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Published Friday, November 13, 2009 in Sports

Newnan, ECHS try to tackle pair of traditional powers to open playoffs

By Chris Goltermann

The Newnan Times-Herald

Last week, the football bragging rights between Newnan and East Coweta were between one another. Tonight, however, the two schools may very well be teaming up in an attempt to not only continue respective 2009 seasons, but earn the respect of the state's most glorified region in south Georgia.

For the first-time ever, Newnan will host a Valdosta football program that has won more state championships than any high school in Georgia, even if it is as a No. 4 seed from Region 1-AAAAA in tonight's first round game at Drake Stadium.

And despite an unbeaten 10-0 record, the Cougars may be taking on not just a solid 7-3 Wildcat team, but all of the tradition that arrives alongside with a fleet of yellow school buses.

East Coweta's challenge in a trip to No. 3 state-ranked Lowdnes expects to be even greater to face a Vikings program that has won three Class AAAAA championships this decade. At 9-1, Lowdnes is a No. 2 seed on paper only, with an intimidation factor rivaling few football programs in the state.

"They're like a small college team," said Indian senior receiver Felton James. "All of their cornerbacks are like 6-foot-3."

Either way, county rivals unite tonight in both instances with hopes of moving on. Each Coweta County program seeks its first-ever state championship. Valdosta and Lowdnes have won 29 between them.

In Valdosta, Newnan will face a lineup bent on regaining respect after losing three times in a four-game span this year. A final 57-17 loss to Lowdnes on Oct. 9 cost fourth-year head coach Rick Tomberlin -- who won 157 games and three state titles previously at Class AA's Washington County -- his job.

Wildcat players have rallied around their coach, winning three straight games, the latter pair with former backup quarterback Chad Prain to return to the state playoffs following a year absence.

During the two wins, Crain has rushed for 237 yards and five touchdowns, while also throwing for 220 yards and a touchdown. Jay Rome, a 6-5 tight end, has been the Wildcats' No. 1 target.

The Cougars, meanwhile, are coming off their toughest victory of the season, needing 29 fourth-quarter points to get past East Coweta at home last Friday. Newnan trailed for the first time in the second half all season against the Indians, while forced to rally from a 19-14 deficit entering the final period.

Newnan, however, doesn't expect to face an individual runner similar to East Coweta senior tailback Tay Willis, who had two scores against a Cougars defense allowing just three-points a game.

Willis and the Indians offense, meanwhile, face an even bigger mountain tonight. Lowdnes has no fewer than five major Division I prospects. The Vikings defense is led by linebacker Telvin Smith, who has verbally committed to Florida State and had 15 tackles in a win over Warner Robins last week. The unit is only allowing an average of nine points per game.

Lowndes' wing-t offense is anchored by 6-5, 310-pound lineman Ed Christian in a run-dominated attack that lulls opponents to sleep with a variety of counters, traps, sweeps and dive runs while averaging a whopping 44 points per game.

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