Cedartown could be poised to have one of their best season for the Dawgs on the baseball diamond and be a real contender on the state level in Class 4A this spring.

Just weeks away from the start of the season, Cedartown held tryouts for the baseball team and are getting ready for a 2024 campaign to follow on the Sweet 16 appearance they made to close out 2023. It won’t be easy with a tough region to face on the baseball diamond this year.

Cedartown does have a number of key players back on the starting lineup this season. Xavier Holliday will finish out his senior season on the mound and at short stop when not pitching. Cole Dingler and Tony Ware join him for their final year as Bulldogs.

Juniors Jay O’Neal (back in the game after completing physical therapy,) Konnor Peek and Samuel Formby look to compete hard for their junior year campaigns, and Ace Allen will definitely be showing off his talents for the Dawgs.

After a 22-9 year and a Sweet 16 finish against Westminster last season, Cedartown hopes to have what it takes to improve. If the Dawgs are expected to be a real contender for 2024, they have to start off the season with a win over a traditional power-hitters on a statewide stage.

First, the scrimmage. Even though it doesn’t count, the LaGrange Grangers are going to host Cedartown on February 8 for a showdown between two squads who in years past battled for region dominance.

A standoff with Calhoun is just what Cedartown needs, and home field advantage will give the Bulldogs a real chance in their first big test of the year on February 12. Fans will want to get there with enough time to find a seat before the 5:30 p.m. first pitch.

They then head to South Paulding on Feb. 15 for their second game of the year, and play against Westminster on Feb. 17.

Additional early season matchups include Benedictine (Feb. 23,) Pierce County (Feb. 24,) Rockmart (Feb. 27 and March 1, away first and then returning,) North Paulding and Ringgold in early March before getting into region play in the middle of the month.

Cedartown opens region play with Central on the road on March 12 broken up by a home matchup with Carrollton on March 13, then hosts the Lions for a double header on March 15 to round out the series.

The Dawgs have Heritage at home to follow on March 19, and a return trip to the Generals in Catoosa on March 22 to finish the three-game series. Northwest Whitfield hosts Cedartown on March 26, and the Bulldogs face the Bruins at home on March 29.

Whitewater and Cartersville in early April open the final round of the season at a Lake Point tournament, followed by Southeast Whitfield and Sonoraville to round out the three-game region series.

Check back for more on the Bulldogs upcoming season following the home opener against Calhoun.