North Cobb Christian captures first region championship in program history

Over the years. North Cobb Christian has had a lot of great teams, but the elusive region title has evaded them.

Not anymore.

North Cobb Christian was coming off one of their better seasons in 2022 winning ten games and making it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. Last year was their second time in program history finishing the season with ten wins. The Eagles got close to winning a region championship in 2018 but fell short to Mount Zion (Carroll).

Head coach Matt Jones led the Eagles to their first region title in program history after a 40-14 victory against Mount Paran Christian Friday. It was a dominant effort on both sides of the ball.

There have been some reallygoodteams here that have not won the region championship. Our kids are excited because they know what was at stake, said Jones. It is one of those things where it is surreal because you work so hard all year forit, and thenyou get here in the moment and its like we have to show up and keep doing what we do. Our kids did a good job of notletting the moment be toobig for them. I cant say enough about how big it is.

It started the week prior against a tough and resilient South Atlanta team. The Hornets were region champions in 2022. South Atlanta was on a two-game winningstreak coming into the game againstNorth Cobb Christian. Their offense was in a rhythm and found their footing. The North Cobb Christian defense shut them down producing a shutout and a 22-0 victory.

The defense has continued to be a staple component for the Eagles this season. Recently, they have been on another level. In the past four games, two have been shutouts (South Atlanta and Washington), and the offenses are averaging a measly six points during that stretch. A big reason is the ability of the Eagles to get after the passer. As a team, theyhave accumulated 24sacks in 2023. Beedjy Guerrier and Raymond Dixon each have eight apiece. The last two games, Guerrier has three sacks andhas been causinghavoc.

Beedjy and Ray Dixon are our two big defensive linemen that are close to leading the county in sacks. They are awesome and competitive. Both are juniors. They add enthusiasm and excitement to our defense, said Jones.

Offensively, it starts with quarterback Teddy Jarrad who has come in and been a leader from day one. He is already way ahead of where he should be as a freshman. Jarrad has a strong command of the offense and knows his checks and where to get the football. He continued his stellar freshman season throwing for 292 yards and four touchdowns in the win against Mount Paran Christian for the region title.

Teddy is awesome. Not enoughgoodI cansay about him.The best thing about Teddy is that he has accepted every challenge we have put onhim. Hesbeen able to dowhat a junior or senior can do mentally. He can check plays and do all of the differentthings that wedo, said Jones. In a given play, he does it alland he is only a9th grader. He is very sharp mentally and studies film. He is a competitive kid. Jarradis going togo a long way playing football. On top of all that he is super accurate, and he wants to win. The greatest thing about Teddy is we can run the ball ten plays in a row and score a touchdown, or we can pass it 10 plays in a row and he is just as excited when we score. Heis a fun one tocoach and excited abouthis future.

Coach Matt Jones is doing a great job with the program and it doesnt just start and stop on Friday nights. Coach Jones is active in his community fostering and building relationships with the nextgeneration by goingto their games, cheering on the youngsters, and building rapport with their parents at a young age. He knows howimportantit is and is a big reason why the Eagles havebeen successful.

Iknowevery fifth grade boy and up. I know their namesand their families.They come to our games, and Igoto their games. Our high school coaches also know all these kids. A lot of programs, you dontknowthe kids until 10th or 11th grade, but here weknowthem at an early age, said Jones. It is a pretty cool community because I canknowone of those kids and see them develop. I get togoto their performances and see them graduate. Just so many cool things. Most kids dont get togoto chapel every week and have their teachers pray for them. It is a really neat place, and I am blessed to be here.