V3 High School Football Preview

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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PUBLISHERS V3 Publications, LLC

MAG ART & DESIGN Elizabeth Childers Ellie Borromeo

EDITORIAL MANAGER Oliver Robbins

publisher’s note While the days of summer drag for some, it seems like just last week that four teams from our little corner of the state were in the running for state championships on the gridiron.

Calhoun, Cartersville, Rockmart and Rome all made strong pushes for a title. Rome fell just short of a third straight championship, losing in the semifinals to Warner Robbins. Calhoun, Cartersville and Rockmart all advanced to the championship game, but couldn’t quite get it done.

That level of success speaks to the talent pool of both players and coaches in Northwest Georgia, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about our local teams in 2019.

Championship aspirations always bring an extra level of excitement to high school football, but for many it goes far beyond the outcome on the field.

From the marching bands to the booster clubs cooking burgers and dogs, Friday nights in the South are an institution. Games are won or lost, homecoming kings and queens are crowned, and fans of every school have a reason to gather and celebrate. None of that would be possible without the game and the sacrifice of the players and coaches. So, thanks be to football for creating the thriving social network surrounding the game.

Four area teams welcome new coaches this season. Hal Lamb retired from Calhoun after one of the most impressive runs the state will ever see, Joey King moved on to coach at the college level after an amazing run at Cartersville, Gordon Central parted ways with Cory Nix and Model’s Ricky Ross moved on after just one season at the helm.

Calhoun and Cartersville hired from within with Clay Stephenson replacing Hal Lamb at Calhoun and Conor Foster taking the reins from Joey King at Cartersville. Both hires are familiar with their predecessors' systems so predicting any major drop off in success would be foolish. Model brings in Jeff Hunnicut, who’s strong ties to the region should serve him well, and the new Warriors head man, Tristan Hamliton, looks to build on the positive momentum from 2018.

As for the other 15 teams featured within these pages, they have their front men from 2018 back and expectations are high. Can the Wolves, Jackets (Calhoun and Rockmart), and Hurricanes make another run at greatness?

Will the Tigers (Darlington and Adairsville), Bulldogs (Trion and Cedartown) or Dragons breakthrough for a special season?

Will a dark horse emerge in region play and dash the dreams of one of the contenders?

So many questions are about to be answered. For now we provide a little fuel for that fire.

Friday nights are about to get a lot more fun. Good luck to all.

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ASSISTANT EDITOR McKenzie Todd

WRITERS Ian Griffin, DeMarcus Daniel, Jim Alred

EXECUTIVE PHOTOGRAPHER Cameron Flaisch

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Huynh, Andy Calvert

AD SALES & CLIENT RELATIONS Chris Forino

AD DESIGN & MARKETING CONCEPTS Ellie Borromeo Elizabeth Childers

CONTACT V3 Magazine 417 Broad Street Rome, Georgia 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com

READV3.COM

The residents of Renaissance Marquis would like to wish all of our area teams the best of luck in the upcoming season!

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Eye of the Storm Harbin Clinic: As Cartersville High School celebrates the 20th anniversary of their 1999 Georgia State Championship win, Cathy Sharpe recalls the moments that made that run so special.

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Team Physicians, 1 Sports Injuries, 0 Team physicians from Harbin Clinic offer ways to keep high school football athletes safe and ready for action on Friday nights.

FLOYD

2019 High School Football Preview If we had a crystal ball that could predict this year's standout high school football teams, we'd be on the next plane to Vegas. Until then, this preview will have to do.

19 ARMUCHEE INDIANS 20 COOSA EAGLES 22 DARLINGTON TIGERS 24 MODEL BLUE DEVILS 26 PEPPERELL DRAGONS 28 ROME WOLVES 30 UNITY LIONS

BARTOW

31 ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS 32 CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES 34 CASS COLONELS 36 WOODLAND WILDCATS

GORDON

38 CALHOUN YELLOW JACKETS 40 GORDON CENTRAL WARRIORS 42 SONORAVILLE PHOENIX

CHATTOOGA

44 CHATTOOGA INDIANS 46 TRION BULLDOGS

POLK

48 CEDARTOWN BULLDOGS 50 ROCKMART YELLOW JACKETS

For extended team previews, visit www.ReadV3.com 6

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YOUR CITY • OUR CITY • RIVER CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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Eye of the Storm TEXT: DEMARCUS DANIEL

PHOTOS: JASON HUYNH

When those who were a part of Canes Football set their sights on hoisting the championship trophy in December of 1999, they proved that this program was one that was destined for greatness.

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CATHY SHARPE

I T WA S S E V E N D AYS U N T I L C H R I S T M A S .

S A T U R D A Y, D E C E M B E R 1 8 , 1 9 9 9 .

“It was cold and rainy, just awful weather,” says Cathy Sharpe, keeper of all-things-Cartersville, including the information about the local high school's 1999 championship year.

Sharpe creates the Cartersville High football program every year and takes photographs on game nights. “Cartersville football is more than half of my life,” she explains. “I print, document and store all Cartersville articles and create scrapbooks for the players.”

Sharpe was a part of a team of supporters who peppered the city with hype signs back in 1999. They even lined the Interstate 75 exit ramp with Cartersville Hurricane flags and banners all along the route to the stadium.

“It felt kind of awkward, with the game being on a Saturday night. It was just different,” Sharpe recalls, “and as terrible as the weather was, the community really came together to support our boys.”

The ’99 Hurricanes began the season with a convincing 42-7 victory over their neighbors, the Woodland Wildcats (Cartersville), who were a successful program in only their second year of existence. That would be the first of seven consecutive games in which Cartersville won while scoring more than 40 points, a feat the ‘Canes would accomplish in nine of their 15 games that season.

An away game at South Forsyth proved to be a little tougher than the previous games and the Hurricanes won that one by two touchdowns. They would close out their regular season with a 34-0 shutout versus North Forsyth and a road victory over Gilmer, 31-14. Next would be the Class AA playoffs.

The 1999 season was head coach Frank Barden’s fourth year at Cartersville.

He realized he had a special team that season. “We were a team that got better each week as the year went along. We had kids who were undersized but played big, like center Matt Montgomery and middle linebacker Jamarcus Wiley, 10

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who both were small (undersized) and played very well,” says Barden.

H e w a s particularly fond of his senior class that year. “We had a group of seniors who were a close knit group and they put in a lot of preparation and work for the season,” says Barden. Some of those seniors were wide receiver Lavada Johnson, running back J.J. Chatmon and defensive end, Jody Fletcher. “We were a very talented team.”

Multiple players would go on to play at the college level and Class AA Associated Press Player of the Year, Ronnie Brown would go on to have a very productive NFL career.

“We played some really good teams in the ’99 playoffs,” Barden remembers.

The quarterfinal round was a matchup with number-two ranked Dodge County at home. “That was a big game, a really close game,” Barden says of the 21-12 victory.

In the semifinal round, Cartersville was victorious over Applin County 30-7 in the Georgia Dome. Next was the Class AA State Championship game versus the Hart County Bulldogs, to be played at home.

“My husband says you can’t talk to me on game day,” Sharpe says and follows her statement with loud laughter. “He says I’m too locked in and focused on the upcoming game.”

Sharpe still roams the sidelines taking photographs and has for the Hurricanes since 1998. Up until the recent years when digital technology has nearly erased the need for paper photos, Sharpe would print out two copies of a photo: a copy for her scrapbook and a copy for the player and his family. “I have never sold a photo to anyone,” she says proudly. Now,

she is the owner of thousands of files on many different hard drives.

The Canes' photographer and scrap booker was a little more invested in the ’99 team because she is the mother of former defensive end, Jody Fletcher.

Adding to that investment in the team was a close relationship she had with running back Ronnie Brown, who “was basically a member,” of Sharpe’s family.

Not only did Sharpe have her boys on the field, she had her husband in the stands yelling his chant that has become a Cartersville famous saying: ‘HIT SOMEBOD-AAAY.’ She woke up that Saturday morning with her Friday night mentality… it was game day.

Cartersville held on to win a very tough game that night, 27-21. Hart County would prove to be the Hurricanes’ closest game, at least according to the score, that season. As great of a game that it was, there’s one word that is still used when someone describes that season. That word is community.

“It’s fun to play a state championship game at home. And the community that night, and the excitement, was unlike anything else I had been a part of,” says Barden.

“We had a great coaching staff," he continues," and we had great players and great community support. Cartersville is a special community…it is a special place. The community really got behind the team that season—that night of the championship game—and still gets behind the team to this day. Cartersville is a school that is pretty much owned and beloved by our community and businesses. Most of the people in Cartersville are CHS alumni, and it shows.”

Sharpe is a fan of all things Cartersville, but she is partial to the 1999 Champions. She actually owns a ’99 game ball, signed by the team and necklaces from all three CHS state championships.

Barden, who spent 18 years as head coach of the Carterville Hurricanes and compiled a 154-58-1 record while winning seven region champions and the 1999 Class AA state championship, describes the fortune it took for the season to go as it did.

“It was really a special year. It was one of those years where if ten things have to go your way, they all went our way. The ball bounced our way, we stayed healthy and we went undefeated. We had good play from both sides of the ball all season long,” Barden recalls.

The 1999 Cartersville Hurricanes started the season ranked sixth in Class AA and finished with a 15-0 record, as Region 7 AA champions, won the second of four consecutive region titles, and as Class AA state champions.

"IT WAS REALLY A SPECIAL YEAR. IT WAS ONE OF THOSE YEARS WHERE IF TEN THINGS HAVE TO GO YOUR WAY, THEY ALL WENT OUR WAY." HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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The Canes averaged 38 points scored per game, while giving up 12 points per contest. The points surrendered dropped two points to 10 per game in region play while maintaining their 38-point scoring average.

Many of the players received accolades that season, like Lavada Johnson, Albert Turner and and Ronnie Brown; all were named to various first team All-State teams. Cortney Chatmon, David Thompson and Chris Dietsch were also recognized as All-State honorable mentions. Another member of the ’99 Hurricanes team, Conor Foster, has been named Head Football Coach at Cartersville High School and beginning his time at the helm during this 20-year anniversary season.

“The 1999 Cartersville football team is one of my favorite teams that I have ever been associated with,”says Foster. “We had tremendous talent, but we also had outstanding leadership. The 1999 team left a lasting impression on a community rich in tradition and football culture. We had several leaders on that team, including Ronnie Brown, whom are still very active

in the Cartersville community. Their championship legacy on the field, in the classroom and in the community is still the standard that young Purple Hurricanes strive to emulate.”

“When reminiscing on the 1999 season, my fondest memory is the state championship game. We went 15-0, so we were winning every week and did not have time to think about what we were doing. When it was finally all over with, we all thought, wow, what a ride,” says Sharpe.

“So many good teams and good players have come through Cartersville.

That ’99 team was a special group of people and a special time in the City of Cartersville. They were talented and they worked awfully hard, and they were very close… it was a special time in the Cartersville legacy,” Barden says as a satisfied smile grows across his face.

As all of the 1999 Hurricane players would say, you’ve got ‘48 minutes to play, but a lifetime to remember.’

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Harbin Clinic

Team Physicians, 1 Sports Injuries, 0 CONTRIBUTED BY AMBERLEE WILLIAMS

FA L L S P O R T S S E A S O N I S B A C K , and from middle school football fumbles to collegiate soccer sprains, athletes of all shapes and sizes are susceptible to injury. Luckily, with the right information and guidance, athletes can help prevent many sports injuries in the ways of play and practice.

Throughout Northwest Georgia, Harbin Clinic physicians serve as team physicians for various local schools. From preventing injuries at practice to evaluating them at games, these doctors make sure players are always playing at their best.

From Harbin Clinic Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Rome, Drs. Mark Floyd, Christopher Piller and Brad Bushnell work together as team physicians for Berry College, as well as the Minor League Baseball team, the Rome Braves. Additionally, Dr. Piller serves as the team physician for Rome High School, Dr. Bushnell serves as the team physician for Trion and Chattooga High Schools, and Dr. Floyd serves as team physician for Armuchee High School.

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Cartersville’s Dr. Jason Andersen serves as Woodland High School’s team physician, while Family Medicine Adairsville’s Dr. Robert Sullivan serves as team physician for Adairsville High School.

In order to help players and parents understand the best ways for athletes to stay safe this season, these orthopedic experts have compiled a list of five common sports injuries and prevention tactics.

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1. General Strain or Sprain

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, while a sprain is an injury to a ligament. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising and even an inability to use the affected joint. These ailments can come in various forms, and according to Dr. Sullivan, they are the most common sports-related injuries.

“To prevent strains or sprains during any kind of physical activity, you should always use proper stretching techniques both before and after the exercise,” Dr. Sullivan says. “Another important step is to always use well-fitting equipment.”

2. ACL Injury

An ACL injury is the overstretching or tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee. In order to prevent ACL tears, Dr. Piller has helped implement programs with coaches and athletic trainers at local schools. So far, the teams have seen positive and significant results.

“Different types of exercises and drills help develop better leg strength, balance, core muscle strength and coordination to avoid getting into a situation where the knee could collapse and cause a ligament to tear,” Dr. Piller says. “These ACL prevention programs that we do throughout the off-season and pre-season seem to have had significant improvement.”

Other ways to prevent this injury include practicing proper jumping and landing techniques, as well as conditioning during the off-season in order to maintain strong muscles and ligaments.

3. Overuse Injury

An overuse injury occurs when someone has engaged in excessive physical activity in a given time frame, resulting in muscle or joint injury. An overuse injury occurs when an athlete is unfamiliar with their sport’s specific techniques and training.

One example of an overuse injury is tendinitis, or inflammation of a tendon, and is the result of a repeated, minor injury of the tendon.

Dr. Andersen says that injuries such as tendinitis are usually avoidable.

“With proper technique, you can avoid overuse injuries such as tendinitis. You need to have a proper warm-up, stretch after exercise and always take time for a good cool down,” he says.

4. Concussion

A concussion is a minor type of traumatic brain injury caused by a violent jarring or shaking that results in a disturbance of brain function. The signs and symptoms include: confusion or inability to concentrate or think clearly, drowsiness or difficulty waking up, headaches, temporary loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting, and seeing flashing lights.

In recent years, various research has been focused on reducing the risk of concussion in sports, especially in football. While there is no way to eliminate the risk altogether, many studies have provided insight on more effective prevention methods.

According to Dr. Piller, some of the best concussion prevention involves teaching players proper tackling techniques and strengthening the upper body.

“If you keep your head up and lean with your shoulder, you’re not as likely to have a concussion or a neck injury. Also, strengthening the upper body and neck help the neck absorb more energy so the head is not shaking around after a collision, causing the brain to get rattled. These have been major preventative measures, and we’ve seen concussions drop significantly. ”

5. Heat-Related Illness

A heat-related illness occurs after environmental exposure to heat, ranging from problems such as heat exhaustion to heat stroke. These illnesses can be fatal, especially in the humidity of the South. So, physicians have worked to inform coaches and athletic trainers on the ways to prevent overheating, including avoiding extreme conditions and not having extended practice in extreme heat.

Dr. Sullivan adds that athletes should stay away from foods and drinks that dehydrate the body.

“An athlete should always be well-hydrated, including prior to participation and throughout practice or competition. Soda and energy drinks are never appropriate for hydration. In fact, they can be fatal,” he says.

Caring completely for local athletes

Prevention is an important part of preparing for the upcoming season, but Dr. Andersen says that some injuries will simply happen.

“Sometimes, it is just the nature of sports. You can’t always look back and say an injury was avoidable, because sometimes that is not the case. That is where myself and my fellow Harbin Clinic team physicians come in.”

Harbin Clinic Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in both Rome and Cartersville offer a Monday Morning Walk-In Sports Clinic for players who were injured over the weekend. The clinic is open to all athletes and active individuals, whether you sprained your knee on a morning jog or twisted an ankle at dance class.

Patients who arrive between 7 and 8 a.m. are guaranteed to be seen by an orthopedic specialist, no appointment is necessary. X-rays, full examinations and recovery plans are all part of the sports clinic experience.

For more information, visit harbinclinic.com/sports-medicine.

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BETWEEN the LINES As the weather cools, local football fans are dusting off their stadium chairs and preparing to spend Friday evenings cheering for their hometown's high school football teams. There are a few new coaches who have been preparing their teams for the rigors of the regular season, and many familiar faces will return to the sidelines to argue bad calls and pump their fists when the play they have drawn up puts points on the board. Will the powerhouses we know mow the competition down and return to the throne? Or, maybe an unsuspecting team will step up and grind their way to victory. We hope you've got your tickets, because we've got ours. Please enjoy this preview of what is sure to be a season to remember.

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Powering

Northwest Georgia

Football

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832 Turnell McCall Blvd.

Rome, GA 30161 706-314-9471 18

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3g Fat

20

OUNCE

4g

Carbs

32 40

OUNCE OUNCE

45g

Protein

ARMUCHEE Indians SCHEDULE

8.23 at Murray County

9.6 vs Haralson County

9.13 at Trion

9.20 vs Rockmart

MORGAN ROGERS GAGE BURKETT MAGGIE EARLY

9.27 at Model

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

DURING COACH JEREMY GREEN’S I N A U G U R A L S E A S O N at his alma mater (class of ’96), his intention was to create a strong family. He also had two concrete goals for his team. The first was to work hard and to be tough. Though outsiders may think the 2018 season was not one for the books, Green and his staff saw the growth and potential their boys possessed. Having won big in the first game of the season, and then going on to win the final game of the season, the Indians showed improvement, which Green set out to accomplish.

“Our 2019 goals will always be to work harder than we did last year, to be tougher, to be more reliable and to be more unselfish. Those will always be our goals,” he explains.

“We won’t really focus on wins and losses, because if we build upon the foundation we established in 2018, we will form the program that we want to have and a program that we can be proud of.”

According to Green, Armuchee High’s 2019 offensive scheme will be built to fit his players’ gifts.

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“We will do a lot more running and throw the ball a lot less,” says Green. “We have a stable of good senior running backs. Our offense will be comparable to a service academy as we will run a lot and put the ball in the hands of different players. We will eat up a lot of clock if we stick to that plan.”

The Indians will be tall and athletic at wideout, carrying a lot of experience across the offense line in 2019. “The offensive line is key to what we want to do and are the most dependable kids,” brags Green.

The Indians' defense will be creative in 2019, and the coaching staff feels pretty good about the defense as a whole. “If we get lined up and play fast on defense, we will be okay,” says Green.

Armuchee returns everyone from the 2018 special teams’ units, which includes the long snapper, kicker, two punters, the starter and the backup.

“We have to improve on our special teams all around this season and we will.”

2018 RECORD: 2-8, overall (1-6, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Jeremy Green 2-8 ALL TIME RECORD: 583 games 206 - 366 - 11 (36%)

vs Coosa

10.18 at Gordon Central

10.25 vs Chattooga

11.1 at Pepperell

11.8 vs Dade County

TOTAL SEASONS: 59 First Season: 1951 All State Players: 35 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1994 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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COOSA Eagles SCHEDULE

8.23 at Trion

8.30 at Darlington

9.6 vs Mt. Zion, Carroll

9.20 at Chattooga

9.27 vs Pepperell ALIYAH ZACHERY ALEX WALKER BRIANNA DAUGHTRY

Hughes and Jalen Hodge, we lost a lot of our offensive, defensive and special teams stats leaders.”

The Eagles will be looking for a total team effort in 2019. This season’s offense will look to gel and light the scoreboard up more often than the 2018 team. The defense looks to improve, after the 2018 unit gave up an average of four touchdowns a game, while Coosa’s offense only scored 24 points a contest.

With the top half of the schedule being bouts with Trion, Darlington and Mt. Zion before the bye-week, Coosa strives to have a better start to the season than in 2018. Also, reaching the playoffs for the third consecutive season would be an amazing achievement for the Eagles in 2019.

2018 RECORD: 4-7, overall (4-3, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Todd Wheeler 30-34 at Coosa, (33-41 career) ALL TIME RECORD: 670 games - 336 - 318 - 16 (51%) 20

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at Armuchee

10.18

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

DESPITE A NUMBER OF INJURIES, the Coosa Eagles advanced to the GHSA playoffs during their 2018 season.

Although it began with a rough start, after losing the first five games of the season, the Eagles went on to win four of the last five games of the regular season.

This included defeating region foe, Gordon Central, for the number four spot in Region 7 AA. For the first time in 41 years, the Eagles had earned a playoff berth in consecutive years.

The Coosa Eagles will be very energetic, but they have a young team in 2019. “We have some big shoes to fill from last year’s team,” says Head Coach Todd Wheeler.

“After the graduation of guys like Sean Brown, Gavin

10.4

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

Vs Dade County

10.25 at Rockmart

11.1 vs Model

11.8 vs Gordon Central

TOTAL SEASONS: 64 First Season: 1955 All State Players: 39 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5 (1975 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1969 LAST)

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DARLINGTON Tigers SCHEDULE

8.23 vs Pepperell

8.30 vs Coosa

9.6 at Sonoraville

9.20 vs Gordon Lee

9.27 at Mt. Zion, Carroll

10.4 vs Christian Heritage

10.18 at Trion

10.25 vs Bowdon

11.1 at North Cobb Christian

11.8 Region Crossover TBA TRYSTAN WRIGHT MOLLY MANSELL KARSON SWIGER

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TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

2018 WAS THE 20-YEAR ANNIVERSARY O F D A R L I N G T O N S C H O O L’ S L A S T S T A T E C H A M P I O N S H I P. The goal, like the goal is every year, is to repeat that feat. The Tigers started the season on a four-game winning streak before a loss to the eventual region 6 A champion, Mount Zion. Another three-game winning streak followed before a loss to North Cobb Christian.

The Tigers finished the regular season 8-2 and with a first round home game in the playoffs.

“We are proud of the year we had in 2018,” says Head Football Coach, Tommy Atha. “We overcame some significant injuries throughout the year to reach the quarterfinals for the second year in a row and advanced into the state playoffs for the 24th time in the last 27 years. It was a great year.”

With a young team that rostered only nine seniors in 2018, the Tigers will see a very experienced team hit the field this season. “We have a good group of returning players,” continues Atha. “We have most of our offensive and defensive lines intact, as well as our running backs and quarterbacks.”

Offensively, the Tigers return two All-State players with senior running back Kolin Rogers (who was honorable mention and first team) and Tate Ratledge, a senior and highly recruited offensive lineman. Returning from

2018 RECORD: 9-3, overall (4-2, Region 6-A) HEAD COACH: Tommy Atha 141-56, 5 region championships ALL TIME RECORD: 960 games - 575 - 348 - 37 (62%)

injury will be quarterback Griffin Brewster, who missed most of the 2018 season. The Tigers are looking for him to bring the promise and production he displayed during his sophomore season.

Darlington’s defensive line remains mostly intact this year. As the Tigers don’t normally have enough players for a two-platoon system, guys will have to play on both sides of the ball. Coach Atha is using summer workouts and fall practice to build players up on the defense. “We will need to develop some depth in the secondary and linebackers,” Atha explains.

The Tigers, like every other high school program, have the standard goals for the season. Atha and company want to win more than they lose, make the playoffs, win the region and of course win the state championship.

“We believe that achieving our goals is a byproduct of doing things the right way. We always talk about ‘controlling the controllables.’ There are things that are completely out of our control. We can't control the weather, how good the other team may be, if we have injuries, or a plethora of other things that can and may well happen. However, we can control us, things like how hard we prepare, the way we approach the game mentally and physically, and what kind of attitude we have. We believe that if we stay true to these things that really matter, the winning will take care of itself.”

TOTAL SEASONS: 108 First Season: 1910 All State Players: 77 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 10 (2015 Last) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1998 Last)

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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MODEL Blue Devils SCHEDULE

8.23 vs LaFayette

8.30 vs Sonoraville

9.6 at North Murray

9.20 at Dade County

9.27 vs Armuchee

10.4 at Pepperell

10.18 vs Chattooga

10.25 RILEY DOOLEY DREW TANNER JACKSON GREER GORDON ULRICH

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11.1 at Coosa

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THE 2018 SEASON FOR THE MODEL B L U E D E V I L S began with the hiring of a new coach and the growing pains that sometimes comes with new leadership, which led to a rough, wavy ride for the Blue Devils. It seems that the will to win abandoned ship for most of the season. The Devils looked promising after a three-game losing streak when they won two straight,

vs Gordon Central

but they followed their short-lived success with a fivegame losing streak to finish their season.

Fast forward to 2019 when Model hires a new head football coach, Jeff Hunnicut. Hunnicut is a local and was a very good football player back in his days at Pepperell High School. He is also the son of former Pepperell and Model High School Head Coach, Lynn Hunnicut.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

11.8 at Rockmart

The Blue Devils are transitioning to a more wide-open offense for the 2019 season. In order to make the scheme successful, Hunnicut is leaning on a few of his players to lead the way. “Our offensive line will be the key to us becoming a successful offense. These guys will have nothing on the stat line on Friday nights, but we are going to build and grow with their success,” says Hunnicut.

The new offense will utilize a variety of different players and their myriad of skill sets, not so much of leaning on a star to carry the team. “I expect us to commit ourselves to the offense and, more importantly, to ourselves,” Hunnicut explains. “The guy beside, behind or in front of us has to buy in, and our touchdown production will increase. We must adopt the 'band of brothers' mentality to become an above average offense.”

Hunnicut is expecting to have a high-scoring offense this year. Tight end Corbin Lamb (senior) and wide receiver Cole Couey (senior) will be instrumental in the transition to a more explosive offense and helping the younger players develop.

The Blue Devils' defense will also be changing in 2019.

“We are moving from a 3-5 to a 3-4. This is not a tremendous change for the kids on this side of the ball,” says Hunnicut. He also says that he

2018 RECORD: 2-8 overall (2-5, Region 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Jeff Hunnicut, 1st Season ALL TIME RECORD: 750 games - 343-389-18 (47%)

believes in keeping it simple for the players. “I am a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Students) method on defense. We are going to get 11 helmets to the ball and have relentless effort in our pursuit.”

Model is looking to their defensive front to lead the entire unit this season. Senior defensive linemen Shaud Askew and Tyler Gamble will be looking forward to improving on their prior all-region seasons. Coach Hunnicut explains how important the D-line play will be for them this year. “Much like the offense, we are going to win or lose a game in the trenches. The defensive line will set the tone, and be our key to stops and keeping opponents out of the endzone.”

Senior linebackers Drew Tanner, A.J. Woods and Jabari Burge will provide leadership and experience to defensive coach Gary Johnson’s unit, as well as, junior linebacker Hunter King. Another junior, Sam Silver, will be important as they are looking for a lot from their experienced players in the Blue Devil secondary.

The special teams’ units are important to the Blue Devil’s system and season. Once practices go into full swing at the end of July, important positions will be determined then. However, Hunnicut will only choose Blue Devils with the goal to play with pride, effort and determination.

TOTAL SEASONS: 77 First Season: 1931 All State Players: 37 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1979 Last) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1979 Last)

Have a Great Season!

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PEPPERELL Dragons SCHEDULE

8.23 at Darlington

9.6 vs Pickens

9.13 vs Heritage

9.20 vs Gordon Central

9.27 at Coosa

10.4 vs Model

10.18 at Rockmart TAYLOR BLASENGAME PAYTON RHOADES ALEX RODRIGUEZ

11.1

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

IN 2018, THE PEPPERELL DRAGONS O N LY H A D O N E O F T W O R E S U LT S I N T H E I R F O O T B A L L G A M E S . They either won by at least two touchdowns or lost by at least two touchdowns.

Of the Dragon’s 11 games last year, only one was decided by less than 12 points. Finishing third in the region, however, won PHS a playoff berth and their season ended with a loss in the first round of the GHSA playoffs.

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10.25 at Dade County

vs Armuchee After losing 13 seniors from last year and only having 11 seniors set to play in the upcoming season, every one of them is expected to contribute and lead the Dragons.

Head Coach Rick Hurst is optimistic that Pepperell can make some noise again this year. “We have a chance to be a pretty good football team if our seniors continue to lead the way. They have been so far, and our younger guys continue to get better throughout the year.

“We are an experienced team at our offensive skill

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

11.8 at Chattooga

positions," Hurst continues,"especially at wide receiver and quarterback.

At quarterback, there is Gage Moses ( junior) who can run and throw. You could see a big difference in us when he went down due to injury last season.

We’re actually fortunate because we have two really good quarterbacks.”

Second in command of the offense is Shannen White, who is an upcoming sophomore.

At wide receiver, there is Payton Rhoades (senior), a highly recruited player. Other impact receivers will be Tray Robinson ( junior) and Ryan Hurst (senior). A player who will contribute as a slot receiver and help in the backfield is Josh Ross (senior).

“On the line we have Dawson Duncan who is a junior left tackle, and he has a chance to be a big-time player,” says Hurst. Other returning starters on the offensive line include juniors Preston Goggans and Clay Crawford.

Josh Ross, in addition to his offensive duties, will be returning as the starting free safety for the Dragons’ defense. An All-Region player in 2018, Hurst brags on his senior playmaker. “Josh is just a tremendous football player. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He is a big hitter, and a guy that just makes plays.”

Cornerbacks Ryan Hurst, a senior, the head coach’s son and an All-

Region defensive back last season, and junior Tray Robinson team up with Ross to cover the Dragons’ defensive backfield. Hurst describes them as, “two very good corners, technical kids and can really play football. Our coaches recently informed me that Ryan was out of position one time last year on a big pass in a region game. Normally, when the ball is thrown his way, he is always in the right position to make the play.”

In kind of a fog of disbelief about his son (Ryan), Hurst says, “if you were to have told me he would be an All-Region player, I wouldn’t have ever believed it.”

Senior Jake Chandler will lead the linebacking core along with juniors Will Helton and Drake Miller. The defensive line features junior Levy Lane at one defensive end, and senior Tyler Liggons, last year’s sack leader and is described by his coaches as a freakish athlete.

“We’re fortunate to have our All-Region punter, Payton Rhoades, returning. He is a left-footed guy and when he hits it, he hits it,” says Hurst.

Kicking duties for field goals, kickoffs and PATs will be a competition between returning kicker Ryan Hurst and sophomore Logan Wright. “We need to be able to put 25 to 50 percent of the kickoffs in the end zone,” says Hurst.

2018 RECORD: 6-5 overall (5-2, REGION 7-AA) TOTAL SEASONS: 69 First Season: 1937 All State Players: 76 HEAD COACH: Rick Hurst (31-15, 1 region championship 97-61 overall) REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4 (2016 LAST) ALL TIME RECORD: 727 games - 393-320-14 (55%) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1990 LAST)

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ROME Wolves SCHEDULE

8.22 vs Marietta

9.6 vs North Clayton

9.13 vs Kell

9.20 at Carrollton

9.27 at Cass

10.4 vs Woodland ANNA STALNAKER AIDEN GAINES CAMDEN GARRETT

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at East Paulding

10.18

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“ T H E R E W A S D I S A P P O I N T M E N T with the outcome of the 2018 season,” says Rome High Head Coach, John Reid. “We didn’t play as good as we had played in the previous 40 games in that last game.

Once you sit and reflect though, the season was a great season. We rose as high as number 13 in the country in the USA Today Top 25 poll, and it is always neat to see ourselves there. We won the region for the third time in a row, a very tough region, and we clinched it last year with three weeks remaining in the regular season. And to think, a lot of people thought we’d have a down year after consecutive state championships. The players did a great job in 2018.

"2019 is exciting due to replacing so many guys on

10.11

both sides of the ball," Reid continues. "As a coach, you dig down and you work harder. We’ve been building depth. We have some really good players that have been playing junior varsity, playing on special teams, and playing as backups and we really look forward to seeing them play this year. We have to get ready because we have a tough schedule this year, beginning with the Corky Kell Classic at Barron Stadium versus Marietta.

And down the road, we have Kell and Carrollton early in the schedule.”

Reid, speaking about the offense, likes what he sees.

“We have a big, veteran offensive line led by Aiden Gaines who was first team All-State in 2018 and Quantavious ‘Tic’ Leslie who was also first team All-State. Then you

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

vs Paulding County

10.25 vs Hiram

11.1 at Villa Rica

have Stepheno Green, Odesmun Heathand and Jabez Adams leading the charge up front. At quarterback we have Caleb Ellard, a junior, who is a big kid with a good arm.”

Wide receivers Adam Peterson, Jay Wise, Justin Ingram, Donta Foster, and Kenny Williams will be catching passes from Ellard and back up QB Maliek Ash. “Every team is different and every offense is different and we always want to score a lot of points, whether its throwing the football or running the football or whatever the case may be, it just has to be within the concept of the whole team,” says Chris Boden who coaches the Wolves' offensive side of the ball.

Leading the running back corps will be Traceton Lawrence. “Tray had 21 touchdowns as a reserve last year. And something else that may be surprising to some is that Lawrence is already top ten in rushing yardage in RHS history,” says Reid. “He and the rest of the running backs have a chance to make a big impact this season.”

Defensively, like the offense, Rome returns three starters from the previous season. Rome Wolves defensive coordinator, Wayne Groves, isn’t concerned about it at all. “We have guys who can step in and get it done," Groves says, "but they just haven’t had the chance to do it yet (as starters).

2018 RECORD: 13-1 overall (10-0, REGION 7-AAAAA) HEAD COACH: John Reid (49-7, 3 region championships, 2 state championships in 4 seasons at Rome; 123-39 overall)

ALL TIME RECORD: 316 games - 220-95-1 (70%)

We’re working with guys who have been in the system, guys who have been working hard, and guys who have put in the time to learn the scheme, and it is now their time to shine. I’m very excited with the direction the defense is going. I think we are going to surprise some people.”

Reid agrees that, “the defense will be good. A player to look out for is senior defensive lineman Rayquan Jones. Some may not have heard of him because he was slowed by a sprained ankle early last season. He will be a big factor this year. Also Jorden Neal, another senior defensive lineman, will be tough on the inside.

“Nick Burge will be anchoring the linebackers and Tim Jones will be a leader in the secondary. Then there will be some guys coming along that will have people saying, ‘Who is that kid?’ as they make plays this year,” Coach Reid says with a smile.

The Wolves punted the ball only 14 times in 14 games in 2018, after not being forced into many fourth-down situations. Special teams kicking duties will be handled in some capacity by two players. Drew Cromer will be the holder for field goal and point after attempts. Cromer will also be the backup placekicker and have some punting duties. Alonzo Rodriguez will be the starting place kicker and also punt.

TOTAL SEASONS: 27 FIRST SEASON: 1992 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 63 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 10 (2018 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (2017 LAST)

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UNITY Lions SCHEDULE

8.16 vs The Oaks School

8.23 vs Peachtree Academy REAGAN EDWARDS KOLBY WATTS DREW KING

9.6

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C O M I N G I N T O 2 0 1 8 , Unity Christian had holes to fill at wide receiver (Janson Slaughter) and running back (Collin Mathis) with players graduating and going on to play at Berry College. An injury kept the starting quarterback out for the season and the young Lions, with only a few seniors stepping up, played hard and made the GICAA 8-man football playoffs.

“The goal is simple for this year; We want to advance past the first round of the playoffs,” says Head Coach Mark Ackerman.

This season’s offensive line will anchor Unity Christian’s offense. Led by senior Aaron Alford and juniors Eli Whiteside and Jayden Stewart, Ackerman affirms that, “there is no doubt they will be the strength of our offense. These young men know the system, communicate well and work hard.”

Drew King will return from injury to play at quarterback. “Drew is an incredible athlete and leader, and jumped right back into a great rhythm during spring drills,” says Ackerman.

After filling in at QB due to King’s injury last season, John Nance will change positions and play wide receiver this season. “John was so productive last year at QB that we plan on having a few wildcat packages for him. John’s athleticism will really help us at the wide receiver spot.

We need someone to fill the gap that is going to be left by graduates.”

The Lions’ defense this season will be led by standout players Eli Thompson and Bailey Mohler. The two players were first or second on the team in nearly every defensive statistical category in the 2018 season. “Both players are still young, but they have incredible field sense and a nose for the football,” Ackerman says.

Jaydon Slaughter, a junior, will take on a larger role on defense this season. He is a combo player and will be used at both defensive end and linebacker. His work ethic and consistency at summer workouts shows that he will be ready to break out this fall.

The return game is relying on sophomore Samuel Mumpower. While being a team leader in kick-off and punt return yardage last season, he will also compete for one of the wide receiver positions. “He is very elusive with the ball in his hands and he always makes the first defender miss,” Ackerman explains. Senior running-back Kolby Watts will also help in the return game.

Other young players to look for in the future are Ethan Kinard, who is both a smart and physical player.

He was the OL and DL leader on the State Runner Up middle school football team this past year and will be asked to lead in the same way for his high school squad.

Ackerman also says to be on the lookout for Avery Alford. “Avery is the kind of young man every coach enjoys coaching. He works hard and does exactly what we ask him to do to the best of his ability. He is going to be an incredible player for us in the future.”

2018 RECORD: 6-3 GICAA 8-man football 30

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8.30 at Dominion Christian School

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

HEAD COACH: Mark Ackerman

vs New Creation Christian Academy

9.13 at Praise Academy

9.20 vs Johnson Ferry Academy

9.27 at Nathanael Greene Academy

10.11 at Rockmart

10.19 at Horizon Christian Academy

10.25

at Kings Way Christian School

ADAIRSVILLE Tigers SCHEDULE

8.23 at Chattooga

8.30 vs Cass

9.13

WILL CARPENTER MALACHI GARDNER WHITNEY BORDERS

at Coahulla Creek

9.20

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IF THE ADAIRSVILLE TIGER’S 2018 S E A S O N had a title, it would have been called "The Teenage Infirmary," as the Tigers had an injury-riddled season that stifled their goals. Seven Tigers had knee injuries requiring surgery; there was a broken wrist and broken thumb, as well. Adding insult to the injuries, all of those injuries were to starting players. The Tigers did not play the first six games with the same five offensive linemen in any two consecutive games. Through it all, Adairsville fielded a competitive team.

The Tigers have had a great offseason, with attendance staying strong throughout summer weight training and conditioning. Even with construction at the stadium, with the installation of new turf and a new track, everyone has responded well and made the necessary adjustments. On top of that, Coach Eric Bishop was given the opportunity to send some of his linemen to the Camp of Champions Lineman camp this summer, a first for the school.

On offense, Adairsville will have Conner Crunkleton ( junior) at quarterback. He is a first-time starting quarterback, although he did see time on the field last season. Crunkleton has progressed in learning the offense and has an understanding of what is asked of him in the offense. Coach Bishop elaborates, “he’s getting on the same page as the coaches, to the point where he can nearly finish a play call for you. He’s ahead of the curve for a guy who has never started.”

vs Haralson County

Two players to watch on defense this year will be senior linebacker Malachi Gardner, a tall, long-legged kid with good speed, who boasts a 3.8 GPA with all AP and honors classes.

The Tigers' other safety is Savaun Henderson (senior), who is a 3.7 GPA student. Both athletes are being recruited for the next level.

On special teams, Manual Lopez will be the returning kicker and punter who is capable of hitting 50 and 60-yard field goals and touchbacks on kickoffs.

Like every other coach, Bishop is looking forward to the season and has an experience from this summer that he thinks will help the program tremendously.

“We attended a three-day camp this summer where we got a chance to bond away from the regular settings of home and life. It was just us, the football players and coaches. That time alone and going through those struggles of making sleeping and eating arrangements, and not having downtime or free time because every minute had its purpose the whole time we were gone, forced us to develop some chemistry like we hadn’t seen in a long, long time,” says Bishop. “I hope it continues to grow, and I know we will build on those lessons and coachable moments we had at the camp. Hopefully it helps us under the lights on Friday nights and down the road this season.”

2018 RECORD: 4-6, overall (3-5, REGION 6-AAA) HEAD COACH: Eric Bishop 41-26, 6 seasons at Adairsville ALL TIME RECORD: 663 games 360 - 292 - 11 (55%)

9.27 at North Murray

10.4 vs Lakeview Ft.-Oglethorpe

10.11 at Calhoun

10.18 vs Sonoraville

10.25 at Murray County

11.1 vs Ringgold

TOTAL SEASONS: 64 First Season: 1956 All State Players: 61 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 (2001 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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CARTERSVILLE Hurricanes SCHEDULE

8.23 at Allatoona

9.6 vs Luella

9.13 vs McNair GRACIE BORKOWSKY TEE WEBB TALIB MITCHELL

vs Cedartown Offensively, Cartersville will be led by returning starter Tee Webb, a very talented quarterback. Of course, an offense is only going as far as the front line takes them, and Cartersville's offensive line will be a strong, experienced unit led by seniors Jonah Gambill and Matthew Surrett. Amarai Orr, Kolbe Benham, Devonte Ross, Quante Jennings and Harrison Allen will be vying for the offensive skill positions this season.

Two three-year starters will lead the Canes' defense this season: seniors Marko Dudley and Marquail Coaxum, both from the secondary. Evan Slocum and Devonte Ross joins them in the secondary to form an exceptional field-covering unit. The 2018 leading tackler, linebacker Harrison Allen ( junior), will lead the linebacker corps, and nose guard Lakwayme Jupiter returns to anchor the defensive line.

The special teams unit has strong-legged Oscar Hernandez returning to handle kicking duties. The Hurricanes also have a large pool of talented returners to choose from in 2019.

2018 RECORD: 14-1, overall (6-0, REGION 5-AAAA) HEAD COACH: Conor Foster, First season as Head Coach ALL TIME RECORD: 1024 games 670 - 324 - 30 (67%) 32

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at Cherokee

9.27

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THE CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES A R E T R A D I T I O N A L LY A P O W E R H O U S E in the State of Georgia. 2018 was no exception as the Canes finished 14-1 with the season’s lone loss coming during the state championship game.

“The 2018 Cartersville Football season was a great success. The hard work and team chemistry led a group of new faces to a region championship and ultimately to a GHSA Class AAAA state runner-up finish,” says new Head Football Coach Conor Foster. “Several players on the 2019 team gained valuable playing experience while learning from the leadership of the 2018 team.”

Coach Foster, who took the reins after Coach Joey King left to take a college position, understands the tradition (he was a member of the 1999 state championship team) and plans to keep the Canes' train rolling. “Our goal is to build upon the rich tradition of Cartersville football by leaving a legacy of excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

Cartersville will certainly have the on-field talent to match their coach’s goal.

9.20

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

10.4 at Central, Carroll

10.11 at LaGrange

10.18 vs Sandy Creek

10.25 vs Chapel Hill

11.8 at Troup County

TOTAL SEASONS: 106 First Season: 1909 All State Players: 96 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 20 (2018 LAST, 7th consecutive reg championship)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4 (2016 LAST)

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CASS Colonels SCHEDULE

8.30 at Adairsville

9.6 vs Forsyth Central

9.13 at Woodland, Cartersville

9.20 vs Villa Rica

9.27 vs Rome

10.4 at Carrolton

10.11 vs Hiram

10.18 at East Paulding

10.25 vs Kell

11.8 at Paulding County SOPHIE MCINTYRE JP PERRY KATHRYN MULLINAX

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THE CASS COLONELS 2018 WIN-LOSS RECORD does not truly show how good of a job the players and coaches did last year.

Their squad played a season full of games that they could have won with a few better bounces of the football. “We struggled through the season. We were 1-9, playing in one of the most competitive regions in the State of Georgia,” explains head football coach, Bobby Hughes. “We were outmanned in only three games and we were pretty evenly matched in all of the rest. We have to make more plays and get more stops. So, this year's team has worked even harder now than they have in the past.”

The Colonels' offense will have multiple players who have shown leadership and will have to step up on Friday nights. The signal caller will be senior Logan Nelson, a first time starter although he split time with last year's starter, so he has learned the position and his responsibilities in the offense. There’s also All-Region (offensive and defensive) junior slot back Zay Jackson and a big back, junior David Gbadie, a five-foot-ten, 200- pound bruiser.

The offense will also feature two academic stars and monster athletes, the versatile senior James "J.P." Perry, a 4.0 GPA student, and the highly recruited offensive lineman Johnny Bootz, a six-foot-three, 300-plus pound blocking machine with a 3.8 GPA.

On defense, Cass has All-Region player Zay Jackson at safety. Perry, along with seniors Reed Davis and Cameron Hill, will lead the linebacker corps. Another player to keep an eye on will be junior nose guard Noah Hoffmier. He is a state championship wrestler and he doesn’t have the prototypical size for the position, but he has an immeasurable heart. This philosophy is becoming infectious amongst the Cass Colonels as a whole.

“We don’t always have the size which sometimes makes it difficult for us to compete, but our kids find a way to give us a fighting chance. That’s what makes Cass High football exciting for me,” explains Hughes with a confident nod. “The things we are trying to overcome and the way the kids are responding makes me so proud to be their coach.”

Kicking the ball this year will junior Kaleb Speights, who was All-Region in 2018. There’s a chance he could be voted preseason All-State for 2019.

“He’s very special. He has attended all of the big school camps,” says Hughes of his kicker. “Kaleb is a soccer player, but he's not just a soccer kid out here playing football; he spends a lot of time with our football team and it really means a lot to him.”

2018 RECORD: 1-9, overall (0-8, REGION 7-AAAAA) TOTAL SEASONS: 67 First Season: 1953 All State Players: 10 HEAD COACH: Bobby Hughes 15-35 in 5 seasons at Cass, 62-77 overall REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1983 LAST) ALL TIME RECORD: 655 games 211 - 439 - 5 (33%) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

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WOODLAND Wildcats SCHEDULE

8.23 vs Southeast Whitfield

9.6 at East Hall

9.13 vs Cass

9.20 at Paulding County

9.27 va Hiram

10.4 at Rome

10.11 at Carrollton

10.25 vs Villa Rica

11.1 at East Paulding

11.8 vs Kell

CHLOE HENDRIX JOHNATHAN THOMAS LANE HUTSON

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WOODLAND BEGAN THE 2018 SEASON ON A F O U R - G A M E W I N N I N G S T R E A K , then things went south toward the last half of the season. One thing that differed from past Wildcats teams was that no one gave up; the players fought on. Head Coach Tony Plott explains, “our kids showed that they had some fight in them. We continued to compete every week. Our kids never gave up and our opponent got our best shot. I’m proud of the kids for doing that, because in years past, kids would pout and put their heads down. That didn’t happen last year.”

Woodland graduated 32 seniors from the 2018 team and only have seven on their roster this season. They are a young and talented team though.

“We should continue to improve, and our kids still have a lot of fight in them. I think we will take another step forward this year,” says Plott.

On offense, the Wildcats will have a brand-new offensive line. “They are a bunch of big, very athletic kids. I expect them to grow and improve throughout the season,” says Plott. Behind that line will be junior quarterback Jonathan Thomas, a dual threat guy who allows them to do a lot on the offense. The coaches describe him as a perfect fit for the offense. Another guy to watch is the highly recruited senior, DeMarcus Williams. “He’s a special athlete, a big fast guy with great vision,” says Coach Plott.

The strength of Woodland’s defense will be its defensive front. There are three rising juniors who are really special on the roster and provide a great presence. Defensive tackle Nick Bailey, defensive end Jovani Jacobo and Jahseim Henry will all be impact players this season.

Senior outside linebacker Blake Cash, who has great football instincts, will team with junior inside linebacker Brice Shedd to lead the unit. The secondary features senior safety Sean Heath and senior lockdown corner, D1 prospect Jaden Johnson.

Woodland’s special teams will be young and inexperienced, as is the team as a whole. “We are young this year, and it’s just a part of the process of building a program,” says Coach Plott.

The Wildcats' young players will gain valuable game-time experience this year, while taking their lumps and learning. Numbers for the team look good. They will have around 95 players suit up this year, only seven being seniors and around 40 in the middle school football program. Coach Plott is building a winning culture at the school.

“Our kids take pride in competing. Our kids take pride in going out every Friday night and giving it their best shot. Not backing down from contact is important, as football is a physical sport,” he says. “You can’t shy away from contact if you want to be good in football. We take pride in being physical.”

2018 RECORD: 4-6, overall (2-6, REGION 7-AAAAA) TOTAL SEASONS: 22 First Season: 1998 All State Players: 3 HEAD COACH: Tony Plott 8-32, 4 seasons as Woodland Head Coach REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 ALL TIME RECORD: 211 games 65 - 146 - 0 (31%) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

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CALHOUN Yellow Jackets SCHEDULE

8.22 vs Ridgeland

9.6 vs Therrell

9.13 at Sonoraville

9.20 JAKE MORROW KENDEZ GRIFFIN EDUARDO FAJARDO

vs North Murray

9.27 vs Ringgold

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EIGHTEEN CONSECUTIVE TIMES. That is how many times the Calhoun Yellow Jackets have won their region. Eighteen consecutive times.

The Jackets set the Georgia State record for region championships in a row. In 2018, they advanced to the semifinals before falling to Peach County, their only loss of the entire season.

This season, for the first time since 1998, will not be coached by the legendary Hal Lamb. He retired following the 2018 season. Calhoun will be led by Clay Stephenson. However, there will be no change in what Calhoun football is all about and how they approach the game.

“Our goals will remain the same as they have been for the last few years,'' says Stephenson. “We want to win our first game, win another region championship and make a run in the playoffs.”

Not only will there be a new coach leading CHS, Clay Stephenson says there will be a lot of new faces on the field. “We will replace nine starters on offense, so

getting our depth chart in place has been a priority so far this preseason. We have a talented group of seniors and underclassmen that will step up and take over these starting roles,” Stephenson explains.

Players to watch on offense will be quarterback Jake Morrow (senior), guard Jaden Curtis (senior), receiver Carson Speer (senior) and running back Jerrian Hames ( junior).

Coach Stephenson goes on to discuss the situation on the other side of the ball.“We will also replace nine starters on defense. Our front six will be the strength of our defense this year. Our defensive line has two returning starters so we will look to control the line of scrimmage,” says Stephenson.

That line features Kendez Griffin (senior) and Dawson Hamby (senior), along with Carson Griffin ( junior). They are followed by linebackers Zeke Brown (senior), David Braden (senior) and Julian Ipac (senior).

Edjuardo Fajardo (senior) will return as starter for the special teams units.

2018 RECORD: 13-1, overall (8-0, REGION 6-AAA) HEAD COACH: Clay Stephenson, First season as Calhoun Head Coach ALL TIME RECORD: 880 games 493 - 360 - 27 (58%) 38

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

10.11 vs Adairsville

10.18 at Murray County

10.25 vs Coahulla Creek

11.1 at Haralson County

11.8 vs Lakeview Ft.-Oglethorpe

TOTAL SEASONS: 85 First Season: 1925 All State Players: 112 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 23 (2018 LAST, 18th

consecutive region championship)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4 (2017 LAST)

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GORDON CENTRAL Warriors SCHEDULE

8.23 vs Haralson County

8.30 at Christian Heritage

9.6 vs Gilmer

9.20 at Pepperell NICO GAINES LUIS CASTILLO MADISON REYES

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“ T H E 2 0 1 8 S E A S O N WA S A S T E P P I N G S T O N E T O WA R D S O U R F U T U R E AT G O R D O N C E N T R A L ,” says new Head Football Coach, Tristan (T.J.) Hamilton. “We were close to accomplishing goals that haven’t been attainable in years at GHS.” The offseason brought an abrupt change and transition at head coach for the Warriors. 2006 Gordon Central High School alumnus, Hamilton, was named to the position and took the reins immediately. The new coach got to work instilling his philosophy of oneness.

“Our goal for this year is to continue coming together as a team,” says Hamilton. “Our motto for the year is ‘One Team, One Dream.’ I believe our motto fits everything that we are about. If we come together and play as one team, and continue to develop together, then we can accomplish the dreams we have for our team.”

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vs Chattooga

10.4 at Dade County

This year's coaching staff is looking forward to a great year on the offensive side of the ball. They are looking for great things from their entire offensive line. Other guys to look out for are senior running back Nelson Gravitt, Tre Williams (senior) and Bryson McGinnis (sophomore).

On defense, the Warriors look forward to continuing the success from last year to this year. The unit is looking to their leaders at linebackers John Rainwater (senior) and Jordan Boone (senior); defensive backs Peyton Parker ( junior) and David Lindsey ( junior); defensive linemen Josh Meatyard ( junior) and Issac Dye to make the plays necessary for the defense to be successful.

Hamilton says, “special teams have become a major focus for our team. We will grow in this area to make it the best unit it can be.” Edgar Ramirez ( junior) will handle the kicking and punting duties this season.

2018 RECORD: 3-7, overall (2-5, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Tristan Hamilton (1st season as Head Coach) ALL TIME RECORD: 341 games - 125 - 214 - 2 (37%) 40

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10.18 vs Armuchee

10.25 at Model

11.1 vs Rockmart

11.8 at Coosa

TOTAL SEASONS: 34 First Season: 1985 All State Players: 20 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

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SONORAVILLE Phoenix SCHEDULE

8.30 at Model

9.6 vs Darlington

9.13 vs Calhoun

9.27 vs Calhoun

10.4 at Ringgold

10.11 vs Haralson County

10.18 at Adairsville

10.26 vs Lakeview- Ft. Oglethorpe

11.1 at Coahulla Creek

11.8 at North Murray TYLER CAPPS HAILEY ROBINSON BEN BURNS

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and Davon Buckner leading the core. The quarterback position has yet to be decided as junior Brady Lackey and senior team captain Blade Bryant are in competition to be the starter for their 2019 campaign.

Defensively, Sonoraville will also return eight starters. A trio of free safety Kobe McEntyre, middle linebacker Colton Richards, and multiposition athlete Blade Bryant (all three-year starters) will lead the charge.

The coaching staff also expects senior linebackers Tyler Capps and Loren Hiles, and senior linemen Brandon Bristol, all to be playmakers for the defense this season.

Senior Tripp Morrison will handle both the kicking and punting duties for the special teams units again this year for the Phoenix. In the return game, Blade Bryant is very dangerous with the ball in his hands.

Three other Sonoraville Phoenix players to keep an eye on in the junior varsity ranks are freshmen Ridge Redd, Brant Bryant and Tristan Mullins.

“These freshmen will be the face of the program in the near future,” says Pate.

S O N O R AV I L L E B E G A N T H E 2 0 1 8 S E A S O N W I N N I N G two of their first four games. The Phoenix also ended the season with victories in two of their last four games. Two tough region losses in the middle of the season left them on the outside looking in at the postseason.

“We fell short of the goals we set for the beginning of the season,” says head football coach, Denver Pate, who is heading into his third season at the helm of SHS. “It is our expectation to get back into the playoffs because we advanced to the second round of the 2016 GHSA playoffs in our last playoff appearance.

We also want to compete for a region championship,” says Pate.

It is important to note that a region championship would be the first in school history if the Phoenix can rise from the ashes.

Sonoraville’s offense will be experienced. They return eight starters from last season. The offense will be led by two seniors, the 2018 leading receiver Ben Burns and running back Case Collins. They also look to have a much improved offensive line with senior offensive guard Warren Gragg

2018 RECORD: 4-6, overall (3-5, REGION 6-AAA) HEAD COACH: Denver Pate 8-12 ALL TIME RECORD: 136 games - 55 - 81 - 0 (40%)

TOTAL SEASONS: 13 FIRST SEASON: 2006 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 6 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0 STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

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CHATTOOGA Indians SCHEDULE

8.23 vs Adairsville

8.30 at Wesleyan

9.6 at Heritage, Catoosa

9.20 vs Coosa LANEY BARNES LUIS MEDINA GRACE HILL

quarterback and Shawn Lester will be the starting halfback for the team. Dez Jones (senior) will be the experienced leader on the front line.

Chattooga's defense is returning seven starters from last season and they will cover in their familiar 4-3 defensive scheme. The front four of the defense will be led by seniors Luis Medina and David Cundiff as well as, P.J. Smith. Returning at inside linebacker will be Ty Veatch ( junior) and returning starter at the outside linebacker position will be Jacoby Cottrell (senior). The Indians secondary will be lead by Jamarious Mosteller and Dylan Woody.

Hammon says his special teams duties will be handled

by Caroline Hodges kicking PATs, Luis Medina handling kickoffs and Jamarious Mosteller returning kicks.

2018 RECORD: 9-3 overall (6-1, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Charles Hammon (32-26 in 5 seasons at Chattooga; 36-52 overall)

ALL TIME RECORD: 670 games - 336 - 318 - 16 (51%) 44

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at Gordon Central

10.4 vs Rockmart

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T H E C H AT T O O G A I N D I A N S H A D W H AT HEAD COACH CHARLES HAMMON D U B S A “ F U N ” Y E A R I N 2 0 1 8 . Hammon's Indians finished second in Region 7 AA and then hosted a first round playoff game versus the Washington High School Bulldogs, in which they were victorious by a score of 7-6. While the Indians were not so fortunate the following week, Hammon says he and his staff are “very proud of last year’s efforts.”

The Indians are replacing 13 starters from 2018 this year. “We have plenty to work on before we start region play,” says Hammon when speaking about the inexperience of some of his players as Chattooga is returning only two starters on offense from last season.

The Indians will use their standard I-formation offense. Cash Allen ( junior) will be the starting

9.27

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

10.18 at Model

10.25 at Armuchee

11.1 vs Dade County

11.8 vs Pepperell

TOTAL SEASONS: 59 First Season: 1961 All State Players: 29 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1974 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

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TRION Bulldogs SCHEDULE

8.16 vs LaFayette

8.23 vs Coosa

9.6 at Dade County

9.13 vs Armuchee

9.20 JESSICA DOVER CLAY BAKER WILL WYATT

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TRION BEGAN 2018 WITH A LOT OF Q U E S T I O N M A R K S . How will they replace nine offensive starters, including a record setting quarterback, the entire starting backfield and most of the offensive line?

Also, the fans of the Bulldogs will see nine new defensive starters on the other side of the ball.

The preseason scrimmage for the Bulldogs was off, but they made a positive turn after that, finishing the regular season 7-3 and earning a home playoff game.

Trion advanced to the second round of the 2018 GHSA playoffs, falling to Schley County to end their season.

“That group of guys really exceeded everyone’s expectations,” says Head Football Coach Justin Brown proudly.

The 2018 season was Trion High School’s fourth winning season in a row, meaning this year’s players know what it takes to win. That attitude will definitely be important for their 2019 team.

The Bulldog’s offensive unit is replacing nine offensive starters again this season. The only returning starters 46

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are the quarterback and one offensive lineman. Lincoln Maddux is that starting quarterback. His confidence and high football IQ will help the offense tremendously.

“Our offense always starts with our running game, as we are a running football team,” says Brown.

The offensive line, which will guide the running game is led by offensive tackle Clay Baker and offensive guard, Alex Stewart. The rest of the line will be filled by first-year starters Bo Jones (senior), Ross Moore (senior) and Hunter Hobbs ( junior). Also, returning on offense is tight end Will Wyatt, the Bulldog’s best all-around football player.

“We believe our first eleven guys on the field have an opportunity to be very successful," Brown says when speaking about his offense. "We are thin in experience and Friday night readiness behind the starters right now.

We will also need to avoid the injury bug at all costs due to our depth.”

The defense is returning their front six from last season with three defensive linemen and three linebackers.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

vs North Cobb Christian

9.27 at Gordon Lee

10.4 at Mt. Zion

10.11 at Christian Heritage

10.18 vs Darlington

11.1 at Bowdon

11.8 Play in TBA

Last year, Trion went from a read and react defense to more of an attack defense, and the players and coaches were much better defensively.

“This year, with players having a better understanding of calls and schemes and expectations, that’s going to be good for us,” says Brown.

Trion has three senior linebackers in Will Wyatt, Bryce Wallin and Ross Moore. Alex Stewart, who came into his own as a defensive lineman last year, will be an impactful player again this year on the line. Nose guard Clay Baker is a big-time player and is getting attention from college programs. Linemen Bo Jones and Hunter Hobbs will split time playing the backside end, as both are also starters on the offense. All-Region outside linebacker, Kodiak Crabbe, returns after a great 2018 season. Sophomore Rob Brown returns at the corner position with some maturity after starting as a freshman last season.

Trion must replace the kicker and punter from last season. Eddie Vasquez, a hard worker, is the leading candidate for kicker and may be doing both jobs.

Trion pride shows in all that Brown and his football program does.

The High school staff is going into its eighth year, and 90 percent of the coaches were Trion Bulldogs themselves.

2018 RECORD: 8-4 overall (3-3, Region 6-A Division A) HEAD COACH: Justin Brown 48-30, 7 seasons at Trion ALL TIME RECORD: 899 games 538 - 341 - 20 (61%)e

Trion is a Single A school, and they average between a 60 and 70 player roster per year. That means approximately 25 percent of males in the school are playing football.

After years of replacing seniors with seniors, this year’s Trion team will be utilizing sophomores in some positions. That experience will be good for them because the sooner they get in the mix and used to competing on gamedays, the better the team will be.

“I’m just looking forward to August. One of the great things about high school, especially in football, is seeing kids grow up. There’s not a better place to get a real look at a man’s character than when he’s out there on the field on a Friday night. You will have kids who cry through the spring, cry every day, and some even do that for three years. Then, and in some, all of a sudden, that guy you thought would never ever help you, is an All-Region player, because he knows what’s expected of him and it is his time. He gets in and takes advantage of that opportunity. As a coach and as a person, that is exciting to see,” Brown says.

TOTAL SEASONS: 85 First Season: 1933 All State Players: 68 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 12 (2003 Last) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1974 Last)

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CEDARTOWN Bulldogs SCHEDULE

8.23 vs Rockmart

8.30 at Alexander

9.13 at Bremen

9.20 at Southeast Whitfield

9.27 at Cartersville

10.4 vs LaGrange

10.11 at Central, Carroll

10.25 vs Troup County

11.1 at Sandy Creek

11.8 vs Chapel Hill RAEGAN WESTMORELAND KOBE PRYOR DREW MULCAY

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T H E B U L L D O G S A R E L O O K I N G T O B U I L D from the potential of last year’s team. Despite their record from 2018, Cedartown was a playoff team and was very good.

“As we look back on that season, we lost five games by a combined 24 points. We lost to Rockmart with 12 seconds left, to Bremen with under a minute left to play, to Cartersville in the last 90 seconds and we did the same with Troup County,” explains Cedartown Head Coach, Doyle Kelly.

Kelly is entering his third year at the school and 35th year coaching between the lines. “The five games we lost could have easily been a 10-0 record and achieving that coveted number-one seed in the playoffs. When we got to the end of a few games, something bad would happen, whether we made it bad or the other team did. Something bad always happened at the end of those games.”

For the 2019 season, the Cedartown Bulldogs are loaded. New offensive coordinator Benji Frazier is coaching some tremendous star power on offense, starting with highly recruited senior Kobe Pryor at the running back position. Then there’s starting quarterback Taji Hudson, another highly recruited senior calling the signals for the team.

“With the offense, we have some weapons; the QB position is solid with Taji, we have Pryor and then there’s CJ Washington, a sophomore

in the backfield who is already receiving D1 offers. We have a chance to be really good this year on the offensive line as well. We feel good about everything,” says Kelly.

Most of the 2018 starters will return on defense. There’s Will Pilgrim, a three-year starter on the defensive line, along with John Kent, Dorian Gibson and Peyton Carter who fill in as his mates up front on the line. At outside linebacker is Chadriq Neal, another three-year starter.

Junior cornerback Jayden Johnson, who was All-Region as a sophomore, will man one corner and Rashad Walker will cover the other. The rest of the secondary will include D.J. Frazier and M.J. Walker at the safety positions.

“Taji Hudson will also play some free safety. He’s six-foot-four, 195 pounds, and can cover a lot of ground. He’s like another quarterback on defense,” says Kelly.

“We have to go both ways," he continues. "Washington and Pryor will be playing outside linebacker, too. It gets tough in the playoffs when we are playing teams who don’t have guys playing both ways. Sometimes, our kids get tired. But overall, our defense is blessed.”

On special teams, two players will cover the kicking game, Juan Cruz and Jorge Peinado. Kobe Pryor was the punter last year and will likely perform the duty again if no one emerges to assume the position.

2018 RECORD: 5-6, overall (3-3, REGION 5-AAAA) HEAD COACH: O. Doyle Kelly 15-8, 2 seasons as Head Coach ALL TIME RECORD: 997 games 595 - 367 - 35 (61%)

TOTAL SEASONS: 111 First Season: 1907 All State Players: 80 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 11 (2001 LAST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1963 LAST)

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ROCKMART Yellow Jackets SCHEDULE

8.23 at Cedartown

8.30 vs Central

9.13 at Heard County

9.20 at Armuchee

9.27 vs Dade County

10.4 at Chattooga JUKE BOOZER JOURDAN RACHEL PAINE CULVER

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vs Pepperell

10.25

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I N T H E T H R E E Y E A R S T H AT B I F F PA R S O N has been head coach of the Rockmart Yellow Jackets, his high school football team has transformed into a powerhouse. They have gone from finishing with a middle-of-the-road region standing, to a force to be reckoned with in Region 7AA. “We repeated as region champs, which hasn’t been done since the 1950’s here at Rockmart. Going back to back was very important,” says Parson. “We fed off the high of the region win throughout the playoffs. Our guys did well in the first two rounds considering we survived a five-hour road trip, rain and a hostile environment in Jefferson County. Last year, Rockmart hosted a fourth-

10.18

vs Coosa round playoff game for the first time in 62 years.”

On offense, the Yellow Jackets will again be electrifying for the 2019 season. There’s a new face at quarterback this year, and big things are expected from him. “We feel we have a really dynamic QB, Javin Whatley ( junior). What he can bring to the table with his ability to run and throw will be huge for us,” Parson says. “And while Whatley is replacing a great quarterback in Dylan Bailey, who threw for a lot of yards and won a lot of games for us, Javin brings a different dynamic with his ability to run with the ball.”

Juke Boozer (senior) and Reed Couch (senior), a pair of super-talented and heavily recruited players, will

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

11.1 at Gordon Central

11.8 vs Model

be catching passes from Whatley. “Boozer is a six-foot-three, 180-pound wide receiver who creates matchup problems for opponents, because this kid will go up and get the football,” explains Parson. “And Couch is a really good, nearly six-foot-four, 220-pound, three-year starter at tight end.”

Rockmart’s grinder guys include Jamaal Thompson (senior), and Deacon Allen (senior), who has been playing varsity since his freshman year and has committed to a college as a defensive lineman. Jourdan Rachel (senior), is also a key player and Parson describes him as, “one of the best, highest character kids I’ve ever coached.”

Another defensive anchor is safety Paine Culver (senior). “Paine is a mean player who doesn’t mind getting dirty, even at 145 pounds soaking wet,” smiles Parson. “He’s always out there tackling everybody. This will be his third year starting. The kid really sacrifices his body every time he goes to hit somebody.”

All parts of a football team are important, and the Yellow Jacket’s coach does not fail to realize that. “Special teams play a big part; they are huge,” Parson says. Rockmart has sophomore Cooper Yanzetich returning

punting duties. He will also battle it out in camp with senior C.C. Briscoe for all of the kicking duties.

Parson is entering his fourth year at Rockmart High. Every season brings accolades that were once common at the Polk County high school.

He has worked to build a bond with his players, his coaching staff and his team’s potential to win this upcoming season. “I have been blessed with a really great coaching staff and some really good players. I can tell you it isn’t Coach Parson’s coaching that is making things happen. I am not that smart,” Parson says as he laughs.

“We are excited about the 2019 season," Parson says in closing, "and we are excited about things that are going to happen around campus. There is a new scoreboard going up, along with new press boxes on both sides of the field. Anyone in Rockmart or the surrounding area who wants to come watch some good football games this season will be here on Friday nights or wherever Rockmart plays.”

2018 RECORD: 14-1 (7-0, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Biff Parson (32-7, 2 region championships, and one

TOTAL SEASONS: 96 First Season: 1923 All State Players: 50 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 10 (2018 LAST) state championship game appearance in 3 seasons at Rockmart; 42-27 overall) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1950 LAST) ALL TIME RECORD: 839 games - 434 - 379 - 26 (53%)

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Games to watch TEXT: JIM ALRED

Looking at the 2019 local high school football schedule is like staring at the Thanksgiving table before everyone has had a chance to dig in.

Much like the holiday spread, numerous delectable games don the schedules of area teams. And much like the Turkey Day feast, some morsels look great at the beginning and sometimes lose luster as the meal moves along.

Instead of running down specific dates, like we’ve done in the past, we’re going to take a slightly different tact.

ROME HIGH The Wolves lost a lot from last year’s team which fell just shy of reaching the state finals for the third consecutive time.

Like most seasons in recent memory, John Reid’s squad gets tough tests before October rolls around.

It starts with a Corky Kell Classic contest against Marietta at Barron Stadium on August 22. Marietta had a bit of a down year last year, but many pundits believe last year, along with the tough opening game loss to Rome in 2018, will spur the Blue Devils to a much better season in 2019. Fans will get a chance to see how Rome’s offense looks after losing several key starters.

For all practical purposes, the Region 7-5A title could be decided by the end of the evening of Sept. 20. Rome faces Kell at home on Sept. 13 and then travels to Carrollton the next week. The Longhorns, Trojans and Wolves have been the key teams duking it out for region supremacy the past few years.

While Kell is no slouch, cast a wary eye at Carrollton as many prognosticators believe the Trojans, who return a ton of talent from last year’s squad, might be the team to beat in Class 5A this season. If Rome can beat both Kell and Carrollton, the Wolves will occupy the driver’s seat for the region title.

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A loss to either wouldn’t be a deal breaker, but would put pressure on the Wolves for the remainder of the season.

ROCKMART Last time we saw the Yellow Jackets they were finishing as Class AA runner-ups. The Jackets lost some talent from the squad, but they should still be competing for the top spot in Region 7-AA. The Jackets open the season with the annual grudge match for Polk County against rival Cedartown.

The game, on August 23, serves as a litmus test for the Jackets, but the game a ton of people will be watching comes on Sept. 13 when Rockmart visits Heard County for a rematch of last year’s state title game.

As for region contests, Rockmart should be favored in most with the winner of their game against Pepperell on Oct. 18 having an inside track to the region title.

Speaking of Region 7-AA, the schedule has a nice quirk again this year with most teams playing three region contest before an off week on Oct. 11. This means the region pecking order should be established and let us know which games in the latter half of the season will be big.

Coosa might have the worst of the early region schedule with games against Chattooga and Pepperell on Sept. 20 and 27, respectively. They then draw an intriguing Armuchee team on Oct. 4 before the bye week.

Chattooga, who finished as region runner-up last year, plays defending region champ Rockmart on Oct. 4 and closes the season against Pepperell in a game that should have playoff seeding implications.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

The Sept. 27 game between Model and Armuchee should be interesting. The Indians and Blue Devils both showed solid moments last season and this game could be an indicator of which one might be ready to step up into the playoff conversation.

Of course, Armuchee doesn’t have an easy early schedule. They face Rockmart on Sept. 20 and Coosa on Oct. 4. If the Indians could win two of three early region contests, they would have a lot of momentum heading into the season’s second half.

Pepperell struggled with injuries down the stretch last season. The Dragons’ earlyseason game at Coosa on Sept. 27 will be interesting, but the game most will want to circle is the contest at Rockmart on Oct. 18.

Darlington fans have a solid smorgasbord of good openers to watch the Tigers tussle with including Pepperell, Coosa and Sonoraville early in the season, before the Tigers face Christian Heritage on Oct.4, Bowdon on Oct. 25 and North Cobb Christian on Nov. 1.

Keep an eye on Calhoun this season. The Jackets, with a new head coach, look to keep their region winning streak going. Calhoun hasn’t dropped a region game since the late 90’s and several teams on their schedule are looking to rectify that situation.

Cartersville, coming off a runner-up finish in Class 4A last year, should be the class of its region again. But never sleep on their foes, as Allatoona in the opening game and Sandy Creek late in the season could be tough wins.

Unity Christian has a stacked earlyseason schedule with the Lions playing six games, including four at home, before October begins. And the game on Aug. 23 against Peachtree Academy and on Sept. 6 against New Creation Christian Academy will test the Lions’ mettle.

Honestly, when glancing at schedules it’s hard to go wrong with the spread on the table, so take a gander at the schedules and the previews and dig in. Odds are you’ll come away happy.

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THE 2019 METRO BY T-MOBILE CORKY KELL C L A S S I C P R E S E N T E D B Y H A R B I N C L I N I C marks

the fourth year of the event’s three-day, nine-game lineup. The Corky Kell Classic will kick off the high school football season, and in all, the series will feature nine games that will be played at Rome’s Barron Stadium, Coolray Field (Lawrenceville, Ga.) and Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The opening games moved to Rome after being hosted in Macon for the first two years and the opportunity is one Rome Head Coach John Reid feels this community earned.

Corky Kell will begin with a doubleheader on Thursday, August 22nd at Barron Stadium. Coolray Field will host the action on Friday, August 23rd. To close out the 28th edition of the Classic, Mercedes Benz Stadium will host a five-game marathon on Saturday, August 24th.

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

Harbin Clinic is providing team physicians for the Classic.

Their doctors are always on the sidelines working to keep our athletes healthy. Teams all over Northwest Georgia compete at a high level and it is comforting to know that they are under the watchful eye of a medical professional with years of experience on the sidelines.

The Classic launches the highly competitive football season in Georgia every August.

Partial proceeds from the event benefit the Kell Foundation to fund scholarships.

In the past five years, the Classic has reached more than 4.25 million television and internet viewers with a total game attendance of more than 255,000 fans.

Here is a list of locations and times to catch your favorite teams in action: Thursday, Aug. 22 at Rome’s Barron Stadium

Friday, Aug. 23 at Coolray Field

Saturday, Aug. 24

at Mercedes Benz Stadium

Calhoun vs.

Ridgeland 5:30pm

Tucker vs.

Archer 5:30pm

Mays vs.

Kell 9:00am

Marietta vs.

Rome 8:30pm

Milton vs.

Buford 8:30pm

Walton vs.

Norcross 11:45am

Corky Kell tickets can be purchased on the following dates and times:

August 13th -16th Noon - 2 p.m.

August 19th - 22nd Noon - 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 in advance and $17 at the gate day of the game. Please come out and support the Wolves as they battle the Marietta Blue Devils.

Ticket covers the admission for 2 games.

North Gwinnett vs. Colquit County 2:45pm McEachern vs.

Brookwood 5:45pm East Coweta vs.

Mill Creek 8:45pm

Visit www.corkykell.com/fan-info/watch-live/ to watch online.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

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WE CARE COMPLETELY FOR

every athlete

HARBIN CLINIC ORTHOPEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE 56

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HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2019

150 Gentilly Blvd Cartersville, GA 30120

470.490.6320

330 Turner McCall Blvd Rome, GA 30165

762.235.2700

harbinclinic.com/ortho