Carrollton vs. Rome: Georgia Top-10 Powers Clash in 2026 Season Opener

Two of the Georgia's biggest programs kick off the 2026 high school football season Friday night when Class 6A power Carrollton travels north to take on Class 5A powerhouse Rome in an early-season litmus test for both teams.

Carrollton Trojans vs. Rome Wolves

Carrollton, which finished as the Class 6A runner-up in each of the past two seasons, enters Friday night’s showdown as the No. 3 in the High School Georgia Preseason Football State Rankings, while Rome enters at No. 14.

Carrollton has won the past four meetings between the schools, dating to 2022. Rome’s last win over Carrollton came in 2021, when the Wolves claimed a 45-17 victory.

A Closer Look

Carrollton Trojans (0-0)

Carrollton enters Friday night’s showdown as not only one of the top teams in the Peach State, but also in the entire country. Led by sophomore quarterback Christian Cypher, the Trojans boast one of the state’s most prolific offenses. Cypher, who passed for more than 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns as a freshman, leads a talented Trojans offense that averaged 45.8 points per game last season.

Rome Wolves (0-0)

As if replacing a legend in John Reid wasn’t enough pressure on first-year head coach Bill Stewart, the challenge becomes even taller when one of the best programs in America comes calling.

Reid, the winningest coach in school history, led RHS to back-to-back state titles in 2016 and 2017. He retired at the conclusion of last season after an illustrious 11-year run as the Wolves’ head coach.

Hired in January, Stewart returns to the head-coaching ranks for the first time since leaving North Gwinnett following the 2022 season. Stewart, who led North Gwinnett to a Class 7A title in 2017, inherits a talented ballclub looking for its sixth straight Region 5-AAAAA title.

Despite the loss of Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year Jaedon Harmon and honorable mention all-state defensive back Rhyon Sykes, the Wolves are led by senior defensive stalwart Dash Kinnebrew.

If Rome figures to have any chance of pulling the upset, Kinnebrew must have a big night in the trenches against a formidable Carrollton offensive line.

Familiar Foes

The series dates to 1992, when Rome High School opened following the merger of East Rome and West Rome. Carrollton holds an 8-4 advantage and has won four straight meetings since Rome's 45-17 victory in 2021. That recent run adds another layer to Friday's opener, with Rome trying to end Carrollton's streak while giving Stewart a signature victory in his Wolves debut.

Prediction

Rome may keep things close early, but between a new head coach, uncertainty at quarterback and, mainly, the talent lining up across the field, Carrollton enters as the clear favorite for a reason.

Carrollton 48, Rome 17

Coaches At-A-Glance

Joey King, Carrollton

Sixth year, 2021-present
65-7 in five seasons at Carrollton
132-11 overall in 10 seasons as a head coach
Won four region championships in five seasons at Carrollton and nine region championships in 10 years as a head coach
Led six teams to championship games in 10 seasons
Spent five years at Cartersville High School from 2014-18
Won back-to-back state championships in 2015 and 2016

Bill Stewart, Rome

First year at Rome
101-45 overall in 12 seasons
Led seven teams to region championships in 12 years as a head coach

North Gwinnett
Spent six seasons at North Gwinnett High School from 2017-22. Led Bulldogs to three region titles across six seasons. In his first season at North Gwinnett, Stewart and the Bulldogs won the 7A state championship.

Etowah Stewart spent six seasons at Etowah High School from 2006-2011 where he won three region titles.

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