In every classification, every season, we are given storylines that surprise. Some teams emerge and some teams fall flat. It appears, stress on the word appears, this classification is very even in 2017. Every top-flight team from last season lost a key player or two entering 2017. Plus, a few GHSA football “blue-bloods” were down and should be expected to pop back up in 2017. Graduation has leveled the playing field, it seems.

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

Predicted Playoff Field: (in alphabetic order):

Bowdon, Clinch County, Commerce, Dooly County, ECI, Greene County, Irwin County, Lincoln County, Macon County, Manchester, Marion County, McIntosh County Academy, Miller County, Mitchell County, Mt Zion (Carroll), Pelham, Randolph-Clay, Taylor County, Terrell County, Trion, Turner County, Twiggs County, Washington-Wilkes, Wheeler County.

The Favorite (s)…

For this author, Macon County was a stone cold, lead plated lock for the title last year. Too say there will be more drama in 2017 would be an understatement. The defending champs will be replacing one of the greatest quarterbacks in state history, K’hari Lane. Now at the University of Arizona, last season Lane set the single season state mark for touchdowns in a season (56). That’ll be tough to replace. The Bulldogs do have some talent returning in senior wide receiver Trey Brown (his 24 touchdowns in 2016 was second all-time), senior offensive lineman Christian Meadows (a Florida State commit) and running back Akeevious McLendon (nearly 2,000-yards total offense in career).

When Clinch County hits the field in 2017, the one-two combo of Trezman Marshall and Charles McClellan will be difficult to contain. Word out of camp is that kids are still angry with the upset loss in the state semifinals to McIntosh County Academy; a team they defeated 32-7 during the regular season. Plus, their depth is going to be tremendous this season. The Panthers could be the favorites to win the title.

If Emanuel County Institute can find a replacement for long-time starter Rhett Gay, the Bulldogs could be a dark horse to win a state title. Now, that is a big “if” and they did graduate four other all-state players, but make no mistake, ECI can make a run. Senior athlete Bobby McNear (2016: 17 total touchdowns/ 13.9 YP touch) and wide receiver Dazuhn Steele (6’3/ 208-pounds/ 2016: 801 yards/ 8 touchdowns/ 23.6 YPC) provide a dangerous combination for whoever the new signal caller is.

The Contender (s)…

Manchester could have the best defense in the class, but will need to find a slew of new starters. Senior linebacker Jontavious Ferguson (#168 247Sports Comp GA for 2018), defensive lineman Raeshawn Walton and defensive back Kalil Brawner will anchor the unit.

Pelham hangs their hopes on the right arm of sophomore quarterback Kendrick Patterson; a young man who has a chance to a star. Remember former University of South Carolina and Mitchell-Baker quarterback Dondrial Pinkins? Big bodied guy with a huge arm? I saw him throw a ball once, versus Manchester in 1998, that carried nearly 70-yards down field and was sideline to sideline. Patterson will remind you of Pinkins. Oh, did I mention Dondrial Pinkins enters his second season as Patterson’s head coach?

Taylor County head coach Mark Wilson turns programs around! The year before he arrived, 2014, the Vikings were 1-8-1. In 2017, they will take the field as championship contenders. Led by future Tennessee Volunteer running back Lyn-J Dixon (2016: 174 all-purpose yards per game/ 2,537 total yards/ 41 total touchdowns) and future Troy University quarterback Gunnar Watson (2016: 66% (129-195)/ 2,166 yards/ 23 touchdowns/ 7 interceptions), they may have the best QB/RB combo in the class.

The Challenger (s)…

What a great story McIntosh County Academy was last season. In 2014, they were 0-10 and played only one contest that was decided by one-possession; all blowouts. Two years later, they lost a hard-fought state title game. The Buccaneers will be hard pressed to repeat that incredible success in 2017. Graduated is a group of five all-state players from the defensive side of the football. They will return wide receiver JP Palmer (2016: 1,100 yards) and athlete Michael Campbell, but depth is the magic word.

After two one-possession regular season losses last season, Commerce hit the postseason as a popular pick to make a run. They then laid an egg in a 44-0 loss to Clinch County in the quarterfinals. A few people told me last week the defense should be very good in 2017. And angry. Linebacker Chase Forrester and defensive lineman Cody Ridley should lead that charge.

Each year since winning the state championship in 2013, the end result for Marion County has dropped. That will change in 2017, even with the loss of a starting quarterback and number one running back. The defense will most likely be led by two seniors: defensive back Quentez Battle and linebacker Willie Davis.

In 2016, Charlton County didn’t look like themselves. They just couldn’t put it all together on their way to a 3-6 season. Of its six losses, only two were by one-possession and only one was a two-possession loss. Pride will be a major talking point this season. On the field, the Indians will be led by junior athlete Raykwon Anderson. If this University of Florida commit played 7A football, he would be a huge star.

The most intriguing team in the class for 2017 could be Mount Zion of Carroll. They have that rare combination of major talent loss and hefty talent returning. Usually, this is a story reserved for Georgia high school football blue bloods. The Eagles return three of its top seven players; depending on rankings. Although they will need to replace a starting quarterback and top two running backs.

Speaking of blue bloods, expect one or two of Irwin County, Lincoln County, Hawkinsville or Dooly County to take a step forward in 2017. Someone has to fill a space that will empty, it is the law of averages.

Coming up tomorrow: the AA preview…