Jackets fall in quarterfinals comeback to Burke County
It was fun while it lasted, Jacket Nation. Don’t miss · Cedartown Bulldogs RIVALS CLASH: Jackets trounce Dawgs in latest Battle of Polk County Read more → Rockmart held a lead through three quarters, and then fell in a one-point loss at the Rock on Friday night to end their season in dramatic fashion in […]
It was fun while it lasted, Jacket Nation.
Rockmart held a lead through three quarters, and then fell in a one-point loss at the Rock on Friday night to end their season in dramatic fashion in a 41-40 loss to Burke County, who knocked them out of the playoffs last year.
The Jackets held a lead through the first half, putting up four touchdowns through two quarters and the defense held Burke County to just a single touchdown in the opening 24 minutes of the game.
But after the half, the Bears cut away at the 27-7 lead late in the third quarter with their first possession on kickoff. The Bears put up three touchdowns over the quarter, including one that was a turnover on downs after a big sack by the Burke County defense on Rockmart QB Tucker Parson.
The resulting drive ended with a 75-yard touchdown pass between Bears QB Sean Vandiver and Rashad Carter to cut the lead to seven points.
Burke County took the one point lead in the fourth, and Rockmart went ahead again by six with an 8-yard run by Nate Davis with under a minute to go, but the two-point conversion failed and the Jackets were forced back on defense to try and make one more big stop.
The Bears got to a good spot near midfield on the ensuing kickoff, and a quick drive ended with Vandiver completing a 31-yard touchdown pass. Their two point conversion failed as well, and Burke County held on for the one-point win against Rockmart’s attempt at trying for the win as time expired.
Parson went 11-for-18 and 169 yards in the air, notching a touchdown in the loss. Davis held the rock for 144 yards off of 23 carries leading the team on the ground with three touchdowns.
CJ Burch added another 96 yards on nine carries with a touchdown as well. DJ Kennedy also had a score off three carries for 13 yards.
Parson connected with the Jackets’ receiving leader in the quarterfinal matchup Aa’Darian Samples for the single passing score on the night. Samples also ended the night overall with four receptions on 87 yards.
Gavin Green additionally notched a interception against Burke County.
Rockmart’s 11-2 season ended at the hands of the Bears for a second year in a row. The Jackets were knocked off by Burke County in the semifinals during the 2024 season.
The nine-time region champs had a historic season, with the largest win over Cedartown in the record books to open the year, a loss to Cartersville in week 2, then blowing through 7-AA that continued with a 10-game winning streak through the rest of the regular season and through two rounds of the Class AA playoffs.
Expect the 2026 season to bring new opportunities for Rockmart as they move up into a new classification and a realignment in the region.