Today’s interviewee is Rome coach John Reid, whose team defeated third-ranked Carrollton 45-27 in a Region 5-6A game last week. The Wolves bounced back from a 34-32 loss the previous week against unranked South Paulding when Rome was ranked No. 8.
John Reid, Rome head coach
1. According to our computer model, you were a 20-plus point favorite when you lost to South Paulding and a 20-plus point underdog when you beat Carrollton. Aside from computer error, how do you explain those two outcomes for your team? “I think computer predictions are fun for the fans. And I am sure that the formula used is and has been a good predicter. However, when I saw that we were a 28-point favorite at South Paulding, it made me cringe. It was my hope that our team did not see the prediction. We thought that the game would be a very tough one on the road. South has a quarterback, offensive line, running back and some receivers. The quarterback [Kasen Weisman] is really good. In regards to the prediction the following week, Carrollton +21, I liked it for the same reasons I did not like the previous week’s. It gave me motivation for our team. The computer cannot take in some of the minute details that occur, such as South Paulding just had a coaching change. That sometimes gets teams fired up. It also cannot factor experience. For instance, we have a very young team. You just never know on a given Friday night, and that is why we play the game.”
2. What did you do particularly well last week against Carrollton? “We did not change much at all as far as practice. We watched the film and pointed out our mistakes. We reminded the players that everything that went right or went wrong was something they controlled. We wanted to limit penalties and turnovers and win the special teams battle.” [Bryson Hill rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns, and Rome held Carrollton to minus-12 rushing yards.]
3. South Paulding plays Carrollton this week. What’s a brief scouting report on each that might decide who wins and loses? “First of all, it is at Carrollton. That is a big plus. Second, Carrollton is coming off a bad loss, so the Carrollton coaches will have the players’ attention. Both teams are really talented offensively. Carrollton will have to keep the South Paulding quarterback in check. He can extend plays and is a threat to run the ball at all times. South will have to play a really good game defensively.”
4. You played Collins Hill this season. You played Marietta’s 2019 championship team. Both had one of the greatest quarterback-receiver duos in history. How would you compare those teams and duos? “I am sure that by answering this, somebody from one of the teams will get their feelings hurt. I am going to give the readers the best assessment I can. First of all, we played both of these team in a two-game series. We beat Marietta in 2018 with all of the same great players that won the state championship in 2019. It was a shootout and a great game. The following year they had matured and improved and were much better than us. I predicted that night after playing them that they would win it all. As for Collins Hill, we played them at Collins Hill and were in the game in the fourth quarter and eventually lost 28-14. Travis Hunter threw a touchdown, had an interception and caught a touchdown. The 2021 Collins Hill team is much better on defense than last year. They also have a confidence. You can just feel it when you are on the field with them. Travis Hunter is as good as the press clippings. He is so smooth and makes great plays look routine. I have seen some great ones, and he is really special. Harrison Bailey-Arik Gilbert or Sam Horn-Travis Hunter. Both had or have some great players with them. Marietta had D-I receivers and running backs as does Collins Hill. Sam Horn is bigger and faster than Harrison, and more of a run threat. I also think Horn’s arm is better that Bailey’s. Marietta won the championship with Harrison as the quarterback, so you have to factor that in when talking about who is the best.”
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