Is it fair to say this classification is Cartersville, Jefferson, Blessed Trinity and then everyone else? Perhaps. The second tier of teams are all very good and can manage an upset, no doubt. Still, keep in mind how 2016 unfolded. The top eight teams in the state were loaded and easy to spot. Most of those squads were hit hard by graduation and transfers. These three were less affected.

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: Cairo, Carver (Columbus), Americus-Sumter, Northside (Columbus)

REGION 2…Playoff Teams: Mary Persons, Spalding, West Laurens, Upson-Lee

REGION 3…Playoff Teams: Thomson, Burke County, Baldwin, Cross Creek

REGION 4…Playoff Teams: Woodward Academy, Eastside, Salem, Luella

REGION 5…Playoff Teams: Cartersville, Troup, Sandy Creek, LaGrange

REGION 6…Playoff Teams: Ridgeland, Northwest Whitfield, Heritage (Ringgold), Pickens

REGION 7…Playoff Teams: Blessed Trinity, Marist, West Hall, Chestatee

REGION 8…Playoff Teams: Jefferson, Oconee County, St Pius X, Stephens Count

The Favorite (s)…

As the owner of a 30-game winning streak, the two-time defending champions from Cartersville are now five wins away from reaching into the top ten longest streaks in state history. With Trevor Lawrence, the consensus top rated player in America, the ‘Canes certainly have a shot to reach that list. Without question, Joey King’s squad is favored to become the first team to three-peat in an “upper classification” since Parkview from 2000-02. There appears to be a short list of challengers to the crown.

Besides Lawrence, the top offense weapon to return in the classification is most likely running back Colby Wood of Jefferson. The senior has rushed for over 3,800 yards and nearly 60-touchdowns the last two seasons. The Dragons will return sophomore quarterback Colby Clark and a host of weapons on both sides of the ball. The defense could take a dip, but the points will pile up.

Blessed Trinity returns two of the top linebackers in the state. Georgia commit JD Bertrand is a four-star player who is ranked in the top fifteen players for the 2019 recruiting cycle. Meanwhile, Jake Rudolph, who played in the 2016 Georgia Junior Bowl, accounted for 102 tackles in 2016. On the offensive side, Steele Chambers is absolutely exploding in recruiting. The junior athlete rushed for 1,486 yards, tallied 74 tackles and picked-off four passes last season. Finally, future star Ryan Davis can play anywhere; and may do just that in 2017.

The Contender (s)…

With a great combination of athleticism and physicality, Thomson stormed through their competition in 2016. I had the pleasure of working the play-by-play for their semifinal victory over Jefferson and was impressed with their sheer “in your face” nature. They lost a good bit of talent from last season, but return senior defensive back Christian Tutt and junior running back Bubba Murray.

Death, taxes and the proven Marist system. This team has lost a bit of talent, but many of its main competitors have been hit worse by graduation. Plus, having that multi-grade, multi-school system in place, allows for two or three young men we haven’t heard of yet to emerge. Also, can we just go ahead and put Alan Chadwick in the Hall of Fame?

Could Ridgeland put together a deep playoff run in 2017? Absolutely. Coming on the heels of a 9-2 season, the Panthers return two all-state selections in senior defensive back/running back Markeith Montgomery and senior running back Jalyn Shelton. Both players are ranked in the 247Sports top 200 players in the state of Georgia. Montgomery, a Kennesaw State commit, was the Region 6-4A Defensive Player of the Year. Shelton, a commit to Navy, is preseason all-state in 2017.

The Challenger (s)…

Cairo was back in 2016. The Syrupmakers lost only two ballgames and both were one-possession contests. Of course, the folks in the birthplace of Jackie Robinson are no strangers to seasons such as 2016. With Steve DeVoursney entering his third season, we will get a good look at how the staff has developed their depth.

Not many people realize Woodward Academy has the sixth most wins in state history. Over the last three seasons guys like Ryan Glover, JR Pace, Josh Johnson and Jeff Hubbard have helped the War Eagles to 35 wins. Now, those guys are gone. Plus, two dynamic sophomore playmakers, Arik Gilbert and Dawson Ellington, both transferred to Marietta. Their top returning player will be KJ Philips, a senior linebacker who is one of the best in the state. Only Valdosta, LaGrange, Gainesville, Thomasville and Marist has won more games.

Is Sandy Creek’s incredibly deep well of talent drying up? Not sure; but some will tell you it’s worth discussing. If that is true, this is a heck of a time for the program to lose the great Chip Walker. Or was it not a coincidence?

Coming up tomorrow: the AAAAA preview…