For the fourth time in eight years the Rome Wolves found themselves in the GHSA State Playoffs semifinal round. On a perfect December night at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta, they ran into a Langston Hughes Panthers team that has garnered national media attention all season.
While Rome was able to hold them under their 55-point average, the Panthers took advantage of three Rome turnovers to win 42-3, bringing another excellent season for John Reid’s Wolves to a close. A playoff loss always hurts, but these Wolves can hold their heads high.
They brought home a second straight region championship, claiming the top spot in Region 6 AAAAAA while finishing the season with a 12-2 record. Those two losses happened to be against two teams that will play in State Championship games for their respective classifications next week in Carrollton and Langston Hughes.
As always, the Rome fans traveled to support their Wolves. Despite their cheers and the best efforts of players and coaches, the season ended under the lights of Lakewood Stadium. The long wait for Friday night lights to shine again at Barron Stadium has started and the foundation of Rome football only grew stronger thanks to the efforts of this 2022 team.