Chris Mooneyham

And so it ends. Our final 680 The Fan Friday Night Football preview and regular season rankings…

Coming up this week on Life University’s Friday Night Football…

Beginning at 7pm this Friday night, we take you around the metro, and through the state of Georgia, for our live coverage of Round 1 of the Georgia high school football playoffs.

It was another tremendous season for high school football on the Dickey family of stations. Our slate featured three defending state champions and three state runner-up teams from 2016.

Most likely, we had the opportunity to see five state championship favorites for 2017 (Cartersville, Greater Atlanta Christian, Cedar Grove, Rome and Tucker).

Twenty-one of the twenty-four teams on our schedule this season reached the playoffs. And the three who missed the postseason finished only one-game out. We covered seven region champions as well.

We had the opportunity to see the top two players in America in 2017. First came an all-time, record holding quarterback (Trevor Lawrence) leading an all-time championship team (Cartersville). Next, came the hottest, high-rising player in the country (Justin Fields) leading a resurgent program (Harrison).

Our FNF slate covered twenty-plus stars who ranked in the preseason top one-hundred in the state of Georgia.

Finally, although the schedule has yet to be ironed out, the Dickey family of stations will carry multiple GHSA state championship football games. These contests will air on some variation of the AM dial: 680, 1230 and 1340. And on FM at 93.7, 106.3, and 103.7. The weekend of December 8-9 will be its usual, dramatic self.

Once again, don’t forget to join us this Friday night at 7pm for our playoff preview and live coverage of Round 1 of the GHSA football playoffs as they unfold. We will see you this week on The Fan 680AM and 93.7FM. 

AAAAAAA

  1. Lowndes (10-0)
  2. Archer (10-0)
  3. Grayson (9-1)
  4. Walton (10-0)
  5. North Gwinnett (9-1)
  6. Brookwood (8-2)
  7. Tift County (9-1)
  8. Colquitt County (7-3)
  9. South Forsyth (9-1)
  10. Mill Creek (7-3)

Honorable Mention: Parkview (7-3), Milton (8-2), Hillgrove (7-3), McEachern (7-3), North Paulding (8-2)

For the first time in a while, AAAAAAA feels a bit open. Not wide open, but not completely dominated by one or two teams either. Are Lowndes and Grayson the favorites? Probably. Yet, they are both clearly not invincible. Archer defeated Grayson and Colquitt County should have beaten Lowndes. Meanwhile, Walton and North Gwinnett could be the most balanced teams in the class entering the postseason. And the hottest teams could be either Brookwood or Tift County. Sleeper to the semi’s: Ha! Who qualifies as a sleeper in the mega-attention-getting-highest-class?! Well, let’s go with Tift County.

 AAAAAA

  1. Tucker (9-1)
  2. Mays (9-1)
  3. Lee County (9-1)
  4. Coffee (6-3)
  5. Northside-Warner Robins (7-3)
  6. Douglas County (9-1)
  7. Alpharetta (9-1)
  8. Allatoona (7-3)
  9. Hughes (7-3)
  10. Dalton (7-3)

Honorable Mention: Winder-Barrow (8-2), Alexander (6-4), Harrison (7-3), Glynn Academy (6-3), Brunswick (7-2)

Last season, it seemed like eight teams could win a title in the AAAAAA classification. This season, not so much. Tucker is the consensus favorite to win their third title in program history. They are as talented as anyone in the state; regardless of classification. Who are their main challengers? Most likely, it is Mays and Lee County; who are on a collision course to meet each other in the quarterfinals. Sleeper to the semi’s: Douglas County.

AAAAA

  1. Rome (10-0)
  2. Stockbridge (10-0)
  3. Buford (8-1)
  4. Warner Robins (10-0)
  5. Jones County (9-1)
  6. Starr’s Mill (9-1)
  7. Griffin (9-1)
  8. Carrollton (8-2)
  9. Carver-Atlanta (9-1)
  10. Bainbridge (7-3)

Honorable Mention: Wayne County (8-1), Flowery Branch (8-2), Arabia Mountain (8-2), Clarke Central (7-3), Whitewater (7-3)

After a long season of dominance, the “Big Three” of AAAAA get their time to shine. With due respect to the rest of the classification, Rome, Stockbridge and Buford are overwhelming favorites to be the champion in this class. Unfortunately, these three powerhouses will eliminate each other shy of the state title game. Because of the predetermined layout of the GHSA bracket, all three are on the same side of the tournament. Warner Robins and Jones County reside on that aforementioned other side of the bracket and are far too underrated in many eyes. Sleeper to the semi’s: Carver (Atlanta).

AAAA

  1. Cartersville (10-0)
  2. Marist (10-0)
  3. Ridgeland (10-0)
  4. Burke County (10-0)
  5. Blessed Trinity (8-2)
  6. Woodward Academy (9-1)
  7. Mary Persons (8-2)
  8. Thomson (8-1)
  9. Jefferson (8-2)
  10. Cedartown (9-1)

Honorable Mention: Troup (8-2), Eastside (8-2), Cairo (7-3), Heritage-Ringgold (9-1), Southeast Whitfield (7-3)

Want to see perhaps the most loaded “quad” in a bracket, in GHSA playoff football? How about the fact that Cartersville, Thomson and Blessed Trinity are all grouped together. Not on the same side of the bracket mind you, in the same group of eight! Absolutely insane. All three of those teams were top three in the rankings at some point this season and one loss knocked BT and Thomson into a #2-seed. Cartersville is clearly the favorite in AAAA. The Purple Hurricanes are so good, they could win a title in an upper classification. So, who comes out of the other side? Watch for Marist, Burke County, Troup, or Woodward Academy. Sleeper to the semi’s: Jefferson.

AAA

  1. Cedar Grove (10-0)
  2. Greater Atlanta Christian (9-1)
  3. Peach County (9-1)
  4. Calhoun (9-1)
  5. Crisp County (8-1)
  6. Jenkins (10-0)
  7. Morgan County (9-1)
  8. Monroe Area (9-1)
  9. Dawson County (7-3)
  10. Bremen (9-1)

Honorable Mention: Westside-Macon (7-3), Pike County (7-3), Westminster-Atlanta (5-5), Lovett (6-4), Pace Academy (5-4)

The other “Big Three” resides in AAA. Cedar Grove, Greater Atlanta Christian and Peach County are head and shoulders above the competition. Plus, it’s a miracle! All three can make trips into the semifinals and we could get a dream championship game matchup. The predetermined bracket didn’t kill the drama in this class. If Calhoun wins their quad, AAA could have the most star-studded semifinal in the state. Sleeper to the semi’s: Monroe Area.

AA

  1. Benedictine (10-0)
  2. Hapeville Charter (9-1)
  3. Screven County (9-0)
  4. Thomasville (10-0)
  5. Rabun County (10-0)
  6. Heard County (9-1)
  7. Callaway (9-1)
  8. Dodge County (9-0)
  9. Brooks County (8-1)
  10. Jefferson County (9-1)

Honorable Mention: Elbert County (8-2), Toombs County (9-1), Rockmart (8-2), Pepperell (7-3), Coosa (7-3)

The AA classification will most likely illicit more state championship predictions than any in the state. Some believe the state champion in AA will be decided when Benedictine takes on Hapeville Charter in the quarterfinals. Some don’t believe in Hapeville’s success and think Benedictine is down just enough for an upset. This author disagrees. Many predictions are based on other factors. Rabun County is talented, experienced, better than their last few playoff teams and hungry. Thomasville is back and carrying the load of a town and history on its back. Screven County is also playoff battle-tested from the last few years. This will be a really fun class to watch. Sleeper to the semi’s: Brooks County.

A Public

  1. Manchester (10-0)
  2. Irwin County (9-1)
  3. Clinch County (8-2)
  4. Macon County (7-3)
  5. Emanuel County Institute (9-1)
  6. Charlton County (7-2)
  7. Commerce (8-2)
  8. Trion (7-3)
  9. Mt Zion-Carroll (8-2)
  10. Taylor County (8-2)

Honorable Mention: Marion County (8-2), Mitchell County (9-1), Pelham (8-2), Jenkins County (7-3), Turner County (6-4)

Single A Public is terribly interesting. Manchester and Irwin County are the front-runners. Sitting behind them, slightly, is a tightly compacted group of contenders. Everything, everything, depends on the power ranking numbers in this classification. Which will be released Monday afternoon, by the way. Remember, region champions, no matter power ranking number, get a top eight seed for the playoffs. This results in the bumping down of at least a few top-flight teams. We commonly see semifinal caliber clubs seeded lower than they deserve. Sleeper to the semi’s: Taylor County.

A Private

  1. Eagles Landing Christian Academy (10-0)
  2. Athens Academy (10-0)
  3. Mount Paran Christian (9-1)
  4. Prince Avenue Christian (9-1)
  5. Wesleyan (8-2)
  6. Mount Pisgah Christian (8-2)
  7. Aquinas (7-3)
  8. Stratford Academy (9-1)
  9. Calvary Day (8-2)
  10. Tattnall Square (7-3)

Honorable Mention: Savannah Country Day (8-2), First Presbyterian (7-3), Darlington (6-4), George Walton Academy (7-3), Mount Vernon Presbyterian (6-4)

Single A Private feels like it is divided into three tiers. Eagle’s Landing Christian is looking for a three-peat, title number four in six years, and to push their win streak to 36-games. They sit alone as the heavy favorites. Athens Academy, Prince Avenue Christian and Mount Paran Christian seem to be the main challengers to the defending champs. As stated above, the rankings decide so much. Who will have the most difficult path ahead of them? Sleeper to the semi’s: Stratford Academy.

 

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Published by Chris Mooneyham

Chris Mooneyham is a twenty-year broadcast veteran employed or freelancing for multiple companies across America. Currently he is a co-host, play-by-play person and guest anchor for Atlanta’s sports leader, The Fan 680AM/ 93.7FM; and its sister stations on The Sports X. In the Fall, Chris serves as the Sideline Reporter for Kennesaw State University football. He also works as studio host, play-by-play announcer and content producer for The Fan’s coverage of Georgia High School football. Come the Wintertime, the focus shifts to the National Lacrosse League 2017 World Champions, the Georgia Swarm (play-by-play). When Spring rolls around, the Atlanta native delivers the play-by-play for the Emory University baseball team, a two-time national finalist. All throughout the year, Mooneyham is a lead play-by-play person for the NFHS Network’s high school sports coverage and over the last decade was honored to call state championships in nearly every sport. A Kennesaw State graduate, Chris holds a Communication degree in Media Studies and a Minor degree in Film Studies. He is also a two-time graduate of broadcasting school (Connecticut School of Broadcasting-1998/ Atlanta Broadcast Institute-2008).

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