THOMASVILLE — One week after winning their first state title since 1997, the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets and the Jacket Nation gathered at the Jackets Nest to celebrate this historic team. The sound of horns blasted through the Thomas County night as thousands of fans packed the stadium as the team broke through the banner one last time in 2023.

The celebration began as the voice of the Yellow Jackets Randy Young welcomed the team onto the field. The team was then invited to the state capitol for a special celebration of their success while special messages from Joe Burns and Charlie Ward were played, congratulating the 2023 6A State Champs.

Young then directed the fans attention to the video board where all in attendance enjoyed highlights of the Yellow Jackets playoff run, from the round one domination over St. Pius to the completion of 15 games of hard work culminating in a state title in Atlanta.

Thomas County Schools Superintendent Lisa Williams then took the podium to present head coach Justin Rogers with the State Championship trophy. Rogers raised the trophy high above his head as fans cheered and horns bellowed into the night sky.

“Ain’t nobody going to tell you to put your horns up tonight,” Rogers said in reference to the GHSA taking issue with the Jacket Nation’s horns at the State Championship game. “You’re just rewriting rule books, man.”

Rogers then took to the microphone to first thank the Thomas County Central administration, who he called “unbelievable,” “a special group,” and “unparalleled.”

“I always felt like this was a special place. It was a place with so much history and tradition in this state and you always knew about it,” said Rogers. “I felt like this was a return and not a rebuild and it’s so awesome to be where we’re at, but, again, it goes without saying, it takes everybody.”

He then turned his attention to his coaching staff, calling them one of, if not the, best coaching staff in the state of Georgia, and the players as he described the toughness and fight in this special group of Yellow Jackets.

Rogers then addressed the fans, who have provided a bevy of support and have been noticed around the state as one of the best traveling fan bases this year.

“You guys are amazing,” Rogers said praising the fans. “How can you not come out here and play your absolute best and give great effort when this is behind you?”

Rogers then stood back from the podium and concluded his speech by pumping his fist in the air, recreating the Central defenses celebration that has become so iconic.

Finally, as the celebration began to wrap up, Young took the stand once more and introduced Thomas County Central to a new era of Yellow Jacket football.

“Tonight we are beginning a new era. The Coach Justin Rogers era,” Young said. “This is your team, this is your program and we could not be more proud of you.”

To cap off a night of celebration, fans flooded the bricks of downtown as the State Champion Yellow Jackets paraded down Broad Street.