Special
PIGSKIN 2021 19
REGION 6A PUBLIC
Armuchee’s Kameron Parker will try to lead the Indians to the top of Region 6A Public this fall.
Armuchee ready to begin a region win streak of its own
By Brandon Dyer
News-Tribune Sports Writer
The Armuchee Indians begin their
second year in Region 6A Public
along with Business, Engineering,
Science and Technology (B.E.S.T.)
Academy, Bowdon, Gordon Lee, Mt.
Zion and Trion seeking their f i r s t
win among the group.
Bowdon, Gordon Lee, B.E.S.T. Academy
and Mt. Zion all made the playoffs
last season, but Armuchee and
Trion seem to have a shot at taking
one of those playoff spots this upcoming
season.
Rich Fendley enters his fourth year
as head coach of the Bowdon Red Devils.
Bowdon, aiming for a region title
repeat, returns 17 starters, including
senior running back Gage Stephens and
junior quarterback Robert McNeal.
The Red Devils dominated the region
last season, winning all five of
their region games. Their closest region
bout was a two-point victory over
Gordon Lee.
After going 3-7 last year, the Indians
look for signs of improvement heading
into the season. The three wins from
2020 are the most in a season since
head coach Jeremy Green took over
three years ago.
While the Indians’ offense did not
score more than 17 points in a game
in 2020, senior receivers J.J. House
and Kameron Parker are back to provide
a spark this coming fall. Defensively,
the team held their own and
held opponents to 21 or less points
three times.
The Trion Bulldogs went 3-8 in their
first season under new head coach Sean
Patrick. The biggest upside in 2021 is
that they only lost five seniors from
last year’s team. The entire quarterback
squad returns, as well as every
running back and receiver.
With inexperience playing a key
factor for the Bulldogs last season,
those underclassmen now have a
f u l l s eason under thei r bel t wi th
Coach Patrick and have aspirations
of taking a big step f o rward t h i s
upcoming season.
Brad Gordon took over the Mt. Zion
football program in 2017, and the
results have seen the Eagles reach
the state playoffs three times in four
years. The Eagles have the tough
challenge of replacing their starting
quarterback, top three rushers,
and two of their top three receivers
this season.
Leadership is something that this
team will have to look for if they want
this season to be as successful as the
previous one.
The Gordon Lee Trojans and thirdyear
head coach Josh Groce finished
2020 Region 6A Public runner up with
a 9-1 overall record.
The Trojans will have the difficult
task of replacing Cade Peterson, their
top rusher from last season, but junior
Bo Rhudy had plenty of carries
last season to get him ready for this
upcoming season. Rhudy rushed for
919 yards and 11 touchdowns in 12
games played.
B.E.S.T. Academy was able to claim
the fourth and final playoff spot for
the region last season. The Eagles,
led by head coach Joshua Moore, have
made back-to-back playoff appearances
and will try to continue that trend
this upcoming season.