There is no doubt Region 6-AAAAA provides fans with some of the top football in the state, including three talented teams (Milton, Roswell and Centennial) and one program on the rise (Alpharetta). Below you will find our in-depth breakdown of this highly competitive region.
ALPHARETTA RAIDERS
Last year was a nightmare for Raider football. The losses piled up off the field and then came in bunches on it, as the team lost eight straight games to end the season.
This year, the team will battle depth issues and will rely on many experienced players to play on both sides of the ball. This list of two-way players includes a pair of offensive guards who will double as defensive tackles. Both Desmond Bryant and Brandon McMaster will be relied upon to lead the most experienced unit for the Raiders, the offensive line. If the Raiders have any chance of competing for the playoffs, the seniors on the line will have to give their quarterback time to get the ball to Alpharetta’s playmakers, Vince Williams and Jordan Owens. Game to watch: Sept. 19 at Milton
MILTON EAGLES
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that when I watch the Milton Eagles I am reminded of Bubba Gump shrimp, boxes of chocolates and all the other pop culture references from Forrest Gump. But, in this tale, it’s ‘Run, Toney, Run.’
Running back Toney Williams holds the hopes of all Eagles fans on his Tennessee-bound legs. An offensive line that returns all five starters will lead for Williams, while the Eagles will rely on a first-time quarterback.
Defensively, Milton will count on their experience, especially at linebacker, where Blake Fegan and Jeremy Grable will need to recover from earlier injuries. Game to watch: Oct. 24. vs. Roswell
ROSWELL HORNETS
The team’s green and white uniforms are about all that’s left from last year.
First-year head coach Leo Barker is a no-nonsense signal caller, exactly what the team needs to replace legendary former coach Tim McFarlin.
Luckily, Barker has plenty of pieces to work with, though he must make them fit nicely into the puzzle. The Hornets sport a set of speedsters on the outside, as wide receivers Keegan Hughes and Donovan Bennett will be responsible for making new quarterback Brian Hickman comfortable. The Roswell defense will also live by the slogan ‘speed kills,’ as they sport two of the state’s fastest corners in Rashaad Hoyle and Thomas Sexton. Game to watch: Oct. 31 vs. Walton
CENTENNIAL KNIGHTS
After just one year under head coach Jeff Measor the team has arguably two of the more intriguing players in the state.
Euclid Cummings leads the defense from his end position, while Marcus Nabors powers the Knights offense from the backfield. The former is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, and had never strapped on a helmet until a few years ago. The latter is 5-7, maybe 200 pounds soaking wet, though it usually requires an entire defense to bring him to the ground. Both will be the focal points of opponent game plans and will dictate the team’s overall success.
As for where they’ll finish, I’ll let Measor answer that one. “We’re not in the position to be the hunted yet … and if we sneak up on teams like Walton and Roswell we’ll be lucky.”
Game to watch: Sept. 5 vs. Roswell
Boral can be reached at jboral@scoreatl.com.
Loading ...
