Time to brag, and admit defeat, for a moment. Of the 16 teams to play for the state titles in 2016, we posted a pretty good “prediction percentage.” Much better than the disastrous season we had in 2009; crushed is the word to describe it. Of the eight state champions, six of our pre-playoff picks were correct. In our preview articles from last season, only two teams came from outside of our top three categories to reach a state title game. We didn’t see a few teams coming from out of nowhere, we are looking at you Fellowship Christian and McIntosh County Academy, but in this classification, we were exactly right last season. We had Greater Atlanta Christian meeting Cedar Grove; and it could happen again.

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: Crisp County, Worth County, Cook, Dougherty

REGION 2…Playoff Teams: Liberty County, Pierce County, Tattnall County, Brantley County

REGION 3…Playoff Teams: Jenkins, Southeast Bulloch, Savannah, Islands

REGION 4…Playoff Teams: Peach County, Westside (Macon), Jackson, Central (Macon)

REGION 5…Playoff Teams: Cedar Grove, Westminster, Pace Academy, Lovett

REGION 6…Playoff Teams: Calhoun, Ringgold, Sonoraville, Bremen

REGION 7…Playoff Teams: Greater Atlanta Christian, Dawson County, Union County, North Hall

REGION 8…Playoff Teams: Morgan County, Jackson County, Hart County, Monroe Area

The Favorite (s)…

Both combatants from the 3A championship game last season, Cedar Grove and Greater Atlanta Christian, mirrored each other last season and they look identical in many ways in 2017. The Saints and Spartans lost so much talent, but because of incredible depth and blowout wins, each team will return incredible talent with big game experience. Both will need to replace three-year starting quarterbacks (Jelani Woods for CG/ Davis Mills for GAC). Both will return top flight, national level playmakers on both sides of the football (Jadon Haselwood for CG/ Kyler McMichael for GAC). Both return dominant offensive linemen (Michael Brooks for CG/ Myles Hinton for GAC). And finally, both will return great young defenders (Isaiah Ratcliff for CG/ Chris Hinton for GAC). The possibility of a championship game rematch, which is surprisingly rare in state history, is very possible.

Even with all that talent coming back for last year’s Dome participants, this could be the year for Peach County. Sure, they have one of the top players in America in senior athlete Kearis Jackson, but it is the complimentary pieces that will take this team into the state semifinals. Quarterback Antonio Gilbert returns after taking the reins full-time last season. Senior inside linebacker JaQuez Jackson is a hitter after my own heart. And now a commit to the Ramblin’ Wreck. By season end, many will be talking about sophomore defender Sergio Allen. The Trojans look like the team that threatens to keep us from a rematch.

The Contender (s)…

Pace Academy disappointed a lot of people last season. The Knights had so much young offensive talent in 2015, when they won a state title, that people expected dominance in 2016. Injuries, a tough schedule and the loss of seven defensive starters derailed the repeat. Senior Jamaree Salyer has a chance to be one the highest rated offensive linemen in the history of recruiting rankings. Despite losing a slew of talented playmakers, head coach Chris Slade returns senior dual-threat quarterback Gunnor Faulk to lead the offense for a third year. After years of playing on the “second line”, senior wide outs Tony Addison and Jaden Stegall take over. If this team doesn’t win seven ballgames in 2017, I owe you five-dollars.

From day one let me say, I like the chances of Crisp County more than you do; and that’s ok. I don’t mind bragging when I’m right and I am certainly not afraid to admit when I am wrong. Predicting high school football is kind of hard. Something else that will be hard in 2017 is when teams try to score on the Cougars defense. Two of the more highly recruited linebackers in America will patrol the gridiron in Cordele. Senior outside linebacker Quay Walker, now an Alabama commit, registered 109 tackles, eight sacks and 19 tackles for a loss last season. Junior linebacker Ahdarrious Gee (2016: 26 TFL) is a South Carolina commit. Both are top 25 recruits in the state for their respective classes. I like the Cougars chances this year more than most.

Next up is the ever-present title contenders. From 2001-16, that’s 16 seasons, Calhoun has posted a 197-23 record, averaging 12-wins per season, reached seven title games, one semifinal, and five quarterfinals. Tremendous. Between linebackers Davis Allen and Bailey Lester; plus, defensive lineman CJ Fuller, it looks like the Yellow Jackets strength will be on the defensive side of the ball.

The Challenger (s)…

Westminster lost so much talent. So much talent. Now, having said that, Gerry Romberg has the program on perhaps the greatest footing in its history. Three consecutive seasons with at least ten wins, a state championship in 2015, a semifinal and a quarterfinal appearance. Gone is Cortez Alston, Ian Ude, and Chase Williams. Yet, no loss will be as obvious as that of the diminutive Zay Malcome. This guy was a human highlight reel; able to score from anywhere at any time. Last season, his performance versus Pace Academy was a great example of his career: 437 all-purpose yards – 175 rushing yards, 64 receiving yards, a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 58-yard interception return for a score. Once again, the Wildcats will need to replace a very special senior class.

Liberty County will be in the shadow of Richard LeCounte all season. That is what happens when a legend moves on. But don’t expect for this group to experience a major drop off. The return of running back Kris Coleman, who can score at any time, is big. Some believe the Panthers will be better defensively overall. The return of defensive linemen Tramel Walthour and Traveon Fereman make that a viable possibility.  

Last season was a good bounce back season for Lovett. An 8-4 season, with three losses by one-possession, ended in another narrow defeat to Crisp County in the Sweet Sixteen of the state playoffs. The Lions returned only two starters to the 2015 team and were forced to play youngsters. Last season was the payoff and it could pay dividends this season as well. Returning is KJ Wallace, a four-star player who plays both ways, and a two-time all-state selection in tight end Nick Jackson.

Coming up Monday: the AAAA preview…