Last Season: North Paulding 35-13 at home.
The North Paulding Wolfpack won their 1st Region Title in 9 years, and only their 2nd Title in the 15-year history of the program. A good early season test as they travel to Region 6-6A Allatoona who went 6-6 last season and made it to the 2nd Rd of playoffs.
A lot of questions to answer on the offense for the Wolfpack early in the season. Lost to graduation was QB Boone Anderson who threw from over 2800 yards in ’22 and RB Jaylen Poe who accounted for 1100 of their team 1800 yards rushing. They lose their leading receiver last year also in Owen Dupree but are good hands in that position with returning Senior Javarious George who was 2nd in receiving last season with 19 receptions for 459 yards and has offers from UTC, Coastal Carolina, and Mercer among others. Rising Junior WR Dube Enongene should have a breakout season this year at the WR position also.
They will rely on their defense early in the season as they break the new offense in. A solid core of experienced players return on that side of the ball. The Maddox twins return at DE and LB. They combined for over 100 TT last season, I saw them at the Shorter Camp this Summer and they are the real deal. Leading tackler from last season is back in Danny Pitts. The 5’11 210 Safety/LB holds an offer from Davidson.
Allatoona will be working in some news guys as well as they lost 2 1st Team All Region guys on offense and 4 on defense this Spring. The biggest change for Allatoona will be at the Head coach position. Gary Varner retired after 15 seasons with the Bucs, leading them to a State Title in ’15 and 15 straight playoff appearances. Former Loganville Head Coach Brad Smith takes over after leading the Red Devils the last 3 years. He was 9-2 last season tying the Loganville record for wins for a program that dates back 69 years.
CalPreps Prediction: North Paulding by 1
NwGaFootball Take: Tough early game to predict with so many new parts on each side of the ball. Allatoona has the homefield advantage but I like the experience coming back on the side of the Wolfpack. North Paulding 25 Allatoona 21