Historic Barron Stadium played host to Rome Football’s 7th Annual Soap Game this past Friday night. This annual event is usually the first live game action after the first week of practice in full pads (the GHSA’s calendar altered the schedule this year). Admission to the event was a can of powdered drink mix or liquid laundry detergent that will help to support all RCS football teams this season.
The action started with the sixth graders scrimmaging the seventh graders. The game featured some nice runs by the ball carriers on both teams and good, sound Rome Wolves defense.
“It’s exciting to see the sixth and seventh graders get out there and get their first scrimmage in” said Head Coach and System Athletic Director, John Reid. “And traditionally, there’s always been talk between the grades about who’s the best. This game gave our coaches a chance to take a look and see who can back up that talk. Both sides did a good job.”
Next up was the seventh graders then taking on the eighth graders. It is in this level of play that a quarterback play begins to become more a part of the game plan. Fans and supporters of the program saw this element coming to form during the scrimmage.
Eighth grade athletes then had a competitive battle with a ninth-grade squad that showed grit and edge. Defense and hard hitting were the key during this contest.
The action transitioned to high school play in the next session with the freshmen team scrimmaging the junior varsity team. The Rome High Freshman team is big and full of talent across the field. One play showed the athletic ability on the field after the freshman quarterback was flushed from the pocket. While rolling to his right escaping the pressure, he kept his eyes down the field and threw a pinpoint 50-yard touchdown pass on the play.
The JV team, which is a hard-nosed, tough bunch of guys countered with a big play of their own as a sophomore receiver R.J. Marshall took a short pass to the house by spinning, juking, and breaking tackles on his way to the end zone.
In the varsity action, the Wolves worked on special teams before taking the field in a traditional scrimmage game. The new offense was on display some as sophomore quarterback Reece Fountain competed a slew of passes to different targets across the field, including touchdown passes to junior Martel Hight and sophomore DeKaylon Daniel.
Coach Reid on his expectations from the varsity sessions said, “Last week (vs Kell) we played a game with no penalties which is amazing and hard to believe. We are always excited to see that.” Reid continued with a smile, “But we needed to see quickness on offense. It is a must that they get to the line of scrimmage and execute. And on the other side of the ball, we have to tackle better.”
Rome’s head football coach said the Soap Game is always a success as it gives the players a chance to implement what they worked on in practice. “The purpose of the Soap Game is to see if the work we’ve done all week has paid off. It also gives the people the chance to meet the kids, and to see them in action.”
Friday, August 20, marks the date Wolf Nation will see the work that has been put in come to fruition in the regular season opener at Rockmart High School versus the Yellowjackets.
Please come out and support our Wolves as they look to bring a win home from Rockmart!
Go Wolves!!!
