Spartans seeking homecoming win

It’s homecoming tonight at where the Spartans will attempt to end a 12-game losing streak dating back to last season.

Campbell, 0-4 overall and 0-1 in Region 4-AAAAA play, was off last week. The Spartans will entertain North Cobb, 2-2 and 1-1, which also had an open date last Friday.

The two teams have played a common opponent in Centennial as Campbell fell 26-22 to Knights in the season opener and North Cobb scored a 21-17 win at Centennial in Week 2.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Prior to the game their will be a homecoming parade through downtown Smyrna beginning at 5:30 p.m.

No word on if Smyrna native Julia Roberts will be attending the homecoming festivities, but former Spartan head coach T.K. Dodd will be in attendance as a member of the North Cobb coaching staff.

Dodd went 3-17 in two seasons at CHS before resigninig last spring. With Dodd at the helm last season, the Spartans fell 34-6 to the Warriors.

"We don't care who is on the sidelines come Friday night,'' said Campbell assistant lay coach Coleman Joiner. "As a team, we are trying to keep the young men focused on playing their game in-between the hash marks, one play at a time." 

Joiner has his own homecoming of sorts Friday night as the Smyrna resident has been a part of the community and the Spartan Nation since childhood. A key member of the 2006 CHS team that went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, Joiner’s position coach that season was Dodd.

But that was then and this is now as Joiner is helping first-year CHS head coach Harris Rainbow lay a winning foundation at Campbell. "It has been exciting to see coach Rainbow come in and build a program from the ground up. As an alumnus, there is nothing I want more than to see us back where we used to be - winning. I thank God everyday that I get to be a part of this school and this team." 

The quarterback assistant lay coach says he sees the same type of environment for success under coach Rainbow that was experienced under former CHS head coaches Kyle Hockman (now at McEachern) and Phil Ironside (now at Hillgrove) when they led the Blue and White.

"We are a young team, but with what coach Rainbow is doing for these boys, we are on the right track," said Joiner 

In addition to tonight’s game, the homecoming court will be presented at halftime and the queen crowned.

Senior representatives include: Jaylesa Bentley, Amanda Borkowski, Nyesha Harris, Jasmyn Jackson, Brittni Rambo, Anthony Adamson, Kenn Bivins, Davie'ar Brewster, JJ Brown and Matt Cotton.

Junior representatives include: Jana Hamilton, Danielle Ledbetter, Kheayanah Forbes Lee, Savannah Price, Tristan Cameron, Derek Collins, Chris Mitchell and Timothee Schlumberger.

Sophomore representatives include: Terrylin Kinard, Jordan Parks, Alma Saldana, Matt Eggers, Vitthal Parker and Manny Rivas.

Freshman representatives include: Skylah Fortune, Colbi Nelson, Elijah Cuff and Julian Jones.

In other local action tonight, Lovett takes on Maynard Jackson in a game set to begin at 5:15 p.m. at Grady Stadium. Both teams enter the region game with overall records of 3-1.

Whitefield Academy is 2-3 overall and 1-1 in region play as the Wolfpack plays host to region foe Eagle’s Landing Christian, 3-1 overall and 1-0 in region action. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.