Over the summer, I was at a gathering of friends and family, featuring adult beverages, raw meat and fire, and in conversation, mentioned the fact that Georgia high school athletics is now adding a seventh classification. All of my male friends, most of whom were former athletes here in the state during our high school days, scoffed.

“Dude”, began one of my more eloquent friends, “When we were in school, 4A was the highest, right?”

I paused, smiled, and then said, “Yeah, but that was twenty years ago.” They all groaned in disgust.

The Metro-Atlanta population boom is well documented in many forms and the GHSA sporting landscape has provided another example. In 1999, the state spent its final year in four classifications; in 2016 we christen a brand new seventh classification.

The 7A classification…

Championship favorites…

The last decision made as far as rankings? Where to put Colquitt County. Usually a traditionalist, we believe the defending champs, unless obliterated by graduation, should start on top. Then the Grayson transfers happened. And we analyzed and changed our minds about Roswell’s roster. Now, that is analysis. Seriously, the great thing about the Packers, and so many programs like them, is their ability to route so many people and make sure the back-ups play significant minutes. These programs “reload” every year because the back-ups have plenty of experience and are not afraid when their time comes. Despite all of the changes, by playoff time, the Pack will be no worse than a #3 seed from the region and will be a vastly different team from the one that steps on the field to start the year.

Grayson takes the top spot from CC. You all know the story of the transfers by now, so we will skip it. Simply put, the Rams now feature six of the top prospects in the state of Georgia. One challenge will be figuring out who plays where; rich man problems. All joking aside, this team has four major players who can play both ways and be high impact. They can be dominant at every level. Watch for Elijah Shah, the South Gwinnett transfer, to burn and shift his way to a 20-YPC season. He wasn’t one of the big name movers, but he will be an impact player. The plain and simple fact is this: if the Rams do not win a state title, and contend for a national title, it will be a disappointing result.

While some are calling for a down year in Roswell, we believe in some ways this team will be better. Yep, that was just said. Look, the Hornets will have 22 guys returning who either started or were key subs. Most of those key subs are going to either start or play even more minutes in 2016. Yes, they need to find a quarterback; but his job could be easier than most. The wide receiver group could be the best in the state. Senior Corey Reed has transferred in from Mays to join senior Jayden Comma, and tight end Ty Hopper. The secondary is the best in the state as senior Xavier McKinney (recently backed off of Alabama verbal) and senior LeAnthony Williams Jr (Clemson) lead the way. Most importantly, senior Sheldon Williams is back at running back to take another crack at 2,000-yards.

Contenders…

Analyze how some pundits will call for McEachern to have a “very noticeable, down year.” That is what was quoted to this author; who respectfully disagrees. No, the defense will not be as good as last season, but it will not see a major drop-off. Having covered the Indians last season, you notice the high number of second string guys who played significant minutes. Now, that number becomes starters. Of course, it is all about senior quarterback Bailey Hockman. The Florida State commit is now less than 2,000-yards shy of the all-time Cobb County record. He si going to blow past that. The Indians offense is going to be better than 2015. Add that to a small drop defensively and the men from Powder Springs should absolutely be a state quarterfinalist.

Norcross suffered through two separate seasons in 2015. The Blue Devils started 7-0 (defeated Valdosta/ Brookwood/ Milton/ NG), lost some key guys to injuries, then lost last four (PR/ MC/ C Hill/ SF in 1^st RD). Plus, the offense went stone cold in the last four of the season as they averaged only 5.7 points per game. In 2016, Keith Maloof’s squad returns most of its skill players. Senior quarterback Baron Radcliff and senior wide receiver Jared Simpkins will lead that group. The strength will be on the defensive side of the ball. Monty Montgomery is the best defensive player you don’t know. In 201, the senior linebacker amassed 137 tackles and 33 tackles for a loss. Depending on how the brackets fill out, Norcross could absolutely be a Final Four team.

Peachtree Ridge lost seven key defenders to graduation or transfer. Still, the starting 22 will be good enough to make a deep run. In fact, the Lions will feature a potential top-flight player at every level. Fred Payton is back under center. Conner Heyward will be the leading receiver and play a bit in the secondary. Zane Ashley is a pretty underrated defensive back and one of the best run stopping men at that level in the county. Senior defensive end Kam Jones could reach double-digit sacks and senior linebacker Deandre Byrd will bid for the 100 tackle plateau. Again, the problem will be depth.

Sometimes as a broadcaster you are fortunate to cover certain programs at the right time. That was the case for our crew and Newton. From youth ball four years ago we saw this coming. 2016 will be the apex season of this multi-year build. They did lose Michigan commit Kurt Taylor from the backfield, but everyone involved in the program has high hopes for junior Nuru Tinch. One famous recruiting expert who shall remain unnamed told us, “I expect Tinch to be a top twenty running back in the state this year.” If they find a quarterback, he could find life easier than expected. The wide receiver group is going to be dynamic. Senior Justin Marshall has transferred in from Salem to join one of the top wide receivers in America, Jeremiah Holloman. The defense will be top flight too. Senior Jaquan Henderson (Tennessee commit) is back with senior Robert Black, who’s recruiting could really explode this year. In the trenches, senior Deion Watson and junior Jordan Reed form a beefy, athletic pair.

Playoff bound, higher seeds beware…

Mill Creek should return the top offensive line in Gwinnett County. That’s right, we said it. And we’ll take it one step further; it’s one of the top ten in the state. Before Cameron Turley heads off to Georgia Tech to play ACC baseball, he should have a tremendous senior year on the gridiron. Furthermore, the Hawks will have one of the top secondary seasons in 2016. The Hawks have the potential to zoom past this cut line and into the “contenders” category.

Was South Forsyth the feel good story of 2015 in the highest classification? Possibly. They finished 11-2 and could have beaten Colquitt County in the state quarterfinals. This season the War Eagles will return senior Davis Shanley at quarterback (2015: 63%/ 2,348 pass yards/ 25 touchdowns/ rushed for 630 & 8/ 6’1/ 170/ Western KY commit), four offensive linemen, and senior linebackers Max Slott (100-plus tackles) and Julian Mingo (10 tackles for a loss with three sacks). Still, Jeff Arnette will need to replace six of his top eight offensive skill players.

*Author of this article copies and pastes Westlake preview from each of the last two seasons*…The Lions will once again have one of the top defenses in the state. The questions revolve around the offense and whether or not they can find consistent quarterback play. They absolutely must score enough to keep the defense from being constantly on the field.

This just in: a top player in the state was slated to lead his club to glory and then transferred down the road a piece. Now that team, and its community, is shaking its collective head and scrambling to find a replacement. Camden County will try to figure out life after senior running back Brandon McMaster. He will almost certainly eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for Brunswick High. Questions at quarterback (Cole Loden taking over?) and defensive line (All-State players DeAndre Gardenhire and Dondre Win graduated) will dominate the early season conversation.

Lowndes should look a good bit closer to the Vikings we have come to know throughout the years. The offensive line will be very good behind seniors Tucker Barnes and Danny Corbett. As always the stable of running backs is there, but like last season, they are going to, apparently, pass more. If that is true, expect senior wide out Xavier Jenkins (6’3/ 195) to have a big season.

North Cobb is going to shock so many people in 2016. Last season, they fell into the old storyline of playing young guys and suffering through growing pains. The Warriors return 16 starters from 2015, including their quarterback, top two running backs and top two wide receivers; plus, seven defensive starters. Last year, they suffered through five, one-possession losses; by a total of 13-points.

Top Ten challengers…

Etowah could be a bit of a sleeper. Again. They return a defensive back headed to Stanford (Stuart Head), a starting running back with two-and-a-half years of experience (Ty Devezin), the starting quarterback (Patrick Ferris) and the sack leader from 2014 (Blaine Miller).

No question the North Gwinnett defense will be better in 2016. Senior defensive end Drew Jordan was extremely impressive at the Army Combine during the summer. It drew him a fourth star in recruiting and a commitment to Duke. The play of junior Cade Fortin at quarterback will be key on the scoring side.

Predictions for Hillgrove will be all over the board; and rightfully so. They return talent; but a lot of it is either inexperienced or changing position. Still, expect the Hawks to be a certain playoff team and win seven games.