Rome-Marist Will Meet For First Time Since Controversial Ending 14 Years Ago

Team FYN Sports

Rome, Marist will meet for the first time since the controversial call 14 years ago

Austin Butler

 

Rome will host Marist this week in the quarterfinals. These two programs are two of the most dominate programs in state history. Marist moved from class 4A to class 6A this season.

 

The last time these two juggernauts faced off was in 2008 when both programs were in 4A. They met in the semi finals at Marist. When talking about a great high school atmosphere, this game was comparable to a college atmosphere. Rome fans traveled and brought what seemed like the entire city of Rome out. Obviously Marist filled their home stands while many fans where on the upper level roofs of their school.

 

I (Austin Butler) can recall being a freshman on the Rome High football team while we prepared for Marist that week. We had been on the road all playoffs and had been referred to as the “Road Warriors” for the playoff run due to beating some of the top teams in the state week in and week out on their home turfs in hostile environments.

 

Much history was made that year by us Rome Wolves and it was such an exciting time practicing in such brutally cold weather with your brothers and coaches. So much work went into the off-season and we just knew we had a special group from top to bottom. Our senior class, junior class, sophomore class, and even our freshman class was ultra talented. The depth was there like much of the Wolves teams you currently see.

 

Rome vs Marist 2008. Many remember that night vividly. Fans speak about it, players speak about it, coaches speak about it. Now that the new matchup has arrived 14 years later, it’s certainly the topic now.

 

Rome had to once again travel to Marist in 2008 and as worn out as we had been from being on the road so much and traveling to Statesboro, and Sandy Creek prior weeks, the Wolves were entirely too hungry to stop the hunt now. We took the challenge to travel to Marist to take care of business to get to the state title game at the (then) Georgia Dome.

 

In the locker room as a team, us Wolves had our pregame speech and pregame Prayer together before taking the field.

 

Rome runningback would take the opening play 80 plus yards for a touchdown with Rome runningback Reggie Whatley. The Wolves scored on its first two possessions to go up 14-0 early over the War Eagles.

 

 

 

Marist would then tighten up defensively to make it much tougher for the Wolves dominate running game to gain much yardage. Rome would then only score 3 points the rest of the game due to the adjustments made by Marist.

 

The Marist War Eagles would put some points on the board in the meantime to close the gap and make it 17-13 Rome.

 

The Rome defense would make many stands along with big plays to hold the strong run game of Marist to only 13 points until the final possession with less than a minute left.

 

Rome would make three major stops on the tough Marist offense, all being in the redzone with the Wolves back up against the wall.

 

 

 

What a stand the Wolves made three straight plays to stop Marist and to force the War Eagles to a fourth down with just seconds left while being down 17-13.

 

With the state championship appearance on the line, Marist would get one more shot and go for it with no choice but to.

 

A play that would scar many players, coaches, and fans for a lifetime in the sports world would happen next. Marist would give the ball on a end around after faking the handoff to the middle with their fullback. The linebackers and defensive line all closed the hole only to notice the ball carrier was running towards the outside. The secondary of Rome would chase down the runner with Rome cornerback “J-Mac” Griffin would tackle the ball carrier of Marist to stop him short of the goal line.

 

The Wolves fans and band would go ballistic while the Rome Wolves players and coaches rushed the field.

 

Whistles then started blowing left and right with heads turning in confusion. Maybe there was a penalty? No, there wasn’t another chance to play another play. The white hat referee ran to the referee closest to the play and they discussed what just happened. It was clear the other referees weren’t so sure what the call was or either they felt otherwise. However, the referee by the play called it a touchdown.

 

Touchdown it was! According to the referee at the goal line. The heads dropped on the Wolves sideline, players dropped to their knees in tears, coaches started to hug players and fans started to break down into tears with disbelief that the view of a state title trip wasn’t going to happen after all.

 

 

 

That same weekend the Rome players were called into a meeting while the internet had been going crazy about that play call. There was a video circulating on the internet that caused much controversy. So much controversy that the video was later taken down from the internet.

 

That long journey the Wolves had came to an end in the worst way possible. Marist then went on to play in the state title game against a team they beat earlier in the season by 30 plus points. However, Tucker would get revenge in the biggest game possible. Tucker would win the state title over Marist a week later.

 

Rome would have to swallow that one and work for the next season.

 

That very cold night at Marist was a tremendous game despite how many may feel about the outcome.

 

Marist and Rome have met 5 times in history with all meetings being in the playoffs. The last time Marist traveled to play Rome at Historic Barron Stadium was back in 2001. Marist was led at quarterback by current LA Rams head coach Sean McVay. Rome would win that contest in overtime to advance in the playoffs. That game would also be Sean McVay’s final high school game.

 

This match up In 2008 has nothing to do with this 2022 match up. However, it’s the build up for the fan bases that might make this game just a little more intriguing.

 

Needless to say, Rome vs Marist just sounds intriguing due to the history between the two and simply because both programs are such powers in the state. They may not meet every year but when they do it never disappoints.

 

This matchup will be between two powers who have had great seasons up to this point.

 

Due to the universal coin flip by the GHSA, the winner of the game between Rome vs Marist will travel to face either Woodward Academy or Langston Hughes.

 

Arrive early and expect fans to fill both sides of the stadium up with possible standing room only. Look for a tremendous night of high school football in the state of Georgia Friday night.

 

The game will be held at Historic Barron Stadium in Rome, Georgia.

 

Kickoff time will be 7:30pm.

 

 

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