Two Rome High football players earned more postseason honors recently when Jaedon Harmon and Rhyon Sykes were named to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Class 5A All-State Football Team.
Harmon not only was named to the first-team squad as a linebacker, he was also named the Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year.
Sykes earned all-state honorable mention honors as a defensive back.
“The AJC All-State Team is probably one of the toughest all-state teams to make in the country. And for us to be able to have two players in the team is a testament to their hard work and our program,” Rome High Football Coach John Reid said. “We talk a lot about tradition and Rome High and both Jaedon and Rhyon have helped us build on that tradition.”
The honors add to an impressive trophy case for both athletes.
Harmon had already been named the Most Valuable Player for Region 5-5A as well as the Rome News-Tribune Floyd County Player of the Year and a Top 15 Finalist for the Mr. Georgia Football Award. Harmon was also a Class 6A All-State selection as a junior as well.
Sykes was the Region 5-5A Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
This season, Harmon not only starred at linebacker but also served as Rome’s Wildcat quarterback in certain situations.
As a linebacker, Harmon recorded 89 tackles, five sacks, recovered a fumble, and had one interception. Along with that, he forced opposing offensive coordinators to try to figure out how to deal with him on the field with many teams attempting to throw or run the ball to the opposite side of the field hoping to avoid him.
“Throughout the year we saw a lot of teams choose not to attack him (Harmon) but go away from him. That’s one of the hidden aspects of how Jaedon helped make our defense better that doesn’t show up in the stat line,” Reid said. “A lot of times during the season, you don’t get to sit back and realize how good a season a player is having. Over the past couple of weeks watching film with some college coaches we get to see how much of a tackling machine and a disruptor of the game Jaedon was. It’s easy to see why Tennessee wanted him so bad.”
As the quarterback, Harmon rushed for more than 200 yards and 11 touchdowns often with defenses keying on trying to stop him.
“I thought we did a great job of utilizing him as well as we could, while also keeping him fresh,” Reid said.
Harmon signed to play football with the University of Tennessee at a signing ceremony at Rome High School in December.
Sykes starred on defense as well and played a big role for Rome’s defense from his defensive back position.
Sykes tallied 60 tackles and two interceptions for Rome. Sykes has signed to play football for Boston College.
“I think it’s a tribute to our program and Rhyon that we were able to take a kid with talent, find a position for him, and allow him to really grow into his own, work hard and succeed,” Reid said.
