Chris Mooneyham

Region play is altering this week’s 680 FNF rankings (October 9th)…

Coming up this week on Life University’s 680 The Fan Friday Night Football…

Number one ranked Cedar Grove (6-0 overall/ 3-0 in Region 5-AAA classification) visits honorable mention Pace Academy (2-3 overall/ 2-1 in Region 5-AAA classification).

Entering this season, the defending state champions from Cedar Grove were guaranteed to provide us with one of the more interesting seasons to watch because of the balance of talent graduated and the amount of talent coming back.

They haven’t missed a beat.

The Saints are led by junior wide receiver Jadon Haselwood. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound University of Georgia commit is the number one rated receiver in the country according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Furthermore, he is rated number three overall, regardless of position. Another key has been the addition, via transfer, of Rashad Cheney. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive tackle is a top ten, nationally ranked, interior lineman.

The truth of the matter is these two young men are mere examples of the tremendous athletic depth this program now has. We could put together a long list of young players to highlight here. Head Coach Jimmy Smith (46-12-1 record in five seasons) has turned the Saints into a “reload” program as opposed to a “rebuild” program. Including this year, the men from Ellenwood have put together a 39-7-1 record over the last two and a half seasons.

Meanwhile, after soaring to a state title in 2013, Pace Academy has struggled to find the same form. Last season, head coach Chris Slade’s (33-21 record in five seasons) bunch was rife with key injuries and had to adjust to losses due to graduation; and in some ways the same storyline could apply to 2017. Still, this group will be more talented than nearly every team they play. Junior running back Keashawn Perryman has turned into a go-to weapon for the Knights. Senior Realus George is a one-man wrecking crew and one of the top linebackers in the state.

Yet, their highest rated player is on the offensive line. Senior Jamaree Salyer has a chance to be the highest rated guard in the “recruiting rankings era”. At 6-foot-4, 342-pounds, the Georgia lean is ranked seventh overall according to the 247Sports Composite national rankings.

As far as the standings are concerned, there is no question, with all due respect, the current top four in the standings will represent this region in the playoffs. The only question is, in what order? Pace lost to Westminster last week, so the Wildcats own the tiebreaker on the Knights. Plus, Cedar Grove has already beaten Lovett. If Pace were to lose this week, they would be destined for the third or fourth seed. And Cedar Grove would be potentially one win from the title.

TEAM REGION OVERALL
W-L W-L
Cedar Grove 3-0 6-0
Lovett 2-1 3-3
Pace Academy 2-1 2-3
Westminster (Atlanta) 2-1 2-4
McNair 1-2 3-3
Redan 1-2 2-4
Towers 1-2 2-4
Stone Mountain 0-0 1-5

 

AAAAAAA

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

Honorable Mention: Parkview (4-2), McEachern (4-2), Milton (5-1), Newton (5-2), Hillgrove (4-2)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. In this humble author’s opinion, there is no doubt, the biggest game of the week, regardless of classification, is #1 Grayson facing #4 Archer. If that isn’t the biggest game, then #2 Lowndes facing #7 Tift County is the winner. #10 Brookwood is finally rolling, especially offensively. Now they face a Central Gwinnett team that is giving up some points and just out of the honorable mention. Unranked Marietta will meet region foe Hillgrove, who narrowly passed them for a spot in the honorable mention.

 

 

 

 

 

AAAAAA

  1. Lee County (7-0)
  2. Tucker (5-1)
  3. Mays (5-1)
  4. Northside-Warner Robins (6-1)
  5. Harrison (4-2)
  6. Winder Barrow (7-0)
  7. Douglas County (6-1)
  8. Hughes (5-2)
  9. Alexander (5-1)
  10. Dalton (5-1)

Honorable Mention: Alpharetta (5-1), Stephenson (4-2), Coffee (3-2), Sequoyah (5-1), Richmond Hill (5-0)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. This could be the week. Since Tucker lost early, we placed Lee County in the top spot and left them there by a hair. Tucker is the more talented on paper and even through the chastising from critics, we have merely said, “let the schedule play out.” This week the Trojans take on #4 Northside of Warner Robins. Both #8 Hughes and #9 Alexander, region opponents, are far better than people realize. Our poll was on top of them early (not to brag too much) and they have both lived up to the billing.

 

 

AAAAA

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

Honorable Mention: Bainbridge (5-2), Arabia Mountain (4-2), Flowery Branch (6-1), Clarke Central (4-3), Whitewater (4-3)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. #9 Griffin with a key region matchup again Fayette County, who is just on the outside of the rankings. #5 Warner Robins will meet an unranked Harris County team with enough toughness and talent to pull off an upset. #10 Kell is going to get a test on run defense when they face an unranked but pretty good Villa Rica club.

 

AAAA

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

Honorable Mention: Eastside (6-1), Heritage-Ringgold (7-0), Cedartown (6-1), Baldwin (4-2), Northwest Whitfield (4-3)

Time once again, for your “Cartersville win streak update”. After dispatching of LaGrange 56-0, the Purple Hurricanes are up to 37-consecutive victories. They have now matched both Valdosta (1960-63) and West Rome (1981-84) on the all classification state win streak list. Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. Speaking of Cartersville, a few weeks ago their matchup with Sandy Creek would have meant more, we will see if the struggling Patriots can show its pride. One of the best matchups, that will deserve more fanfare than it will get, will be #10 Woodward Academy versus honorable mention Eastside.

 

AAA

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

Honorable Mention: Dawson County (4-2), East Hall (5-2), Westside-Macon (4-3), Union County (4-3), Pace Academy (2-3)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. #1 Cedar Grove and honorable mention club Pace Academy will meet on our airwaves. There isn’t any question Pace has the athleticism to play with CG in the starting 22, but can they hold up to the Saints depth. The best, underrated matchup will take place in Region 8. #5 Monroe Area will meet #10 Morgan County. Both clubs are better than people realize. Not world beaters, but deserving of their rankings.

AA

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

Honorable Mention: Elbert County (6-1), Toombs County (6-0), Swainsboro (5-1), Pepperell (4-2), Bleckley County (5-2)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. This class is highlighted by three ballgames that are most likely going to decide region championships. #1 Benedictine versus undefeated Toombs County. TC will be facing its first real tough opponent of the season. However, the biggest game in the class this week is #2 Callaway versus #10 Heard County. The Cavaliers are a legit state championship contender; no matter what some may say. We will see if Ohio State commit Emory Jones can take the Braves to another level and upset Callaway. The underrated matchup of the week unfolds when honorable mention club Pepperell meets unranked Rockmart with another region on the line.

 

A Public

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

Honorable Mention: Turner County (4-2), Pelham (5-1), Trion (5-1), Mitchell County (5-1), Johnson County (4-2)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. #4 Clinch County will meet honorable mention, and narrowly unranked, Turner County. Currently, each sits in a tie for second place in the region. I know Bowdon is 2-5 and unranked, but for #7 Mount Zion it could be a challenge. Meanwhile, #1 Manchester will face a playoff bound Brookstone club from the honorable mention ranks of A Private.

 

 

A Private

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

Honorable Mention: Mount Vernon Presbyterian (6-1), First Presbyterian (5-1), George Walton Academy (5-1), Hebron Christian (4-2), Brookstone (5-2)

Let’s look at the biggest games in the class this week. Many have questioned our ranking of honorable mention club First Presbyterian and #3 Stratford Academy. They will settle it on the field this week. Meanwhile, Hebron Christian has come a long way under new head coach, and Peyton Manning bestie, Jeff Saturday. They get their biggest test of the season this week with #2 Prince Avenue.

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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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