High School Football Preview 2015

NWGA'S PREMIER FEATURE MAGAZINE / JULY 2015

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BETWEEN THE LINES HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW New Rome High head coach, John Reid, and local medical professionals break down the measures they are taking to be ensure our players walk can away from the game a winner.

Gladiators and Chieftains of the past recount the most heated rivalry this corner of the state has ever known, East vs. West.

The time has come for our local athletes to kick-off the 2015-2016 football season, so V3’s Ian Griffin and Matt Davis from Davis Communications Group have put together a little dish to wet our chops.

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We are proud to support all those that shine under Friday night lights.

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Mag Art & Design Ellie Borromeo

Editorial Manager Oliver Robbins

Contributing Editor Tannika Wester

Writers Oliver Robbins, Erin deMesquita, Matt Davis, Ian Griffin

Executive Photographer Derek Bell, MFA 706.936.0407

publisher’s note publisher’s note

W

hen V3 Magazine was first published back in 2006, we took part in the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, and while promoting our fledgling publication, a familiar face stopped by our booth. Matt Davis and I had crossed paths on many occasions in our high school days – his at Pepperell, mine at Rome – but it wasn’t until we both had stakes in our own small businesses that we forged a true friendship.

He mentioned that he had a morning show on 95.7 The Ridge (1410 WLAQ’s sister station) and took notice of the magazine. Not long after, we launched a standing sports talk segment that hit the airwaves every Thursday (which we’ve been doing ever since!)

We chatted about everything pertaining to the sports world, but Matt and his family have an unbelievably strong tie to high school athletics in the region and their passion for local sports was contagious, to say the least.

Matt invited me to join him in the booth on Friday nights for the local high school football game of the week back in 2009, and it was an immediate reintroduction to what makes high school football so unique. The passion, pageantry, and camaraderie among fans and alumni oozes out of the stadium and into the crisp fall air at each game and – in the blink of an eye – the season is over.

Several years ago, Matt and I discussed joining forces to put out a full-color glossy publication that would not only inform, but also help illustrate everything described above. We waited until the right time and decided 2015 was the year to move forward.

The book you’re reading right now is something both Davis Communications Group and V3 Publications are very proud to produce.

Inside these pages, you can enjoy previews of each of the seven area high school teams with pictures, schedules, rosters and analyses that will wet your whistle as the season approaches. Also included are features on the safety of the game and a look back at the East Rome/West Rome rivalry that raged for decades before the two schools consolidated in 1992.

We hope you enjoy our first crack at what will become an annual tradition and want to thank each institution for their participation.

From the Davis family and the team at V3 … let the pigskin begin!

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Contributing Photographers Cameron Flaisch Christian David Turner

Ad Sales & Client Relations Chris Forino, Diana Morgan, Matt Davis, Elizabeth Davis, Randy Davis

Ad Design & Marketing Concepts Christian David Turner Ellie Borromeo

Publishers V3 Publications, LLC and Davis Communications Group

Contact V3 Magazine 1 West 4th Avenue Suite 310 Rome, Ga. 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com Davis Communications Group 2 Mt. Alto Road, Rome, Ga. 30165 706.378.8040 706.232.7767

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Best Wishes to All of Our Local High Schools for a Great 2015 Season!

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BIGGER FASTER

STRONGER

As sports medicine becomes more informed on how to keep football games safe, families, coaches and kids are studying the playbook to perfect the game plan.

T E X T E R I N D E M E S Q U I TA

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aintaining the foundation of a sport that is over a century old and deeply adored, the 100-yard stretch of green gridiron lays vulnerable to the digs and gashes of quick-footed cleats. It carries the strength and the sweat of 22 trained and charged players – serving as the surface upon which strategy is put into play and the mecca from which colors and calls of team spirit rise into the wind. There’s just something about American football that our nation finds utterly irresistible.

With the snap of the ball, the energy becomes electric and fans find the edge of their seats. What is it that keeps anticipation so high? The strategy? The dynamic plays?

The mirrored force with which 11 offensive peak-physical-performance athletes collide with 11 defensive players in their path?

Whether from the sidelines, the stands or the couch, football is consumed, sometimes more heartily than others, with vivacity and spirited assailment. For a game that maintains such aggression both on and off the field, the question must be asked … how safe is it?

Described as a collision sport, there’s no denying that hard hits are celebrated and injuries do happen, but coaches, team physicians, and athletic trainers agree that over the last 15 to 20 years there has been a paradigm shift in the way they train their players and execute their game – all in an effort to keep athletes healthy and make the football field a safer place to find victory. " Being a team physician is a specialty That shift has been fueled by the expansion and within orthopedics that has developed over improvement of two key the last 30 years or so, where it’s not just elements – education and equipment. being on the sidelines on Friday night; it Today’s competitive athinvolves the health and well-being of the letic programs for colleges and high schools call for “Essentially what we’re doathlete throughout the year " ing is making sure the kids are a team approach to maintain player health, not just staying healthy and making Hale will become involved to assess the during the season but also sure that they are appropriately prepared to play,” says Bushnell. athlete’s progress. “It truly takes a team all year long. Rome High School looks to “Sometimes, they have injuries or condiworking with the team physician to keep Harbin Clinic physicians to pull together tions that may affect their training or affect young athletes as safe as possible,” said Dr. the right resources for their athletes. Led whether they’re able to get ready.”

Piller. “Each of us relies on our own special by team physician and Harbin Clinic Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine surgeon Asthma or allergies are conditions that area of medicine, and on the others we call Dr. Chris Piller and Floyd Athletic Trainer may inhibit immediate field time. to provide additional expertise.”

Chad Wilson, the group often includes “It’s about planning way ahead of time Dr. Brad Bushnell says that keeping other Harbin Orthopaedic surgeons Dr. before they’re out on the field,” he says, the athletes strong and safe begins with Brad Bushnell or Dr. Mark Floyd. And if stressing that being prepared is not just full awareness of the health of individual an athlete does sustain a traumatic head about being there in case something happlayers; maintaining a relationship that lasts pens. It’s about having those relationships injury, Harbin Clinic Neurologist Dr. David from pregame to post-game.

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in place to where all team physicians, coaches, and athletic trainers are well aware of what is and what can go on with each of their players.

“Being a team physician is a specialty within orthopedics that has developed over the last 30 years or so, where it’s not just being on the sidelines on Friday night; it involves the health and well-being of the athlete throughout the year,” says Dr. Chris Piller.

As team physician for Rome High School and Berry College, among others, Dr. Piller says that, for the physicians, there is a focus on injury prevention during off season and preseason (which includes pre-participation physicals) as well as treating the injuries after they occur and at each stage, keeping the coach, player, and parents educated and aware of all health aspects in relation to the game.

Once on the field, it’s the training and equipment that the player must rely on for safety; this is where that shift becomes evident.

John Reid, head football coach for Rome High School, has 27 years of experience leading players down the field, and in that time, one of the biggest changes he’s seen in the game are the athletes.

“I believe the kids are bigger, faster, and stronger, and so they’re moving at a faster rate of speed,” he says.

This means coaches must adjust the way they teach and train their athletes to stay as far away from injury as possible.

Dr. Piller agrees that kids are maturing a lot faster. “In the last 20 years, essentially, one generation we have kids that are 30 to 50 pounds bigger at the same position than they would have been 10 to 15 years ago,” he says. “They’re hitting a lot harder and running a lot faster; when you run faster and you come up against an immovable object of another player, more energy is transmitted and so there are more injuries and potential concussions.”

Within the last couple of years, degenerative brain injuries have surfaced in veteran athletes in the form of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease that mimics dementia, can only be detected postmortem, and is the result

of repetitive brain trauma; this includes symptomatic concussions and non-symptomatic, sub-concussive hits to the head.

In response, the NFL has altered and expanded certain rules to prevent and combat head and neck injuries especially.

With 20 years of experience taking care of athletes, Dr. Piller has witnessed the increase of head and neck injuries as well as the rule changes that have followed and believes that these types of injuries can be prevented with the implementation of proper technique.

NFL rules that protected a receiver in a “defenseless” stance (both feet had not touched the ground) have been expanded to apply to all payers, preventing any player from being hit above the shoulders. Heads Up Football® is currently being taught in youth and high school football, where players are trained to drive forward with the legs and hips to tackle and to use the

coaches, more so than ever, are implementing an element of transparency with parents and players. “You want parents to be involved in all aspects,” Reid says. “You want them to be aware of your approach.”

While he has only been coaching in Rome for three months so far, the head coach says he didn’t waste any time getting his players’ families involved. “We did it right away, starting with a basic information night and then followed up with [an awareness] night as it got closer to spring football,” he says. These inclusive gatherings included facts and discussion about general safety, nutrition, heat illness, and concussions.

Reid adds that a big difference between his generation playing football in school versus the current is the amount of information readily available in the media. “When I played, my parents didn’t know anything about the game,” he says. “There was no ESPN. There was no YouTube or websites.”

While this accessible knowledge has been a massive aid in educating parents, it also brings to the surface anything and everything that could possibly go wrong – all the hard hits you ever wanted to see are just a click away.

As a result, Reid says he has seen some participation decrease, but on the other end of that spectrum are parents that are becoming more and more involved; they want to know about the training methods and what equipment is best so that they can have a hand in providing the safest gear and the best experience possible for their child.

And when injury does strike?

“We will talk at length with the parents,” explains Dr. Floyd, “and educate them on exactly what has happened, exactly what the prognosis is, and the plans that we have for keeping the player (1) recovered from the injury so that they can go about life and (2) healed and healthy enough so they can go back to playing the sport that they love.”

When a player does sustain an injury like a concussion, specialists like Dr. David Hale of Harbin Clinic Neurology become involved. Dr. Hale evaluates player progress, and returns them to the field when they are healed. “We compare cognitive performance pre and post injury. If for

"We try to get players back in as quick as possible, but we are always concerned about the long-term well-being of the athlete because, after all, this is high school, and they have their whole lives ahead of them."

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hands in blocking – from a wide, staggered, two-point stance – all in effort to reduce helmet to helmet contact.

Being part of a generation that was taught to drive with the dome, Reid says that it’s difficult to take the head out of football, but that he and his teams have an effective training philosophy in the weight room in regard to keeping the head safe upon contact. “We just think there are some muscle groups that need to be trained to keep the head from moving on impact,” he explains.

In addition to keeping the head up, Reid adds that if neck muscles are strengthened, the head will move less and, in turn, so will the brain, resulting in fewer concussions and head injuries.

Some coaches and football fans agree that new tackling and blocking methods have made defensive positions more difficult to play, inhibiting split-judgement calls; however, the crux of the matter remains with the safety of the athletes.

When it comes to health and longevity,

some reason symptoms linger, we even call in other specialists and perform additional tests. I regularly ask Dr. Nicole Styperek of the Center for Neurocognitive Assessment and Rehabilitation to provide an evaluation that could show other cognitive issues underlying the concussion. And, when I suspect that there are subtle differences not found by traditional imaging, I rely on a special MRI machine only found at Floyd Medical Center that is capable of detecting the smallest of neurological changes. It is an integrated effort across many different resources.”

The days of a football coach insisting that, despite your injury, you get back in the game are long gone. Today, there are much more stringent limits on players who have sustained an injury (especially a concussion) returning to the field. Injuries can result in being out of a game for a week due to a mild ankle sprain or very mild concussion to being out for a season because of a broken bone or torn major ligament.

“We try to get players back in as quick as possible,” Dr. Floyd says, “but we are always concerned about the long-term well-being of the athlete because, after all, this is high school, and they have their whole lives ahead of them. We want to make sure that they don't have long-term problems because they wanted to play a game while they were still injured or still healing.”

Any player suspected of sustaining a concussion is prohibited from returning to the game without being evaluated by a healthcare professional who is qualified to test and determine neurological symptoms and recovery.

“The local coaching staff that I have been working with has always focused on proper technique and not putting the athletes at risk – everything from avoiding heat-related illness during hot summer practices to ensuring that they have the appropriate well-fitting equipment,” Dr. Piller says. “So, I have seen the pendulum swinging back toward a definite improvement and focus on safety.”

Dr. Bushnell agrees that high school and college-level football players in the Roman community are in good hands, crediting athletic trainers with the daily health care of the athletes. “We’re very fortunate in Rome that Floyd Medical Center and Advanced Rehab have, historically, done a great job of providing athletic trainers for the high schools and, in some cases, the middle schools,” he says, adding that when a team physician is not present, the athletic trainer is by the team’s side.

It seems that the awareness of safety issues is anything but swept under the proverbial rug, and the coaches, athletic trainers, and team physicians of Floyd County have definitely got their players’ backs.

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EAST VSWEST We Will Never Forget...

TEXT Oliver Robbins PHOTOS Cameron Flaisch, additional photos provided by: East and West Rome High School Annuals \ Vision Graphics \ Rome News Tribune

Just as the air cools and the summer heat moves aside to usher in the coming fall, a little town in Northwest Georgia gears up for the most anticipated Friday night of the year. Neighbors become friendlier, barber shops buzz with stats and predictions, and a deep divide widens right around the 2nd Avenue line. Pastors ask for prayer for their boys, and every knee that bows sends a request to the Man Upstairs for one more yard, one more sack and one more win.

After the confetti drops on Broad, amid the blare of trumpets and drums, storefronts darken as the porch lights of empty homes flicker in the twilight. The mood is invigorating. Blue, gold, green, and white litter the stands at Barron Stadium, and those who failed to reserve a ticket to the show gather around the field of battle in droves. Even the catfish of the mighty Coosa River belly up to the bank in hopes of witnessing one of our great high school rivalries. The “Star Spangled Banner� brings us together as one until the last note is played, but this community has come together for one reason only: to fight like family. Tonight, we are East and West.

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othing in sports is better than a time-tested rivalry. Everyone has a case to plead.

Numbers are thrown about to prove superiority. Coaches are interviewed before and after the game, one giving reasons why his team just couldn’t pull it out and the other expressing his pride in the hard-fought win. But high school sports are different in that we are rarely privy to what the student-athletes have to say about the war they had between the lines.

As you will see, there is little debate between the players of the great East Rome Gladiator and West Rome Chieftain rivalry.

We had the unique opportunity to have some of these gridiron warriors relive their time at Barron Stadium, and their level of respect for one another is the complete opposite of what you might expect. After the last drive, the last huddle and the last snap, there is only an immense admiration for the team on the other side of town who gave them the games of their lives.

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says Kevin Burley, juvenile program manager at the local state probation office and Chieftain standout from 1982-1986. “Our team has been mentioned as one of the top 10 high school football teams of all time.”

His finger reaches across his desk and points to his school on the pages he has pulled from a shelf, yellowed with time and indeed among his most-treasured keepsakes. “We never lost to East Rome during my time on the field, but they are on this list as well,” he chuckles.

Past this brief comparison, he never again mentions the 24-9-2 record West Rome High School holds over the Glads of East Rome. However, his case would be strong if one considers the four state championship plaques and team pictures hanging just over his right shoulder.

As he reaches into his mental rolodex, his childhood memories paint a very different picture; this picture is one of admiration for the Gladiator teams he watched trample the competition as a kid, while dreaming of Barron’s big stage. “As a youngster, daddy would take me to the games. Even back

We kept each other out of trouble and we kept each other motivated. Our community was behind us so there were more folks, other than just your mother and father, telling you to keep yourself in line.

then, the East/West rivalry was strong,” Burley recalls. “As much as I hate to say it, East Rome was the stronger squad when I was growing up. But since I grew up in South Rome, it was never hard for me to choose my side. I was going to be a Chieftain, no matter what.”

The pre-game trash talk is always a part of any heated competition. Burley doesn’t remember a lot of jawing before the game, but after kickoff was a different matter altogether. “As players, we had an understanding about how important the game against East Rome was going to be.

And since we prepared for every game with the same energy, it was no problem to get ready for what we knew would be a battle,” explains Burley. “However, when we got on that field, there was trash talking for the entire game.”

Burley attributes much of his success after West Rome High to the lessons he learned while playing under three different coaches and winning four straight state titles.

“Coach Hodges holds a special place in my heart,” he says, “because he brought us through the ranks as freshmen and sophomores. He instilled a lot of discipline in us. He was a no-nonsense type of guy. I think he understood the amount of talent he had on those teams. Next, there was Coach Walker for our junior year. He had some challenges to deal with because there were only 21 of us and all of us had to play.

“Coach Winslette was our coach during my senior year, and we later went on to

Nathaniel L. Hudson

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 21

win our fourth state title in four years. And what’s really crazy,” Burley continues, “is the fact that we did not get scored on until our 11th game. I am proud to be a part of West Rome’s historic state championship run.”

Burley would go on to play for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on scholarship for one year and finish his college career at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

He does point out a driving factor that is voiced by almost any East/West player who experienced the magical time in Rome’s football history.

“We kept each other out of trouble and we kept each other motivated. Our community was behind us,” he explains, “so there were more folks, other than just your mother and father, telling you to keep yourself in line. Guys like Scott Crowley, William Kent, Joe McCluskey, Mark Upton, Paul Roberts and Melvin Green were like brothers to me.”

The list of teammates Burley gives is a mile long; he left no one out and wishes to thank each and every one who was part of the team for making his high school career one to be remembered.

One gentleman who paved the way for athletes like Burley was East Rome High School legend Larry Kinnebrew. The two athletes’ time on the field was spent on opposite sides of the tracks, but much of what they remember about their rivalry stands in perfect parallel.

Kinnebrew, a force for the Glads from 1974-1978, didn’t suit up until he was in the seventh grade. He would also lead East Rome High School to a state championship in 1977, a perfect cap to an undefeated season. And as he tells the story of the East vs. West games he was part of, his face lights up like a Fourth of July evening sky.

“The whole town would gear up for that game, so our team would follow suit and gear up for that game as well. We would watch who they would play before us and

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hope that they would lose and we could pound on them, too,” he laughs. “The East/ West game was a great high, and we came to Barron Stadium ready to play some football! We would basically shut down Rome, Ga., on the night of that game.”

During his first two years on the team, Kinnebrew played offensive and defensive tackle. Soon, Coach Sharp, the head coach for the Glads, noticed the speed of his star lineman as he outran the backs down the field to block. When the decision to let him move to full back was made, East Rome’s football dynamics completely changed.

“During my junior and senior years, I moved to running back and linebacker.

I always played both sides of the ball,” he says.

“Coach Sharp always prepared us for playing both ways. We worked extremely hard in practice. What was really great about my senior year was the back-ups were very talented as well. We would beat our opponents so badly that we rarely had to play in the second half of the game,” Kinnebrew says with a satisfied smile. “There was Willie Wells, Terry Adams, Sylvester Elkins, Greg Gordon, Ray Brown … I could really go on and on. Those guys were great football players who helped our school win ball games.”

The one loss Kinnebrew had at the hands of the Chieftains came with a very controversial play during the final drive of the game. “The one time I lost to West Rome was a tough one. They were on the

goal line,” Kinnebrew recalls, “and we were trying to stop them from scoring. As a matter of fact, we did stop them! Ray Donaldson and I hit Harper Brown and stopped him on the goal line. Harper was underneath the pile and crawled into the end zone. It

was a tough loss and that’s the one year they were able to beat us.”

The look in Kinnebrew’s eyes is proof that he still hasn’t lived this loss down.

“If it wasn’t for Coach Sharp and Coach Miller, I might not have went to college to play football. I was hanging with some of the wrong crowds, and these two men shaped my career for college,” Kinnebrew says. “Our entire backfield signed a national letter to go to the University of Georgia, but Vince Dooley had other opportunities. He had other plans for us, so I ended up playing ball for Tennessee State University in ’78.

“My time at Tennessee State taught me many life lessons – lessons that carried over from being a Gladiator – and while there, I had an opportunity to go and play pro football in the NFL.”

The whole town would gear up for that game, so our team would follow suit and gear up for that game as well.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 23

Kinnebrew would be drafted in the sixth round to the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played from 1983-1989, and finished his career with the Buffalo Bills from 19901992. And although playing in the NFL was a dream come true, for him it was always about his love of the game.

Rivalries have been known to spawn unexpected friendships and for Nathaniel L. Hudson and Bob Moss, this was precisely the case.

Moss, an East Rome Gladiator tailback, also grew up watching East vs. West football games as a child. “I remember watching Mike Hogan. He wore No. 7 and he was really a force on the football field,” he recalls. “So, when I started playing in junior high school, I wanted to play as well as the guys who came before me. I wanted to uphold that tradition of greatness that I watched as a kid.

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We all played sports as children and we all played against each other, so I think that’s part of what made the East/ West rivalry so great. You always wanted to beat your friends and that mentality carried over into the game later on.

city down when it’s time to play football on Friday night.”

Moss also played on both sides of the ball. His linebacker teammates included Ray Donaldson and Arn Anderson. Anderson is most known for being a member of the Four Horsemen in the NWA and WCW professional wrestling circuit.

“Arn actually told me he got his first love of performing for huge crowds while being on the field at the East vs. West football

“Of course,” Moss continues, “Mike was a big, strong guy. I was strong, but I was not nearly as big. Mike later played some college ball and then went pro. He ended up being selected Rookie of the Year while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles. Watching him play was awesome.

I remember thinking, ‘Boy, I’d like to play like Mike one day.’”

What Moss lacked in size, he made up for in speed, technique and heart. “Our coaches gave us excellent preparation,” he says. “The East/West rivalry was the big one and everyone in town would come out to watch us play the game. Even the county schools would show up to pack out Barron Stadium. That’s mostly what I miss about high school football today. I want to see a rivalry that completely shuts this

games,” Moss says. “Arn and I grew up together, trained together and we are still very good friends today.”

Moss, who also played under Coach Sharp and Coach Miller, would be named captain of his squad during his senior year.

Starting his high school career in 1972 and finishing in 1976, he would only taste victory once against the Chieftains. Still, he runs right over any mention of record and gives the same answer as the other players when asked to make their argument.

“It could have gone either way,” he says.

“We were just really fortunate to play against some of the best football players this area has ever seen.”

Today, Moss works as personal trainer to young athletes, adults who are hoping to get into shape and his old friends from

the fieldhouse. He even trains a once-sworn enemy, now brother from the other side of town, West Rome Chieftain, 1980 NCAA national champion and NFL vet Nathaniel Hudson.

Hudson, much like the other guys, shares stories of hard work, strong discipline and resolute respect for his rival team. He played for West Rome from 1974-1977, and a state championship eluded him. Under the direction of Nick Hyder and Robert Green, Hudson would see three wins against the Glads. That loss, he quickly points out, was not an actual loss on the field.

“East Rome didn’t beat us; they were actually voted into the playoffs. We ended the game in a tie,” Husdon explains, “and we needed someone to represent our region.

So, we played a tie-breaker game and we still ended in a tie. Because of the difficulty in determining a winner, a group of coaches and referees went up to the Holiday Inn, in room 222, where they voted. East Rome won the vote.”

This unprecedented way of determining a winner happened during Hudson’s sophomore year, and he is still a little bitter about having to record a loss to the Glads during his time at West Rome.

Still, one of his sports idols growing up did not play in the green and white. “I grew up watching guys like Johnny Gibson, who played for East Rome, and I saw how competitive he was. We all played sports as children and we all played against each other,” Hudson says, “so I think that’s part of what made the East/ West rivalry so great.

You always wanted to beat your friends and that mentality carried over into the game later on.”

After graduating from West Rome High, Hudson was awarded a scholarship to play football for the University of Georgia with Ricky McBride, Frank Ross, Hershel Walker and his hometown rival, Ray Donaldson.

In 1980, Hudson helped the Dawgs bring home a NCAA National Championship, the second in nearly 40 years.

He too, was drafted to play in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints. Hudson would be with the Saints for one year before he was traded to Baltimore and, once again, played alongside his friend Ray Donaldson.

And after playing for Tampa and the USFL, his nine-year pro career came to a close.

Hudson hung up his cleats but never his love for the game. A huge part of his heart will always be with his brothers who shared in the greatest rivalry in this corner of the state.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 25

When the two schools merged in 1992, those of us who were there for the last big game at Barron remember the bittersweet feelings of the day. Rome was on the horizon of new beginnings; bringing two powerhouse football programs together would surely be exciting. However, after the skydiving and parades, the speeches and the awards, and the memories and the

Nathaniel L. Hudson, Bob Moss, Larry Kinnebrew

Kevin Burley

26 BETWEEN THE LINES 2015

laughter, the 1991 season would be the end of our East/West football Friday nights.

From the Chieftain’s first win over the Glads in 1958 to the sweet spoils of victory East Rome High shared in the last matchup, Romans were lucky to see some of the area’s best football players line up on the hash. As we move into the next era of Friday night classics, let’s be sure we show up for

the young high school students who suit up to put on a show for us still today. We salute the players who continue to leave it all on the field, and we cherish those who paved the way.

Let those who remember never forget East vs. West.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 27

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Analysis: Ian Griffin and Matt Davis

Photos: Derek Bell

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 31

BETWEEN THE LINES HIGH SCHOOL PREVIEW hen you grow up in the South, it doesn’t take long for you to realize that football is king. In Rome and Floyd County, we unequivocally follow this southern tradition. When we descend upon a stadium on a Friday night, we’re part of something that transcends our normal daily routine, gives us something to root for, and brings us together in the hopes that we’ll bear witness to something special that we can talk about for generations.

For months, coaches have been evaluating their talent, devising plans and preparing their players to put the plan in motion. Players have invested endless amounts of effort and time building strength in the weight room, conditioning and proving their skills to fight for their shot to be on the field. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the school bands and those who organize them, the cheerleaders and their coaches, the administrators, volunteers, parents, officials, mascots, PA announcers, newspaper reporters, radio announcers, and all others that make it possible for the magic of Friday Night Lights to come to life. It takes a lot of effort from many different sources to make it happen, and we salute you.

People get ready! The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. It is time for football season.

With the arrival of the 2015 season, every single team in our area enters with a clean slate. Ask any coach questions about last year, and he’ll quickly turn the conversation to now and what the team is looking toward 32 BETWEEN THE LINES 2015

in the horizon. The approaching season will provide fans with some really interesting story lines – including the arrival of new coaches at Rome High and Pepperell, which fills each of those communities with hopes of a new, exciting era of success on the gridiron.

Most of our area teams fall into region 7-AA. Last year, on a local level, the big talk of the region involved Darlington’s return to the region and the AA classification, which provided football fans with some added excitement and more local matchups. The Tigers, Coosa Eagles and Model Blue Devils had quite a battle in search of the region title, and the Tigers ended up with the top spot. Atlanta’s Fox 5 “High 5 Sports” even featured the Darlington vs. Coosa game as their “Game of the Week,” a game that ultimately determined the region 7-AA champs. This helped put Rome and Floyd County back in the state spotlight in terms of high school football presence.

In addition, Coosa and Model made it to the second round of the GHSA State Playoffs, furthering the attention and respect our area received last season at the state level. The Armuchee Indians, despite continuing to struggle last season in terms of win-loss record, showed some signs of progress and growth. Coach Abdullatif is now gearing up for his second season at the helm, and there’s no doubt he has raised expectations for 2015. If the Indians climb back into the thick of things, that will make 7-AA even more interesting for fans from a local perspective.

Speaking of statewide attention, Devyn Collins of the Pepperell Dragons was

crowned the new single-game rushing king with 485 yards against Rockmart on Oct. 10, 2014, breaking a state record that stood for 15 years. Pepperell had a tough season overall, but there were some bright spots that give them hope for success in the not-so-distant future.

Unity Christian School has also added some flavor to the local football scene since launching their program several years back.

Now that the team is getting ready to hit the field for their second season under the tutelage of Mark Ackerman, they are confident and poised to bring some major attention to Rome and Floyd County through the collective lens of people who follow GICAA football around the state.

The Rome Wolves, despite posting a losing record for the first time since 2009, showed flashes of great athletic prowess last season. Coach Reid, who brings with him a great reputation of coaching success, is enthusiastic about taking on the challenge of helping Rome become the powerhouse that the community has always thought it could become. The buzz surrounding this program in the months leading up to the season has been deafeningly loud.

All in all, 2014 was one of the most memorable seasons we’ve experienced locally in quite some time. This year – with all the great story lines and all the momentum our local teams have been building – we predict the bar to be raised even higher in terms of the level of excitement. In other words, buckle your chin straps, high school football fans, and get ready for toe to meet leather!

2014 RECORD: 1-9 REGION 7-AA HEAD COACH: MUHAMMAD ABDELLATIF SCHEDULE : @ FELLOWSHIP 8/21 CHRISTIAN 8/28

@ TRION

9/4

COAHULLA CREEK

9/11

FANNIN COUNTY

9/25

@ CHATTOOGA

10/2

GORDON LEE

10/9

@ MODEL

10/16

DADE COUNTY

10/23

@ DARLINGTON

11/6

COOSA

After a tough 2014 campaign, Indians Head Coach Muhammad Abdellatif is focused on playing to the strengths of his roster to get the Tribe moving in the right direction. Toughness was never an issue for the Indians, however, and that toughness – along with some changes on the offensive side of the ball – should help a team that struggled to score a year ago put more points on the board. “We are going to open things up on offense this year and try to get our playmakers the ball in space,” says Abdellatif. “That’s something we didn’t do a great job of last year and have to improve upon in order to compete.” While competing for a playoff spot or region championship

is every team’s goal, Abdellatif says his squad needs to focus on getting the little things right and the bigger goals will fall in line. “When you talk about discipline, commitment and buy in, the difference between this year’s team and last year’s team is night and day,” he says. “We had to install a system last year and getting everyone on board was a challenge. The kids we have on our roster this year have bought in to what our staff is trying to achieve and the evidence was all over the field in the spring game. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can achieve in the fall.” The Indians begin their campaign on the road against Fellowship Christian on Aug. 21.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 33

Make friends.

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Discover trails.

Ride bikes.

Play sports.

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2014 RECORD: 8-4 REGION 7-AA HEAD COACH: TODD WHEELER

SCHEDULE : @ RIVERWOOD 8/21 9/4

CASS

9/11

ROCKMART

9/25

@ PEPPERELL

10/2

CHATTOOGA

10/9

@ GORDON LEE

10/16

MODEL

10/23

@ DADE COUNTY

10/30

DARLINGTON

11/6

@ ARMUCHEE

One of the teams that has made region 7-AA football exciting to watch the last couple of seasons has been the Coosa Eagles. Under the tutelage of Todd Wheeler, the Eagles have enjoyed back-to-back winning seasons, as well as a second-round playoff appearance in 2014. Speaking from many years of experience, Wheeler emphasizes to his players the importance of not curbing their enthusiasm for the things that helped them earn success – hard work, determination, teamwork and focus. “We preach to our kids that we can’t look at the past,” he says. “It’s a new chapter in Coosa football, and we’ve got to really work hard and look toward the future. We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished the last two

seasons but right now we’re focused on this season.” The Eagles will have several weapons on offense with the return of an experienced QB as well as some running backs that were the source of a significant portion of their offensive production last year. However, they definitely have some holes to fill in preparation for the season, particularly in the secondary. Coosa will also be working in a couple of young kickers this season. Anyone who follows local football closely, particularly region 7-AA, will tell you that this year’s team will help make the region interesting with an experienced coaching staff, solid running game, stingy defense and the grit fans have come to expect from the Coosa Eagles.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 35

2014 RECORD: 9-2 REGION 7-AA HEAD COACH: TOMMY ATHA SCHEDULE : @MT PARAN (SCRIMMAGE) 8/14 8/21

@MELBOURNE CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (WALT DISNEY WORLD)

8/28

BREMEN

9/11

@KINGS RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

9/18

@BOWDEN

9/25

@GORDON LEE

10/2

MODEL

10/9

@ DADE COUNTY

10/23

ARMUCHEE

10/30

@ COOSA

11/6

CHATTOOGA

36 BETWEEN THE LINES 2015

2014 was one heck of a transition year for the Darlington Tigers as they took home the Region 7-AA Championship in their first year on the block. They accomplished this feat with only 32 players on the roster at the end of the season and, of course, through the style of play that has brought the Tigers so much success during the Atha era. When asked what the difference would be between last year’s championship squad and this year’s lineup, he was quick to point out the obvious. “You can count on one thing and that’s seeing more players on the field,” quips Atha. “We will start out the season with 46 to 50 kids on the roster; that is a huge increase in numbers, which never hurts.” Graduating a small senior

class and bringing in a large freshman class certainly helps the numbers, but that small senior class also forced underclassmen into active duty last year, which will benefit the Tigers in 2015. “It’s hard to replace experience and we gained a lot of that last year,” says Atha. “We lost some key players at certain positions, but we are going to stick to what’s made us successful and that’s running the football and playing sound defense.” With one region 7-AA Championship under their belts, the Tigers will look to defend in 2015 in a campaign that starts Aug. 21 at Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports against Melbourne Central Catholic High School.

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2014 RECORD: 9-3 REGION 7-AA HEAD COACH: GORDON POWERS SCHEDULE : @ LUMPKIN COUNTY 8/21 8/28

SONORAVILLE

8/29

SONORAVILLE

9/4

@ CHRISTIAN HERITAGE

9/11

BREMEN

9/25

DADE COUNTY

10/2

@ DARLINGTON

10/9

ARMUCHEE

10/16

@ COOSA

10/23

CHATTOOGA

10/30

@ GORDON LEE

Success changes everything. The Model Blue Devils have made it to the playoffs three years in a row, including advancing to the second round in 2014.

One of the best storylines of the last several seasons in area football has been watching this team scratch and claw their way out of the cellar and into the conversation. Gordon Powers, now entering the fourth season of his second stint as the Blue Devils’ head coach, feels the team’s momentum and the community support growing. “When you make the playoffs three years in a row, everybody gets excited about it,” he says. “More people are coming to our games, our numbers are up and the overall atmosphere has changed.” Of course, when

you talk to Powers about the future, he acknowledges that along with success come higher expectations, which is part of the challenge. But this team is eager to prove they are up for that challenge.

Model has graduated several notable players on both sides of the ball, and they know there will be some holes to fill along the way. This is a golden opportunity for underclassmen who gained experience last season in the extra weeks of playoffs to have their time to shine. With solid speed, a couple of QBs that are a run threat and a defense that has grown a reputation for being tenacious, Model should be giving fans plenty to cheer about this season.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 39

2014 RECORD: 3-7 REGION 5-AAA HEAD COACH: RICK HURST SCHEDULE : PAULDING COUNTY 8/28 9/4

@ BOWDEN

9/11

@ CHESTATEE

9/18

CHATTOOGA

9/25

COOSA

10/9

@ ROCKMART

10/16

CENTRAL

10/23

@ CALLAWAY

10/30

CEDARTOWN

11/6

@ HARALSON COUNTY

40 BETWEEN THE LINES 2015

The tradition of the Pepperell Dragons football program is known all over the State of Georgia. That’s one of the big reasons why Rick Hurst jumped at the chance to apply when the head coaching job opened up. When speaking with Hurst, he always turns the conversation to his players. “The No. 1 reason I like coaching high school football is seeing players come into the ninth grade as young boys and leave as men,” he says. “It’s an awesome feeling to see kids come back after they’ve gone off to college, military, or whatever it is, and they’ve been doing things in life the right way.” A new era is in the making, and the Pepperell Dragons are eager to get back to their tradition of winning after

disappointing losing records the past two seasons. Luckily, it is blatantly clear that Coach Hurst isn’t afraid of a challenge. It is equally obvious that what he offers his players in terms of leadership, experience, and knowledge, he expects them to return in the form of exceptional effort and heart in everything they do – this applies on the football field as well as in the classrooms. Something very special may be just around the corner for the folks in Lindale.

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2014 RECORD: 6-3 REGION GICAA I A HEAD COACH: MARK ACKERMAN SCHEDULE : DAWSON CHRISTIAN 8/14 ACADEMY

8/28

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9/4

@ LOGANVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

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When Mark Ackerman arrived as new head coach at UCS last season, he brought along with him a new offense, a new defense, a new philosophy, as well as some new coaches. Despite the learning curve, the Lions earned a 6-3 record in their first season playing in the GICAA (Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association). This, in our humble assessment, is a reflection of both Ackerman’s ability to teach the game of football as well as the fervor in which his players have approached this new way of doing things. With a new season approaching, Ackerman and the Lions have raised the bar in terms of their expectations. “Our goal this season is to make the playoffs,” he says. The Lions’ approach on offense

is to spread the field to essentially run the ball. However, they are very confident in their QB’s ability to throw as well as their ability and speed at the wide receiver position. Defensively speaking, the same guys are key on offense, given the size of teams in the league. Ackerman is confident that his guys will be conditioned and prepared to be very competitive on both sides of the ball. His players know the terminology, know how to implement what they’ve been learning and are ready to go at the snap of the ball. Of course, Ackerman’s overall objective remains ensuring the growth of his players spiritually, academically, as well as in the fine arts and athletics.

BETWEEN THE LINES 2015 43

2014 RECORD: 3-6 REGION 7-AAAAA HEAD COACH: JOHN REID SCHEDULE : CALHOUN (SCRIMMAGE) 8/14 8/21

@VILLA RICA

8/28

OPEN

9/4

NEWTON

9/11

@CAMBRIDGE

9/18

CREEKVIEW

9/25

OPEN

10/2

@ RIVER RIDGE

10/9

@ DALTON

10/16

WOODLAND

10/23

@SEQUOYAH

10/30

CASS

11/6

REGION PLAY-IN (OPPONENT TBD)

44 BETWEEN THE LINES 2015

A new era begins for the Rome High Wolves in 2015 as John Reid takes the reigns of a program full of potential. After back-to-back seasons in which the win column didn’t surpass the loss column, the new coach is tasked with revitalizing a program that boasts seven region titles (six in a row from 2001-2006) and has been on the cusp of greatness many times in its brief 23-year history. Reid has proven his ability to do just that at both East Paulding and Tift County High Schools, where he turned losing programs around in dramatic fashion, and he believes the foundation for a high school powerhouse is waiting to be established at Rome. “I’m just thrilled to have the opportunity to come to Rome and deliver a brand of football that will energize the

players, student body, fans and alumni,” he says. “I don’t believe in excuses and there is no excuse for a school like Rome High School to not compete for championships every season.” That all starts on the defensive side of the ball, according to Reid, and he plans to install a fast and physical brand of football that strikes fear into opponents when the ball is in their hands. “Scoring points is important and we will take care of that when we have the ball,” he says, “but keeping the other team off the scoreboard is how you win championships.” Rome kicks off their season – and the Reid era – Aug. 28 against Villa Rica.

ROME MIDDLE SCHOOL 2015 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

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AUG. 8

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