Footbal time is almost here in Polk County, but first the teams have a scrimage.
The Cedartown Bulldogs and the Rockmart Yellow Jackets are getting ready for their coming showdown later this month, but first they have a pair of games, a scrimmage and then a trip to Alabama to open the season.
On Friday, Cedartown and Rockmart will both be at home for their annual scrimmage games, with the Bulldogs hosting the Model Blue Devils and the Yellow Jackets hosting the Darlington Tigers. Both games start at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs, under the leadership of head coach Scott Hendrix, are back in pads and are looking forward to hosting the area 7-AA foe.
“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Hendrix said Friday. “I’m not sure this early if everyone is ready to play, but we’re making progress to get there.”
He said the main goal is to get Cedartown ready to play in the upcoming season, and to judge how players are doing in their individual positions.
“You want to see some pretty good execution, and we want to see our players succeed in an assignment where they want to be,” he said.
Model is coming off its second consecutive nine-win season, and head coach Gordon Powers said he can tell there’s a winning attitude among some of the veteran players. He also appreciates the expectations the community now has for the team.
Powers is quick to mention that the common fan often overlooks the smaller things, like special teams. It’s not just important to make sure the team has a good kicker, but improving every part of the unit for better field position.
“I think most high school coaches will preach the importance of field position, and special teams causes that,” Powers said.
“Most people think it’s all about field goals, but it is hard for a team to travel 80 yards for a score. But you put them at the 50-yard line, things become easier,” Powers added.
In Rockmart, the Yellow Jackets are getting ready to face Darlington under a whole new scheme for 2016.
New leadership in a new region are the big stories for the Rockmart Yellow Jackets as the wait for football finally ends on the eastern end of Polk County.
Head coach Biff Parson plans to tackle a tough season ahead following a trio of losing seasons and a need to rebuild the Rockmart program.
“I feel like we’re on pace to meet our goals as far as our attitude reflecting our effort, and building a team,” Parson said. “We want them understanding the team is more important than them, and I think we’re on track to that goal.”
Parson said he’s noticed a change in the team’s attitude over the summer as the squad comes together as one working unit.
Rockmart’s foe for the scrimmage Friday, Darlington, is also trying to prove themselves following a move back down to Class A for the season following a successful year in Class AA.
Head coach Tommy Atha said he hopes it provided an example for his players.
“We are going to do something this time of year,” Atha said. “We are going to find someplace or somewhere to move around, get the time we have and try to maximize it. The players need every chance to get better before that first game.”