The fact that Rockmart is eyeing another region title and entering the top 10 again at the season’s midpoint is just a feather in its cap.
A deep postseason run for the Jackets? Well that’s down the road.
Rockmart opened the season as the No. 10-ranked team in the class, but after a 23-7 loss to Class 6A No. 9 Rome in its opener, the Yellow Jackets dropped out. But Rockmart (4-1) re-entered the Top 10 at No. 10 this week after its 34-13 victory against North Murray in a Region 6-3A game last week. Former No. 10 Burke County’s loss to Benedictine didn’t hurt Rockmart’s placement in the poll.
After losing to Rome, the Yellow Jackets beat Villa Rica (28-21), Coahulla Creek (42-7), Sonoraville (50-28) and North Murray. The Yellow Jackets travel to Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe on Friday for another region game, and Rockmart seems to be the favorite to defend the region title. Rockmart reclassed from 2A to 3A during the last cycle, and in Class 2A, the Yellow Jackets won region championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Let’s take a glance under the hood to see what makes Rockmart tick:
Head Coach: Biff Parson has led the Yellow Jackets since 2016 and has won four region titles. In 2018, Rockmart lost to Heard County in the state championship game, 27-6.
Passing: Quarterback J.D. Davis has completed 37-of-56 passes for 464 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Rushing: Davis has 35 carries, 227 yards, four touchdowns; Brent Washington has 33 carries for 178 yards and two touchdowns; Nahzir Turner has 24 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns; JoJo Haynes has 20 carries for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
Receiving: Dennis Sims has 18 receptions for 180 yards and one touchdown; Jakari Clark has 10 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns; Cam Ferguson has three receptions for 19 yards and one touchdown; one reception, 67 yards, one touchdown.
Defense: Sims has 22 solo tackles, 12 assists and is averaging 6.8 tackles per game, two tackles for loss; Mason Phillips has 14 solo, eight assists, 4.4 tackles per game, eight tackles for loss; Washington has12 solo tackles, 20 assists, 6.4 tackles per game, three sacks and four tackles for loss; Terrion Webb has 11 solo tackles, seven assists, 3.6 tackles per game, three tackles for loss and four sacks; Keyshaun McCullough has nine solos, eight assists and one tackle for loss; Jake Bailey has one fumble returned for touchdown.
Special Teams: Phillips has eight punts for 138 yards with a longest punt of 45 and one inside the 20 -yard line; Jose Alegria has made 17-of-18 extra-point attempts.
Team Totals: 212.4 rushing yards, 106.2 passing yards per game.
See this week’s 3A Top 10 below.
1. (1) Cedar Grove (4-1)
2. (2) Oconee County (6-0)
3. (4) Sandy Creek (6-0)
4. (6) Appling County (6-0)
5. (3) Pierce County (4-2)
6. (5) Peach County (3-2)
7. (7) Thomson (5-0)
8. (8) Monroe Area (6-0)
9. (9) Hart County (6-0)
10. (NR) Rockmart (4-1)
About the Author
