There was the twist of region playoffs that saw Calhoun defeat Pepperell for its eighth straight region crown and ride the momentum to a spot in the Class AA state championship.
Adairsville and Chattooga faced mid-season head coaching changes while Armuchee and Sonoraville changed course by finding success on the field more often than not.
Here is a rundown of the teams looking to fight it out for a 7-AA title:
Adairsville Tigers
Head Coach: Jim Kremer
2008: 4-6 overall, 2-3 subregion
They’ll be looking for better times in Adairsville with former Calhoun assistant Jim Kremer taking the helm.
The Tigers have high-profile D-I recruits in lineman Catlin Alford (Georgia Tech) and athlete Vic Beasley (Clemson) but still have a lot to prove on defense.
Armuchee Indians
Head Coach: John Mullinax
2008: 6-4, 1-4
Last year’s switch to the triple option was paired with Armuchee’s first winning season in nine years.
Look for improvement from quarterback T.C. Boyd as he returns along with wingback Davante Hudson.
RN-T All-Area linebacker Jake Schmidt provides senior leadership to a defense that was stout in 2008, allowing only 17.7 points per game.
Calhoun Yellow Jackets
Head Coach: Hal Lamb
2008: 12-3, 5-0
Coach Hal Lamb has remarked that this team reminds him a lot of the 2005 squad that went 14-1.
Da’Rick Rogers, a Georgia commit, is back at receiver and he has Vanderbilt commit Nash Nance behind center to throw it to him.
The Yellow Jackets have more speed than size on defense but linebacker Cody Ralston is enough to intimidate any offense.
Chattooga Indians
Head Coach: Brad Waggoner
2008: 6-4, 3-2
Chattooga survived the firing of its head coach after four games last season and went on to miss a spot in the playoffs after a three-overtime loss to Rockmart.
New coach Brad Waggoner is tweaking the offense to get the ball in the hands of RN-T All-Area pick Senorise Perry and Olajuwon Blair.
Both will be on their guard on defense as well, especially after the loss of standout linebacker Ryan Hamilton to graduation.
Coosa Eagles
Head Coach: Chad Perry
2008: 6-5, 3-2
In his fifth season, coach Chad Perry may be faced with his biggest challenge after losing 18 seniors off of last year’s team, including multi-talented quarterback Shane Smith.
Tight end and linebacker Desmond Curtis is back and Coty Dodson returns to the backfield but much else is a question mark as to how the Eagles will handle themselves after ending a four-year playoff drought.
Dade County Wolverines
Head Coach: Brad Warren
2008: 1-9, 0-5
A stronger defense may be the best thing second-year coach Brad Warren can build on for the 2009 edition of the Wolverines.
He returns three top-tier linebackers in Tyler Wright, John Hampton and Zach Gaddis but will have to rely on a new starting quarterback.
Gordon Central Warriors
Head Coach: Chad Fisher
2008: 5-5, 2-3
Coach Chad Fisher has got the Warriors thinking positively once again and has some playmakers to support his cause.
Keidric Johnson may be gone at wideout but quarterback Dre Prather is good enough to make a difference again as is athlete Jared Noland and Adairsville transfer Niagel Curtis.
Model Blue Devils
Head Coach: Randy Surrett
2008: 5-5, 2-3
New head coach Randy Surrett will have his work cut out for him but that doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there for the Blue Devils.
Quarterback Ryan Leonard returns as a much-needed leader and will need to improve behind center. The defense lost tackle Nic Kerns and will have to grow up quick to turn things around.
Pepperell Dragons
Head Coach: Jeff Shiflett
2008: 11-2, 5-0
The Dragons have become the team to beat in 7-AA South and despite the loss of some standout players, this year should be no different.
Jonathan Watters returns for his senior season at quarterback and is joined by Marcus Jackson to make up a stout backfield.
Defensively, Pepperell has some big holes to fill following the loss of defensive lineman Matt Kelley and linebacker Logan Osborne.
Rockmart Yellow Jackets
Head Coach: Dan Duff
2008: 7-4, 4-1
Rockmart has become a consistent program but with All-Area QB Brandon Haywood gone, the team will be looking to backs Bo Peek and Tevin Clark to replace his yardage.
The Jackets’ top receiver James Anderson returns however. The defense must look to fill some big voids but there is still experience in their ranks.
Sonoraville Phoenix
Head Coach: Chuck King
2008: 7-3, 3-2
Chuck King saw his young squad excel in their third season of varsity football and he’ll have the foundation of a solid front line to keep that momentum going.
The Phoenix return only three starters on offense and will need players to step up in order to continue their rise.
Temple Tigers
Head Coach: Seth Rogers
2008: 1-9, 0-5
Youth is the largest obstacle this Carroll County school faces with only five seniors.
Two-way standout Matthan Burton is a welcomed return but there are few weapons on defense.
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