Chris Mooneyham

A chance to see a defending state champion this week on 680 FNF (October 23rd)…

Coming up this week on Life University’s 680 The Fan Friday Night Football…

A region championship, a 20-game win streak and a playoff berth are all potentially on the line when the defending AAAAA State Champions from Rome (8-0 overall/ 6-0 in Region 7-AAAAA classification) visit resurgent East Paulding (4-4 overall/ 4-2 in Region 7-AAAAA classification).

Two passionate fan bases, and their historic perspective, provide a large part of our storyline for this week’s game of the week.

In 1991, after 68 combined seasons and seven combined state championships, East Rome and West Rome merged. The assumption of Romans was they were witnessing the forming of a dynasty. Success was not immediate as the Wolves averaged just six wins over the first nine seasons. Then their dreams appeared to be fulfilled as the team won ten-plus ballgames in seven of the next eight years. Yet, a semifinal appearance was the best result. And finally, from 2009-2014, six seasons, the program averaged 5.5 wins per season.

This retrospective is to illustrate just how much the last two and a half seasons of success means to Wolves fans. Head Coach John Reid (146-50 in 16 seasons as a head coach in GA/TN) led the team to a state title in 2016 and a combined 24-6 record in his time in northwest Georgia.

Prior to the start of this season, I had the chance to speak to Coach Reid and he told me the key to their success boiled down to three things. First, hard work; no big surprise. Secondly, he came in at the right time and was able to keep this collection of talent in the program and away from transferring. Finally, this group of young men is incredibly talented. From sophomores to seniors, the Wolves field seven players who are among the top fifty players, at their positions, in America.

That group has led the Romans to 20-consecutive wins.

Meanwhile, East Paulding spent its first fourteen full seasons enduring eight one-win or winless seasons. Then, John Reid took over the program (yes, that John Reid) and turned them around. The team spent most of the next eight seasons as a state title contender. In that time, the Raider faithful showed itself as one of the top fanbases in the state and help to provide one of the best homefield advantages anywhere.

After the tremendous run from 2006-2012, featuring five double-digit win seasons, the Raiders have been a little back and forth with a couple of 4-6 seasons.

Now, new head coach Billy Shackelford (55-57 in 11 seasons in Georgia) has led the team to a bit of a resurgence. To a man, EP fans will tell you this season has a different feel from the last few non-winning seasons. There is still a chance at another 4-6 season, but this team is a little more competitive than some of its predecessors.

Now, let’s dive into the region standings (found below). First, remember the top four in the standings automatically qualify for the playoffs. Rome is the only team to clinch a playoff berth. Villa Rica, Hiram and Cass are all eliminated from postseason contention.

Carrollton, East Paulding, Kell, Paulding County and Woodland-Cartersville are all battling for three spots. Next, the only member of the group of 4-2 teams (Carrollton, EP, Kell and PC) that can keep Rome from winning the region championship is East Paulding. Rome has already defeated Carrollton, Kell and PC.

If Rome wins Friday night, they are region champs. In fact, the Wolves need just one win in their final two for the title.

Meanwhile, EP already has losses to both Carrollton and Kell. On the plus side, they face PC next week. So, a win by the Raiders Friday night does not lock up a playoff berth, but it increases their chances immensely.

REGION            OVERALL

*- Rome 6 0 0 8 0 0
Carrollton 4 2 0 6 2 0
East Paulding 4 2 0 4 4 0
Kell 4 2 0 4 4 0
Paulding County 4 2 0 4 4 0
Woodland (Cartersville) 2 4 0 3 5 0
X- Villa Rica 2 5 0 4 5 0
X- Hiram 2 5 0 3 6 0
X- Cass 0 6 0 0 8 0

 

Make sure to join us live beginning at 7pm on THE FAN 680AM and 93-7 FM.

AAAAAAA

  1. Lowndes (9-0)
  2. Archer (8-0)
  3. Grayson (7-1)
  4. Walton (8-0)
  5. North Gwinnett (7-1)
  6. Tift County (8-1)
  7. Colquitt County (7-2)
  8. Brookwood (6-2)
  9. McEachern (6-2)
  10. South Forsyth (7-1)

Honorable Mention: Mountain View (7-2), Mill Creek (6-3), Parkview (5-3), North Paulding (6-2), Meadowcreek (7-1)

Two of the great stories across the state this year are now members of the honorable mention. Both Mountain View and Meadowcreek came away with wins, clinched playoff berths and moved up the list of top teams. Walton still sits inside the top five, but has a lot of questions after losing starting quarterback Austin Kirksey to an undisclosed injury. The big win of the week belongs to Tift County, who knocked off Colquitt County. 

AAAAAA

  1. Tucker (7-1)
  2. Mays (7-1)
  3. Lee County (8-1)
  4. Douglas County (7-1)
  5. Hughes (7-2)
  6. Coffee (5-2)
  7. Northside-Warner Robins (6-3)
  8. Winder-Barrow (7-1)
  9. Alpharetta (7-1)
  10. Harrison (6-2)

Honorable Mention: Stephenson (6-2), Alexander (6-2), Dalton (6-2), Richmond Hill (7-0), Bradwell Institute (6-2)

Tucker is back where they belong at number one after a month absence. Lee County did everything they could to hold off the Tigers, but in the end, it was only a matter of time before Tucker reclaimed the top spot. That is also part of the reason LC only fell two spots. Coffee comes up with the big win of the week after defeating Northside-Warner Robins. The feel-good stories are Richmond Hill and Bradwell Institute. Both of whom keep winning and can no longer be left out of the rankings. Harrison falls to #10 after losing all-everything Justin Fields to an injury.

AAAAA

  1. Rome (8-0)
  2. Stockbridge (8-0)
  3. Buford (6-1)
  4. Warner Robins (8-0)
  5. Jones County (8-0)
  6. Griffin (8-1)
  7. Starr’s Mill (7-1)
  8. Flowery Branch (8-1)
  9. Carver-Atlanta (7-1)
  10. Bainbridge (6-2)

Honorable Mention: Carrollton (6-2), Arabia Mountain (6-2), Clarke Central (6-3), Wayne County (6-1), Kell (4-4)

The big win of the week belongs to Flowery Branch, who knocked off Clarke Central. The two teams flipped places in the rankings and most importantly, in the region standings. The feel-good story is the resurgence of Warner Robins. This highly-decorated program fell to 3-8 last year and has averaged just five wins the last three seasons. Now they are trying to turn the “big three” of Rome, Stockbridge and Buford into a “big four.

AAAA

  1. Cartersville (9-0)
  2. Thomson (7-0)
  3. Marist (8-0)
  4. Ridgeland (8-0)
  5. Blessed Trinity (7-2)
  6. Burke County (8-0)
  7. Woodward Academy (8-1)
  8. Mary Persons (6-2)
  9. Cedartown (7-1)
  10. Troup (7-1)

Honorable Mention: Jefferson (6-2), Eastside (6-2), Heritage-Ringgold (8-1), Northwest Whitfield (6-3), Southeast Whitfield (6-2)

It is time once again for your “Cartersville win streak update.” After dispatching of Chapel Hill 62-0, the Purple Hurricanes are up to 39-consecutive victories. They have now moved into sixth place by themselves for the longest streak in state history. They just passed Lincoln High from 1976-78 and next on the list is Sandy Creek’s 41-straight from 2009-11. The big win of the week goes to Cedartown; who defeated previously unbeaten Troup. Heritage of Ringgold is our darling of the week by joining the rankings.

AAA

  1. Cedar Grove (8-0)
  2. Greater Atlanta Christian (8-1)
  3. Peach County (7-1)
  4. Calhoun (7-1)
  5. Bremen (8-0)
  6. Crisp County (6-1)
  7. Morgan County (7-1)
  8. Monroe Area (7-1)
  9. Jenkins (8-0)
  10. Dawson County (6-2)

Honorable Mention: East Hall (5-3), Lovett (5-3), Westside-Macon (5-3), Pike County (6-2), Liberty County (5-3)

Crisp County delivered our big win of the week. Which is odd because they were realistically the favorites versus Cook. Still, despite their success over the last two seasons, many expected Crisp to be upended by the traditional playoff contender. Our new edition in AAA is Pike County. If you haven’t heard of Ce’Bo Flemister, look him up. Cool name and a cool game.

 AA

  1. Benedictine (8-0)
  2. Hapeville Charter (7-1)
  3. Thomasville (8-0)
  4. Rabun County (8-0)
  5. Brooks County (7-0)
  6. Screven County (7-0)
  7. Jefferson County (8-0)
  8. Heard County (7-1)
  9. Callaway (7-1)
  10. Dodge County (8-0)

Honorable Mention: Elbert County (6-2), Swainsboro (6-2), Toombs County (7-1), Rockmart (6-2), Pepperell (5-3)

There are very few things in Georgia High School football as dangerous as a traditional power who is struggling and fighting for their playoff lives. That is where we find newly unranked Fitzgerald. Brooks County delivered the big win of the week by defeating the Purple Hurricane. Our new edition of the week is Rockmart, who has won five-straight since losing two of their first three by a combined nine-points.

A Public

  1. Manchester (8-0)
  2. Irwin County (7-1)
  3. Macon County (6-2)
  4. Clinch County (6-2)
  5. Charlton County (6-1)
  6. Commerce (7-1)
  7. Emanuel County Institute (7-1)
  8. Marion County (7-1)
  9. Trion (6-2)
  10. Mt Zion-Carroll (7-1)

Honorable Mention: Taylor County (6-2), Pelham (7-1), Mitchell County (7-1), Jenkins County (7-1), Turner County (5-3)

The big win of the week and our new appearance belongs to the same team. Trion, now in the Top Ten, defeated Mount Zion of Carroll. Make no mistake, the Bulldogs are a little underrated. One of Trion’s losses came to Bremen of AAA and the other to Single A Private future playoff team Darlington. Jenkins County continued its hot streak after defeating Montgomery County. The Eagles have won six straight.

 A Private

  1. Eagles Landing Christian Academy (8-0)
  2. Prince Avenue Christian (8-0)
  3. Stratford Academy (8-0)
  4. Athens Academy (8-0)
  5. Mount Paran Christian (7-1)
  6. Wesleyan (7-2)
  7. Mount Pisgah Christian (7-1)
  8. First Presbyterian (6-2)
  9. Tattnall Square (7-1)
  10. Aquinas (6-2)

Honorable Mention: Calvary Day (7-1), Darlington (6-3), George Walton Academy (6-2), Mount Vernon Presbyterian (6-2), Brookstone (5-3)

Two teams share the title for big win of the week on the private side of things in Single A. Neither Mount Pisgah nor Mount Paran were caught looking ahead to their heavy weight tilt next week. The Patriots took down a very good Fellowship Christian team; the Paladins third one-possession defeat of the season. Meanwhile, the MP Eagles dropped 72-points, yes, 72, on Landmark Christian. They meet for a division championship next week.

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Published by Chris Mooneyham

Chris Mooneyham is a twenty-year broadcast veteran employed or freelancing for multiple companies across America. Currently he is a co-host, play-by-play person and guest anchor for Atlanta’s sports leader, The Fan 680AM/ 93.7FM; and its sister stations on The Sports X. In the Fall, Chris serves as the Sideline Reporter for Kennesaw State University football. He also works as studio host, play-by-play announcer and content producer for The Fan’s coverage of Georgia High School football. Come the Wintertime, the focus shifts to the National Lacrosse League 2017 World Champions, the Georgia Swarm (play-by-play). When Spring rolls around, the Atlanta native delivers the play-by-play for the Emory University baseball team, a two-time national finalist. All throughout the year, Mooneyham is a lead play-by-play person for the NFHS Network’s high school sports coverage and over the last decade was honored to call state championships in nearly every sport. A Kennesaw State graduate, Chris holds a Communication degree in Media Studies and a Minor degree in Film Studies. He is also a two-time graduate of broadcasting school (Connecticut School of Broadcasting-1998/ Atlanta Broadcast Institute-2008).

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