDULE
– The Lafayette Christian game will be huge again. The Crusaders will travel to LaGrange to face the Cougars
again, and Lafayette will have revenge on their mind.
The game is the ninth on the Cougar's schedule and will be played on the last Friday of October. By then, Coach Farlow and his team will have worked out all the intricacies of the 9-man offense and will be ready to start their postseason run.
Additionally, Coach Farlow probably still remembers the Cougars' running up the score against the Crusaders in 2019 when Lafayette won 61-0.
central christian SCHEDULE
NAMES FROM THE PAST
– Although the Crusaders lost, the game shows Central Christian's grit and perseverance from the start.
In 2008, just their second season playing football, Central Christian traveled to Loganville to play the Covenant Christian Academy Cougars. Despite being outnumbered in players, Covenant dressed 40 while the Crusaders brought 14, and Central Christian went toe-totoe with them. Things were tied 20-20 at the half.
On the Cougar's opening drive of the second half, they got stuffed by the Crusader defense, which gave Central Christian all the momentum. Unfortunately, turnovers did them in, and the Cougars pulled away for a 42-20 victory.
Brandon Hurler led the Crusades with 124 rushing yards and two touchdowns, Blaze Sherman added 72 yards, and the other Crusaders scored.
To this day, the coaches at Central Christian still get that same effort week in and week out from their team.
