Robin Hines, GHSA executive director
Today’s interviewee is GHSA executive director Robin Hines, who will be overseeing the football championship games for the sixth season. Hines will be most visible at Center Parc Stadium after each championship game, when he awards the trophies to the eight football champions and three flag football winners.
1. What are you most looking forward to this season? “I’m looking forward to some communities that haven’t been there before, or not in a long time, and their players getting that experience of playing for a state championship. It’s probably the most excited I’ve been for that. We’ve heard more contact from people in the communities than I can remember. For example, Schley County, expressing how grateful they are for being there for the first time. It reminds you how important it is. I’m also really excited for the weather forecast.” [There’s a chance of rain each day, but highs should be in the 60s and 70s.]
2. Are there any particular teams or games you’re looking forward to seeing? “I’m excited for all of them. You’ve seen what the predictions are. There should be a lot of great games. I’m interested in seeing a team like Mill Creek, having been on the cusp of a state championship and how well they’ve played, and now they have a chance to get that first state championship. I’m excited to see Bowdon and Cedartown because of the seasons they’ve had [each making the finals for the first time in more than 10 years]. I’m impressed by the accomplishment of Warner Robins after a slow start [1-4 to open the season] and seeing them get better and being here for the sixth time in a row. That’s incredible. I’m excited to see Swainsboro. They average about three or four passes a game. I’m really proud of coach Scott Roberts and the job he’s done because we worked together many years ago when I was at Jackson County, and he was an assistant coach there. Prince Avenue is a fun team to watch. I saw them in the semifinals against St. Francis. It’s going to be a lot of great teams, great coaches and great football.”
3. Any advice for fans attending the games this week? “They need to be reminded that GSU and Center Parc Stadium have a clear-bag policy. If they come to the gate with a bag or a purse, they’re going to have to go back to the car to put it up. So be prepared for that. Do all you can ahead of time, like purchase tickets and parking. Look at your team’s materials. You can go in any gate, but they’re designated for home and visitors to save you a walk.”
4. The three-day event will kick off with three flag football games. What’s your impression of that young GHSA sport? “Everybody from those communities need to show up and watch these girls play. We’ve seen the level of competition and the strategies of these coaches grow and grow. They’re falling right in line with Georgia being the best 11-man football in the country. These girls can play, and they compete hard. It’s incredible to see it evolve over the years. In the first year we sanctioned it [in 2020], there was some disparity in a lot of areas in the state, but we’ve now seen parity come along as the sport has grown [to 223 teams this season from 188 in 2021 and 91 in 2020]. It’s our fastest-growing sport. We had 47 JV squads this year. We’re seeing communities put it in the middle schools and in the rec departments. I’d like to see more schools in south Georgia have teams. That’s what we need to work on next.”
[In October, Hines said he was negotiating with the Atlanta Falcons to return the finals to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the site of the 2017 and 2018 finals. Hines had no comment on that issue.]