Photos Andy Calvert - L-R: #18 CHRIS ROPER-QB/SLOT/S #34 TOKYO GORDON-LB/WR #9 ELI AGNEW-RB/S
ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS
2020 RECORD: 6-4, overall (5-2, REGION 6-AAA)
HEAD COACH: Eric Bishop 52-36, 8 seasons as Adairsville Head Coach
ALL TIME RECORD: 685 games 371 – 303 – 11 (55%)
TOTAL SEASONS: 66 FIRST SEASON: 1956 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 61
REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 8 (2001 LAST)
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0
2020 REVIEW
In a season that Coach Eric Bishop describes as “stressful, and having to be taken day by day, hour by hour,” Adairsville was able to play their first nine games with no interruptions before the 10th and final regular season game (a region game that was cancelled). The Tigers had already locked up a playoff berth and home field advantage but ultimately fell in a tough game against a formidable opponent.
Adairsville finished the 2020 season with a 6-4 record.
2021 PREVIEW
OFFENSE
The quarterback position is up in the air after the graduation of two-year starter Conner Crunkleton. As of today, junior Chris Roper and 6’2” 195 sophomore Jonathan Gough, who’s had an outstanding offseason, may be sharing the position. “They are two different quarterbacks with two different sets of strengths,” Bishop says, “and it will make it tough on a defense to have to prepare for both of them.”
Senior Eli Agnew will return as the starting running back for the Tiger’ zone triple option offense with senior slot Jordan Carson, and junior Charlie Ray, along with Roper, when he’s not playing quarterback. They all saw considerable playing time last year.
Juniors Grayson Belcher and Evan Sanders are at wide receiver, and the coaches expect big things from both.
The offensive line sees the return of senior Tifton Worthington, who lost most of the season to injury last year, and sophomore Bobby Campbell, who started 10 games as a freshman.
DEFENSE
In a very unfamiliar situation for Adairsville High School, Coach Bishop and his staff aren’t yet sure who’s playing defensive line. This traditionally strong position for the Tigers has only one returning starter for the 2021 season. “We have obviously been working on that since spring practice,” says Bishop.
In the secondary, likely the strongest unit of Adairsville’s 4-2-5 defense, senior Jordan Carson as well as Roper and Agnew will be featured at the safety position.
Another senior, Tokyo Gordon, returns for the defense after leading the Tigers in tackles and sacks last season.
LASTING THOUGHTS
“This year will continue to be what it always is for us,” says Bishop. “Defensively, we will be physical and get to 11 hats to the football. That will never change.”
Bishop continues: “We’re going to run our offense and take what the defense gives us. You want to pack the box, ok, we’re willing to throw the ball. You want to underestimate the run game, we’re going to pound the ball. We are always prepared to run for 300 yards or pass for 400.”
2021 GAMES OF SIGNIFICANCE
- 8/27/2021 vs Cass
County Rivalry Game. Adairsville fell to Cass 17-27 last season.
- 10/1/2021 vs Ringgold
One of two region losses for Adairsville last season as the fell to the Tigers 17-23.
- 10/22/2021 @ Rockmart
The Yellow Jackets joined this region in 2020 and went undefeated, one of the wins being a 45-7 win over Adairsville.
- 10/29/2021 @ North Murray
