The biggest storyline in 2017 will revolve around Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy and it’s quest for a three-peat. Over the last six seasons, the Chargers have won three titles, lost a final, and reached two semifinals. 1A Private, on the whole, will be down this season. We will find a great many teams that are very even.

The Top Ten rankings will be released Monday, August 14th at 680thefan.com and here on the site.

Predicted Playoff Field (in alphabetic order):

Aquinas, Athens Academy, Athens Christian, Brookstone, Calvary Day, Darlington, Eagles Landing Christian Academy, Fellowship Christian, First Presbyterian, George Walton Academy, Holy Innocents, Landmark Christian, Mount Paran Christian, Mount Pisgah Christian, Mount Vernon Presbyterian, Our Lady of Mercy, Pacelli, Pinecrest Academy, Prince Avenue Christian, Savannah Christian, Savannah Country Day, Stratford Academy, Tattnall Square, Wesleyan

The Favorite (s)…

No defending state champion has a better chance at repeating than Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy. Not Rome, with the return of seven major impact players; who will all play FBS football. Nor is it Cartersville, with the return of the potential top quarterback in America. No, the best chance at defending a title in 2017 rests at the feet of the Chargers. As mentioned above, the rest of Single A Private, on the whole, should be down a bit this year. Also, ELCA returns four players who have played significant snaps for three years. They boast the best linebacker group in the class (one of the best in the state) led by seniors Harrison Taylor (the AJC’s Defensive Player of the Year), Caleb Dallas and George Shockley (1^st Team All-State). Plus, junior Johnathan Youngblood (2^nd Team All State). It isn’t a lock ELCA gets its three-peat, but it’s awfully close.

The Contender (s)…

One team that did hang with the Chargers last season was Wesleyan. In 2017, the Wolves return four-year starting quarterback Banks Ramsey, 43-reception man in Zach Peterson and a ton of big-game, playoff experienced players. Toss in transfer Tommy Tremble, one of the top tight end prospects in the country, and perhaps they can dethrone the champs.

Stratford Academy, in a heavy run-based offense, returns three of their top four backs. Plus, senior weak-side defensive end Tobe Umerah, a Stanford commit, is back after totaling over 200 tackles and 20 tackles for a loss in the last two seasons.

Darlington will be led by Tijai Whatley, who combined for 1,500-yards and 20 touchdowns last season. The senior, who is ranked in the top 75 of the 247Sports Composite GA state rankings, is a Georgia Tech commit.

The dark horse for this season could be Mount Paran Christian. The Eagles return a good bit of talent from a squad that lost to only one team last season, state runner-up Fellowship Christian. Junior defensive back Jake Wilson deserves more pub.

Prince Avenue, winners of 43-games over the last four seasons, returns four all-state selections from 2016. One of whom is quarterback Grant Roland, ultra-important in the Wolverine offense. The veteran signal caller will bark signals out from behind one of the best offensive line groups in the class; who also features two all-state players.

The Challenger (s)…

Savannah Christian will see the “return” of sophomore sensation MJ Robertson. The 5’11, 185-pounder sports offers from Alabama and Clemson; just to name two. It is possible Robertson could play five or six positions in 2017. Much like his uncle Demetris did at SC.

After a down season, folks supporting the Aquinas program have mixed opinions on the outlook of 2017. They will return a tremendous linebacker corps, even with the transfer of senior preseason all-state selection Artest Banks. Still, their depth has slipped a bit, which is such a key to winning at this level. Plus, as one source mentioned to me, “We gotta stop kids from leaving. These transfers hurt.”

Athens Academy will be young, but talented. Sophomore Jalen Huff is a future star.

Even with the loss of top national defensive end Nolan Smith, who transferred to the IMG Academy, Calvary Day will feature a good defense. More pressing is the mission to replace four-year starting quarterback Sal Calderon.

Tattnall Square was a state title contender in 2016. As they enter their fourth season in the GHSA they will receive their biggest test yet. After losing a ton of talent to graduation, winning one-possession games will be the key to 2017.

Fellowship Christian came out of nowhere for many in 2016. The defending state runner-up was fortunate to play a lot of blowouts last season and thereby work in young players to increase experience and depth. After losing an all-state quarterback and wide receiver, its biggest weapons, that newfound approach will be tested.

For raw talent, check out senior linebacker Richard Jubinor (6’3/ 205) at Athens Christian. Yet, to play twenty ballgames, the Nigerian transfer from three years ago seemed destined to become a track star. Then, his body exploded in the weight room.

Pinecrest Academy now has former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Terrance Mathis as its head coach. He’ll find talent coming back, but he’ll also be saddled with the responsibility of finding a replacement for Ryan McCarthy; a guy who was all-state at both linebacker and quarterback.

Coming up tomorrow: the 1A Public preview…