Team of the Week: Mt. Zion-Carroll Eagles
Carrollton, Ga - Mt. Zion-Carroll won their third High 5 Sports Team of the Week award by out-voting the Rockmart Yellow Jackets, East Coweta Indians, Blessed Trinity Titans and Kell Longhorns on a four-day long Facebook poll.
The Eagles (7-1) earned a spot on the poll after beating previously undefeated North Cobb Christian on the road in a key Region 6-A (Division A) game last Friday. Coach Brad Gordon's team can win their subregion by defeating Gordon Lee (2-5) at home this week.
"We have a pretty good battle with Gordon Lee, this is no trap game," Gordon said. "We've had a rivalry with them for several years now and we know what's a stake. Ours seniors have really stepped up this year just like last year. Nobody wants to be the one to drop the ball and this class is no different."
According to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, it's been 27 years since Mt. Zion-Carroll won its last outright region title. This year, as many as nine teams from 6-A could qualify for the playoffs, but surviving the eventual crossover region showdown with either Fellowship Christian or Mt. Paran Christian could prove tougher than winning a state championship. The Eagles dropped the last two crossover region title games to each of those schools.
"We feel pressure every Friday night, because we're constantly keeping track of the GHSA power rankings which helps us with our playoff positioning," Gordon told High 5 Sports.
Each win gives a team 10 power ranking points.Teams also receive a point for every win a defeated opponent collects, plus additional points for beating teams in higher classifications (1 point per jump in classification), so it can be valuable to schedule a slightly tougher non-region schedule in order to maximize power ranking points. Mt. Zion-Carroll got three additional points for beating Double-A's Lamar County, Coosa and Temple to start the season.
The Eagles use a traditional Wing-T offense, but sprinkle in some Veer option plays to suit the skills of quarterback Iaan Cousin; a gifted runner who played split end last season. Wing backs Tyriese Farley and Breon Henderson churn out the tough yards and help Mt. Zion-Carroll control possession.
When the Eagles defense hits the field, they're led by Fairley, who was an all-state performer at free safety in 2017, and his cousin Devon, who leads the team in sacks coming off the edge at his defensive end position. Coach Gordon's team has three shutouts so far, surrendering just 14 points in their last three games.
Good Day Atlanta's Paul Milliken and the High 5 Sports Pep Rally Team will be in Carrollton Thursday morning to celebrate the Eagle's latest Team of the Week honor.