Football Fridays in Georgia

Hannah Goodin delves into the world of high school football officiating with special guest James Arnold. With 38 years of officiating experience under his belt, James offers a unique perspective on what it takes to be a football official in Georgia. From handling pressure-packed moments on the field to navigating video review protocols, James shares invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of officiating. Discover how officials are trained, evaluated, and constantly striving to improve, all while ensuring the integrity of the game. Gain a deeper understanding of the crucial role officials play in high school sports and learn how you can support them for a better game-day experience for everyone involved. 

Beyond the Lights: Officiating Under Pressure

In this episode of the Football Fridays in Georgia podcast, host Jon Nelson explores the GHSA basketball championships. Coaches Jerry Hunter and Dr. Jeffrey Martin discuss the challenges and community impact of their teams' successes, while guest coach Geoffrey Pierce shares insights into the Grayson Rams' historic journey to their first state title. 

The last day of the Georgia High School Association state basketball tournament was a good one for first-time champions. The Grayson boys and girls both won for the first time, as did the Mount Vernon boys. The St. Francis girls won their second straight title and fifth overall.

The Riverwood boys won their first state championship, beating defending champion Alexander in overtime, to highlight the third day of the GHSA basketball championships in Macon. The Hebron Christian girls and Sandy Creek boys successfully defended their titles in Class 3A and the Marist girls won their second state crown.

The Mount Paran girls and Westside-Augusta made it three in a row and Kell's boys successfully defended their title. The Maynard Jackson girls won the first title in school history. 

There were two first-time state champions crowned on the first night of the GHSA basketball tournament at the Macon Coliseum, while two other programs added to their legacy.

Eight classifications will determine a state championship for boys and girls at the Macon Coliseum. 

Join host Hannah Goodin on another exciting episode of Football Fridays in Georgia: Beyond the Lights. In this special edition, we delve into the incredible journey of former Georgia high school football star, Mecole Hardman, who played a pivotal role in Kansas City's Super Bowl victory. However, our focus isn't just on the game-winning touchdown but on the man who guided Hardman during his high school days – Coach Sid Fritts.

There have been changes to the recruitment process for high school football players. Early signing day and the transfer portal have changed the look of National Signing Day and the work it takes to move on to the next level.  Jon and Hannah are joined by Colquitt County Head Coach Sean Calhoun, who had 17 players sign on to play in college, to discuss the inner workings of the recruitment process.