We are only about 6 weeks away until the kickoff of the 2022 Season.
These are 6 teams we think have a good shot at returning to the postseason this Fall after missing the playoffs in 2021.
We start with a gimme!
The Tigers were 1-7 last year in one of , if not the, toughest AA Regions in the State (5AA). They will be led this year by new Head Coach Cory Nix as they transition to Region 4-A D1. The Tigers are guranteed a playoff spot in the 4 team Region that includes Lamar Co, Heard Co, and Crawford Co. Coach Nix has the 1st 2 months of the season to get the Tigers ready for the Playoffs, and with Senior QB Cam Vaughn they will be a tough out in the 1st Round.
Head Coach Andy Scott enters his 3rd Season with the Ramblers. He led them to their 1st playoff appearance in 40+ years in his inaugural season in ’20 , but they came up a few games short last year,finishing 6th in 6AAA. The Region has a new look this year with perineal playoff teams Rockmart and North Murray moving down to AA and a loaded Sonoraville team moving into AAAA. LaFayette has a solid senior class. and if they take care of business, they should be back in the playoffs this Fall.
This is not the same Ole Coahulla Creek. The Colts opened the eyes of the fans early last season with a huge upset over Northwest Whitfield and set a school record of 4 wins under 2nd Year Head Coach Danny Wilson. It will be tougher this season as they are no longer the underdog but have a solid Senior class, led by QB Kace Kinnamon. They will be right there in the mix this Fall to capture their 1st Playoff appearance in program history.
Another team from last year’s 6AAA. The Phoenix have barely missed the postseason the last 2 years but 2022 looks like their year. They are moving to 7AAAA this season. Cedartown is the heavy favorite to win the Title but the following four teams are about as evenly matched as you can get. We wouldn’t be shocked if the Phoenix hosted a 1st Round game this Fall.
The Dragons under 1st year Head Coach Grant Myers missed the postseason in 7AAAA last year by 3 points. They move to Region 7AAA this season and will play more NE Ga teams this Fall. Wesleyan is the front runner but White Co, Dawson Co, Lumpkin, Gilmer, and West Hall are all evenly matched. It has been 4 years since the Dragons hosted a playoff game in Jasper ,but this Fall could put an end to that drought.
The Catamounts get a little breathing room this season as they move down to Region 7AAAAA. They swap Rome, Carrollton and South Paulding for Calhoun, Cartersville, and Cass. The Catamounts will play a round-robin with a much improved Hiram Hornet team and the Woodland Wildcats for the 4th playoff spot in the Region and a chance to get back to the postseason after a 2-year absence.