When asked for their thoughts on the best way to compete for a championship in GHSA Region 7-AAA in 2025, one thing became clear from the answers given by league coaches.
You better score points, lots of them, or at least be proficient at playing football’s version of keep-away.
That’s because this Northwest Georgia region happens to feature reigning state champion Calhoun. Coach Clay Stephenson’s Yellow Jackets return an embarrassment of offensive riches from a team that averaged more than 30 points per game in the playoffs, which included wins over the top-ranked and third-ranked teams.
Sophomore quarterback Trace Hawkins, who dazzled in the postseason with his arm and his legs last year, has added 20 quality pounds while soaking up an expanded playbook this offseason.
“He picks up whatever we put on him, which is unusual for such a young quarterback, so I expect he will get more freedom as we go along,” Stephenson said of Hawkins, who passed for 1,893 yards and 23 touchdowns with just one interception in 2024. “He’s got the ‘it factor,’ so the best thing he can do is just go play football with no expectations and no pressure on himself. He’s a special talent when he gets out there and gets into the flow of the game.”