In the top row, from left, are Coach Brandley, Coach Routh, Cody Wheeler, Steve Sanders, Mitch DeLeonardis, Steven Beardsell, and Coach Beardsell. In the middle row are Patrick Schneider, Ryan Routh, Andrew Caviness and Daniel Keegan. In the bottom row is goalie Cody Brandley. Photo/Special. Not since 2002 has a McIntosh inline hockey team won the GHRA State Championship and for the 2005-2006 season, the odds were not in favor of the AAAA high school team with only three returning players and a freshman goalie.
At the beginning of the season coaches Beardsell, Brandley and Routh told the team, “This is a two year plan. Our season will be rough but we will learn, grow and work towards next year.”

The coaches were right.
The season was rough and the team placed seventh with a record of 6-8.

Led by senior captain Patrick Schneider, the team wanted more from the end of the season tournament and defeated Brookwood in the final, 4-3 in over time to capture the GHRA state championship.

Steven Beardsell scored the winning goal on an assist from Steve Sanders for the win.
Beardsell finished the tournament with 10 points, while Mitch DeLeonardis added nine, Sanders notching seven, Cody Wheeler adding five, Ryan Routh adding three and Schneider adding two.

The points wouldn’t have carried the team without the solid defense of Andrew Caviness and goalie Cody Brandley. The team also got support from injured player Daniel Keegan.

After capturing the title, the players and coaches are now wondering what the plan is for next year.