Georgia Region 6A-A at a GlanceTeam on the rise: It’s hard for Mount Paran to go any further than the state quarterfinals, but the Eagles, out of Kennesaw, return at least 17 starters and most of their skill players one year after outscoring opponents 387-203.Team on the decline: The Walker Wolverines went undefeated in the regular season and reached the second round of the state playoffs in 2012. Last season, the school from Marietta went 5-5. This year the Wolverines have a new coach in Matt Casper.Toughest schedule: Mount Paran opens the season against Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy, which went 11-1 and lost by one point in the third round of the 2013 playoffs. The Eagles also will face North Clayton, which is a Class AAA school.Dream schedule: The Trion Bulldogs open with old rival Gordon Lee, which moved up to Region 7-AA, and then will face Armuchee, which went 1-9 last year. The Bulldogs’ toughest nonregion game should come Sept. 12 at Class AAAA LaFayette.Players to watch: Mount Zion running back Trey Kennedy rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, and Mount Paran’s Dorian Walker can change a game with one play because of his speed and elusiveness. Christian Heritage linebacker Evan Townsend and teammate Matt Cook anchor the Lions’ defense, while Nasir Porter is a newcomer who could ignite the offense. Trion’s Drake Clowdis is one of the most physical and strongest players on the team. Offensive tackles rarely stand out on a play-to-play basis, but Trion’s Addison Meeler make it look easy.Predicted order of finish: Mount Paran is the team to beat. Then Christian Heritage and Trion are next in line, followed by Mount Pisgah, Mount Zion and Walker, in that order.
Trion and Christian Heritage have no rivalry.
It’s hard to develop one between the established Bulldogs and a school playing its third season in the Georgia High School Association.
But it could be coming.
If for no other reason than they’re the only two schools in Region 6A-A that are closer to Chattanooga than the Atlanta suburbs.