Note: I usually don’t delve into ‘editorial content’ for news or sports, since I have a site for that at kevintheeditor.com. However, this just seem to fit on PSW since the commentary is not mine. – KtE

Rockmart’s football squad got noticed by writers at USA Today during a Monday posting, but not for wins or losses. Instead, their run through sign for last Thursday’s scrimmage at Rome was what got the attention of writers at the national news outlet’s sports section.

Rusty Mansell was on the sidelines of the game and shared the following photo and tweet before the Jackets took the field to face the Wolves:

Welp football is back…. pic.twitter.com/9iFbcKlM3f

— Rusty Mansell (@RustyMansell_) August 10, 2023

USA Today’s High School Sports writer Tim Weaver added the following:

“Despite the Oppenheimer-level trash-talking genius on display here, the results on the field didn’t exactly pan out for them, as Rome went on to win 48-6,” he wrote.

If only he knew the brief history between Rome and Rockmart already brewing into a rivalry, whether it counts or not.

Rome is 2-0 over the Jackets after an Week 1 victory in their first game came down to the wire and ended with 28-21 loss on the road, then followed that up with a Week 1 loss in 2021 to the Wolves at home, 23-7. It doesn’t help historically, Rome teams (even before West and East Rome Highs were a thing before 1957) the Jackets have historically not had the luck they wanted against teams within the city limits in Floyd County.

The scrimmage loss Rockmart faced at the hands of Rome 48-6 at Barron Stadium will likely only add fuel to any future fire when the two teams inevitably face each other again down the road.

Rockmart might not have been noticed for the reason they wanted – wins on the gridiron – but the recognition coming from the national level at least puts the Jackets on the radar.