A Bye Week Full Of Preparation For the Rome Wolves

By Austin Butler

A much needed bye week for Rome this past week is already about over. After weeks of playing tough opponents of different classifications, the Wolves are preparing for the first region game of the season coming to Historic Barron Stadium.

Allatoona Buccaneers will be traveling to Rome for a region game that could very well be a challenge at hand. Two weeks ago, Allatoona gave the number one team in class 5A Cartersville Purple Hurricanes everything they had. Allatoona went up 20-0 early over the Hurricanes before eventually falling to the powerhouse Canes 28-20.

Despite the record of Allatoona, they play very hard and will not be a push over. The Wolves understand that this team isn’t coming to just lay down and take a loss. Any chance a team gets to knock off the powerhouse Wolves, they try their hardest to do so and It’s clear that Allatoona will be one of those teams. The Bucs are well coached and have a solid history behind them by winning a state title in 2015 just one year before the Wolves made their back to back title runs in 2016 and 2017.

We had the chance to speak with two Wolves this bye week to get their perspective on where they stand and what they expect moving forward into region play. We even had the chance to find out what they plan to accomplish and improve on individually. The answer received from both guys went directly back to the team. That should speak volume on how close these guys are and that they play for one another first.

When speaking with one of the offensive leaders for the Wolves, wide receiver, D.K. Daniel. Daniel shed nothing but humble yet hungry responses to the questions. “ The biggest thing I think we need to improve on is simply playing together. “ Daniel says. When asked about their mentality right now on offense going into tough region play. Daniel says, “ We know we have to go out there and give it our all every play. “ The Wolves know what they need to do, it’s just about going out there and executing it week by week. This group has been here before and Wolf nation has watched them grow. Much of Rome faithful has very high expectations for this group this season and with them being put to the test lately, those expectations look reachable due to the response from the Wolves. Daniel was asked if their was another level for the Wolves offesne to reach. Everyone knows the talent the Wolves offesne possess, but the concern is can Rome fully reveal it before mid-season. “ I think there is another level we can reach i don’t think we’ve played to our full potential yet. “ says Daniel. When the Wolves hosted Pebblebrook, everyone in Barron Stadium left relieved in more ways than one. One relief was that the Rome Wolves won the game with less than a minute left beating the tough 7A Falcons. The other relief was Rome was able to finally display some offense. The Wolves had their backs up against the wall and the offesne stood tall while showing what they are capable of doing at any moment. “ The late win against pebblebrook was definitely a great feeling for everyone, but we do a 2 minute drill every Wednesday so i don’t think it was a surprise to anyone. “ Daniel said. It’s clear Coach Reid and staff does a great job preparing their guys for games like this with hardly no time left. It certainly paid off against Pebblebrook. Daniel makes positive impacts on and off the field with his humble demeanor and strong work ethic. We asked Daniel what impact he plans to leave in his final two seasons with the Wolves. Daniel simply says, “ I plan to leave Rome High School with 2 state championships. “ That is the mentality of a powerhouse program. It certainly helps when you have players like Daniel who puts in the work and displays it on Friday nights. Daniel has came up big for the Wolves this season several times with many big catches to put them in position to be successful. It’s safe to say, if Daniel continues with teammates following suit, that impact could come to fruition for the Wolves by season end.

The defensive side for the Wolves has been quiet stellar this season. As many expected, the Wolves haven’t allowed much for their opponents. We had the chance to speak with one of the leaders of the pack on the Rome defense, Tyson Brown Jr. So far this season Brown has had a monster year accumulating 32 tackles, 7 sacks, adding plenty of tackles for loss. Brown has been a pest for offenses with his quick moves off the ball and powerful hands blowing past offensive lineman to reach the ball carrier before they even get started. Brown has been extremely consistent this season making him extremely difficult to game plan against. Brown has had a tremendous career so far at Rome, but isn’t done yet. Brown is arguably off to his best start since playing with the Wolves and has a lot more that he wants to prove. When asked about the defenses mentality going into region play this upcoming week, Brown says, “ Going into region play, my teammates and I feel like we can go undefeated. “ Brown made it clear that he feels like the defense hasn’t even come close to reaching their best play. Brown and his defense has made it obvious they are one of the best defenses around. However, they aren’t satisfied. He thinks there is always another level that can be reached for the level of talent they have defensively. Many had the Wolves predicted to go undefeated this season. The Wolves are ( 3-1 , 0-0 ) overall. The only loss coming from class 7A Carrollton. Carrollton got their revenge after losing to the Rome Wolves 45-27 last season at Barron Stadium. Brown looked to the positive side of the loss to the Trojans a couple of weeks ago. “ The loss from Carrollton showed us our weakness and what we need to improve on as a defense. “ Brown says. Many teams and players can allow a loss to define their entire season, but not for Brown and his teammates at Rome High. It’s clear they have filled some holes from that game and that there is a few things they are working on still. Brown is obviously one of the leaders on the defense by simply disrupting offenses. However, Brown feels as if everyone on the team should want that roll to be a leader. “ Being a leader for the Rome Wolves I feel like a lot more young players can step up and be vocal. I feel like everyone on our team should want to be a leader. “ A great leader has high expectations for his teammates and Brown leading by example helps others around him want to do the same. That’s one of many things about the Rome program that is consistent. Being able to pass down leadership and setting the standards high. Brown isn’t just great on the gridiron he’s even better off it. Earlier this season, Brown and a few other teammates of his were nationally recognized for a heroic act by saving a woman from her vehicle after she crashed in front of Rome High School. The woman was wedged into her car with her door not opening. Brown and his fellow Wolves used their strength to get her door open and save the Woman. Brown continues to make big plays on and off the field. He’s already leaving a legacy that will create positive impacts on the youth behind him and Brown is passionate about that. “ I not only want to leave a legacy for football, I want to be known for always being engaged with the youth and community and I would also love to go down as the punisher at Rome High because that’s what I do punish people. “ Brown is certainly off to a great start with his legacy. He might be a nice guy off the field but on the field he has received the “Punisher” nickname by making physical plays punishing opposing teams. Brown’s teammates call him “ Pun “ and he will continue to carry that name throughout the season as long as he keeps helping his team win.

Before the region game begins with the battle of Rome versus Allatoona. Three teams will be honored as “ A Night Of Champions “ will take the field. The 1977 East Rome Gladiators, the 1982 West Rome Chieftains, and the 1992 Rome Wolves will all be recognized. Fans might want to get there early, it’s quiet a night to be apart of.

The Rome Wolves versus The Allatoona Buccaneers will kick off at 7:30pm. Friday September 23rd at Historic Barron Stadium in Rome, Georgia.