Editor’s Note: Sadly, there will be no video coverage this week due to a technical issue that occurred prior to the start of Friday’s game. Did you know you can’t purchase SD cards without having a case unlocked by Walmart staff these days? -KtE

The Rockmart Yellow Jackets are state title bound as the 2023 season ain’t over yet.

For the second time in the tenure of Head Coach Biff Parson, the Jackets are going to play for the state championship after they defeated the Cook Hornets in a 34-24 semifinal game at home on Friday night.

Wet weather didn’t dampen the spirits of fans who packed into the Rock to watch the semifinal contest with the Hornets, who couldn’t overcome the Jackets’ early lead despite a

The 12-2 Jackets put up a 387-yard performance, including a punishing 263 yards on the ground giving several Rockmart players the opportunity to run against the Cook defense.

Calliyon Thompson added 124 yards in the air and threw for two touchdowns in the game, and Brent Washington’s 51-yard night on 9 carries included three scores on the ground for Friday’s win. Tristan Anderson and Jake Bailey both grabbed touchdown passes in the victory as well.

It didn’t come without some dramatics.

Thompson did throw a pick as he was looking for a receiver in the end zone as he went 14 for 21 on the night. It was the only turnover for the Jackets.

Rockmart also took a 28-9 lead into the fourth quarter, but a two-touchdown push by Cook saw them get within a two-score margin in the fourth and try to make it a game. The defense were able to hold on long enough to keep that from happening, and the Jackets finally are back in the final game of the year.

This second trip for the Jackets under Parson comes five years later. Rockmart took a loss in the state championship game to Heard County after beating them in early September that year.

Rockmart’s last state championship came in 1950 when the Jackets beat Valdosta that year for the title. They’ve only made it to the title game since then three other times: 1954, 1957 and 2018.

The Jackets will face the Pierce County Bears in the Championship game on December 12. The Bears will come into the game at 13-1 after they took a 35-7 win over Fitzgerald in the semifinals. Their only defeat on the season came against Appling County in a 17-14 loss at home in late September. Since then the Bears have won every game by double digits.

Check back for more about the upcoming title game and video recapping the season here on PolkSportsWire.