It’s the Grady Grey Knights and the Marist War Eagles.

It will probably take some time; and to a man, Grady supporters say they have moved on. The stigma of cheating scandals and probation can be hard for the most highly thought of programs to shake. By all accounts, the healing process has begun.

In 2013, the Knights finished 8-2 in the regular season and were considered mythical “city champs.” Yet, that 8-3 final record was changed to 0-11 in the record book after it was revealed numerous players were participating from outside the district; and the coach was aware. Enter new Head Coach Earthwind Moreland and a deliberate, methodical approach to re-shaping the team. Last season, the team was not playoff eligible while on probation. Despite the fact his team was playing for nothing more than pride, the young men put together a 5-5 record.

The 2015 version isn’t terribly deep. They do sport a couple of playmakers who are led by future South Carolina Gamecock Marlon Character. At 6-foot, 173-pounds, the safety is slick, sleek and a glider. Truly, the Grey Knights are a .500 team this year. They are outscoring opponents 112-87 overall (18.6-14.5 per game). Only twice have the men from Charles Allen Drive scored more than 14-points in a game and only twice have they allowed more than 16-points in a game.

As of this week, the Greys (3-3 overall) are in the middle of a playoff hunt in Region 6. Let’s move past Marist and St Pius, they are locks to reach the post-season. Arabia Mountain is 3-1, Columbia 3-2, Grady 2-2, Lithonia 2-3 and Chamblee 1-3. Two of these five will take the other playoff berths. The Grey Knights lost to Lithonia in September and beat Columbia last week. They play Marist tonight, Chamblee next week and Arabia Mountain the night before Halloween.

Of course, Marist has been the class of the region, and the state, for quite some time. At 5-2 overall (4-1 Region), the War Eagles look like a state title contender once again; even if they don’t win their region. Last week, the men from Hughes-Spalding fell to St Pius in the Fish Bowl game and will need the Golden Lions to lose twice to win a region championship. So far, that could be the only negative of their season.

The War Eagles are outscoring opponents 253-133 overall (36-19 per game) and have held two opponents to less than ten yards rushing.

Jack Dingles has been a revelation since taking over at quarterback and Michael Addicks has climbed through the always deep running back ranks to perhaps become number one. The incredible rush numbers haven’t changed. Versus Redan they went for 409 yards. They put eight rushing scores on Stone Mountain and 302 yards on the stat sheet against Arabia Mountain.

Last year, the War Eagles were a quarterfinalist and finished 11-2. To reach higher, they will lean on a future hall of fame head coach in 338-game winner Alan Chadwick. His record, and win total, is quite astounding. In 31-years, Coach Chadwick has won ten or more ball games 21 times. His teams have played in five state title games, winning in 1989 and 2003.