Class AAAAA: Walton

The Raiders excelled in close games in the postseason, surviving a comeback bid by Chattahoochee for a 3-2 victory in the second round. The run to the state title also included a 2-1 victory against Kennesaw Mountain in the first round and the 1-0 victory against Harrison in the championship. Walton, which finished 17-2-2, got big-time performances from sophomores Ben Yabrow, Taylor White and Connor Barbaree, making the next two years look extremely promising for the east Cobb County school. It was Walton's third championship, the others coming in 1995 and 2002.

Class AAAA: Marist

The War Eagles were one of three 20-win boys teams, and they did it the hard way, finishing their state-championship run with four consecutive one-goal victories. Junior Jeff Abernethy provided the game-winner in the 2-1 victory against Chamblee in the final, bending in a corner kick to help the War Eagles finish 20-3. It was the War Eagles' first state championship in boys soccer.

Class AAA: Westminster

The Wildcats have an argument for being the best team in the state, having whipped Class AAAA champion Marist 5-0 in the regular season. Westminster started out 4-4-3 in the first 11 games before finishing with 12 consecutive victories. The playoffs, though, were highlighted by tight games, with a 2-1 victory against North Hall, a 1-0 triumph over LaGrange and a 2-1 victory against Columbus in the state final. David Towles had both goals in the final.

Class AA/A: Pace Academy

Led by striker Danner Marsden (33 goals, 10 assists) and midfielder Mohamed Kelli (25 goals, 19 assists), the Knights rolled over nearly everyone, losing only to Marist. Pace outscored opponents 96-16. Pace, in its first season of spring competition after previously playing only fall schedules, went 19-1-2 and faced down its biggest playoff scare in the second round. That's when the Knights topped 2005 finalist Savannah Christian 2-1.

— Jay Stone