Region 7-2A preview: State finalist Rockmart picked to win region despite key losses

Last season, the writers and guests at AccessWDUN Sports correctly picked four out of eight region champions that involved northeast Georgia teams in the Georgia High School Association. Fellowship Christian (8-A Division 1), Gainesville (8-6A), Jefferson (8-5A), and North Oconee (8-4A) all captured titles in 2023. 

We also nailed 26 of the 32 playoff teams in the eight northeast Georgia regions in the GHSA.

The 2024 campaign will certainly be different as the GHSA dropped down to just six classifications. However, despite the smaller number of overall classifications, there are now 10 new regions among six classifications housing area teams that should bring some exciting action this fall.

A 13-person panel, made up of media members from Blitz Sports Georgia, Friday Game Night, Gwinnett Daily Post, North Georgia SportsLink, WDUN AM/FM, White County News and WRWH AM/FM, cast their votes during the offseason for who they think will win the 10 area regions.

We will look at two regions each day this week, starting with Class A and finishing with Class 6A.

REGION 7-2A -- Defending champion: Rockmart

This is a northwest Georgia region that saw Union County jump from 8-2A to 7-2A during the reclassification last year.

The new configuration has three holdovers (Rockmart, Murray County, and North Murray) and added Union County, Sonoraville (7-4A), private school power North Cobb Christian (6-2A), and three teams from the old 6-3A (Coahulla Creek, Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe, and Ringgold) to make up the biggest region in the classification.

Five teams -- Rockmart, North Cobb Christian, North Murray, Union County, and Ringgold -- made the playoffs in 2023 with four advancing to the second round or farther.

But with Class 2A using the new Playoff Rankings System (PRS) for the postseason, strength of schedule will play a huge factor for teams in this region, for the public schools for sure.

What we do know is that Rockmart graduated its quarterback, who threw for over 2,100 yards with 26 TDs, its top four rushers (2,700 yards, 43 TDs) and four of its top five receivers. The defense was hit hard also, losing four of its top five tacklers that had 35 TFL and 16 sacks last season. They will be young in 2024. But they do return All-state senior WR Tristan Anderson, who had 66 catches for 1,098 yards and 13 TDs.

North Cobb Christian, the Region 6-2A champion in 2023, returns several talented underclassmen on offense, including sophomore quarterback Teddy Jarrard (2,065 yards, 18 TD, 11 INT). The Eagles defense, which allowed just 12.33 ppg last season, returns its top four defensive players, who combined for 321 tackles, 66 TFL, and 20 1/2 sacks. They also have four players returning that picked off seven total passes in 2023.

The Panthers lost nearly all of their offensive production from a year ago, including All-Region quarterback Caden Tanner, All-Region leading rushing Braylen Rader, All-Region leading receiver Jensen Goble, second-leading receiver Tyler Grasty and third leading receiver McBride to graduation. They will have talent, but several key skilled guys, including Cade Dockery, who moved over from defense to take the reins at quarterback, playing new positions and will need time to grow into their new roles,

North Murray returns its quarterback and top rusher from a year ago, but they lost half from a defense that yielded nearly 30 ppg last year.

While Rockmart was a clear favorite by the panel, repeating as champion with a loaded North Cobb Christian, picked second, will be a challenge. But with PRS in place, quality wins and head-to-head matchups will be more important than region finish.

Rockmart and Union County both have to replace a ton on offense, which should provide for some intriguing matchups with middle-tier teams like Coahulla Creek, Ringgold, Sonoraville, and Murray County.

But look for the region title to come down to North Cobb Christian, traveling to Rockmart on Oct. 11 and closing out the season on Nov. 1 in Blairsville against Union County. The Panthers will have to travel to Rockmart on Sept. 13 but get North Murray at home a week later.