This classification could be the deepest, in terms of real state championship contenders, in the state this year. It is certainly the deepest this class has been in years. If some of our “challengers” below can answer a few questions, we could find a field of six or seven teams to contender for the state title. Having said that, the depth below the top ten is very, very uncertain. Traditional powers like Brooks County, Washington County and Vidalia, who many assume will be down, will dictate the back half of the rankings.

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

Predicted Playoff Field:

REGION 1…Playoff Teams: Fitzgerald, Brooks County, Thomasville, Early County

REGION 2…Playoff Teams: Benedictine, Vidalia, Swainsboro, Toombs County

REGION 3…Playoff Teams: Washington County, Dodge County, Southwest, Dublin

REGION 4…Playoff Teams: Screven County, Jefferson County, Laney, Glenn Hills

REGION 5…Playoff Teams: Callaway, Heard County, Lamar County, Spencer

REGION 6…Playoff Teams: Hapeville Charter, Douglass, KIPP ATL, B.E.S.T. Academy

REGION 7…Playoff Teams: Pepperell, Chattooga, Model, Rockmart

REGION 8…Playoff Teams: Rabun County, Elbert County, Banks County, Monticello

 The Favorite (s)…

Benedictine has been stellar over the last four years: 53-4 record, two state titles, one semifinal and one quarterfinal. This team will be good, perhaps very good. And as all great programs in the state do, they have a ton of blowouts left in their wake, which allows young players to gain valuable experience. The difference between those teams and 2017? A little less talent. Tyleek Collins has transferred out, dynamic playmaker John-Wesley Kennedy is at Georgia Southern and all-state selection Chris Harris has graduated. Still, Nick Iannone and Terrick Smalls are back with that host of players who gained the valuable experience. I do believe they take a slight step back this season, but I would caution against underestimating the Cadets.

Throughout that same timespan, Fitzgerald and Benedictine have met three times in the playoffs. Fitzgerald’s success may not get the publicity it deserves. The Purple Hurricane (not a typo; it’s Hurricane and not Hurricanes) have won 38-games the last three years with two runner-up finishes and a semifinal appearance. Plus, the program, which first played a game in 1908, has averaged 10.6 wins per season this century. The ‘Cane won its only state title way back in 1948; this, I believe, might be the year the drought ends. Senior quarterback James Graham is back and the defense will carry the load.

Another true contender for the state title will be Screven County. The Gamecocks return their two-year starting quarterback, three of the top four ball carriers, number one wide receiver and top three defensive players. Most of these young men have played heavy snaps or started for years and have enjoyed a ton of big game, playoff exposure. This group of seniors has posted a 31-6 record.

Some members of the media are going to count out Callaway because of three key graduations. Understandable. Gone is Braylon Sanders, Michael Freeman and Dylan Johnson. All three were all-state selections at some point in their careers. Still, the Cavs return a 2,000-yard rusher (senior DJ Atkins), an “all-everything” type player with major DI offers (sophomore Cartavious Bigsby), one of the top junior offensive linemen in America (Keiondre Jones) and one of the top defensive tackles in the state (senior Lichon Terrell). If one of the above teams slips, the Crimson and Black will win a title.

The Contender (s)…

So, Hapeville Charter shocked you with their deep run in the playoffs last season? Yeah, me too. If you think that was a shock to the system, wait until you see the potential the Hornets have in 2017. Head Coach Winston Gordon’s club will field four players who are ranked in the top 78 recruits for this year’s senior class. That is a pretty lofty number for a 2A school that was 14-29 all-time entering last season. Plus, they return starting quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams; who threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. And, senior athlete Tyleek Collins transferred in from Benedictine (#138 247sports Comp GA 2018/ Has been an all-state player).

Pepperell has the potential to make a deep run in 2017. The Dragons return a bevy of talented upperclassmen who Rick Hurst has been maturing for the last two seasons. Chief among the returners is senior running back/ linebacker Tae Hammond. In 2016, the 5-foot-10.5, 195-pounder rushed for 1,362 yards and 26 touchdowns; while collecting 53 tackles, nine for losses.

In the summer of 2014, I was on the microphone for, what was at the time, the biggest 7-on-7 national event in the country. There, I had the opportunity to see a rising freshman quarterback who had “that look.” I am fortunate that in 20-plus years of GHSA play-by-play I have covered some legends. The moment I laid eyes on Bailey Fisher of Rabun County, I saw potential for something special. Over the last three years he has helped lead the Wildcats to a 31-6 record. Expect 10-plus wins again this year and if the brackets lay out in a certain way, a deep playoff run.

The Challenger (s)…

At this point we all must give Jefferson County the benefit of the doubt. We should assume they will reload most years. Even with a loss of two or three important players almost every season, the Warriors have won at least seven games each campaign, save one, since 2004. It will not be easy to replace two all-state defensive linemen, but with the return of quarterback CJ Hales and three other offensive weapons, the Warriors will certainly have a shot at the school’s second ever quarterfinal.

How far can Emory Jones carry Heard County? The future Ohio State man, a four-star dual-threat quarterback with 40 total touchdowns career, needs help. When he has missed time, which has been a good bit the last few seasons, the Braves have struggled. He will have nationally ranked wide receiver Jaden Moreland returning to help take the pressure off.

Coming up tomorrow: the AAA Public preview…