ADAM MILLER: BUILDING MORE THAN A PROGRAM
For Adam Miller, head football coach at Centennial High School, the decision to join the Knights was about much more than football. It was about people, purpose, and finding a place where his family and his players could grow.
“The one part of Centennial High School that made it very attractive to my family was first the area, but then what sold us to come are the people,” Miller admits. “Our Athletic Director Trey Henson, and Principal Dr. Opie Blackwell are the best I have ever worked with. Their dedication to the student athlete and building successful programs, both academically and athletically are second to none.”
That commitment showed itself on the field during the 2025 season. Centennial posted its best year since 2018, finishing with a winning record and advancing to the second round of the playoffs.
“We had some great senior leadership this season that truly brought in to our culture and standards as a program which led to the success we saw, and what we hope to build off in the future,” he says.
For Miller, football is a vehicle for something bigger.
“It's a sport where almost everything you do is to help someone else be successful,” he explains. “It is a sport where the team truly comes first.”
At the heart of it all is impact.
“I hope that anyone that comes in contact with our program knows that they matter,” Miller says. “I hope we make them feel welcomed, loved, and appreciated.”
JONATHAN THOMPSON: LEADING WITH PURPOSE
From the start, Roswell High School felt like the right fit for Jonathan Thompson.
“In my first meeting with Principal Dr. Rako Morrissey and Athletic Director Ben Sutter, I was sold on their vision for the future of Roswell High School,” says the new head football coach. “Their commitment to both academic and athletic excellence, combined with the rich tradition of the Hornet football program, made it clear that this was the right move for my family.”
That vision came to life during the 2025 season.
“This past season was special in every sense of the word,” he shares. “It started with the character of our players, young men who chose to lead with class and impact the Roswell community every day. It translated into a historic run on Friday nights.”
A demanding schedule early in the season helped prepare the team.
“Our non-region schedule consisted of some of the state’s top programs in Buford, Walton, Peachtree Ridge, and Westlake,” Thompson explains. “That preparation paid off as we navigated the toughest region in the state, going undefeated to capture the 2025 Region 7-5A Championship.”
The postseason run gained notice far beyond Roswell.
“The state and national recognition we received finishing as the #2 team in Class 5A and a Top 75 team in the country speaks volumes about the talent and LOVE FOR EACH OTHER that this group possessed.”
For Thompson, football has always been about more than the scoreboard.
“It's a staple for my family,” he says. “We love the game, but more importantly, we love the platform it provides to help young men become the best versions of themselves.”
That belief drives his mission.
“I learned long ago that you don’t coach for the wins; you coach for the transformation,” Thompson says. “At the end of the day, the ‘Hornet’ is more important than the ‘player.’”
TRUE ROYALTY
Under the Friday night lights at Roswell High School, with the stadium packed for homecoming, quarterback Trey Smith had a plan.
“I was anxious,” Trey recalls. “I already knew I was going to give Jake the crown.”
When his name was called, Trey didn’t wait. He immediately took the crown and sash and placed them on Jake Jeffries, a fellow senior and one of Roswell High’s most devoted fans.
The crowd erupted.
“I thought it would get some cheers at the game, maybe at the school,” Trey admits. “I had no idea a video would go viral or that it would be celebrated by people around the world.”
For Jake’s family, the moment was unforgettable.
“As a dad of a child with differences, seeing your son accepted and part of the team is priceless,” says Scott Jeffries. “Trey and the rest of these young men have been amazing with him from day one.”
For Trey, the gesture was never about recognition.
“It just made me feel good,” he says. “It gave me a sense of purpose to spread kindness. Something small to you might be big to someone else.”
As Trey prepares to continue his football career at Furman University, the legacy he leaves at Roswell High School extends far beyond wins or stats. On a night meant to crown a king, he reminded everyone what true royalty really looks like.