Corrected April 2020

Starting this week, 240 teams across the state of Georgia live with the dream of being crowned state champion as we begin the 2019 GHSA football playoffs. Remember, the championships have moved to Georgia State Stadium this year, so once we finally reach December 13-14, grab your winter coat. As always, multiple championship games will be carried on a variation of the Dickey Broadcasting family of stations. We’re just a little too far from kickoff to know which games, the number of games and what station will carry each game. Thanks for listening all season long and we hope you enjoy our brief playoff preview below!

 

AAAAAAA

Is it possible the AAAAAAA classification has more real state championship contenders than in recent memory? We believe so. Lowndes will enter the postseason at number one; having been the most consistent team all season. Not to mention they are number one in the classification in both points scored and points allowed. Colquitt County has the pedigree of the last decade of success and this could be their best club in the last three seasons. Of course, it could be the high flying, ultra-talented Marietta Blue Devils. They feature a bounty of nationally ranked players; eleven to be precise. Re-tooling (not rebuilding) Grayson will be fun to watch and could make a run at another title. McEachern is a vogue pick for a deep run and should be. During the off-season, I called the hiring of Franklin Stephens “one of the greatest hires in Georgia high school football history.” It has paid off in the first undefeated regular season for McEachern in a decade. Plus, this is the most talented Indians club in years. The second tier will comprise of North Gwinnett, Parkview and perhaps, Archer. North Gwinnett is the “sleeper”.

1. Lowndes (10-0)
2. Colquitt County (8-2)
3. Grayson (9-1)
4. McEachern (10-0)
5. North Gwinnett (9-1)
6. Marietta (8-2)
7. Parkview (9-1)
8. Archer (7-3)
9. Milton (7-3)
10. Camden County (8-2)

 

AAAAAA

There is no question, since the GHSA introduced the seventh classification, the AAAAAA ranks have produced the most compelling seasons as far as overall seasonal drama is concerned. And parity. The race to close the gap on the two-time defending champions has been an absolutely, wild affair. Lee County will attempt to become the first team since Parkview from 2000-02 to “three-peat” in one of the state’s highest classifications. Although, this is not the strongest of the Trojan teams during this run. Dacula is likely the most balanced team in the classification. They play defense as well as anyone, have one of the top run games in the state and have a reliable quarterback. Valdosta will score at will, but can they stop good offenses? They did give LC everything they could handle in region play. Harrison has been the “surprisingly dominant” team in 2019. They have steamrolled opponents. The Hoyas are the only team in the class to rank in the top three in both scoring offense and scoring defense. I believe that four-team list is on the top line. After, you will find a large pack of teams which includes Lanier, Allatoona, Mays, Stephenson, and Johns Creek. Plus, my sleeper, Dalton. Who, unfortunately for both teams, must face Dacula in the first round. And of course, we will wait to see who the surprise team in the class ends up being. Because there is always one…

1. Lee County (9-1)
2. Dacula (10-0)
3. Harrison (10-0)
4. Valdosta (8-2)
5. Lanier (9-1)
6. Allatoona (7-2-1)
7. Mays (9-1)
8. Stephenson (9-1)
9. Johns Creek (9-1)
10. Dalton (7-3)

 

AAAAA

If there was one classification over the last few years which could give AAAAAA a run for its money on the parity scale, it has been this class. In 2019, AAAAA is the king of competitive balance. Having said that, the parity is really in reference to making semifinals and quarterfinals. The list of true state championship contenders is “only” about five deep. After careful analysis, someone could legitimately place as many as 10-12 clubs in the pack of contenders who could reach a quarterfinal. Carrollton has posted the best season for any team statistically, but they are certainly beatable. As is everyone else in the class. Buford losing to Clarke Central on finale weekend made many of us rethink things. Still, the Wolves could be the team with the best balance of talent, experience and pedigree. After losing back-to-back championship games, could this be the year for Warner Robins? Traditional contenders Rome and Kell, are back again, even if not quite as strong as in the past. On the Southside and into Middle Georgia, Jones County, Dutchtown and Stockbridge just finished a dog fight in region and are battle tested. Meanwhile, Griffin and Riverwood are just lying in the weeds.

1. Carrollton (10-0)
2. Warner Robins (9-1)
3. Jones County (9-1)
4. Dutchtown (9-1)
5. Buford (9-1)
6. Stockbridge (8-2)
7. Rome (8-2)
8. Kell (8-2)
9. Clarke Central (7-3)
10. TIE: Griffin (9-1)/ Riverwood (10-0)

 

AAAA

While many are anticipating the parity which will drive the higher three classification more than anything else, some are looking forward to the battle between five or six dominant teams in AAAA. Cartersville, Woodward Academy, Blessed Trinity, Sandy Creek and Marist have ruled the top five in our poll all season. Remarkably, not one of the five is an obvious favorite to hoist the trophy and not one can be discounted more than another. Sandy Creek was the darling of preseason predictions across the state. With five nationally ranked players the Patriots are back in championship caliber contention. To win another title they will need to outlast region foe and 2018 state runner-up Cartersville. The Canes started the season as our #1-ranked club after returning Tee Webb at quarterback, junior wide receiver Devonte Ross (team leader in receiving yards and touchdowns), three offensive linemen, their number two running back from last season and eight top rotation defenders. Despite the graduation of perhaps the four greatest players in program history, Blessed Trinity returned a ton of talent that played in crucial moments for this club over the last two title winning seasons. This depth showed as the Titans won a region championship this season. They did so, over Marist; who could have the best club they have fielded in years. Legendary head coach Alan Chadwick has gone on the record as saying quarterback Connor Gigelski is one of the greatest quarterbacks he has coached. Woodward Academy is the wild card. Their front-line stars are hard for teams to match. By the way, in every major poll in the state this season, one of the five teams mentioned above has been ranked number one at some point.

1. Cartersville (10-0)
2. Woodward Academy (10-0)
3. Blessed Trinity (9-1)
4. Sandy Creek (9-1)
5. Marist (9-1)
6. Oconee County (9-1)
7. West Laurens (9-1)
8. North Oconee (9-1)
9. Cairo (8-2)
10. Denmark (7-2)

 

AAA

Most pundits assume this classification mirrors the AAAA ranks; where Peach County, Cedar Grove, Pierce County and Greater Atlanta Christian should be the top tier of AAA. And this is mostly correct. Some will separate Peach and Cedar Grove to themselves; which is understandable. Each has run a bear of a schedule. The Saints suffered losses to undefeated AAAAAAA powerhouse McEachern and Central of Phenix City, who is currently in the quarterfinals of the Alabama state playoffs. The Trojans lone blemish was a one-point loss at the hands of AAAAAA playoff participant Houston County. Meanwhile, their wins read as a “who’s who” of national high school football. While last season’s state title game combatants appear to be the two best teams, Greater Atlanta Christian, compared to most teams, will have the best balance on offense and defense, commit fewer penalties and feature a litany of top-flight players. There is no question the Spartans can win a state title. Three teams in the AAA classification rank in the top five in both scoring offense and defense: Pierce County, Jefferson and Jenkins. Over the last few weeks, these three teams have been changing minds as far as their potential claim to the throne is concerned. Or solidifying it.

1. Peach County (9-1)
2. Cedar Grove (8-2)
3. Pierce County (10-0)
4. Greater Atlanta Christian (9-1)
5. Jefferson (8-1)
6. Jenkins (9-1)
7. Appling County (8-2)
8. Hart County (8-2)
9. North Murray (9-1)
10. Calhoun (9-1)

 

AA

It is amazing how each classification can sort of make a claim to having something unique, and to its own, when it comes to its respective state championship contenders. The dominance over the last few seasons of the top teams in AA has really been something. Rockmart was the 2018 state runner-up and has posted a 42-7 record over the last four seasons. Callaway has 44 wins and reached two semifinals and a quarterfinal in the last four seasons. Rabun County just won its six-straight region championship while averaging ten wins per season in that span. Dublin has reached number-one in our poll each of the last two seasons and was a quarterfinalist last year. Hapeville Charter also has 42 wins in the last four seasons; to go along with a state title and four consecutive region crowns. The catch in the AA storyline is what the impact of a state championship would mean to each program. Despite the recent success, Callaway and Rabun County have never won a state championship. Rockmart has one title, won in 1950. Hapeville has one; a second in three seasons would mark this current run in history. Dublin has four state titles and is historically rich; yet they have not won a championship since 2006.

1. Rockmart (10-0)
2. Callaway (9-1)
3. Rabun County (10-0)
4. Dublin (9-1)
5. Hapeville Charter (8-1-1)
6. Jefferson County (8-2)
7. Bremen (7-3)
8. Fitzgerald (7-3)
9. Washington County (7-3)
10. Metter (9-1)

 

A Public

In the last four seasons, Clinch County and Irwin County have been the standard bearers of excellence in Single A Public. In each of the last three seasons, prior to 2019, Irwin had beaten Clinch in the regular season, only to see the Panthers come back to win the rematch, in the state championship game. So, your next question is, “what happened this year?” Well, believe it or not, Irwin beat them again. So, I guess we know Clinch is winning the state title! Preview over. In all seriousness, both should be there again, in the end. Irwin County could be the most talented team and will be the sentimental favorite. They played most of the season without star DJ Lundy. Most importantly, they played the entire season worrying about the health of head coach Buddy Nobles, who was diagnosed with cancer before the season. With history considered, and pure talent, Clinch County is the favorite of many. The “second tier” of teams in the Single A classification are going to be a little thicker with quality. The million-dollar question is: Who makes up the second tier? Whichever teams emerge could have a real shot of supplanting the juggernauts.

1. Irwin County (9-0)
2. Clinch County (9-1)
3. Bowdon (8-2)
4. Mitchell County (9-1)
5. Pelham (9-1)
6. Marion County (8-2)
7. Commerce (8-2)
8. Manchester (8-2)
9. Johnson County (8-2)
10. Lincoln County (8-2)

 

A Private

I want to say this carefully for the folks in the back. There is no classification in the state which has more championship depth than Single A Private. None. Six or seven teams could be state champions. The most dominant team in the lowest classification, in the last decade, is Eagles Landing Christian Academy. After winning the state championship last season, the Chargers became only the third team in GHSA football history to win four-straight championships. What we learned this season is they can be beaten. In preseason we knew Holy Innocents was going to be good, but when they knocked off ELCA, it served notice to the state. Their senior running back, Michael Cox, may take over the postseason. With so many storylines emerging through the class, Athens Academy has flown under the radar a bit. Let us remind you they are more than capable of winning the state title. Next is two teams who have been forgotten by most: Fellowship Christian and Darlington. If you haven’t looked, take a guess who the number-two team in the power ratings is. It is Darlington. Meanwhile, Fellowship had the second-highest scoring season in Private this year. Finally, Savannah Country Day is undefeated entering the playoffs having defeated rivals Savannah Christian and Calvary Day and Johnson County twice. Prince Avenue is buoyed by the return of its stud quarterback while Wesleyan has been riding the arm of its star signal caller all year. Need a sleeper pick? Watch out for Christian Heritage.

1. Holy Innocents (10-0)
2. Eagles Landing Christian Academy (9-1)
3. Athens Academy (10-0)
4. Fellowship Christian (10-0)
5. Darlington (9-1)
6. Savannah Country Day (10-0)
7. Christian Heritage (9-1)
8. Wesleyan (8-2)
9. Mount de Sales (10-0)
10. Prince Avenue Christian (8-2)