Photos Andy Calvert - L-R: #7 DASHAWN WARE-OLB, RB, WR #27 CJ WASHINGTON-LB/RB #13 JORDAN JOHNSON-WR
CEDARTOWN BULLDOGS
2020 RECORD: 8-3, overall (3-0, REGION 7-AAAA)
HEAD COACH: Jamie Abrams (8-3 CDT, 23-10-1 career), 1 season as Cedartown Head Coach
ALL TIME RECORD: 1024 games 610 – 379 – 35 (61%)
TOTAL SEASONS: 112 FIRST SEASON: 1907 ALL STATE PLAYERS: 80
REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS: 12 (2020 LAST)
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1963 LAST)
2020 REVIEW
In the Cedartown Bulldogs’ first season in a new region, they won the region championship. After playing a particularly difficult schedule, and having three games cancelled due to COVID, the Bulldogs finished the 2020 season with an 8-3 record and advanced to the AAAA quarterfinals.
OFFENSE
Coach Jamie Abrams made it known in his first season that his offense will be based on running the ball, and the Bulldogs exhibited just that week after week with strong play from their Wing-T offense. Four different ball carriers had more than 50 carries and three of them had more than 500 yards on the ground. In all, the Bulldogs had over 2,800 yards rushing total for the season with averages of 259 yards rushing per game and an outstanding 7.3 yards per carry as a team.
Opponents can look forward to more of the same in 2021 with senior CJ Washington returning, in addition to junior running backs Harlem Diamond (2020 leading rusher) and Patrick Gardener. But don’t load the box, junior quarterback Reece Tanner can and will throw the ball when called upon.
DEFENSE
On defense, the Bulldogs will build upon last year and the philosophy of relentless pursuit of the ball and forcing the opponents to conduct long drives in their attempts to score. Washington will be counted on to pressure the opposing running backs and quarterbacks as he led Cedartown’s defense in both sacks and tackles for loss last season.
Other players applying pressure will be seniors defensive end Demarieo Sims and defensive back Donald Knight.
LASTING THOUGHTS
Abrams told us last year that his team would “play with relentless effort,” powered by a mission statement saying just that: “To have relentless effort on and off the field.” The goal this year is to build upon last year and advance further as the Bulldogs are likely to be one of the top teams in GHSA Class AAAA in 2021.
2021 GAMES OF SIGNIFICANCE
- 8/27/21 vs Rockmart
Cedartown lost to their county rival 10-21 at their place last season, their 4th straight loss to the Yellow Jackets.
- 9/3/2021 @ Calhoun
The Bulldogs look to avenge a 7-point loss at home to the Yellow Jackets last season.
