Can Cartersville Football Reclaim the State Championship This Season?

Walking into the Cartersville High School football field on a crisp September afternoon, I could almost taste the anticipation in the air. Having covered Georgia high school football for over fifteen years, I’ve seen championship teams come and go, but there’s something special about this year’s Purple Hurricanes squad. The question on everyone’s mind—from the local coffee shop to the bleachers—is straightforward but loaded: Can Cartersville Football reclaim the state championship this season?

Last season ended with a bitter 28-24 loss to rivals in the semifinals, a game that saw Cartersville’s offense stall in the final minutes. I remember watching from the press box as the clock ran out, seeing the disbelief on players’ faces. They’d entered the playoffs with a perfect 10-0 record, only to fall short by a single possession. That loss has hung over this town like a cloud, but what’s striking now is how it’s fueled the team’s offseason. Head Coach Jake Thompson, who I’ve known since his playing days, told me over the summer, “We’re not running from last year—we’re building on it.” And build they have. The team’s strength and conditioning numbers are up across the board, with players adding an average of 15 pounds in muscle mass during summer training. Quarterback Sam Wilson, a junior who threw for 2,800 yards last season, improved his throwing velocity by nearly 8%, according to team metrics.

What really stands out to me, though, isn’t just the physical transformation—it’s the mindset. I was talking with offensive coordinator Mark Rivers last week, and he pointed specifically to senior linebacker David Miller. “He has obviously done things that he needed to do, he’s a guy who really comes to work every day,” Rivers said, and I’ve seen that firsthand during practice visits. Miller, who led the team with 110 tackles last year, stayed after practice three days a week all summer, drilling footwork and studying game film until sunset. That kind of dedication is contagious. When your team captain is the first one on the field and the last to leave, it sets a tone that resonates through the entire roster.

Of course, talent alone doesn’t win championships—scheduling and competition matter too. Looking at their 2023 schedule, I count at least four games that could go either way, including an October showdown against three-time state champions from Northwood. Their defense, which gave up an average of just 14 points per game last season, will be tested early and often. But here’s where I think Cartersville has an edge: depth. Unlike previous seasons, their second-string players are seeing significant playing time in early games, which could pay off during those grueling playoff weeks. I watched their second game this year against Riverwood, where backups held a 10-point lead for the entire fourth quarter. That kind of roster flexibility is rare at the high school level.

Some local critics argue that the team relies too heavily on Wilson’s arm, and there’s some truth to that. Last season, 65% of their offensive plays were passes—a number that might need to balance out if they want to control the clock against run-heavy opponents. But what those critics miss is how much their running game has evolved. Sophomore running back Jamal Cox, who barely saw the field last year, has already rushed for over 300 yards in the first three games. I see him as the x-factor—defenses can’t just drop everyone into coverage anymore.

When I spoke with former Cartersville quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trevor Lawrence (yes, that Trevor Lawrence), he emphasized the importance of leadership in championship runs. “It’s not about having the best players—it’s about having players who make others better,” he told me. “Cartersville has that chemistry you can’t manufacture.” And he’s right. From where I sit, this team reminds me of their 2019 championship squad—not in playing style, but in grit. They play for each other, not just for the scoreboard.

So, circling back to that pressing question—can Cartersville football reclaim the state championship this season?—I’m leaning toward yes. They have the talent, the schedule, and perhaps most importantly, the hunger. But as any seasoned observer knows, high school football is unpredictable. One bad bounce, one key injury, and the whole dynamic shifts. What gives me confidence is their response to adversity. After that heartbreaking loss last November, they didn’t fracture—they bonded. And if they carry that unity into December, I believe we’ll see another trophy coming home to Cartersville.