Hiram Hornets 2016 Fall Sports program

Founded: May 1958 Main Phone# 770-975-4261 Mascot: Hornets School Website: www.hiramhigh.org Football Website: www.hiramathletics.com/football

Location: Paulding County Principal: Misty Cooksey Athletic Director: Andy Dorsey

Head Football Coach: Chris Brown Team Colors: Purple and Vegas Gold Division: 7-AAAAA

“We have to continue to make a difference” Vision Statement: Hiram High School focuses on academic excellence and develops citizens who will make a living, a life, and a difference.

Mission Statement: Hiram High School sets high expectations for academic and personal growth for all students based o the rigorous curriculum. All students will have multiple opportunities to demonstrate high performance mastery in a safe and orderly environment. Belief Statement: Students learn in different ways and should be provided with a variety of instructional approaches to support their learning. A student should have positive relationships and mutual respect among and between students and staff. A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning. The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.

Welcome to the 2016-2017 Hiram High School athletic season. We are excited to have you

joining us as part of our Hornet family. Hiram High School focuses on academic excellence AND

developing citizens who will make a life, a living, and a difference. We believe that our Hiram

athletic programs are a positive influence on our students’ growth into responsible community

members. As I begin my tenth year as a Hiram Hornet, I challenge you to work with us as we

reach our greatest expectations as Hiram Hornets!

Our coaches are some of the most committed I have ever worked with when it comes to

developing winning programs and growing students into young adults. They work many long

hours over the summer and off-season to develop and implement their plans to build character

and positive attitudes within all of our student athletes. These coaches challenge their players

to push beyond their perceived limits and to embrace the philosophy of working together that

is essential to their success in athletics and most importantly in life. Please join us in this

commitment of encouraging high expectations, teamwork, and pride within our school, our

community, and our Hiram Hornet athletic programs.

My husband Len, my son James, and my daughter Gracie join me in wishing all of our student

athletes, families, and coaches the very best in 2016-2017. We ask that you join us in the

support and dedication of all of our programs at Hiram High School as we strive to be the best

as Hiram Hornets.

-Misty Cooksey

Andy Dorsey Athletic Director

Coach Dorsey is entering his 13th year at Hiram High School and his 3rd year as Athletic Director. He served as Hiram head football coach for 7 years. He is a native of Powder Springs, GA and a graduate of John McEachern High School. While at McEachern, he participated in Varsity football and soccer. Coach Dorsey earned a full Athletic Scholarship and graduated with a B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education from Tennessee Tech University. At Tech, Coach Dorsey was a 4-year starter as a punter for the football team, twice earning All-Conference honors. After Tech, Coach Dorsey served as a graduate assistant football coach at the University of West Georgia where he also earned a Master’s degree in Health and Physical Education. Coach Dorsey currently holds an Educational Specialist degree from the Lincoln Memorial University in Educational Leadership and Administration. Coach Dorsey is married to the former Christi Meadows. They have been married for 13 years. The Dorsey’s have two children; Major (10) and Miley (7).

Sean Amos Certified Athletic Trainer

Sean Amos is entering his first year with Hiram High School, and his third year as a cer fied athle c trainer. He is a na ve of Bolingbroke, GA, and graduated with his B.S. degree in athle c training from Valdosta State University. A er VSU, Sean worked with the football and track and field teams as a graduate assistant at Troy University, while earning his Master’s degree in Sport and Fitness Management. Sean met his fiancé, Elizabeth Holmes, while a ending Valdosta State University, and will be marrying her this September.

Coaching Staff

Managers and Athletic Trainers

Stan Halbrooks Assistant Head Coach

Coach Halbrooks is a native of Paulding County, and attended East Paulding High School. While at East, Coach Halbrooks lettered in football, wrestling and track and was a captain his senior year. Coach Halbrooks Earned his Social Studies degree from Kennesaw State University in 2002, and a Master’s degree in 2009 from Georgia Southern University. This is Coach Halbrooks 18th year coaching and his 12th at Hiram. He coached previously at Dobbins Middle School for 2 years, and the Acworth Youth program for 3 years before that.

Umbrah Brown Defensive Backs/Strength & Conditioning

Coach Brown is entering his 5th year of coaching DBs at Hiram High School. He is a Central- Carrollton High School 2007 graduate, where he lettered all four years in Football and Track. He was an All-Area wide receiver selection his senior year at Central-Carrollton. Coach Brown received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health and Physical Education from the University of West Georgia. He is also head of all Strength & Conditioning at Hiram High School. Coach Brown has been married to his wife, Shatari, for 4 years. They have one son, Rhyland (1yr old)

This will be Coach Burgess’s second year with Hiram. He is an Athens, Ga native where he played high school football at Cedar Shoals High School where as a senior he was a part of the All- Northeast Georgia football team. He played college football at Mars Hill College in North Carolina. He graduated from the University of West Georgia where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Special Education. Coach Burgess is currently a Math teacher at J.A. Dobbins Middle School. Coach Burgess will be coaching the Hiram offensive line alongside Coach Moson this year. Travonta Burgess Offensive Line

Coach Jeff Ford is entering his third year at Hiram High School. Jeff graduated high school from Southside, Alabama where he played football and basketball. He then entered the United States Air Force where he became an F-16 Crew Chief. A er the Air Force, he would finish college at Gadsden State with a Networking Degree and work for Progress Rail Company. Coach Ford then went to Shorter University to receive his Bachelor of Science in Early Educa on and Special Educa on. His first coaching posi on was at Cedartown High School in 2008 – 2010. Coach Ford then spent one year in Rome High in 2011 before transferring to the Paulding County area to teach special educa on at Poole Elementary and coaching for East Paulding in 2012. A er that year, he came over to Hiram and has felt at home. He has a beau ful fiancé, Amanda Filiat. A beau ful daughter named Ma e Kate and two soon to be awesome step-sons names Logan and Wya . Jeff Ford Running Backs

Coach Matt Hardage is a native of Powder Springs, GA. He is a 1995 graduate of John McEachern High School where he played football. He attended Kennesaw State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science Education in 2000. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in Kinesiology from Georgia Southern University in 2009. Prior to Hiram, he was an assistant offensive line coach for 5 years and assistant defensive line coach 1 year at McEachern High School. This is his 11th year at Hiram. This year Coach Hardage will coach the Tight Ends. His teaching duties include World Geography at Hiram High School. Coach Hardage is married to his wife Christian History and World Matt Hardage Tight Ends

Ben Mount Special Teams Coordinator / Kickers

Coach Mount is a native of Silver Creek, GA. He is a 1993 graduate of Pepperell High School where he played football, wrestled and participated in track. Coach Mount attended Cumberland College and Jacksonville State University where he played offensive and defensive line. Coach Mount has 19 years of coaching experience in Middle and High School sports. This is his 3rd year working with the Hiram football program and he will be responsible for Special Teams Coordination. This is Coach Mount’s 4th year as assistant wrestling coach and assistant track coach.

Coach Owens, a Hiram alumni, returns to Hiram as a member of the offensive staff, as the quarterback coach. Coach Owens has 6 years of coaching experience, 4 years at Temple High School, and he is approaching his third year at Hiram. Throughout his coaching experience, Owens has coached multiple sports including football, basketball, and track; sports in which he competed in as a Hornet. After high school, Coach Owens played football at Tusculum College and Jacksonville State University. At Hiram High School, Owens is also the boy’s Track Head Coach and he teaches the Web Development pathway. Michael Owens Quarterbacks

Adrian Steele Receivers

This is Coach Steele’s 4th year coaching at Hiram, returning after 11 years. He previously coached at Carver High School and Woodland High School before returning to Hiram. Coach Steele is a native of Gordon County and this is his 17th year coaching. He is a graduate of Valdosta State University where he earned his B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. He also has a Master’s degree is ESEP and EBD from Walden University. Coach Steele was a member of the Valdosta State University football team. He will be responsible for coaching the Varsity WR’s and serves as the Recruiting Coordinator. He also serves as the Head Track Coach. Coach Steele has been married to his wife, Olivia, for 17 years. They have one son, Silas (9).

Troy Stone Safety’s

Coach Stone is entering his 25th year coaching and 14th year at Hiram. He teaches math and coordinates the defense and coaches the safety’s. Previously he coached 5 years at Morrow High School, 3 years at Glynn Academy, 3 years at East Paulding High School and 8 previous years at Hiram High School. Coach Stone is married to the former Leigh Williams of Molena, GA. The have two sons Levi (18), Jake(7) and one daughter Kate(15).

John Moson Offensive Coordinator & Offensive Line

Coach Moson is married to his wife Carol; they have son Brad, and daughter Kelly and one stepchild Li le Burggie. They have three grandchildren Jaylen, Gianna and EJ. Coach Moson is a graduate of Wes ield High School and Springfield College in Massachuse s where he also played football. He has coached for 43 years

Marra comes to Hiram after four seasons at Georgia Highlands College. Marra is the architect of Charger baseball as he started the program from scratch in 2012. In 3 seasons at GHC, Marra help promote 16 players on to scholarship schools and one player drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 22 nd round of the 2015 MLB Draft. Prior to his arrival in Georgia, Marra came from New York State, where he taught physical education for 22 years and coached for 12 in a high-school environment. He coached baseball at Sullivan County Community College in New York, where he resurrected the college’s baseball program, which had not fielded a team since 1986. In creating that program he outlined a three-year plan for success. In the program’s second year the college’s team reached the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XV Final Four, then won the NJCAA Region XV championship the following year. Marra also served as assistant director of athletics and as an adjunct instructor in the physical education department at Sullivan County Community College. While coaching high-school teams, Marra was named the 2004 American Baseball Coaches Association Region I High-School Baseball Coach of the Year. He was named coach of the year three times by the Kingston Daily Freeman and once by the Times Herald Middletown Record. He was also recognized by his peers as the as the American Baseball Coaches Association NJCAA Region XV Baseball Coach of the Year in 2008. Marra holds a Master of Education from the State University of New York at Cortland and a Bachelor of Science in physical education from SUNY Brockport. Michael Marra 9th Grade Coach/Head Coach Varsity Baseball

Bruce Jones 9th Grade Assistant Coach Married to Christi Jones and have 3 children Indiana Jones 11th Grade, Mon- tana Jones 8th Grade, and Arizona Jones 4th Grade. 1990-1994 Mt. Zion(Carroll) High School, Community Football and Baseball Coach 1994-2000 Jonesboro High School Assistant Football and Baseball Coach 2000-2005 Mt. Zion (Jonesboro) High School Assistant Football (2000-2001) Head Baseball (2000- 2005), Head Softball (2003-2004) 2005-Present Hiram High School Assistant Baseball (2006-2007) 23nd year of teaching Social Studies

Terence Lindley 9th Grade Coach Coach Lindley is a 2009 graduate of Hiram High School where he lettered three years of varsity football. He has been part of the staff since 2009.

HIRAM HORNET FOOTBALL

OFFENSIVE LINE

DEFENSIVE LINE

LINEBACKERS

QUARTERBACKS

SAFETY’S

DEFENSIVE BACKS

RECEIVERS

RUNNING BACKS

TIGHT ENDS

KICKERS AND PUNTERS

NATHANIEL BROWN

MILES HUTCHINS

KEARSTON CROFT

2016 FRESHMAN TEAM

JALEN TOWNSER, SAMARE ROWE, SAMUEL GARRETT, RASHAWN ROSE, DYLAN STOCKUNAS EMARI WHITMIRE, BRIGHT WILLIAMS, KEONDRE LINDSEY, MICHAEL BING, ABDUL ALI, NOAH CHUNN, TREY FRENCH, JAQUAN WHITE, XANDER MAY, ZACK MILLER, BRANDON RUDOLPH, JAYDEN HASKINS, BOWIE BARRON, T.J. MCLURE, ARMONTE STOWERS, SAKARI LOUIS, JOSH PRESLEY, PAUL KIGAYA, JAMAR PIERRE, IRVIN COOK, DALTON HAMILTON, MARCUS OGE, AL WILLIAMS, TARIF WILSON, GAGE CRUM, CHARLIE SIMS, JEREMIAH BANKS, TREY ROGERS, DARREN MAZYCK, BRYCE ALONGI, SHAMON GULLEY

Thank You Nana Hornet

Mrs. Meg Williams

WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR PRAYERS, LOVE & SUPPORT

GO HORNETS!!!

4215 Jimmy Lee Smith Pkwy Hiram, GA 30141

Applied Technical Services CALIBRATION

Proud Sponsor of the 2016 Hiram Hornets and Hunter Fossett GO HORNETS!

Villa Rica Wildcats Villa Rica High School Coach: Chad Frazier Colors: Purple & Gold State Ranking: 310

South Paulding Spartans South Paulding High School Coach: Ed Koester Colors: Burgundy & Gold State Ranking: 60

Woodland, Cartersville Wildcats Woodland High School Cartersville Coach: Tony Plott Colors: Cardinal & Navy State Ranking: 318

Kell Longhorns Kell High School Coach: Derek Cook Colors: Black & Orange State Ranking: 7

Kennesaw Mountain Mustangs Kennesaw Mountain High School Coach: Andy Scott Colors: Green & Silver State Ranking: 263

Rome Wolves Rome High School Coach: John Reid Colors: Cardinal, Vegas Gold & White State Ranking: 20

East Paulding Raiders East Paulding High School Coach: Jon Lindsay Colors: Black, White & Silver State Ranking: 57

Paulding County Patriots Paulding County High School

Carrollton Trojans Carrollton High School Coach: Sean Calhoun Colors: Black & Gold State Ranking: 96

Coach: Van Spence Colors: Red & Blue State Ranking: 68

Cass Colonels Cass High School Coach: Bobby Hughes Colors: Blue & Gold State Ranking: 130