Wesleyan replaces Buford as state’s most likely to go 15-0
Now that Buford is beaten, which Georgia team has the best shot of going undefeated?
My first thought is Lowndes, but it’s pretty tough going unbeaten in Class AAAAA. Much depends on home-field advantage and coin tosses. There’s so much depth. Plus, the No. 2 team, Grayson, beat Lowndes the last time they played.
In AAAA, there’s no clear-cut favorite yet, so I wouldn’t pick any of those teams to go 15-0.
Gainesville is No. 1 in AAA, but the Elephants have never gone undefeated. Plus, many would say once-beaten Carver of Columbus remains the team to beat.
In AA, nobody would be surprised if Buford went 14-1, so it’s tough picking any of those, although Calhoun and Fitzgerald look awfully good. And don’t forget Lovett, the team that ended Buford’s 32-game winning streak last week.
My choice would probably be Wesleyan. A friend asked me last week if Wesleyan is unbeatable in Class A, and the answer is no. Wesleyan was not a dominant state champion last year, although the 2009 team is better than last year’s team that peaked at the right time.
Here are the 11 teams that I think are most likely to go undefeated, and their chances. Note that I don’t think any team has a better than 50-50 chance of going undefeated looking at it this early in the season. Let me post this before I change my vote to Lowndes.
Wesleyan (40 percent)
Lowndes (35 percent)
Calhoun (30 percent)
Fitzgerald (30 percent)
Gainesville (25 percent)
Grayson (25 percent)
Westside, Macon (20 percent)
Griffin (20 percent)
Peach County (20 percent)
North Gwinnett (12 percent)
Lovett (10 percent)
Todd Holcomb is co-publisher of Georgia High School Football Daily, a free email newsletter. To join his mailing list, go here.
This week’s rankings:
CLASS AAAAA
1. Lowndes (3-0)
2. Grayson (3-0)
3. North Gwinnett (3-0)
4. Northside, Warner Robins (2-0)
5. Stephenson (2-0)
6. M.L. King (3-0)
7. Newnan (3-0)
8. Peachtree Ridge (2-1)
9. McEachern (3-0)
10. Camden County (1-2)
CLASS AAAA
1. Tucker (3-0)
2. Griffin (3-0)
3. Southwest DeKalb (2-1)
4. Westside, Macon (3-0)
5. Hillgrove (3-0)
6. North Clayton (3-0)
7. Sandy Creek (2-1)
8. Clarke Central (3-0)
9. Bainbridge (3-0)
10. Mount Zion, Jonesboro (3-0)
CLASS AAA
1. Gainesville (3-0)
2. Peach County (3-0)
3. St. Pius (3-0)
4. Carver, Columbus (2-1)
5. Carrollton (3-0)
6. LaGrange (2-1)
7. Washington County (3-0)
8. Burke County (3-0)
9. Creekview (2-0)
10. Flowery Branch (2-1)
CLASS AA
1. Calhoun (3-0)
2. Fitzgerald (3-0)
3. Lovett (3-0)
4. Buford (2-1)
5. Jefferson County (3-0)
6. Pepperell (3-0)
7. Brooks County (2-0)
8. Dublin (2-0)
9. Jefferson (3-0)
10. Charlton County (2-0-1)
CLASS A
1. Wesleyan (3-0)
2. Lincoln County (3-0)
3. Wilkinson County (3-0)
4. Savannah Christian (3-0)
5. Wilcox County (2-1)
6. Johnson County (3-0)
7. Bowdon (3-0)
8. Chattahoochee County (3-0)
9. Treutlen (3-0)
10. Twiggs County (2-1)
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195 comments Add your comment
AVikingFan
September 15th, 2009
5:16 pm
Headeast – ya’ll hang in there. Maybe we’ll get to meet this year. That’d be great wouldn’t it. We’ve got a really hard row ahead of us, NSWR is good, Valdosta is surprisingly good, and this week we face Air Propst and Colquitt High, who will pass it almost every play. Warner Robins and Houston County are both really good this year. Tifton and Coffee may have some surprises for folks before the season is over. Our region is really good this year, as are several others.
Do you know if North Gwinnett plays Grayson this year?
rwdekalbfan
September 15th, 2009
5:54 pm
I think Hillgrove definitely has a good team, but the road to the state title in AAAA will have to go through region 6AAAA. I have serious doubts about how Hillgrove would do against the big 3 over there, Tucker,Marist,SWD in the playoffs. Hillgrove got totally overwhelmed by Tucker last year in playoffs, the game was over at halftime. But I must admit the sleepers in AAAA are Hillgrove and North Clayton if they can gel as a unit as the season goes on.
rwdekalbfan
September 15th, 2009
6:04 pm
To Atlanta Public Schools. RESPECT IS EARNED! At least get a team to the quarterfinals and you will begin the process of getting that respect. The fans at these schools deserve to see more than just one and done, and thats if you make the playoffs at all. Mays did have a decent team a few years ago, but got hammered when they left the confines of the Atlanta area. Lets Keep It Real.
Grayson Student
September 15th, 2009
7:04 pm
Grayson does not play North Gwinnett in the regular season
Raider from the Start
September 15th, 2009
8:39 pm
CANNON- That was a good call by the official. East player made one of those “intimidating” moves immediately after the hit. He was definitely on the field of play. Wait til you see McEachern, those guys did that multiple times against Etowah with not a glimpse from the officials.
I’m surprised WOLVERINE- McEachern is not that fast. East is much faster, they are not as big but they swarm on defense. I have a lot of respect for the McEachern backfield but those guys are going to get hit hard and often. We will see how they hold up against the onslaught. East will control the ball and score with our very potent offense. Those guys are far better today than when they played Rome. Mceacher better be able to stop the pass and the run and then the pass and then the run and then…
SouthGARules
September 15th, 2009
9:20 pm
joeinformed: I hate to correct you but Dekalb County has the most HS in the state with 21. 20 in the Dekalb Co School System & 1 HS in Decatur City School System. This does not include any private schools (Marist & maybe others). Gwinnett County has 17 HS in county school system, 1 in Buford city & 2 private schools for a total of 20. I will say that the Gwinnett public schools are much larger than on average the Dekalb schools. Gwinnett has 15 AAAAA schools, 7 with enrollment of over 3000 students.
Dekalb has 3 AAAAA schools, of which only 1 (MLK) has over 2000 students. slalom1’s point is valid that enrollment is down the list on predicting success in football. There are 7 schools with enrollment of over 3000 students. All in Gwinnett (Mill Creek, Collins Hill, P’Tree Ridge, North Gwinnett, Brookwood, Grayson & Berkmar) Only 3 are ranked in top ten. There are 29 with enrollment UNDER 2000 students. Among these schools are: East Paulding, Lassiter, Stephenson, Valdosta & NSWR. Size helps but is not the determining factor. (enrollment figures from GHSF Daily Newsletters)
Yo
September 15th, 2009
9:55 pm
Slalom asks “how many times”? Slalom I lost count last year.
Good to see you finally recognize that enrollment is a part of the equation. I never said it was #1, but that it is an advantage.
Yo
September 15th, 2009
10:02 pm
AVikingFan now you know I don’t have a sarcastic bone in my body. Why would I ever make fun of Sportsfanthirtyonethousandthreehundredandthirteen?
Etowah Fan
September 15th, 2009
10:34 pm
AVikingFan – hold on a minute… you claim your region goes 249-38 last week. Not a fair challenge! Your region played only two 5A teams. Unfortunately your challenge won’t work for us up in the North where we don’t have that luxury. We play one out of region game to start the season and then we get to start beating up on each other in week two with region play for the rest of the season. Just sayin…
Etowah Fan
September 15th, 2009
10:42 pm
SouthGARules – good post. Your figures are tell tale and when combined with the earlier comments about Community support… it won’t take long to figure out why there are perennial contenders from certain parts of the state and why the powerhouses in Metro Atlanta tend to move around or move down in classification.
The community feeder and support system combined with the sheer size (total numbers) of the talent pool to draw from should create a powerhouse by default (see P’Ridge, Grayson, NG). Mix in some good coaching –> Top 10 program.
BLAME IT ON COACHING
September 15th, 2009
11:23 pm
The problem at Stephenson in the past has been DISCIPLINE. Stephenson have a lot of talent yes, but no discpline. In the past you had players jealous of each others. You had selfish players and parents that didn’t think about unity, but self. Last year team didn’t have any SENIORS leadership. The Coffee game didn’t any SENIOR step up when the game got tough. You know coaches can’t teach HEART.I don’t think they were tough and determine like this Team this year. I think this might be they year ,because you have Leadership and Team Unity. Everybody on the team wants to be DOME BOUND.
AVikingFan
September 15th, 2009
11:58 pm
Good points, Etowah Fan, but Carver Columbus and Ware are not patsies. But still, good points!
Mceachern fan
September 16th, 2009
12:00 am
EP who is that? This Friday I think the Indians will take it to the raiders. The Indians have an explosive offense that can make big plays at any point in the game. And their defense will just hammer the raider offense. The Indians have come a long way since last year and they refuse to loose as we saw in last weeks come back effort against the wolverines.
TRUE BLUE
September 16th, 2009
12:17 am
Buford will bounce back and make a play-off run. I watch the McEachern game and they look interesting
#1scout
September 16th, 2009
2:22 am
Who the hell has heard of GERRY???? For you that don’t know nothing, Burke County is the biggest county in GA. Burke County is the only AAA team that has erased AAAA ranked teams from the rankings. Burke County is the only team that put the most points on the board against Cairo last season in Cairo. DO I need to go on????? I tell you what, you seem like you pay attention to what you want. Be at the dome this year cause the Bears will. Then you will see and hear who have heard of Burke County.
#1scout
September 16th, 2009
3:22 am
TODD, Yeah Burke County do have to go to WACO this season. But ummm, AAAA Statesboro was ranked #5 when Burke went to Statesboro. WACO is ranked #7 in AAA and you have doubt in the Bears. Come on mannnn, the game was over by half time, Statesboro just didn’t have enough. On top of that several of Burke key players didn’t even play cause of injuries. That should let you know that Terrell Brigham isn’t the only weapon, Burke is loaded. You say “WACO returns more nucleus” but Burke beat them when they was ranked #4 last season. And has started from where they stopped in full gear. REMEMBER, it doesn’t matter about the location of the game, its CAN YOU PLAY THIS GAME?
The Cannon Rules!
September 16th, 2009
7:01 am
Mceachern fan…
Who is EP?…Just ask your Seniors who came to “THE BONEYARD” last year for LESSON # 1 in the future of 5A-AAAAA. They remember well the beating they took and that ride back to Powder Town. Ask them how long it took to get the sound of “THE CANNON” out of their head (they really didn’t…they STILL hear it!!)
THE FUTURE of 5A-AAAAA continues this friday as the RAIDERS from EAST continue their march thru COBB…the countdown is on with only 60 hours left. Lesson #2 coming up!!!
TICK…TICK…TICK…BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!…GO RAIDERS!!!
The Cannon Rules!
September 16th, 2009
7:26 am
Raider from the Start…
We just disagree a bit on the call then…I want em’ “INTIMIDATED”, cautious and looking over their shoulder watching for the next hit from our SWARMING RAIDER “D”!!!
It’s FOOTBALL…It’s a CONTACT sport…Man-up and let em’ play!!! I just don’t want they game called bad and cost either team the game!!!
GO RAIDERS!!!!
Pops
September 16th, 2009
8:01 am
Cannon – You better bring the cannon early! You will need something to drown out that god awful, nerve racking “Hail to the Redskin’s their band plays. The less you hear it the better off you will be. I know from experienc, as an Etowah fan, and will be rooting for your Raiders on your March through Cobb. Good luck.
wolverine fan
September 16th, 2009
8:18 am
Good Luck EP……….
The Cannon Rules!!
September 16th, 2009
8:45 am
Pops…
Thanks for the warning, but I don’t think ANYTHING can be more obnoxious than that WOLF HOWL Rome has…if you never heard it you JUST DON’T understand, but I been to most AAAA & AAAAA stadiums in our area and that WOLF HOWL is unbearable!!!
Let em’ trot out their “Redskins tune” we got something called “THE RAIDER BRIGADE” that will crank out a few tunes for EAST all night also…I am looking forward to an exciting game over in Powder Town friday night and Thanks for the VOTE of support for our RAIDERS!!! (at least for this night…LOL!)
RealisticEP_Fan
September 16th, 2009
9:17 am
EP at MAC Assessment: I haven’t seen MAC play yet but just from comments and stats it would appear or sound as if that they are offensively talented (42 pts a game), and that there speed in the backfield allows for a big stike from anywhere. I read a comment earlier about EP better be able to defend the pass.. Last week against Wookstock they completed 9 of 20 passes, so that isn’t a great efficieny. EP on the other hand has a multiple offense and is averaging 30pts itself,,,given that MAC is also allowing 24 points agame it would appear it might come down to EP ability to stop or slow down the MAC offense. EP is allowing 11 pts a game over two games (all of them to Rome).
My hunch is that EP’s offense will put up a few points and it might take longer then MAC’s offense to score, which in the end might be a good thing because the MAC defense will end up more wore out at the end. I could be wrong but I see it being a bit of a track meet unfortuantely(I’d rather see defense),,,,,Something like 38-35 either way. I could be all washed up and find out that MAC has a defense, but at least on paper it doesn’t sound overly strong. (Oh and limiting Etowah to 10 was good but that isn’t a well balanced Offense either)..
Also,,,last note: Last week against Woodstock, MAC played a straight up defense early and got burned because they could not get to the ball carrier. Then they realized Woodstock wasnt’ going to throw the ball(0 attempts in the first half, and 0-4 in the game). Later in the game they gambled and but up to 9 in the box and were able to shut the running game down and get the ball back. EP’s balanced offense won’t provide that same luxury and the MAC will quite possibly guessing and gambling all night to try and stop the Raiders. Not a great recipe for sucess.
RealisticEP_Fan
September 16th, 2009
9:35 am
Ok, don’t everyone dog me for my typing/grammar ineptnes (this iphone predictive typing/spelling thing really needs some tweeks).
MAC Fans,,,,,,,,,,,,,can you hear it yet,,,,,,,,,,,,can you,,,,,,Tick Tick Tick Tick……….all of Raider Nation is headed your way.,,,see you soon.
BOOOOMMMM
September 16th, 2009
9:38 am
EP Fans: Can’t make the game,,,,,,,get realtime twitter updates at:
http://twitter.com/epfootballfan
AstroFan
September 16th, 2009
9:49 am
You jumped Northside over Stephenson because of what Northside did last season? We’re into week three and you’re still basing your rankings on what teams did last season. I’m usually a nice guy and I’m usually nice on this message board. But that makes no D%#* sense!!!! I’m a Douglass fan and I don’t appreciate that.
In The Trenches
September 16th, 2009
10:14 am
Realisitic EP Fan – Nice assesment and I agree with most of your points. I also believe you will be able to score, and hopefully for your sake early. Two of McCeachern scores against Etowah were a result of special teams play, a punt return td and fake punt. Beware! Also Etowah was able to move the ball a little more effective then the score would indicate, just could not score. Twice down around the ten, and came up empty when the game was still within reach. The one time Etowah went into hurry up at the end of the second quarter McCeachern was on their heels. Factor in that Woodstock, a defensive minded club was able to score as much as they did, and Brookwood’s late rally,granted against second team, would indicate that they can be scored upon fairly easy. Thus, I believe you will be in the shootout you speak of. Getting some key stops could be the difference. Score early and often and you have a chance, just don’t get behind. Boom!
Decatur 4 Life
September 16th, 2009
10:31 am
Panola’s Finest
“Excuses, Excuses. There are plenty of good teams other than Columbia and Mcnair that will play you guys. Say what you want but those were scrimmages with JV teams at best.”
I know we at Columbia are having a down year with a first year coach and no practice facilities at our school but a “JV team” get real. To add insult to injury because since we’re not on the north end of the county, we have find places to practice in the area due to construction at the school that was supposed to be finished by summer’s end. I say not on the north end of the county because this never would happen at Lakeside, Tucker, Dunwoody or even Chamblee. All through the 90’s we had a good program, run by the current Director of Dekalb County Athletics Ron Sebree. Just ask former Tucker standout Patrick Pass about the Columbia teams of the past, one in particular that put them out of the playoffs . Give us a year or so , we’ll be back.
JimJacket
September 16th, 2009
10:32 am
Given Wesleyan is only A ball, but has anyone noticed they haven’t been scored on in their first 3 games. The 2 points scored last week was on a bad snap for a punt. Their first 3 opponents were Clarkston, Darlington, and Holy Innocents’. That’s a AAA team and the 2 teams that beat them last year. Forget likelyhood of going undefeated; what is the chance someone will score a touchdown against them.
Looks like the private school rule needs to be put back in place and move them back to AA.
Coach
September 16th, 2009
10:43 am
REGION 6AAAA IS THE MOST TALENTED AND MOST COMPETITIVE REGION IN CLASS AAAA. THE AAAA CHAMP WILL MORE THAN LIKELY COME OUT OF THAT REGION THIS YEAR.
AVikingFan
September 16th, 2009
10:45 am
Northside fans are quiet this week. Come on eaglenationrising and reese, what are you predicting your team will do to Valdosta friday? This is the least amount of posts I’ve ever seen prior to a NSWR game.
OK I guess it’s only fair if I make a prediction is also. I predict it will be one of the best games in the entire state this week. (Valdosta has a good chance to win) Come on headeast and realistic ep fan, don’t get riled up. Ya’ll will take care of business.
I just hope the Lowndes Vikings can handle Colquitt and Air Propst’s passing attack. Colquitt is better than most people give them credit for. They demolished a good Thomasville team.
RealisticEPFan
September 16th, 2009
11:30 am
I’m only a little riled up……..I missed my third game in 5 years and I’m just a bit testy…….
EP 38, Machearn-30
truth
September 16th, 2009
3:12 pm
Grady will prove themselves this friday at lakewood.they have many division one prospects.some of them are Marcus Caffey,Omari Foreman,Chris Walton,Darius Hawkins,Damian Swann,Rashad Renolds, and Daron Wright.Look out for them at the game
Tony
September 16th, 2009
3:33 pm
Class AAAAA is loaded with good teams. McEachern is big, fast and aggressive. If there is a team better than them, I would like to see them play. This team has already defeated 2 top 10 teams. It’s good to see them in the top ten. East Paulding had better bring their A game if they plan to match up against McEachern this Friday.
slalom1
September 16th, 2009
4:10 pm
REEZE, Appreciate the response, but still believe that you are understating how good Northside may be this year. Sounds like a talented group of “young” players. Nobody is better than Coach Nix at player developement. I get this spooky feeling that Northside may finish off the season with some major upsets (at least according to your analysis.)
AVikingFan
September 16th, 2009
4:39 pm
slalom 1 – Northside will be the favorite – or should be – in every reg season game they play this year. Don’t let Reese fool you. (Remember, they play Lowndes in WR this year and have a field house full of “we want to beat Lowndes” attitude and commitment.) But they better be ready to play this coming Friday against an improved Valdosta. After what they did to a GOOD CC team last week shows they are “for real.” just saying…….
git-er-done
September 16th, 2009
4:57 pm
Any one heard of Union Grove, the soon to be crowned 2009 2AAAAA champs! The same team that beat #1 Vigor Alabama in a pre-season game.
Raider from the Start
September 16th, 2009
6:26 pm
Sorry CANNON I didn’t explain myself well enough. I’m with you on the hit. The problem was the “posing” afterwards that caused the penalty. REALISTIC McEachern doesn’t have a strong defense with the exception of #71. That young man can control the defensive left side on the line. He moves well, hits well and doesn’t get tired. I can’t wait to see the battle between him and 55 or big number 75(?) for EAST.
SouthGARules
September 16th, 2009
7:42 pm
git-er-done: A lot of people will hear about Union Grove if & when they get by Stephenson & MLK. Lets see what they do before you crown them Region 2-AAAAA champs. Preseason games are to be taken with a grain of salt. Brookwood dusted Walton in a preseason scrimmage & is 1-2. Walton is 3-0. If they win the region, they will be deserving of respect, but I would bet on the Stephenson-MLK winner winning the region.
JimJacket: Wesleyan used to be in AA & were just a middle of the pack team. They were usually a #3/#4 seed in their region.
Sideline
September 16th, 2009
10:42 pm
When does Todd’s weekly predictions come out. It will be interesting to see who he picks in the NSWR vs Valdosta game, and the Ea Pauld vs MAC games. I think he’s pretty much already said he thinks Grayson (or is it Greyson?) will beat So Gwinnett by 14. Who is BUFORD UNIVERSITY playing this week. Hmmmm, I forgot. We haven’t heard that this week!!!! (lol Lovett)
Watch out for Houston County in Region 1AAAAA. They will surprise someone this year. You read it here first!
HomeFieldAdvantage
September 16th, 2009
10:57 pm
YO, you going to Moultrie Friday night? Lowndes fans have already bought most of the available visitors seats, and the center section on the visitors side has been sold out since Tuesday. Making matters worse, a lot of Colquitt’s general admission fans sit on the visitors side, left of the center section. It will be a mad house. I imagine Cleveland Field in Valdosta will be full also. The losers likely will have a long ride home. Where is Sportsfan thirty one thousand three hundred and thirteen? EagleNationRising’s silence is almost deafening this week. He must really be worried about Friday night.
SportsFan31313
September 17th, 2009
11:11 am
AVikingFan Says:
September 15th, 2009
2:00 pm
Sportsfan31313 – I can’t believe you went to Camden last week instead of to the Houston County vs Bradwell Inst. game! Going is one thing but admitting it here so ENR, Yo and I can poke fun at’cha is too much!
Greetings A VIKINGFAN,
Well I really wanted to see both and of course that was impossible. I had my allies there and they kept me in close contact with the Houston County / Bradwell Institute game. This Camden County / Hoover was to good to miss, and yes I watched that game and don’t regret it.
But don’t get me wrong…. I am still a Bradwell Institute Fan…… They have a great season this year even with the lost to Houston County. By the way, I watched some clips of the Bradwell Institute Houston County game. They are a lot better than they were last year. That full back they have is pretty strong. He can run the ball. I’m sure he will keyed on when they NSWR. It will be interesting how they will matchup against Region 1-AAAAA opponents this year.
Cane Daddy
September 17th, 2009
11:42 am
Get your tickets for the big Griffin vs. Mt.Zion-Jonesboro game… if we have good weather their will be a huge crowd. Come on out and support your local high school team – it’s a great investment! Go Bears.
AVikingFan
September 17th, 2009
2:17 pm
SportsFan31313 – I kinda know the feeling. I’d sure like to see the Valdosta/NSWR game Friday, but I know my Vikings might NEED me in Moultrie. I agree with your assessment of Houston County. HC AND Valdosta might surprise some people this year. I hope it “ain’t” us. I think HC is playing Coffee tonight and I’m interested in knowing how that comes out.
Where’s EagleNationRising? It’s time for a history lesson about something, ha ha! Just wish he wasn’t so negative about Todd, who I think does a great job!
AVikingFan
September 18th, 2009
11:05 am
SportsFan31313 – What’s your take on Coffee defeating Houston County last night? I guess our region is more balanced than we thought. I really thought Houston would be really tough this year and even challenge Northside and WR.
SportsFan31313
September 20th, 2009
1:40 pm
AVIKINGFAN,
I know and agree with you. ENR can sure talk can’t he.It’s one thing to disagree with the Sports Writers, and it’s another thing to really badger them. I get his (ENR) point without the constant talk…. Well Coffee Couty did beat Houston County….. I didn’t think that NSWR would have beaten Valdosta in Winnersville. That just shows how tough that NSWR Defense is…. In addition, it that Region (1-AAAAA) you can’t under estimate anyone there. You can be beaten if you are on top of your game. Congrats goes out to ENR…..