This class could be described as “the big four and everyone else”. At least, that appears to be the case to start the season. Although, it also seems the next level is awfully compact and even.

For a look at the AAAAA Top Ten and Honorable Mention, scroll down past this article.

Predicted Playoff Field:

REGION 1…Playoff Teams: Bainbridge, Warner Robins, Thomas County Central, Veterans

REGION 2…Playoff Teams: Ware County, Wayne County, New Hampstead, Statesboro

REGION 3…Playoff Teams: Starr’s Mill, Griffin, Whitewater, Fayette County

REGION 4…Playoff Teams: Stockbridge, Woodland (Stockbridge), Jones County, Ola

REGION 5…Playoff Teams: Arabia Mountain, Southwest DeKalb, Lithonia, Miller Grove

REGION 6…Playoff Teams: Carver (Atlanta), Grady, Banneker, North Springs

REGION 7…Playoff Teams: Rome, Carrollton, Kell, Villa Rica

REGION 8…Playoff Teams: Buford, Clarke Central, Loganville, Flowery Branch

The Favorite (s)…

Of all the defending state champions throughout the state, Rome is number two on my list for “chance to repeat”. The first-time state champions return a veritable all-star team. So many of their top players last season were juniors or underclassmen. Head Coach John Reid will field a group that includes four seniors ranked in the top 100 in the state according to 247Sports composite rankings (defensive end/linebacker Adam Anderson, defensive lineman Jamarcus Chatman, running back Jalynn Sykes, and defensive lineman Jaquon Griffin). Not to mention junior running back Jamious Griffin (2016: 1443 rushing yards) and junior quarterback Knox Kadum (64%/ 1,800 passing yards/ 16 touchdowns/ four interceptions/ 104 rushes for 728 yards & seven touchdowns). The Wolves were ahead of schedule last season; losing by two-points to Harrison and by three-points to Kell. The defense allowed 61-points in their last 10 games. And they should be better overall in 2017.

The offseason between 2016 and this season will forever be remembered for the movement of high profile coaches at high profile programs. None were more high profile than at Buford. Jess Simpson stepped away quickly after the season ended. A great coach was promptly replaced by another great head coach in John Ford; the former Roswell man. The Wolves lost two of the toughest players in the state (TD and Mic Roof), but will continue to be physical with the return of six seniors or juniors on the offensive line. The Wolves also lost two dynamic playmakers, but will see the return of two 1,000-yard rushers in Anthony Grant and Christian Turner. If you’ve been coming to this website or listening to 680 FNF the last few years, you heard about a kid named Aaron McLaughlin when he was in seventh grade. Now a freshman, the 6-foot-4, 212-pound transfer from the North Gwinnett district has a chance to be special. Despite losing so much talent, the Wolves will reload. It’s Buford.

As a trained sports fan, we all have that instinct. You know when a team is going to blow a lead. You know when your team is going to play well. Or vice versa. You can feel it; you just know when something specific is going to happen prior to actually happening. Somehow, for some reason, I get the feeling Ware County is about to pop for another run at the state title. The Gators will be led by a tremendous defense in 2017. Senior defenders Ernest Jones (South Carolina) and Trey Cobb (App State) form one of the best tandems in the state. The offensive line will be anchored by senior Jalynn Strickland, a North Carolina State commit. Head Coach Franklin Stephens will need to replace his quarterback, but a stable of running backs will certainly take the load off.

Stockbridge is in my “Big Four” despite losing more talent than any of the teams listed above. Replacing three-year stars at quarterback (Kenderick Duncan) and running back (Jalen Holston) will be tough. Returning for the Tigers, however, are five players who ranked among the best in the state at their respective positions. Another young man we introduced you to here on the site, before most, was senior defensive end Brenton Cox (Ohio State commit). I was lucky to see him a few years ago. His recruiting exploded last season and he is now one of the highest rated overall players in the country. Senior wide receiver Marquez Ezzard is a four-star man who torched that vaunted Rome defense for nine catches, 212-yards and three touchdowns in a semifinal loss. Oh, and he is a Florida State commit. Senior safety Nasir Green, defensive back Mike Price, and offensive lineman Austin Donaldson finish that list.

The Contender (s)…

Another top coaching change in this classification altered the competitive landscape when longtime Kell head coach Derek Cook stepped down. Plus, the Longhorns graduated ten players of major impact on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, the pressure will be on returning running back Josiah Futral and transfer quarterback Evan Conley (Pope High School).

I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin…Carver (Atlanta) is going to surprise some people in 2017. Let me start with sophomore running back Jo’Quavious Marks who rushed for 1,300 yards last season. Next, go watch the Hudl tape for senior defensive back Nacario Harper. The Tri-Cities transfer will take the Carver secondary to a new level. The Panthers will add Harper to senior Quindarious Monday, a four-star Auburn commit, to form one of the top secondary’s in the class. Plus, one of my favorite players in the entire state returns for his senior season under center. Octavious Battle was “spot on” in 2016: 61% (100-162), 2,106 yards, 16 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Every “all-time”, “legendary” program has had its extended dips in winning. Carrollton posted a 10-12 record in the two-season stretch of 2014-15. That could be the end of that particular drop this decade. “Charlie’s Trojans” (a reference to Georgia coaching legend Charlie Grisham) will return a tremendous offensive line, even without all-state performer Case Cook, and another battery of men in the backfield. The reason to head out west and catch a game if you’re not a fan? Sophomore linebacker Kevin Swint. Guys like Saban, Meyer, Kirby, Harbaugh, McElwain and Orgeron are hot on his tail.

The Challenger (s)…

Now comes the real test for Woodland of Stockbridge. A brand-new head coach comes in as the greatest class in school history just graduated. Can they reload?

Ditto, Jones County. Well, head coach Justin Rogers is coming back. And that is good thing because the Hounds will need to replace quarterback Bradley Hunnicut and playmaker Nick Singleton.

Griffin is the “team of uncertainty” in 5A. I was incredibly lucky to be on the play-by-play duties last season when Tylan Morton set the record for passing yardage in a single-season; a quarterfinal loss to Stockbridge. The record holder is now graduated and so is the last line of guys from the 2013 state championship team. Talent coming back? True. Major talent lost? Unfortunately for Bears fans, also true.

Bainbridge star running back Dameon Pierce is roughly 1,700-yards from joining the top ten career rushing list in state history. He isn’t quite in a “one-man band” type situation this season, but the loss of two offensive linemen and three-year starting quarterback Brett McLaughlin makes the job awfully tough.

Watch for Clarke Central, Villa Rica, Ola and Arabia Mountain to upset the unready and unprepared.

Coming up tomorrow: the AAAAAA preview…