6A…Peachtree Ridge at Archer, August 29^th

Archer plays a monster of a regular season schedule and is featured on our list twice; playing both Peachtree Ridge and Grayson in contests that could be 6A championship game previews. In the second game of the year, new quarterback Will Bearden, the heir-apparent, will face one of the top defensive backfields in America. They are: SR DB Chad Clay (UGA commit), DB Nigel Warrior (transfers in from Westlake this year), JR DB/WR DeAngelo Gibbs (one of the top CB in America for 2017 looks like he is going to spend more time at WR in 2015), and SR DB Baylen Buchanan (Louisville). Archer is arguably the most talented team in the state, so if Bearden can manage each game, the Tigers will be difficult to stop this season. Meanwhile, the Ridge is a popular pick to reach the title game. They need to find a new quarterback too, but they return a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball. They are on the list twice as well, so we’ll talk about the offense in a moment. This game will feature an astonishing 14 players that are, at the very least, ranked as 3 star players for 2016 and 2017.

6A…Archer at Grayson, September 11th

It is almost unfortunate that this matchup comes this early. Most likely, neither team will be at full power or at its peak this early in the year. Or maybe it is a good thing because both teams will be fresh. Either way, quite simply, the winner will be region champs and a number one seed in the state tournament. It appears as though head coach Mickey Conn is going to open up the playbook just a bit and let fine junior quarterback Chase Brice wing it a little bit. Defensively, the Rams return SR DE Mykelle McDaniel (6’4/ 255), SR DT/DE Chris Martin (GA Tech), SR DB Adesola Abisoye, SR LB Denzel Wright and SR DL Bryce Morais (Boston College). And, yes, the buzz surrounding freshman LB Owen Pappoe (6’1/194) is warranted. Archer can match offensively; with four of the top, oh let’s say, 50, play makers in the state: senior wide receiver Kyle Davis is one of the top at his position nationally for 2016; senior DB/RB Dylan Singleton is one of the top 2016 two-way players nationally; junior athlete Jamyest Williams is one of the fastest rising recruits in the country for 2017 and junior DB/RB Isaiah Pryor is already a four-star for 2017.

6A…McEachern at Peachtree Ridge, September 11th

Ok, so we just mentioned Peachtree Ridge’s incredible defense. This will be their biggest test all year. McEachern probably owns the top all-around offense in the state. JR QB Bailey Hockman (1^st Team 6A/ 6’2/ 210/ UGA commit/ 3597 yds/ 42 TD/ 10 INT), WR Tyler Smith (this kid could be SPECIAL: 5’11/ 194/ 2014: 65/1291/20) and WR Tyler Simmons (speed, speed, speed), and slashing yet physical RB Sam Jackson. For the Ridge to win this game, they will need more than the stellar defensive backfield. Running back Malik Staples will need to be effective and control the possession. Conner Heyward, who looks to be the new man under center, must be mistake free so as to not give the Indians extra chances. Of course, that is easier said than done. Cobb County’s best hope at a title features one of the top defensive ends in the country, Julian Rochester, the Georgia commit.

6A…Lowndes at Valdosta, October 16^th

I didn’t want to do it; have another 6A game. I have three all 6A matchups and both of the 4A games are versus 6A schools. This choice was the last one in the entire article. As I was combing through the list, one matchup stuck out from the rest; and how could I not include any games from Region 1. I believe “The Classic” will decide the number two seed in Region 1 this year. Lowndes may be a top 10 team this year and Valdosta could be down, slightly; therefore, they are back to even ground. Actually, that is my line of thought. I think with an off-season coaching staff overhaul, a re-loaded defense and another fine stable of running backs, the Vikings will be back in the playoffs. Don’t get me wrong the Wildcats are going to be good and can win a few playoff games; but Coach Gillespie’s team lost more than what he has coming back. DB Josh Norwood, DB Tre Barrett, QB Cole Massingill, RB Tim McClain and K Brennan Goodson have all graduated. Expect the final to be 15-12 and the loser goes on the road in the first round of the playoffs.

5A…Carver, Columbus at Creekside, September 4^th

This is a dream matchup for a guy like me. Two really good quarterbacks: CC’s Jawon Pass is a three-year starter, a Louisville commit and a threat to run; and the Seminoles Felix Harper is now a three-year starter, a state champion and a threat to run. Both of these squads are a mixed bag this year and difficult to predict. Along with Harper, the 2013 state champs return SR OG Aaron Dowdell (UGA commit/ 6’4.5/ 290), JR DB DJ Brown (3*) and a host of other guys with playoff experience. Yet, they lost Jayson Stanley, Venzell Boulware and Marquell Harrell, Josh Moon, and Bricen Terry. Plus, Olten Downs has left his head coaching post to take a position in quality control at Georgia. Carver should be in the same boat. The Tigers lost Mekhi Brown, Khane Pass, and Nate Barley. Yet, they return Pass, SR DT TJ London (Louisville commit), SR DB Javontay Smith, and rising recruit JR OLB Gio Moore. Speed, defense and big plays will highlight this one.

5A…Houston Co at Northside-Warner Robins, November 6^th

Will this be for the region championship? I think so. The defending state champs will be led by their defense in 2015 after losing 2000-yard rusher Willie Jordan; and 700-yard backup TJ Anderson. The defensive leaders, JR LB Cam Burnett, JR DB Tae Daley, SR LB Yat Jones, and SR DB/ATH Chris Houghton, will be up to the task. However, the best offense in 5A could reside at Houston County. Junior quarterback Jake Fromm (6’3/ 215/ 3629/ 31/ Bama, SC & Ole Miss are leaders), SR WR/CB Darion Anderson (2014: 55 Rec/ 1262 Yds/ 16 Tds/ 23 YPC/ 62 T/ 4 TFL/ 6’1/175/ UGA commit, battling a May knee injury), and K Jordan Strevig (11-12 FG/ 60-67 PATS) will be the key leaders. They did graduate running back Kenny Gant, but reports out of middle Georgia say Coach Lassiter feels good about his replacements.

6A/4A…North Paulding at Cartersville, September 11^th

This game is will have no impact on standings or playoff position. Yet, it should be one of the more exciting spectator ballgames in the state all year. If this game isn’t 49-45, I’ll be shocked. The Canes return sophomore quarterback Trevor Lawrence (6’5/ 191/ 3042/ 26/ 7/ 1^st Team 4A) and tight end Miller Forristall (6’5/ 220/ Alabama commit/ too fast for LB’s and too big for DB’s). On the other side, the Wolfpack returns senior quarterback Kyle Banks (MTSU, 3500/ 32/ 60%), senior RB/WR DJ Owens (67 rec/ 1157 yds/ 12/ 5’11/ 197) and senior WR/TE Dylan Autenrieth (NC St). Seriously, this is going to have a 50-48 final.

6A/4A…Buford at McEachern, September 4^th

The Indians make their second appearance on the list with their matchup versus “The Machine”. The bag on McEachern for years has been a perceived lack of physicality. I usually argue against that, although not whole-heartedly. Against, Buford, we will see. The Wolves lost a good bit of talent and some believe they are ripe for the taking. This journalist has learned to not predict their down fall; but to adjust if they lose. They will be the same as always with Jess Simpson’s ball control offense and bruising defense. It looks as though junior Mic Roof is going to win the starting quarterback job, but like the last few years we will probably see a two-man rotation. Most importantly, besides a state title of course, is a chance at more history. The Wolves enter the season with a chance to break their own record for consecutive wins. They currently sit at 40-straight.

3A…Elbert County at Oconee County, November 6^th

Alright, I will concede, this will be a strange preview, but stay with me. Region 8, in the 3A classification, could be the most exciting region in the state; regardless of class. Of these five teams, everyone should be ranked at some point this year, and someone is going to have a really good year and be left out of the playoffs. Oconee County could be the sleeper contender in 2015 for a deep playoff run. They should start the season 6-0. Then, they play Morgan County, Hart County, Jefferson, and Elbert County; in that order. Oconee County will lose less talent than any of these teams. Senior linebacker Jaleel Laguins and senior quarterback Zeb Noland could both be top five players in the region. Jefferson could be just shy of rebuilding. The Dragons will certainly be a playoff team; even with quarterback Evan Sherriffs, WR TJ Skelton, RB Sammy Williams, and WR Dalton Hill all graduated. Meanwhile, Elbert County returns one of the top 50 athletes in the country, in Mecole Hardman; but head coach Sid Fritts needs to find him some help. Hart County loses Cameron Fouch from the quarterback position, Sean Harper at wide out and two high impact defenders. Finally, Morgan County has First Team All-Region running back Trey Chapman and junior defensive end MJ Webb both returning for 2015; but they probably lack the depth needed. In the end, tie-breakers will be the storyline, and it looks like the matchup between EC and OC will most likely be for the region championship; and it’s on the final day of the year.

3A…Blessed Trinty at Westminster, October 16^th

If you can’t tell, I love region deciding matchups. In fact, every year I do this, they dominate my preview articles; and for good reason! Last year, Westminster delivered one of the more underrated, surprise seasons, in any class, in the state. They finished 12-2, defeating Lovett, Laney (twice), Elbert Co, Central-Carrollton, and Hart Co; before falling to Calhoun 19-8 in state semifinals. The diminutive junior Zay Malcome will be returning to the back field to scoot and shift his way around the state. Plus, Gerry Romberg’s squad will have at their disposal one of the top legs in America in senior Blake Gillikin. They will need to replace quarterback Rankin Wooley and hard-hitting linebacker Charlie Trense, but the balance of both sides of the LOS should be adequate. Meanwhile, Blessed Trinty is coming off of their greatest year in program history (13-1, Region Champions, lost to Washington County in the state semifinals) and they return four of their top five players, arguably. Senior running back Milton Shelton has played significant snaps or started since his freshman year. Conner Davis and Garrett DuPuis might be as tough as any opponents seen all year. They will play smart, hard and with passion. In a year where 3A could be up for grabs, the intangibles could serve as the tie-breaker.

2A…Brooks County at Fitzgerald, October 16^th

Brooks County is certainly one of the favorites for the 2A crown. They return a bevy of weapons, highlighted by: SR Demontay Jones, SR RB Ijohn Parrish and SR RB Devon Wimms. They are not quite as deep defensively, but they will be athletic on that side and fly around the football. I wonder if the graduation cycle has caught Fitzgerald. All-State QB Gerald Morgan is gone from a team that was 12-2 last year and had a double-digit lead on GACS, in the final minutes, in the state semifinals, only to watch it slip away. Wide receiver Trey Graham is gone and the Dragons also lost five other key offensive and defensive players. Usually, they just reload; only twice in the last 15 years have they not won double-digits. This matchup will also decide the region championship.

2A…Greater Atlanta Christian School at Benedictine, August 21^st

The “Who lost more talent since we met in the state championship game Bowl.” Ok, I stretched that out too much, I admit. Last year, for these two programs, it wasn’t quite “all or nothing”, but it wasn’t far off. Over the last three years, Stevie Powers, Brad Stewart, Micah Abernathy and Darius Slayton were all on the short list of the most exciting players in 2A football. Now, of course, they are all gone. The result is a handful of questions for both fan bases. Plus, both squads lost a lot of high-impact defensive players as well. GACS most likely has more depth coming back and junior quarterback Davis Mills is a top recruit for 2017. Their third matchup in the last 16 games will answer some questions, but we will not really have a beat on either of these teams until the start of November.

2A…Wesleyan at Greater Atlanta Christian School, November 6^th

Finally, last year GACS got over the hump and defeated Lovett for the region title. Every year, it been Lions and Spartans for the title; this year could surprise some folks. The number two team in the region could be the Wesleyan Wolves. Traditionally, the men from Spalding Drive play a lot of guys both ways, not having a lot of upper classmen and therefore, not a lot of depth. This year, Coach Pridgen’s bunch will have nearly 30 seniors. Last year, the Wolves reached the playoffs, at 6-4, for the first time since 2010; and four of their five losses were one-possession games. Banks Ramsey (6’4/ 205) takes over at quarterback and he has a list of weapons. Returning is senior WR/RB/DB Jordan Mack (6’3/194/ UVA commit), senior running back Jordan Argilagos, wide receiver/defensive back Cedric Lynch and senior running back Josh Garrard. The Spartans lost five of their top six overall players (RB Micah Abernathy, WR/DB Darius Slayton, LB Tyler Cooksey, LB Paul Carothers, WR Justin Phan). Junior QB Davis Mills is back to run the offense and the team will still be a deep playoff contender, but to replace all of that talent is so difficult. Read this next part slowly: it is possible-with a win over GACS-Wesleyan, could win the region this year.

1A Private…Calvary Day at Savannah Christian, October 9^th

Three teams seem to be on the first line in 1A Private as the favorites to win the state title; and these two rivals are on it. This winner takes the region crown, a certain top three seed in the state tournament and maybe a number one ranking. The Raiders all-everything senior Demetris Robertson is electric and one of the highest ranking “athletes” in the country. Calvary Day’s leader under center, Sal Calderon, who broke his leg in the Cavs season finale last season, is back and healthy. The difference in these teams is in graduation; and that causes problems in the analysis. CD lost a good bit of talent yet, was very deep last year; so they could be ok. SC wasn’t as deep or talented, but they return a fair amount of guys who accrued quarterfinal playoff experience last year. Therefore, they might be dead even.

1A Public…Marion County at Hawkinsville, October 16^th

Another potential state championship game preview when the Red Devils host the Eagles. There are a bunch of these in 2015! Last year, the two squads split their matchups, with the Devils winning in the state semifinals. Marion lost top offensive players Johnny Royal and starting quarterback Dustin Eckart. Hawkinsville lost their dominating front three on defense. Lorenzo Smothers is back and could be the x-factor for Marion in this matchup; but with the game in Hawkinsville, who knows. The winner takes the region championship and perhaps the number one overall seed in the state tournament.