V3 2020 High School Football Preview

NWGA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

1

introducing the hyundai palisade

Proud to partner with Hyundai

nissan • hyundai • honda RomeNissan.com • Heritageromehyundai.com • HeritageRomeHonda.com 706.291.2277 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020 | BETWEEN THE LINES

3

NWGA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020 FLOYD

BARTOW

CHATTOOGA

POLK

13

ARMUCHEE INDIANS

14

COOSA EAGLES

15

DARLINGTON TIGERS

16

MODEL BLUE DEVILS

17

PEPPERELL DRAGONS

19

ROME WOLVES

20

UNITY LIONS

21

ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS

22

CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES

24

CASS COLONELS

25

WOODLAND WILDCATS

26

CHATTOOGA INDIANS

27

TRION BULLDOGS

28

CEDARTOWN BULLDOGS

29

ROCKMART YELLOW JACKETS

PUBLISHER V3 Publications, LLC

MAG ART & DESIGN Elizabeth Childers

WRITERS Ian Griffin, DeMarcus Daniel

PHOTOGRAPHER Andy Calvert

AD SALES & CLIENT RELATIONS Chris Forino

AD DESIGN & MARKETING CONCEPTS Elizabeth Childers

CONTACT V3 Magazine 417 Broad Street Rome, Georgia 30161 Office Phone 706.235.0748 v3publications@gmail.com READV3.COM

4

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

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

Independent Living | Personal Care | Memory Care 706.295.0014 • 3126 Cedartown Hwy SW, Rome, GA 30161-4314 • www.RenaissanceMarquis.com

Mobile Banking Available Anywhere, Anytime, well…

Almost

eBANK: Always Open at www.heritagefirstbank.com MAIN OFFICE: 501 Broad Street 706.378.5300

WEST ROME: 2211 Shorter Avenue 706.378.5305

ARMUCHEE: 2950 Martha Berry Blvd. 706.314.0560 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

5

Shoulder Pain

Relief

There’s a lot on your shoulders. Don’t let pain or limited motion add to the burden.

Floyd’s Shoulder Therapy program offers skilled customized non-surgical and after-surgery solutions to help patients regain function and reduce pain.

• Strength training monitored by physical therapists • Improved range-of-motion through target exercises • Increased blood flow to speed healing • Pitching and throwing analysis for baseball and softball players • Dry needle therapy for trigger points to address knots in the neck and shoulder • Education to prevent future injury

Locations Rome Calhoun Cartersville Cedartown Rockmart Summerville

706.509.3400 | floyd.org

6

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

7

Wishing all the area teams the best of luck this season, with a special salute to the Darlington Tigers.

Richard J. Lundy Attorney at Law

PARKER AND LUNDY ATTORNEYS

212 Main Street Cedartown, Georgia 30125 (770) 748-5643 • parkerandlundy@gmail.com Grace Ann Lundy, Class of 2022

YOUR WELLNESS IS OUR PRIORITY Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm Sun: 12pm - 6pm TheHerbShopOnBroad

706.232.4447 • 103 Broad Street W E D O N O T D I A G N O S E , T R E AT, O R C U R E

8

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

ACW

LA N DS C A P E S

Let us create an outdoor space where you can display your

team colors with pride

LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE SINCE 2003 Financing options available through

Authorized Dealer

Apply online at www.acwlandscapes.com

4617 Rockmart Hwy Silver Creek, GA | 706-528-4963 | www.acwlandscapes.com | Find us on Facebook HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020 | BETWEEN THE LINES

9

Henderson & Sons Funeral Homes wish all of our local teams success in their upcoming seasons!

“Rome’s Locally Owned Funeral Homes” Barry R. Henderson

Joe Paul Henderson (1919-2008)

www.hendersonandsons.com 10

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Between the LINES

TEXT IAN GRIFFIN

There has never been a more anxious anticipation for toe to meet leather than this grueling off-season 2020 has provided football fans across the country.

While many states, individual programs and players have opted out or pushed their seasons to the spring in hopes that time will yield safer conditions to play, at the time we went to press with this publication, the GHSA was standing firm when it came to playing high school football this fall.

While the issues surrounding playing contact sports are divisive, it has become clear that the players want to play, and those that may want to play but don’t feel safe doing so aren’t being condemned if they choose to sit out. Coaches appear dedicated to making the season happen as safely as possible, and the governing body for the sport in this state is certainly doing the same.

So while there is no guarantee the season will be played in full, for the sake of this preview and the kids busting their tails at two-a-days in this heat, we are treating it like it is.

After the tumultuous ride to get here, one guarantee is the overwhelming appreciation players, fans and everyone involved will have just to see these kids take the field again. We have learned to live without these past few months, so whatever amount of football we get, we will all be grateful for it. There is a special feeling that only comes with football. It’s week-long anticipation for the big game on Friday nights. Spirit ribbons, pep rallies, homecoming parades and the smell of hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill just scratch the surface of the feelings that come to fruition on Friday nights this time of year.

I think we will all enjoy it a little bit more after all we have been through in 2020. Good luck to all the players, coaches, trainers and staff. I think I speak for all the fans when I say we appreciate you more than you know.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

11

Powering

Northwest Georgia

Football

The Gladiator Nutrition Info 3 different sizes

220

Calories

832 Turnell McCall Blvd.

Rome, GA 30161 706-314-9471 12

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

3g Fat

20

OUNCE

4g

Carbs

32 40

OUNCE OUNCE

45g

Protein

ARMUCHEE Indians SCHEDULE

9.4 at Towns County

9.18 Coosa

9.25 Weaver

10.2 at Southeast Whitfield County

10.9 The King's Academy

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

THE YEAR 2020 BEGINS THE THIRD YEAR OF ARMUCHEE FOOTBALL HEAD COACH JEREMY GREEN’S CULTURE CHANGE. “The Armuchee Indians will be tough, dependable, and unselfish. That is all you’re ever gonna hear about us,” he says.

Last year was not pleasant for the Indians, but it was an exercise in gaining experience. The Indians lost 12 players to injury throughout the year and finished the 2020 season dressing out 29 players for game 10.

“Everything that could have went wrong last year actually went wrong,” Green says. “I’ve never experienced a season like that in my life. But we are not going to make excuses for last season either. Guys got better and got game experience and we will roll that into this year.”

The Indians will field a strong senior class that has stayed the course throughout Green’s changes at the school. “We have gotten faster, we have some decorated seniors in Devin Cromer and Sylvester Bass, with

10.16

both being All-Area and or All-Region players in 2019.

Most of the seniors have played varsity ball since their sophomore season,” Green says proudly. The Indians will also add a big freshman class from a good 2019 middle school team.

“We shouldn’t have a lot of issues this year,” Green says. “We are going to continue building a foundation that we want for going forward for our program. We will continue to instill the characteristics that we believe the players need to have and the cultural changes to allow us to lay the concrete for that foundation.”

“Another thing of note for us this year,” Green says with a sly grin, “is that we are now back in Class A (Public).

After years and years of being one of the smallest AA schools in Georgia, and sometimes playing schools with 50% more enrollment than us, the Armuchee Indians are now back on a level playing field with our competition.”

2019 RECORD: 0-10 overall (0-7, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Jeremy Green (2-18) ALL TIME RECORD: 593 games - 205 - 377 - 11 (36%)

at Mt. Zion

10.23 B.E.S.T Academy

11.6 at Trion

11.13 at Gordon Lee

11.20 Bowdon

TOTAL SEASONS: 60 FIRST SEASON: 1951 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 35 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (Last: 1994)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

13

COOSA Eagles SCHEDULE

9.11 Trion

9.18 at Armuchee

9.25 at Pickens

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE 2019 FOOTBALL S E A S O N , after seven seasons and a 31-43 record, Todd Wheeler resigned as CHS’s head football coach. “At this point in my career, I need to look out for what’s best for the program,” he said. “It would be to the best benefit of the school and its young group of football players to allow a new head coach to come in now and establish themselves, instead of starting all over when I retire in a year or two.” Wheeler went on to become a defensive line coach at Pepperell High School.

For Mathis, this is a homecoming of sorts as he had played and coached in this area before he took a coaching job in Marion County, Tennessee, where he went 26-23 in four seasons and made the playoffs each season. “It’s a great feeling to be back here,” he says. “Coosa is a good program with a lot of tradition in Floyd County. And that tradition is something that you can build on here.”

The changes and adjustments have not been as big a burden as one might imagine. “The players’ attitudes and attendance have been great this offseason,” Mathis says. “They are learning new systems on both sides of the football. The attitudes and leadership has been where it needs to be. Our coaches are doing a great job also, so we are looking forward to getting out there and seeing how we improve each week and seeing where we end up at the end of the year.”

According to Mathis, the team’s seniors have really stepped up. “I believe some of them have seen how quickly thing can be taken away,” he says. “When that happens, you receive a different perspective on stuff like summer workouts, summer practices, and just the little things that we take for granted. So, when those things were taken away, it lit a fire under some of them. Our seniors have been great, our senior leadership has been particularly good. We have several that play multiple sports and they saw how quickly those sports were shut down and know it could happen in football. There is some pep in their step when it comes to practice, and the weight room and those things.”

It’s the start of a new era for Coosa High School football, on the field and off. “We are in the business of raising young men. In high school football, we just use that as a tool to create these young men and to shape them into husbands, fathers, employees and community leaders,” Mathis says. “We want to be known as a hard working group. The fundamentals of our football program is based on relationships between coaches, between players and hopefully between the community. We can win the community over by the way that we play, the way that we conduct ourselves and the way that we go about our business.”

2019 RECORD: 1-9, overall (1-6, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Joey Mathis, first year at Coosa, (26-23 career) ALL TIME RECORD: 680 games - 337 - 327 - 16 (51%)

14

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

10.9 Lakeview Academy

10.16 Model

10.23 at Chattooga

10.30 at Gordon Central

11.6 Dade County

11.13 at Fannin County

11.20 Pepperell

TOTAL SEASONS: 65 FIRST SEASON: 1955 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 42 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5 (1975 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1969 LAST)

DARLINGTON Tigers SCHEDULE

9.11 Lakeview Academy

9.18 St. Francis

9.25 at Heard County

10.2 at Heritage

10.9 Kings Ridge

10.16

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

THE 2019 DARLINGTON TIGERS STARTED T H E I R S E A S O N O N A T E A R , winning eight consecutive games and being ranked number 4 in the state in the AJC Class 6-A Private poll. They would eventually go on to lose their last two games of the season. The 6-A Private region championship and their state playoffs first-round matchup finished the season 9-2.

2020 will see the Tigers participating in a new region (7-A private) after GHSA reclassification. 2020 will also see the need for players in new roles.

“We will be filling in gaps and holes from lost experience this season,” Darlington Head Football Coach Tommy Atha says. “We’ve been trying to figure out who’s ready to step up for us, but man, losing the spring didn’t help that at all.”

Atha makes it clear that the talent cupboard is not bare and that nearly every player had a great year in the weight room; it’s just a matter of on-field experience.

Bremen

“We have some guys that have some experience and we have some talented young guys with no experience,” he says. They all had a great year in the weight room. The opportunity to get on the field is there, but it’s not going to be given to them. The players gotta bring it every day.”

The Tigers have some seniors that will be leading the team in pursuit of its goals. OL/DL Davis Watson, OL/DL Luke Lewis, Joe Marion and Tyler Watkins are at linebacker, and Atha is expecting big things from his kicker this year.

“Our kicking game was really good last year; we’re expecting it to be great this year with Brinson Sumner being a game changer as a kicker with an explosive leg,” Atha says. “We also got in a new player, Harrison Allen.

He was linebacker only last year at his old school, and this year, he’s a preseason all-state player at running back, and has yet to play a varsity snap.”

2019 RECORD: 9-2, overall (6-0, REGION 6-A) HEAD COACH: Tommy Atha 150-58, 5 region championships ALL TIME RECORD: 973 games - 585 - 351 - 37 (62%)

10.23 Mt. Paran

10.30 at Christian Heritage

11.6 North Cobb Christian

11.13 at Walker

TOTAL SEASONS: 109 FIRST SEASON: 1910 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 79 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 10 (2015 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1998 LAST)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

15

MODEL Blue Devils SCHEDULE

9.4 at Sonoraville

9.11 at LaFayette

9.18 Trion

9.25 Haralson County

10.9 Chattooga

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

WHEN THINKING OF 2019, MODEL HIGH FOOTBALL HEAD COACH JEFF HUNNICUTT REFERS TO AN OLD SAYING ABOUT A U T O M O B I L E S ; “You never want to spend more time looking in the rear view mirror than you do looking out of the windshield.”

Model started its season 0-3 before going 5-2 in region play to make the playoffs, falling in the first round. “We started 0-3 and never quit, but we have to remember how bad it felt, the game 11 loss at Bremen (the Blue Devils fell 17-0 that on November night), and we hopefully will build off of that and last season as a whole, to start this season with some early momentum,” he says.

As for the preparation and readiness for the 2020 season, Hunnicutt describes it as an adventurous time, since March anyway. “It is great having these kids back together,” he says. “This is what they needed, no doubt.

To be back amongst this family we are building here at the school.”

The Blue Devils’ team leaders are taking their place, and the 2020 team has been building camaraderie. Model has some seniors that are experienced and using that to help their young teammates along. “Sam Silver, he is a very vocal leader,” Hunnicutt says. “Then, the guys on the offensive line are getting it and are taking leadership roles. They understand that we will win and lose games on the line of scrimmage. They are an experienced group.

I like to know that I have seniors worth of experience on my offensive line.”

Hunnicutt wants to continue to build on the culture changes started in his first season at Model, with the same goals of taking pride in how things are done on and off the field and continuing to improve the players’ attitudes, character, and self-discipline. The top ways to do that are to perform well in the classroom and not be discipline problems. “We are going to continue to climb the ladder, trying to get to the next rung, and eventually taking off,” Hunnicutt says.

2019 RECORD: 5-6 overall (5-2, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Jeff Hunnicutt (5-6 in 1 season at Model) ALL TIME RECORD: 761 games - 348-395-18 (47%)

16

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

10.16 at Coosa

10.23 Dade County

10.30 at Fannin County

11.6 Pepperell

11.20 at Gordon Central

TOTAL SEASONS: 78 FIRST SEASON: 1931 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 37 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1979 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1979 LAST)

PEPPERELL Dragons SCHEDULE

9.4 at Haralson County

9.11 Heard County

9.18 Bremen

10.2

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

COMING OFF OF A 2019 SEASON THAT SAW THEM REACH THE SECOND ROUND OF THE P L A Y O F F S , the Pepperell Dragons are ready to take things to the next level in 2020, and they have the onfield experience to do it.

“We have a lot of experience,” Hurst says. “I look at it and it’s scary and exciting. We have about nine seniors on defense and about another eight on offense.

We are an experienced bunch and these guys have been playing a lot going back to when they were freshmen.”

Hurst has been incredibly pleased with his players’ physical conditions since they returned. “I am really impressed with how the kids came back in shape,” he says. “It says a lot about them and speaks to how hard they have worked despite the stoppage. We did stay in communication with them and gave them workouts that they could do at home, but I am just impressed with how much they have come back in shape. That is a great sign of a veteran bunch and guys that know that had they not done that, they would be way behind.”

High school seniors across the county have had the extra weight of knowing that this is their last year of high school whether the game is played or not. “We tell

at Temple them control what you can control,” Hurst says. “That is all we have talked about since starting back up. The seniors have been good about taking the changes that have come. Now, they have been disappointed about the delays and losing scrimmages, because goal number one is to play, no matter who it is or when it is. The kids just want to be able to play and have some sort of season to give them some normalcy that they or no one has had in the last few months.”

As a team, the Dragons are ready to play. The younger guys have the examples to follow with an experienced core ahead of them. Hurst says everyone is ready to go. “Mentally, they have been good and focused when they are out here and doing the things I’ve asked to stay healthy and stay out here,” he says. “When I look at our younger guys, they are looking at our seniors and seeing them do it the right way and working hard every day.

Some seniors are vocal, some aren’t. You do not always have to be vocal, I say that all the time, for people to see what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. They are doing everything the right way and the young guys are falling right in behind them.”

2019 RECORD: 9-3 overall (6-1, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Rick Hurst (40-18, 1 region championship in 4 seasons at Pepperell; 106-64 overall) ALL TIME RECORD: 740 games - 403-323-14 (55%)

10.9 Dade County

10.16 Fannin County

10.23 at Gordon Central

11.6 at Model

11.13 Chattooga

11.20 at Coosa

TOTAL SEASONS: 70 FIRST SEASON: 1937 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 82 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4 (2016 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1990 LAST)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

17

wearerome 9/4 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 18

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

Rockmart Bye @ Cherokee @ Collins Hill South Paulding (Homecoming) @ Carrollton HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

10/16 10/23 10/30 11/6 11/13 11/20

@ Dalton East Paulding Bye Alexander @ Douglas County Paulding County

ROME Wolves SCHEDULE

9.04 Rockmart

9.18 at Cherokee

9.25 at Collins Hill

10.02 South Paulding

10.09

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

FOR THE 2020 SEASON, THE WORD ‘NEW’ CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO MANY ASPECTS O F R O M E H I G H F O O T B A L L . The Wolves will play in a new region (5-6A) in a new classification (GHSA AAAAAA). Rome has a beautiful new Rome Wolves-based turf field at Historic Barron Stadium. There is also a new indoor practice facility on campus inside Rome High School’s new College and Career Academy. Then there’s a bunch of new talent, as this year’s team will be heavily infused with youth. This year’s team will be young both in class and in on-field experience.

The new schedule does have 15 games on it with a date of December 29, 2020 (at 7pm) that shows everyone that RHS Head Football Coach John Reid and his staff still have the same OLD goal: to be state champions.

“We knew we would be young this year,” Reid says, “and it’s an exciting opportunity to get this team ready. There is a good collection of veterans with playing experience here also, especially on offense.

On defense, we have a few guys back, but not a lot of on-field experience.”

at Carrollton

10.16

Rome’s seniors will be asked to lead and carry the team this year. A few guys that stick out are quarterback Caleb Ellard, running back EJ Lackey, and wide receiver Jay Wise. On defense there is Bryant Wilkinson, an all-region player in 2019, and defensive lineman Idris Dennis looking to lead the pack.

Reid knows that achieving the goal will take a precise execution of his plan. “It is going to be a challenging preseason getting these guys ready to play a challenging schedule.”

The Wolves are starting the season playing some good teams, with always-tough Rockmart, then traveling for two consecutive games versus 7A schools, and later having two tough region games on the road at Carrollton and Dalton.

“We are in a new class and a new region with some pretty good teams,” Reid says. “There are challenges, but we are up for it, the kids are definitely up for it.

These guys can handle it.”

at Dalton

10.23 East Paulding

11.06 Alexander

11.13 at Douglas County (Lithia Springs HS)

11.20 Paulding County

TOTAL SEASONS: 28 FIRST SEASON: 1992 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 67 2019 RECORD: 9-3 overall (7-1, REGION 7-AAAAA) HEAD COACH: John Reid (58-10, 3 region championships, 2 state REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 10 (2018 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (2017 LAST) championships in 4 seasons at Rome; 132-42 overall In Georgia) ALL TIME RECORD: 328 games - 229-98-1 (70%) HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

19

UNITY Lions SCHEDULE

8.28 at New Creation Christian Academy

9.4 Harvester

9.11 at Peachtree

9.18 Fideles

9.25 Dominion Christian

10.2 at Covington Academy

10.16 Cherokee Christian

10.23

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

COMING OFF OF A 10-1 SEASON AND A GICAA P L A Y O F F B E R T H , the Unity Christian High School Lions are ready to improve even more and possibly capture a state championship.

With experienced players such as Eli Whiteside and Jayden Stewart, both of whom really know the Lions’ system, work hard, and communicate well leading the way, UCS can elevate to some lofty heights in the GICAA. Another senior, Jaydon Slaughter, is a combo player on defense and will be all over the field both literally and figuratively.

2019 RECORD: 6-3 GICAA 8-man football 20

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

Junior Samuel Mumpower is a versatile athlete playing special teams as a returner and wide receiver for the Lions.

Expect another big year from him as well.

With a favorable schedule this year, featuring seven home games and only four on the road, look for the Lions to roar loudly come playoff time in the GICAA in the 2020 season.

HEAD COACH: Mark Ackerman

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

Johnson Ferry Christian Academy

10.30 Lanier Christian

11.6 Pinecrest Academy

ADAIRSVILLE Tigers SCHEDULE

9.4 Chattooga

9.11 at Cass

9.25 Murray County

10.9 at LaFayette

10.16 at Ringgold

10.23 Coahulla Creek

10.30

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

at Sonoraville THE ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS ARE EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THEIR 2020 SEASON. After a few years of taking their bumps and bruises with underclassmen or injuries, they feel that this is the time for all that they have learned along the way, combined with goals that they have set, to come to fruition.

Adairsville has a large returning senior class full of players who have had valuable playing experience throughout the years. The Tigers return three senior veteran offensive linemen in Dave Adams, James Ellerbee, and Mason Cash. Additionally, the Tiger offense returns starting senior QB Connor Crunkelton and seniors Courtney Slocum at slotback and Jamaury Johnson at tailback.

2019 RECORD: 5-6, overall (4-4, REGION 6-AAA) HEAD COACH: Eric Bishop 46-32, 7 seasons as Adairsville Head Coach

On the defensive side of the ball, three seniors will anchor the defensive line, all with playing experience off of last year's playoff team. These seniors include Evan Smith, Ty'wun Gordon, and KJ Weaver. With a strong sophomore season last year, Toyko Gordon will anchor the linebacking core. Courtney Slocum and Jamaury Johnson look to also contribute on the defensive side in the secondary.

On special teams, senior Emmanuel Lopez will return as both punter and kicker, giving the Tigers an extra edge on that unit.

With all of the experience the Tigers have on the field in 2020, expect for them to make a run at a region championship and make some noise in the playoffs.

11.6 Rockmart

11.13 North Murray

11.20 at Lakeview- Ft. Oglethorpe

ALL TIME RECORD: 675 games 365 - 299 - 11 (55%) TOTAL SEASONS: 65 FIRST SEASON: 1956 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 61 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 (2001 LAST)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

21

CARTERSVILLE Hurricanes SCHEDULE

9.4 Morrow

9.11 West Forsyth

9.18 Alexander

9.25 at Creekside

10.2

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

CONOR FOSTER TOOK OVER THE CARTERSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH IN 2019 AND CONTINUED A STREAK THAT IS QUITE ASTONISHING. Eight consecutive regional championships and another deep playoff run followed an undefeated regular season.

This year, along with the inability to proceed as normal, the Purple Hurricanes were shuffled around during GHSA reclassification. They will play in a new Class (AAAAA) and a new region, 7-AAAAA. For the past four years, GHSA region 7-5A has been known as one of the toughest in the state, as it contained three heavy hitters, one of which captured state championships during that time. Reclassification moved those teams out and replaced them with three heavy hitters, all three of whom have won at least one state championship in the past four years: Calhoun, Blessed Trinity, and Cartersville.

How will playing in today’s times effect the alwaysstrong Hurricanes? How will playing in a very tough

at Cherokee region effect the ‘Canes? Assistant Head Football Coach/ Co-Offensive Coordinator Reggie Perkins says you won’t catch Cartersville flinching about any of that.

“Here at Cartersville, we talk to our players about controlling the controllable,” Perkins explains. “We don’t know what this season holds, so our players are working hard every day to get better. The goal is to be better today than yesterday, and we and the players take it one day at a time.”

The Purple Hurricanes pump out stars every year it seems, and this year will be no different. The team will be led by two standout seniors, Devonte Ross and Evan Slocum.

The coaching staff is proud of its 2020 seniors.

“We have a strong senior class. They work hard daily and are doing a great job of leading their classmates,” Perkins says.

Look for another great season of Cartersville Football in 2020.

2019 RECORD: 12-1, overall (6-0, REGION 5-AAAA) HEAD COACH: Conor Foster, 12-1 as Cartersville Head Coach ALL TIME RECORD: 1037 games 682 - 325 - 30 (67%)

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

at Cass

10.23 Hiram

10.30 Blessed Trinity

11.6 Woodland, Cartersville

11.13 at Calhoun

TOTAL SEASONS: 107 FIRST SEASON: 1909 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 104 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 21 (2019 LAST, 8th consecutive reg championship)

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4 (2016 LAST) 22

10.16

www.advancerehab.com ADVANCE REHABILITATION IS A PHYSICAL THERAPY PRACTICE SPECIALIZING IN ORTHOPAEDIC, BACK PAIN/INJURIES AND ATHLETIC INJURIES ADAIRSVILLE 7423 Adairsville Hwy. (770) 773-9315

CHATSWORTH 1422 Green Road, Suite N (706) 695-9699

ROCKMART 1081 Nathan Dean Pkwy (678) 757-1899

CALHOUN 136 West Belmont Dr. SW (706) 625-0662

SUMMERVILLE 11638 Highway 27, Suite 1 (706) 857-6366

ROME 224 Shorter Ave (706) 235-2727

CEDARTOWN 1556 North Main St., Suite 2B (770) 749-0250

JASPER 620 J.L. White Dr., Suite 110 (706) 692-9080

Have a Great Season!

From your fans at

706-291- 4321

|

hardyrealty.com HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

23

CASS Colonels SCHEDULE

9.4 Dawson County

9.11 Adairsville

9.18 at Sequoyah

9.25 Temple

10.2 at Ridgeland

10.16 Cartersville

10.23 at Woodland, Cartersville

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

AFTER THE 2019 SEASON, SIX-YEAR CASS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BOBBY HUGHES S T E P P E D D O W N F R O M H I S P O S I T I O N after accepting a newly created position in Cass’s athletic department. He was 19-41 in his time leading the program.

In steps, former UGA lineman Steve Gates will pave the way forward for the Colonels. He will be the 18th head coach in Cass’s history. This job is also his first as a varsity head coach after spending time on Kell High School’s staff as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, academic advisor and other duties.

CHS will remain in region 7-5A after reclassification but with some new tough guys to replace the tough guys that moved out of the region. They will now have their county neighbors Woodland and Cartersville in the region, along with Blessed Trinity and Calhoun.

The cupboard isn’t bare for coach Gates. He has some big talent coming back in seniors Zay Jackson, David Gbadie, Kaleb Speights, and Isai Romero.

The Cass High School Brass is interested in seeing where the new era of Colonel football takes them in 2020 and beyond.

2019 RECORD: 4-6, overall (3-5, REGION 7-AAAAA) HEAD COACH: Steve Gates, 1st year at Cass ALL TIME RECORD: 668 games 216 - 447 - 5 (33%)

24

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

10.30 at Hiram

11.6 Calhoun

11.13 at Blessed Trinity

TOTAL SEASONS: 67 FIRST SEASON: 1953 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 11 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1983 LAST)

WOODLAND Wildcats SCHEDULE

9.4 at Gordon Central

9.11 Osborne

9.25 at North Springs

10.2

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

FOR FOUR LONG YEARS, GHSA REGION 7-5A WAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST REGIONS IN T H E S T A T E O F G E O R G I A . It had three teams that have always made their presence felt in the state in Carrollton, Kell and Rome High Schools. Rome even won two state championships in that time span.

Realignment has moved those three schools to another class and region. Realignment also brought three more teams that have always made their presence felt in the state: Blessed Trinity, Calhoun and Cartersville High Schools. All of these teams have won at least one state championship in the previous 4 years.

“We knew the regions would be changing and we kinda got excited about that, but then when we saw that we would be with those three, we were like we just traded three for three,” head coach Tony Plott says. “But it is what it is and we’re gonna get our players ready to compete on Friday nights. The region play will be exciting and will have some really good games. And with all of us being pretty close in location, that’s going to make it all the better, especially if fans are able to pack the stands.”

As far as the Wildcats’ team, Plott and his staff are confident about this season. “We have a chance to be really good. We have a large senior class, about 21 seniors.

Chamblee

2019 RECORD: 1-9, overall (0-8, REGION 7-AAAAA) HEAD COACH: Tony Plott 9-41, 5 seasons as Woodland Head Coach

10.9

They’ve been here for the long haul and they have put the work in. They are great in the weight room, they are great on the field, they are great in the hallways. It’s been a thrill to coach these guys through the years. And the underclassmen are watching and learning.”

With uncertainties about the 2020 year, Coach Plott thinks a little more of his seniors. “I worry about my seniors a little bit,” he says. “The ones that are here I believe are mentally in a good position, but with everything that has happened this year, there have been some kids that have gotten down in the doom and gloom and decided that playing ball wasn’t for them this year.

I honestly worry about those kids.”

Overall, Plott acknowledges that this is a Woodland Wildcat team that can cause some ripples this season.

“These kids are special; this is a good group,” he says.

“They are good men. Their character and their spirit will be on display every Friday night and they’ll be doing what they are supposed to do to make the Woodland community proud and represent our school in a positive way.”

at Union County

10.16 Cass

10.30 Calhoun

11.6 at Cartersville

11.13 Hiram

ALL TIME RECORD: 221 games 66 - 155 - 0 (30%) TOTAL SEASONS: 23 FIRST SEASON: 1998 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 4

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

25

CHATTOOGA Indians SCHEDULE

9.4 at Adairsville

9.11 Pickens

9.18 at Sonoraville

9.25 Northwest Whitfield

10.9 at Model

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

AFTER SIX SEASONS AND A 37-32 RECORD WITH THE CHATTOOGA HIGH SCHOOL I N D I A N S , Coach Charles Hammond resigned from his position. CHS hired Shawn Peek as the new head coach. Coincidentally, years ago, Hammond succeeded Peek as head football coach at Dade County.

Peek was defensive coordinator at South Pittsburg in Tennessee before accepting the Chattooga job. He has also coached in Alabama in his 31-year coaching career.

Peek inherited a team with a good group of seniors to help lead the way. There are quarterback Cash Allen, offensive linemen Nick Hudson, Eli Hosmer, and Noah Cordle. Other seniors like Taiquan Sheppard and Ty Veatch have stepped up their games and made a huge impact also.

There are also some impactful juniors, especially Lashaun Lester, who gained 1500 yards rushing last season. Peek says he has other juniors that are assuming leadership roles this offseason.

“We had a good turnout this offseason, despite the obstacles,” Peek says. “These kids have worked very hard and that’s what we want. We just try to show up and get better every day. And control what we can control and let the other stuff fall where it falls.”

Peek is ready build the Chattooga High football team to his vision and philosophy. “We try to build ourselves on being accountable and being trustworthy,” Peek says.

“We want to make sure the players trust the coaches and the coaches trust the players. We want to be a bunch of guys that are able to handle adversity and we want to be known as being tough mentally and physically.

We are always trying to teach our guys some habits that will help them this year or it helps them the rest of their lives. I’d like for us to be known for giving the players some tools for their life tool shed. For the now and when they are 40 or 50 years old.”

2019 RECORD: 5-6 overall (6-1, REGION 7-AA) HEAD COACH: Shawn Peek (First season at Chattooga; 0-10 overall)

26

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

10.16 Gordon Central

10.23 Coosa

10.30 at Dade County

11.6 Fannin County

11.13 at Pepperell

ALL TIME RECORD: 615 games - 296-306-13 (49%) TOTAL SEASONS: 60 FIRST SEASON: 1961 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 29 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1974 LAST)

TRION Bulldogs SCHEDULE

9.11 at Coosa

9.18 at Model

9.25

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

I N F E B R U A R Y O F T H I S Y E A R , Justin Brown resigned from his position as Trion’s head football coach.

He held that position for eight years and had been a member of the coaching staff for 12 years. He was also a Trion High graduate. "In the football world, 12 years is a long time," he said. "Now is a perfect opportunity to go look around and see what other opportunities are out there.” His departure also meant Trion had to look for someone to fill their newly opened position.

Enter offensive guru Sean Patrick coming recently from Bleckley County, where his offense averaged 30.9 points per game. He plans to bring a completely new offensive look to Trion High School to help create successful athletes. Patrick has also coached at Lincoln County and Houston County as offensive coordinator.

Patrick is excited for the opportunity. “Trion is a place with a rich history and tradition. It is an honor to be the head coach here. There has been a lot of good coaches and players to come before me and I am just honored for this opportunity. I hope to live up to the expectations and standards set before me.”

On the field, the team will be inexperienced. “We are a young team,” Patrick says. “It is hard to say what we will look like. We have 62 kids on the roster and only five are seniors. They graduated 18 players last year (nine on offense and nine on defense), so we are just a really, really young team with a lot of kids that have not been put into the fire yet. They are working really

Dade County hard though, and they are eager to play. I’m anxious to see them when they get to the grass. There are a lot of unknowns though.”

Having five seniors can be concerning, but Patrick is getting good work from his group. “My seniors have done a great job,” he says. “They have done everything that we’ve asked them to do. They’ve been to all of the workouts. They’ve done a great job of leading. It’s been a good group, it is just extremely small.”

Patrick wants the community to know it’s not just about football with him. “I want to have a program that makes the community proud, both on and off the field,” he says. “We have a huge responsibility as coaches to not just building great football players but also building great young men, and that’s something I feel really strongly about. We share the gospel here, and I feel that that’s important because at the end of the day when I die and go to Heaven, God’s not gonna ask how many football games I won, he’s gonna ask what I did in the name of Jesus. We do a good job here of trying to develop the whole person.”

“On the grass, we have to be hard-nosed and physical,” Patrick believes. “That has to be our M.O... We’ve got to outwork people and our kids are kind of seeing some of that now, we get after it. We don’t have any dead time, it’s go, go, go, go. And hopefully that bleeds over to Friday nights. I genuinely believe that if we lift fast, practice fast, and then we’ll play fast on Friday.”

2019 RECORD: 5-6, overall (2-4, REGION 6-A DIV A) HEAD COACH: Sean Patrick, First season at Trion ALL TIME RECORD: 910 games 543 - 347 - 20 (61%)

10.2 at Cedar Bluff, Ala

10.9 at Bowdon

10.16 at Southeast Whitfield

10.30 B.E.S.T Academy

11.6 Armuchee

11.13 at Mt. Zion, Carroll

11.20 Gordon Lee

TOTAL SEASONS: 86 FIRST SEASON: 1933 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 69 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 12 (2003 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2 (1974 LAST)

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

27

CEDARTOWN Bulldogs SCHEDULE

9.11 at Rockmart

9.18 Calhoun

9.25 at New Manchester

10.2 Heard County

10.16 Pickens

10.23 at Northwest Whitfield

TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

THE CEDARTOWN BULLDOGS WILL BEGIN A N E W E R A in 2020 as they have a new head football coach, Jamie Abrams. The Bulldogs will also be competing in a new region, 7-AAAA, due to GHSA reclassification.

Abrams, who was last a head coach in 2015 at Lamar County High School, is ready to implement his culture and style of play with the Bulldogs.

“We are going to play with relentless effort,” Abrams says. “That is actually our mission statement, To Have Relentless Effort On and Off the Field. And while it has not been a smooth transition due to conditions out of all of our control, we will work relentlessly to get better each day and each week. In doing that, things will take care of themselves.”

Abrams says the Bulldogs’ offense will be based on establishing a run game. “We have a system in place, and we are getting them to understand and to buy into the system of establishing a run game and then taking our shots in the passing game whenever they open themselves up,” he says.

Abrams has big plans for defense, too. “On defense, we will play as hard as we can,” he says. “That entails having relentless pursuit and effort to the football. We will play fundamentally sound and be sound in our strategy. The plan is to will force teams to [long] drive the football and force them to work extremely hard to score. Our defense won’t be giving up any easy scores this season.”

2019 RECORD: 5-6, overall (4-2, REGION 5-AAAA) HEAD COACH: Jamie Abrams, 1st season as Cedartown Head Coach (15-7-1 career) ALL TIME RECORD: 1012 games 602 - 375 - 35 (61%)

28

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

10.30 at Ridgeland

11.13 Central, Carroll

11.20 at Heritage, Catoosa

TOTAL SEASONS: 112 FIRST SEASON: 1907 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 80 REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 11 (2001 LAST) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1963 LAST)

ROCKMART Yellow Jackets SCHEDULE

9.4 at Rome

9.11 Cedartown

9.25 at Coahulla Creek

10.2 Sonoraville TEXT DEMARCUS DANIEL

IN 2019, COACH BIFF PARSON AND HIS T E A M , his seniors, the guys that came into Rockmart High School at the same time he did, went on a mission to attain what they were so close to in 2018. They wanted to bring home the Georgia State Class AA Football State Championship. The Yellow Jackets ripped through the season, defeating opponents by an average score of 468, with no team being within three scores. They won their 3rd consecutive region title also. Unfortunately, a second-round playoff loss ended the season for Rockmart.

Due to GHSA reclassification, Rockmart will now be pursuing a fourth consecutive regional championship as a member of Class 6-AAA, with no familiar foes, although the schedule will still include the annual battle with Polk County rival Cedartown.

“This year, we have another really good group of seniors. Thirteen of them have a lot of playing experience, and now they have a lot on their shoulders,” Parson says.

“They have to lead the team in the right way for us to continue what we have done in these last four years.

And we have to continue moving the program forward, because we are not trying to stay the same. It is fun to

10.16 at North Murray

coach this group. They are coachable, their attitude and effort is outstanding, and they are getting a lot of reps and coaches are getting to coach.”

The Jackets return quarterback Javin ‘NuNu’ Whatley, a special athlete. “He can do a lot of things for us and he’s a big part of the team,” Parson says. “Then you have players like DL/OL Sherman Davis, WR/DB Mehiji Floyd, RB/DB Jai Penson, and LB/RB Kieron Roberts, who is returning from a season-ending injury. That group has jelled really good and shown leadership qualities this offseason to give us a lot of hope of how we can push this program forward.”

“Rockmart football has a standard,” he says. “The standard is to do what’s right. Do what’s right in the classroom, do what’s right at home, and do what’s right on the field. If they are not doing right, they won’t play.”

Parson goes on to explain, “The bigger picture is that when they become 25, 30, 35 years old and they’re a husband and father, they’re taking that piece of what we taught and implementing it into their families. All we want is all they got, and that’s attitude and effort again, at home, in the classroom, and on the field.”

10.23 Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe

10.30 Murray County

11.6 at Adairsville

11.13 LaFayette

11.20 at Ringgold

2019 RECORD: 14-1 (7-0, REGION 7-AA) ALL TIME RECORD: 860 games - 452 - 382 - 26 (54%) HEAD COACH: Biff Parson (32-7, 2 region championships, and TOTAL SEASONS: 97 FIRST SEASON: 1923 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 60 one state championship game appearance in 3 seasons at Rockmart; REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 11 (2019 LAST) 42-27 overall) STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1950 LAST) HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

29

SAFECLOSECARE

Now more than ever, it’s important for families to get the medical services they need to stay healthy - and to get them close to home. At Wellstar, we take extra precautions to keep you and your family safe from infections so you can get the care you need. From Cartersville to Acworth, our primary care, diagnostic services, specialized medicine and same-day surgeries provide the convenient expert care you can count on.

We are here for Northwest Georgia, and we are ready to care for you.

WELLSTAR ACWORTH HEALTH PARK

Primary Care | Pediatrics | Women’s Health | Outpatient Surgery Center 4550 Cobb Parkway | Acworth

(470) 956-0050

WELLSTAR PRIMARY CARE LOCATIONS 1685 Mars Hill Road | Acworth

4465 Lemon Street | Acworth

2487 Cedarcrest Road | Acworth

4791 South Main Street | Acworth

(678) 224-5730

(404) 251-1600

4900 Ivey Road | Acworth

4450 Calibre Crossing | Acworth

3501 Baker Road | Acworth

75 Douthit Ferry Road | Cartersville

(678) 354-0455

More than healthcare.

PEOPLECARE

30

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

(770) 975-9077

(470) 267-0620

(770) 529-7478

(770) 974-6550

(470) 267-0650

Yellow Door AN T I Q U E S & ART

ART BY BLACKTOP

Wishing Rome and Floyd schools successful and safe seasons!

Exclusive Distributor of Real Milk Paint 219 N 5th Ave | 706-237-7788 www.YellowDoorAntiques.com

THE ONLINE EXTENSION OF V3: All current issue content, archives and exclusive Read V3 digital features

Brinson-Askew.com | 706.291.8853 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020

|

BETWEEN THE LINES

31

GET BACK IN MOTION From touchdowns and ballet twirls to gardening and golf swings, our bodies keep our lives in motion from the moment we wake up. But when a bone or joint injury occurs, life is suddenly put on pause. Trust the experts at Harbin Clinic Orthopedics to get you back in motion.

HARBIN CLINIC ORTHOPEDICS

1825 Martha Berry Blvd Rome, GA 30165 762.235.2700

harbinclinic.com/getbackinmotion 32

BETWEEN THE LINE S

|

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2020