By The GHSF Daily Staff

For the AJC

Felton Williams became the head coach of Albany High last summer when coach Reginald Mitchell took the top job at Sherwood Christian. Soon after, eight Albany starters transferred, six to join Mitchell at Sherwood, including 1,000-yard rusher Dontavious Brown.

The results were predictable. Albany, which had gone 2-28 the past three seasons, is 0-8.

But Williams has the same 42 players on his roster now that he did for the opener. Not one player has quit. They practice this week with almost inevitable losses ahead, as Albany must travel to powerful Fitzgerald and Brooks County.

"They're not giving up," Williams said. "That's one thing you can say about these young men. They're truly self-motivated and want to get better. Regardless of their record, you wouldn't know it by seeing them at practice."

Here's a look at Georgia's 21 winless teams and a high-five to every kid who's playing for them.

Albany: A team with only six seniors looks ahead to 2010.

Atkinson County: The Rebels have gone 0-9-1 twice but never 0-10. They're capable of beating Bacon County (2-6) or their region consolation game in week 10.

Bryan County: It would be the fourth winless season since starting varsity football in 1976.

Butler: The Bulldogs have the state's longest losing streak at 39.

Eagle's Landing: Joe Teknipp inherited an 0-10 team from 2007 and worked wonders in reaching the playoffs in 2008. He's got a good shot at two wins with South Atlanta (0-8) and Columbus (1-7) on the docket.

East Hall: This basketball state power has gone 1-9 the past two seasons. That wouldn't be a bad guess again as the Vikings have West Hall (0-8) and Pickens (1-7) remaining.

Greater Atlanta Christian: The Spartans will beat Cross Keys this week, but their streak of 14 playoff appearances is over. GAC is playing a ruthless schedule, especially with the improvement of former weaklings Decatur and Avondale.

Haralson County: After years of futility, this program reached the playoffs in 2005 and 2007 under Frank Vohun, but the well has gone dry again. Haralson will be the underdog the next two weeks.

Lithia Springs: The Lions, who started football in 1976, have never had a winless season and could be saved in the 10th game when they play a non-region team from Class AAA.

Long County: This is the school that lost 32 straight upon re-starting football in 2002. Coach Kyle Wilson had produced back-to-back 4-6 seasons until this 0-8 start. Best chance for a win is against Pierce County (1-7) on Nov. 6.

Meadowcreek: It's probably the toughest place to win in Georgia. The Mustangs are 3-75 since 2002 and haven't been close this season.

Monroe Area: This is a much better team than the 0-10 outfit in 2008, but there are no wins to show for it, only a couple of close losses, like a one-point decision to Cedar Shoals. Heritage of Conyers (2-6) and Rockdale County (5-3) remain.

Morrow: This Clayton County school's attendance has fallen into AAAA territory and needs the break from its 7-51 run. Lovejoy (3-5) and Creekside (4-4) remain.

North Cobb Christian: This is the weakest team in Georgia, according to the Maxwell Ratings. The Eagles are 0-17 since starting football in 2007 but have a respected first-year coach in Harry Miles, who turned around Johnson of Savannah. NCC can be inspired by its final opponent, Mount Paran Christian, which is 7-1 after going 2-7 last season.

North Springs: The Spartans beat Cross Keys 28-0 but later had to forfeit. So in the players' minds, they are not winless. They are 1-7.

Savannah: The Blue Jackets are on a 20-game losing streak and play defending Class AAAAA champ Camden County next. They finish with Johnson (4-4). Savannah is the smallest school in AAAAA and qualifies to play AAA.

South Atlanta: This is one of two defending state champions in boys basketball that is winless in football. The other is Wheeler. South Atlanta, alma mater of national basketball player of the year Derrick Favors, finishes with Eagle's Landing (0-8) and Rutland (1-7).

Southeast Bulloch: Laney (4-4) and Dublin (7-1) stand in the way of SEB's first 0-10 season since 1966.

Stewart County: Stewart, a Columbus-area school, is 1-16 all-time, and its only victory is against Webster County. That game - Stewart's best chance at victory - was erased this season when Webster canceled its varsity season and no replacement could be found. Taylor County (4-4) and Greenville (8-0) remain.

West Hall: The Spartans play East Hall (0-8) this week and probably are favored. West Hall's Shunquez Stephens is one of the state's most exciting players, but the defense can't make stops.

Wheeler: The Wildcats of Marietta have a shot this week against Campbell (1-7). Wheeler, the state boys basketball champion in AAAAA, has lost 19 straight.