Head coach Rush Propst will lead Coosa Christian School into the AHSAA Class 2A state title game this Friday, his first time back in a high school football state championship game in Alabama since 2006.
Propst has won five football state championships in Alabama in his career, which has also included five state title appearances in Georgia. He has been to seven previous state championship games in Alabama, and this year’s title game will make eight.
This state championship may be his toughest challenge yet. In a recent interview with ITG Next, Propst talked about the upcoming state title game and the challenges he has faced this season with a smaller roster.
“We have a great bunch of kids, but this is by far the smallest team in terms of overall numbers and depth that I have ever coached,” Propst said of his Coosa Christian Conquerors squad. “We only have about 18 players that are high school age, and we play about 14 to 15 of them, so depth is a concern for us.”
His team’s opponent in the Class 2A state title game will be the Lanett Panthers, whichhas a roster of about 35 players, according to Propst.
“We’ll have to play really well with no mistakes to have a chance to win,” Propst said about his team’s chances against the 12-2 Panthers.
Coosa Christian may not have big numbers in terms of its roster, but it does have the player Propst said has a chance to be named Mr. Football, Alabama’s designated top high school player.
“Kylen Johnson plays receiver and defensive back for us, and he’s the best 10th-grader in the state,” Propst said. “He has had three 300-yard rushing games so far this year, and I believe he has about 10 interceptions on defense. He is one of the most phenomenal players I have ever coached. He’s special.”
Johnson is a four-star recruit and has 17 rushing touchdowns, with six of those coming in last week’s 44-36 win over Pisgah High School in the AHSAA Class 2A semifinals.
While this will be Propst’s first return to the Alabama state title game in 20 years, his most recent career state championship coaching job came in 2018, when he led the Colquitt County Packers to the GHSA Class 7A state championship game in Georgia. Despite leading the Packers to an undefeated season leading up to that state finals game, Colquitt County lost to eventual champion Milton 14-13.
What’s Next For Rush Propst After 2025 Season?
Win or lose, Rush Propst said he isn’t sure where he’ll be coaching in 2026, which could include returning to Coosa Christian or even returning to Georgia.
“I’ll just have to wait and see what happens,” Propst said. “Once this game is over, whether we win the state championship or are the 2A runner-up, I’ll wrap up things with Coosa Christian and see what my plans are.”
Propst said he has some offers to coach. Although he did not say if one of those options was in Georgia, he said he would certainly consider returning to the state where he served as head coach for Colquitt County and Valdosta High School.
“My coaching juices are flowing, and I want to continue to coach,” Propst said. “I have two grandchildren in South Georgia that I miss and want to spend time with again.
“I feel like South Georgia is home. We lived there a long time and had a lot of success, so if I get an opportunity to come back, I’ll take a serious look at it.”
Coosa Christian and Lanett will play on Dec. 5 at 3 p.m. CST at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
