We’re this/close to the 2023 championships at Mercedes-Benz Stadium... 

It’ll be three days of learning about the rest of us by all of us as we watch... 

So, what I tried to do this time was check in on some of the towns that will be making their way to cheer on their teams in Atlanta and see what the “official” thoughts are from each place... 

Let’s start with our friends in Perry and Stockbridge... 

It’s two teams chasing after their first-ever title and having to play each other to do it in the Class 4A title game on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ...

Here’s the words of encouragement from Perry Mayor Randall Walker:  

“On behalf of the Perry community, I want to express my heartfelt wishes to the Perry High School football team as they gear up for the 2023 GHSA Class 4A state championship game! Our entire community stands with you as you play with passion, endure with strength, and bring home the championship. Go Perry Panthers!”  

And, then, on the flip side our friends from the Southern Crescent in Stockbridge and Mayor Anthony S. Ford... 

“We are extremely proud of our Stockbridge Tigers for making history as the first Henry County Public School to appear in a state championship football game.  The Stockbridge community will truly ‘Roar the Tigers to Victory!’  

One of the things I also was interested in was the idea of conversations between cities about possibly having to wear the clothing of the winning school (or trading local delicacies) like we see in college bowl games and pro-level championships... 

When I asked Mayor Ford about it, he tells me that there hadn’t been those conversations at press time. But it was something he was seriously thinking of looking into for the game... 

Same goes for the Rockmart-Pierce County game in Class 2A that precedes the 4A game at 1 p.m. that same afternoon... 

Rockmart

Rockmart is trying to win its first state title since 1950.

Credit: Christopher Moses

Rockmart is chasing the first title for that town since 1950 when they line up against the Bears. Here’s what Rockmart City Manager Stacey Smith had to say …

“We are very proud of our Yellow Jackets and are looking forward to them bringing the state championship title back home to Rockmart.  I believe the last time Rockmart won the state championship was in 1950.  In honor of our hometown team, the City of Rockmart will be closed Tuesday so that our staff can attend the game. GO JACKETS!”

Rockmart mayor Sherman Ross, who won re-election on Tuesday, said, “Our community is so proud of our football team, our coaches, administrators, band and student body. Our players work hard and play hard. The support of our local businesses is awesome as well. We are proud to be a participant in playing for the Class 2A state championship!“

How’s that for breaking news out of Polk County, eh? I anticipate seeing the entire town of Rockmart again like we saw a few years ago when they played Heard County for the title. 

Pierce County, on the other hand, will be chasing its second crown since 2020, when they won in overtime at Georgia State. You can relive that game right here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ5bJeyno5M) and I have one question... 

Will the fans be allowed to bring their mega-train whistle into the building like they did when they won their only state title in program history? 

Inquiring minds and all that stuff... Or do they rent the one inside the facility? 

Blackshear Mayor Keith Brooks sent this note along... 

“Blackshear and Pierce are very excited about the opportunity to play against Rockmart for the Class 2A football championship. Our team and coaches have worked very hard to make it to the final game of the season for all the marbles. I just hope it is a competitive game and both teams come out injury free and may the best team come out on top! Go Bears!”

Nikki Deloach

Will Blackshear native Nikki DeLoach take time away from filming a Hallmark Movie to watch her old school play for the state championship?

And, yes, I did as a bit of a brainstorm  and reached out to actress Nikki DeLoach to see if the Hallmark Movies star is preparing for the Pierce County game as well. If she sends word, I’ll let you know what is on her (and her family’s) mind... 

Last stop for us this go-round is Douglas as Coffee plays Creekside in the Class 5A title game next Wednesday at 4 p.m. Douglas Mayor Tony L. Paulk took time to check in even as he was away at a mayor’s conference... 

“Our team, coaches, cheerleaders, band and students are the greatest ambassadors for our community. A group of young adults have taken ‘Coffee County’ into every city and county in the state of Georgia.  Our Coffee High Trojans have exemplified commitment and dedication to their brotherhood. The community is energized to a level that is unparalleled at any time in our history. Our community believes in our Coffee High Trojans.”

We have also been invited to the monster tailgate that is going on down the road from Jardine Stadium to downtown Atlanta... That will be a fantastic thing to see... 

So, that’s the early returns as we knock on doors to see what’s going on getting ready for the last football games of the year. And my GPB colleague Hannah Goodin and I both anticipate more encouragement and conversations from the 22 teams that will be chasing championship trophies... 

We can’t wait to bring it all to you...  

Very, very soon... 

Play it safe, everyone... I’ll see you at the Benz...