The Times Free Press continues its prep football primer series with GHSA Region 7-AAAA.
Overview: Cedartown, which went 14-1 overall and lost in the state title game, was the clear class of the region a year ago. After that, it was a dogfight as the next three teams in order of playoff seeding, Central-Carroll, Heritage and Sonoravile, went 3-2 in region play, each beating the other. That type of parity is expected again — and may include even more teams in the playoff hunt.
1. Is there hope 2022 state runner-up Cedartown comes back to the pack?
On the surface, it appears impossible for the Bulldogs to equal last year’s domination, which included limiting region opponents to just 34 total points. Cedartown lost a “Who’s Who” of seniors from that team, including the region’s offensive and defensive players of the year in Harlem Diamond (1,700 total yards, 29 touchdowns) and Eli Barrow (186 tackles, 15 sacks), respectively. Also gone is quarterback Reece Tanner, 1,000-yard rusher Patrick Gardner and three all-region offensive linemen. So, yes, there’s hope, but this is a program that has potential all-stars just waiting for their shot.
2. Minus longtime starter Owen Brooker, how can Northwest Whitfield get back in the playoffs?