THOMASVILLE – Justin Rogers knew Thomas County Central was a ‘sleeping giant’ when he took over as head coach in 2022. Two seasons later, it is fair to say the Yellow Jackets are no longer asleep.

“I just didn’t realize it would get woke up so fast,” said Rogers following his team’s Class 6-A championship win over Woodward Academy last week. “That’s the reason why we talked about, this was not a rebuild, this was a return. That was the whole thing we talked about in year one. We just wanted to return this thing back to dominance. It’s really exciting and very satisfying to be able to do that so quickly.”

Central’s state championship win capped a second straight terrific season for Rogers as head coach. He’s also led the Yellow Jackets to two region titles, wins in 27 of 28 games and two perfect regular seasons. There is only one way to describe the last two seasons, according to Rogers.

“It’s been magical would be the best word for it,” Rogers said. “Definitely when we took the job and decided to come here, I still stand by it, I thought this was a special place. I did think we could get it turned around quickly. But did I see us going 27-1 and a state title? I’d be lying if I’d told you I thought that was going to happen.

“It took everything. It’s not one thing, it’s the totality of all of the things coming together at the right time.”

Central’s quick turnaround is similar to when legendary coach Ed Pilcher led the team to a state title in just his second year. The Yellow Jackets started 1-5 in 1992 before reeling off nine straight victories in route to their first state title and the first of five during the 90s. Sustaining that success will be Rogers’ next challenge.

“Big Ed did it as good as anybody has ever done it in this entire state. I don’t know that a run will ever be done like that again,” Rogers said. “The state of Georgia is so good and talented. There are so many good teams. There’s so much parity in it.

“I do think we’ve got something going here, and this place is special. You’re going to have staying power to be consistent. I do think it’s just the beginning.”