AAAAAAA

1.     Grayson (1-0)

2.     Colquitt County (2-0)

3.     Lowndes (2-0)

4.     Parkview (2-0)

5.     Mill Creek (2-0)

6.     Archer (2-0)

7.     Marietta (1-0)

8.     Central Gwinnett (2-0)

9.     Walton (2-0)

10.  North Cobb (2-0)

Honorable Mention: Newton (2-0), Lassiter (2-0), Norcross (1-1), Tift County (2-0), Mountain View (2-0)

Literally, there is a list of twenty-six teams that are top ten worthy. At this point, anyway. That is the byproduct of a group that fills a wide range of teams from 2-0 upstarts to 0-2 disappointments. This happens all the time in a few classes. Brookwood is the biggest of the 0-2 disappointments, but they will certainly get things together. Defense, as we all figured, is the biggest culprit early on. The Broncos are still a team that will contend for a region title. Walton and Central Gwinnett lead the list of 2-0 surprises. Region play will separate things.

 AAAAAA

1.     Tucker (2-0)

2.     Lee County (2-0)

3.     Coffee (2-0)

4.     Harrison (1-1)

5.     Hughes (2-0)

6.     Lovejoy (2-0)

7.     Northside-Warner Robins (1-1)

8.     Valdosta (1-1)

9.     Mays (0-1) 

10.  Northgate (1-0)

Honorable Mention: Lanier (1-1), Douglas County (1-0), Alpharetta (1-1), Allatoona (1-1), Dalton (0-1)

Langston Hughes provides for interesting analysis. They lost a good bit of talent from 2016. Graduated is three-year starting quarterback Isaiah Green, Maryland-signee Sean Nelson, and all-state level defenders Josh Brown and Josh Swilling. Toss in the transfer of Charles Thomas, a Michigan commit who was easily one of the top linebacker sin the state, and the Panthers were faced with major questions. Still, they have restocked every year and I believe their 2-0 start is for real.

AAAAA

1.     Rome (1-0)

2.     Buford (2-0)

3.     Stockbridge (1-0)

4.     Carrollton (1-0)

5.     Jones County (2-0)

6.     Warner Robins (2-0)

7.     Arabia Mountain (2-0)

8.     Carver-Atlanta (2-0)

9.     Kell (0-1)

10.  Griffin (1-0)

Honorable Mention: Ware County (0-1), Bainbridge (0-1), Villa Rica (2-0), Woodland (Stockbridge) (1-1), Starr’s Mill (1-0)

The defending state champs, Rome, survived their clash with Harrison’s Justin Fields. It turned out to be one of those really great contests where every big player, or side of the football, had moments where they shined. Still, last season’s state championship game opponent, Buford, is right on the Wolves heels. Still feels like a rematch is coming. Stockbridge and Carrollton are the occupiers of the “second line” and what follows is a large group waiting for separation. Warner Robins has turned into a great story and climbed the rankings quickly, but still have a little bit to prove.

AAAA

1.     Cartersville (2-0)

2.     Blessed Trinity (2-0)

3.     Jefferson (2-0)

4.     Thomson (2-0)

5.     Sandy Creek (1-0)

6.     Woodward Academy (1-0)

7.     Ridgeland (2-0)

8.     Mary Persons (1-1)

9.     Northwest Whitfield (2-0)

10.  Marist (1-0)

Honorable Mention: Stephens County (1-0), Burke County (2-0), Oconee County (0-1), Cedartown (2-0), Troup (2-0)

Well, how do you recap Cartersville’s win over Florida’s Bartram Trail. Trevor Lawrence was magnificent at times. Still, the defense that figured to be susceptible to giving up runs of points did just that. In the end, the Canes survived the 7A club, 52-45. That pushes the win streak to 32-games. Blessed Trinity has pushed to 2-0 on the strength of two rivalry wins; defeating Westminster and SPX. Ridgeland is a really intriguing underrated club; the kind of team that upset two unsuspecting squads and ends up in the state quarterfinals.

AAA

1.     Cedar Grove (2-0)

2.     Greater Atlanta Christian (2-0)

3.     Peach County (1-0)

4.     Calhoun (2-0)

5.     Crisp County (2-0)

6.     Pace Academy (0-1)

7.     Westside-Macon (1-1)

8.     Dawson County (1-0)

9.     Morgan County (1-0)

10.  Jackson County (2-0)

Honorable Mention: Liberty County (0-1), Pierce County (0-1), Jenkins (2-0), Union County (1-0), Bremen (1-0)

I had the chance to see Greater Atlanta Christian School last week. They are a very talented team. Kyler McMichael, the Clemson commit, was very good in both the backfield and the secondary. Plus, the Hinton boys, Myles and Chris Junior are a force. I mentioned a state championship game rematch possibility in 5A; well, that is absolutely a possibility in this classification. Especially when Cedar Grove has beaten two pretty good 6A and 5A teams. Calhoun just knocked off Dalton and Peach County had the week off; and the two appear to be on the next level.

AA

1.     Benedictine (1-0)

2.     Callaway (1-0)

3.     Screven County (1-0)

4.     Jefferson County (2-0)

5.     Fitzgerald (1-1)

6.     Rabun County (1-0)

7.     Hapeville Charter (1-1)

8.     Thomasville (2-0)

9.     Brooks County (1-0)

10.  Elbert County (1-1)

Honorable Mention: Dodge County (1-0), Southwest (1-0), Pepperell (0-1), Swainsboro (2-0), Heard County (1-1)  

Hapeville Charter, who has become one of the “hot topics” of GHSA football this season, fell to Thompson of Alabama this week. And, so continues the Hornets tough early season schedule. After defeating Fitzgerald in the opener, they have Pace Academy and Wesleyan coming up. Counting HC, the top eight in the rankings appears to be, albeit it is incredibly early, pretty strong. If traditional powers Brooks County and Elbert County continue to emerge the rest of this season is going to be incredible.

A Public

1.     Clinch County (2-0)

2.     Macon County (1-0)

3.     Manchester (2-0)

4.     Taylor County (1-0)

5.     Commerce (1-0)

6.     Charlton County (1-0)

7.     Marion County (2-0)

8.     Emanuel County Institute (1-1)

9.     Turner County (2-0)

10.  McIntosh County Academy (1-1)

Honorable Mention: Irwin County (1-1), Lincoln County (1-0), Mt Zion-Carroll (1-0), Mitchell County (1-0), Pelham (1-1)

Number-one ranked Clinch County defeated McIntosh County Academy 42-6 in what I like to call a “barometer ballgame.” A contest, and score like this, gives a good idea of where each team is right now. The Manchester Blue Devils have outscored their arch-rivals (Greenville) and a 4A school (Luella) 106-19. For their efforts, they climb to the third spot in the rankings. Marion County is back in the top ten, Turner County has surprised their way to 2-0, ECI fell to Swainsboro, and Mitchell County joins the fray.

A Private

1.     Eagles Landing Christian Academy (2-0)

2.     Wesleyan (2-0)

3.     Prince Avenue Christian (2-0)

4.     Mount Paran Christian (2-0)

5.     Darlington (1-0)

6.     Stratford Academy (1-0)

7.     Calvary Day (2-0)

8.     Athens Academy (1-0)

9.     Fellowship Christian (1-1)

10.  Mount Pisgah Christian (1-1)

Honorable Mention: Aquinas (1-1), Tattnall Square (1-0), First Presbyterian (1-0), Athens Christian (1-0), George Walton Academy (1-0)

Is it possible this classification has more true championship contenders than originally believed? The over-whelming favorites, Eagle’s Landing Christian, has outscored a neighborhood rival from the 5A classification (Eagle’s Landing) and a fairly athletic 6A school (Jonesboro) by a combined score of 56-21. Wesleyan’s offense is really humming, having beaten it’s two opponents 106-36. Prince Avenue will truly be tested this season. The Wolverines will face six top ten quality opponents. Mount Paran was a championship contender last season and suffered only two losses; both to Fellowship Christian. This past Friday, they got some reveng