North Cobb Christian will try to get back on top of Region 7A Private under new coach Matt Jones.
158 KICKOFF 2021
REGION 7A PRIVATE
Special
NCC, MPC and Walker look to close the region gap
By Gabriel Kahaian
MDJ Sports Writer
Gone are the days of sub regions now
that Region 7A Private has one full season
under its belt.
Christian Heritage was crowned region champion
after a 9-1 season in which they went undefeated
in region play. Along with the Lions,
North Cobb Christian, Darlington, and Mount
Paran Christian all made the playoffs. However,
no one made it past the second round.
Although Christian Heritage didn’t get
as far as they would have liked, coach Jay
Poag said that its success is due in large part
to the work they do once the season ends.
“It’s a work ethic here that’s part of our
culture that starts in the weight room,”
Poag said. “When we lose in the playoffs
or in the last few years when our season
has ended, our kids have been back in the
weight room the very next day. It’s sort of
a year round process here. Our kids believe
in hard work, and it leads us to victories.”
The new region came with its own unique
set of challenges to overcome. With only four
region games to determine playoff standings,
coaches had to focus on finding the perfect
mixture of training and necessary rest to
survive once region play started.
“There’s a fine line between making
sure your kids get the mental and physical
toughness they need to succeed while
also making sure that you keep them safe,”
Darlington coach Tommy Atha said. “The
big key is being selective about where and
when you do full contact during the week
so they are ready to go.”
“It really comes down to those last four
games of the year,” Poag said. “You got to
have all the bullets in your gun out there
on Friday nights. You can’t have anyone
out there standing hurt.”
Even with the region change, coaches
said some rivalries have transferred over
and are renewing themselves.
“There are some natural rivalries that are
being renewed,” Mount Paran Chrsitan coach
Mitch Jordan said. “Top to bottom there are
competitive teams. Each year the bar is being
raised. When you have these rivalries,
everyone is going to rise to a higher level.”
The region has two new faces as North
Cobb Christian and Walker both hired new
head coaches. The Eagles’ hired former
Lanier offensive coordinator Matt Jones.
Meanwhile, Gary Nelson comes to the Wolverines
after coaching at Southside-Gadsden
High School in Alabama.
Jones said he was impressed with the
amount of quality talent in the region.
“The biggest thing that stands out to me
is how talented some of the kids are that
we’re going to play,” Jones said. “After
having been here for a few months and
watching a lot of film, I’m realizing that
seeing (Class) A Private is just as talented
or more talented than some of the upper
levels of Georgia high school football.”
Mount Paran has been known for continuously
producing winning teams, however
this past season the team didn’t meet
expectations. Despite its 1-7 season, Poag
said he doesn’t expect that to keep it down.
“They had a little hiccup last year,” Poag
said. “With Mitch down there coaching, they
have such a good coach, good school, and
great facility. They will be back. They’ve
got bodies walking up and down their halls,
so they’ll be just fine.”
With a new season approaching, coaches
said that the region is up for grabs.
“It’s a fiercely competitive region,” Nelson
said. “Those other four teams are so good,
their personnel is really good. Everyone is
so well put together. Playing these schools
makes it fun to go out there and compete. I
expect the atmosphere to be challenging.”
“In our region, week in week out, you
have to show up to play,” Atha said. “It’s
anybody’s region to win at this point until
somebody separates themselves in the
season.”
Region play begins Oct. 8.
Prediction
1. Christian Heritage
2. Darlington
3. North Cobb Christian
4. Mount Paran Christian
5. Walker