2025 Week 0 (Georgia)

Stopping also to gas up at the Pilot next door where the price was just $2.569. And then a hotel for the night at the Super 8 behind the restaurant. A one-stop shop that is about halfway between Columbus and Atlanta.

In the morning, it was heading down I-75 through heavy rain. Seeing an accident and only being saved by the cable barriers between the carriageways. In Knoxville, I had seen the flooding in Chattanooga and chose to detour around any potential residual traffic issues as I-75 traffic was thick.

Leaving the highway in Cleveland, Tennessee, I stopped for gas and got it for $2.499. And then to Cookout.

Got an A1 burger basket with cajun fries and hushpuppies. The hushpuppies are vaguely sweet. No photo of the burger. Also got a regular cajun grilled chicken sandwich, not shown.

I was planning to take US74 east to US411. But instead took the route recommendation of TN60 south into Georgia where it turns into GA71. Reaching Dalton with ease. And following the US41 over to I-75.

With the early arrival, stopping to check into the hotel in Acworth. And over to a gas station that had an Amazon Locker to pick up an order I had delivered there. Needing new batteries from my camera as I had misplaced a pair of them.

After that, it was a quick drive over to Kell High School

This was my first time seeing Calloway. While Prince Avenue Christian was my second time as I saw them play West Forsyth in 2024.

#1 – Calloway v. Prince Avenue Christian

Was a great game to start. Calloway had a slight 17-14 lead at the half. And just before the halftime events started, the game was delayed due to lightning.

That forced everyone out to their cars. With the consistent lightning, I drove over to Racetrac to get something to drink. And returned to the stadium. The lightning paused long enough as the worst of the rain came through. And the game restarted. Though I was not about to enter the monsoon. That, and with the worst of the rain passing, lightning was a given.

So, I just watched the live stream from my truck and waited for the next delay. Which was inevitable. The rain mostly ended by the time the lightning delay had expired.

The rest of the second half was all Prince Avenue Christian. Who turned the deficit into a 40-17 victory over Calloway.

The next game now started almost over 90 minutes late.

#2 – Kell v. South Paulding

Thankfully, this game was one-sided. Just enough to get the running clock going. In Georgia, that’s when a team leads by 30 points in the fourth quarter. A kickoff return by South Paulding seemed to put that in jeopardy. But a few touchdowns in the third quarter got it started. And once it starts, it doesn’t stop despite two touchdowns by South Paulding at the end. Kell won, 44-21.

With a very late finish, it was over to the hotel but a quick stop for dinner at Waffle House.

Got the Cheesesteak Hashbrowns and two Waffles.

Finished up photos and write-up for the night and was done sometime around 5am.

In the morning, went over to Walmart to get food for the hotel room. Finding one not too far away. Then, had plans for a Brazilian Steakhouse for a late lunch before heading out to West Forsyth.

And nothing worked right. Traffic was a nightmare on I-75 south as an accident had just happened. So, followed the I-285 loop to US19 and headed north as fast as possible to Cumming.

Just briefly stopping at a Wendy’s for some food before heading over to the school to park.

#3 – North Atlanta v. Hebron Christian

It was hot. And I was dehydrated. The field at West Forsyth is hot, and at the time of kickoff there’s no discernable shade down on the field.

I made it through the first half, and stopped for a Gatorade just before the half ended. Was $3 and drank it in about 10 seconds. And it was not enough.

Went back to the parking lot and headed over to the McDonald’s eight-tenths of a mile away. Got two drinks. Sat in the AC and got back into the stadium at kickoff of the second half. But took off the second half in the stands to decompress. Was a good finish. As Hebron Christian won, 29-22.

I had gone back down on the field for the tail end of the previous game. And was ready for the night game. One I was interested in. West Forsyth hosting Frederick Douglass from Atlanta.

#4 – West Forsyth v. Atlanta Douglass

But it wasn’t meant to be. Another game on the day with two teams I had seen before. And West Forsyth struggled but slowly pulled away. Late in the 4th, I was back upstairs in the stands near the exit. Watching time tick out on a 27-0 victory by West Forsyth.

After the game, I took the ‘best way’ to the hotel, avoiding the back roads that were shorter and more direct. Following US19 Freeway south to I-285 and back up I-75 to Acworth. Stopping at a Racetrac to get some fresh ice for my sweet tea at the room.

Unfortunately, the hotel lacked an ice machine. It lacked a lot of things. But it was cheap.

In the morning, having finished most everything up the night before except the final posting, I was intent on finding the Brazilian Steakhouse I had seen on tiktok. Rather than bringing the food to you, they have a serving counter you go up to to get more. And it makes the price noticeably cheaper. For a Friday afternoon, it was $24.99 for all-you-can-eat meat. And they had some very good picanha.

If you’re in Marietta, I’d recommend Rio’s Steak House and Bakery

But leaving the restaurant was a challenge. I-75 was backed up, so I took the express lanes and paid the toll. And then was stuck unable to get over to my exit. The next exit up had a solid red line south so I had to do some interpretive routing through a national battlefield.

Picked up my friend still at the hotel, and then headed north on I-75 to Cartersville and took GA20 west to US441. Where US441 turns into one of the shortest freeways on the southside of Rome and exit through city streets to Barron Stadium.

I got to park in the lot right next to the stadium and was there nearly an hour early. The stadium is nice, but all the restrooms and concessions are far behind the home stand. And exposed to the elements. Though the bathroom are air-conditioned.

#5 – LaGrange v. Cass

This was my first time seeing the Cass Colonels. I had seen LaGrange Grangers last year at Kell. And the first time at the stadium, as well. Very nice place. Located in town far from the high school.

This game had all the markings for a running clock. But instead, LaGrange seemed intent on not reaching the 30-point threshold. Cass struggled, and stayed with it just enough to avoid that. For a part of the second quarter, I was under the canopy in the one endzone avoiding the rain as I did not bring in my rain gear for my cameras. But had a pretty decent view of the field. Only coming back out like a football groundhog to watch one more half of football, a 27-7 win by LaGrange.

The next game started just a tad late. But for the most part this was the best schedule keeping of the weekend.

#6 – Rome v. Creekside

This was my first time seeing either of these two teams. Rome wore all black with red/white stripes and a gold helmet. Creekside was one of the rare teams to wear a non-white away jersey. Having a light gold color with white helmets. It does make photography a little more difficult but the lighting was fairly decent at the stadium.

I thought this one was over early. Rome and their quarterback jumped out to a 21-0 lead. Before Creekside tied it at 21-21. A 28-21 halftime lead by Rome disintegrated as Creekside just hammered away at Rome’s weaknesses. Especially defensively, as they took Rome’s QB completely off his game and just churned out a few more touchdowns to win comfortably, 48-28.

Leaving Rome, it was nearly an hour drive back to the hotel. And I had an early morning the next day. As kickoff in Mercedes-Benz Stadium was slated for 10am. But back at the hotel I got photos finished again. Though, again slacking off and not getting the articles out. Opting to have a after-the-weekend prospective to post daily photos and recaps.

In the morning, just before 9, I was up and out again. Driving south on I-75 and taking the Express Lanes incase there was some type of unforeseen backup that might happen.

Following that to the HOV lanes and exiting at Georgia Tech’s Bobby Dodd Stadium. And stopping at the “Backyard” on the northside of the stadium. A venue controlled parking area that is a grass lot and has stairway access up to the outside plaza and easy access to the media entrance.

Getting in through media was a breeze, though their scanner/conveyer wasn’t working. But I was quickly in after it restarted and into the air conditioned floor level.

I didn’t bring much with me for the day. As I had enough batteries and a slim power brick for my phone. With cords. I hadn’t eaten yet but figured I’d get something in the stadium.

#7 – Dunwoody v. St. Pius X

And this was going to be my most interested game of the day. Dunwoody and St. Pius X. I saw Dunwoody last year. But this was my first time seeing the St. Pius X Golden Lions. My last new team of the weekend. For ten games, I only saw 5 new teams. An issue with constantly traveling to Georgia for these events.

But it was also going to be a good one.

Dunwoody opened up with a field goal. Another constant of Georgia High School Football. Before SPX got on the board with a long TD pass. Another field goal cut the halftime lead to 7-6. In the fourth quarter, Dunwoody was in line for a FG, but opted for a touchdown attempt and succeeded on a one yard run, going up 12-7. But a good possession by SPX gave them back to the lead, 15-12 and Dunwoody could not match. Getting stuffed on 4th and 1 with 1:23 left in the game. SPX then ran out the clock. To win, 15-12.

I planned to stay on the field for the next game. And it was looking to get a good one as well.

#8 – Brookwood v. Houston County

I was dragging by the time this one ended. And was hoping I would make it through. Eight games with little sleep was finally catching up. For a while, I thought this one was going to overtime. But Houston County took a 31-24 lead and held on to win.

After this game, I went upstairs. I had planned to maybe come back down to the field for the second half. But, I also hadn’t eaten and didn’t feel like it, either.

But the pressbox had free pop. At least until the ice ran out.

#9 – McEachern v. Walton

I had made the choice between which of the four games to sit out as I was not going to be on my feet for twelve hours. And this game was it. I also didn’t expect it to be close and the predictions came true.

the first running clock of the day. It ended over an hour later than originally planned. I also didn’t have my laptop with me, as I left it in the hotel. Not thinking I would be taking off an entire game in the pressbox. In the future, I would bring it and plan get caught up on photos. But alas, I just watched the game, mostly as a fan. McEachern won, 50-17.

After getting a second wind, I headed back downstairs for the last game of the weekend.

#10 – Douglas County v. North Gwinnett

This was a close game. But seemed to be not in doubt. Douglas County was better. And were slowly grinding their way to a victory. And North Gwinnett was not cracking the code on overcoming the Tigers defense.

At halftime, though. I was physically spent. My feet were shot. My back was sore. And I was just tired. Over the past three days I slept maybe 15 hours. And I was finished. So, I went back upstairs to watch it from the pressbox. Take some notes. And just enjoyed the last bit of the weekend. Watching Douglas County win, 21-7.

After the game, I was routed through some underground structures northeast of the stadium from the Backyard. Not allowed to go back out to the street. Eventually making my way to the HOV entrance of I-75 and I-85 north. Following I-75 to Acworth. And spending the night in the hotel. Not taking any time to do photos. Instead, finally eating for the first time in the day at the hotel room. Eating a chicken sandwich in the air fryer and two packs of Ramen and a lot of sweet tea.

Packing up for the next morning.

Around 10am, I was up and getting my stuff out of one of the worst Baymont Inn & Suites. Traffic moved briskly on I-75, and the trip through Chattanooga went swimmingly.

Stopping against in Cleveland, Tennessee for gas, which had problem with the pumps. Getting two gallons at a glacial pace of E15 for $2.449, and giving up and filling up the rest with 87 at $2.499.

I-75 proved to be forgiving today. Following it through Knoxville into Kentucky. And stopping for a late lunch at David’s Steak House again. Though no photos posted.

A quick lunch and topped off the tank at the Pilot next door. And away I went again on I-75 to Cincinnati. Following I-275 to I-471 back to I-71 northeast of downtown Cincinnati.

From there, it was the home stretch. From Columbus, I followed I-70 to I-71 north to I-76 and the familiar route east toward Youngstown. Going through town and out US422 to home.

ECONOMICS

For the weekend, I drove 1,077 total miles. Gas costs, which were mostly split, only cost me $46.16. While food was $147.52. Including, mostly, Rio’s brazilian steakhouse, two trips to David’s Steak House, a stop at Waffle House, fast food at Cook Out and Wendy’s. And some walmart sustenance. Hotel was $144 and Miscellaneous was $37.58. Which included the Express Lane tolls. TM, which is Tickets & Miscellaneous, for game expenses was $12 which was half of the parking at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Total expenses paid for the trip was $387.26.

In all, I saw five new teams and one new stadium.