There are nine teams in Class AAAA that remain unbeaten heading into the Week 7 slate. Here’s a look at each of the teams and a closer examination of their flawless records.
Carver-Columbus (5-0)
Carver-Columbus started last year 0-4 and had to fight its way into the playoffs as the No. 4 seed with a 3-7 record. This season, the Tigers are off to a tremendous start (obviously) under first-year head coach Corey Joyner and have reasserted themselves as a favorite for this year’s region crown. One of the keys to this impressive turnaround has been the offensive improvements. Quarterback Ga’marcus Freeman has thrown nine touchdowns to six different players through these first five games. Khiari McCoy is one of the six, and his receiving touchdown came on a 42-yard reception against Dougherty two weeks ago. McCoy’s real impact, however, has been in the backfield. In last Friday’s 44-28 win over rival Columbus, the junior took 21 carries for a season-high 173 yards and finished with four touchdowns. All around, Carver-Columbus is playing much better football than it has in recent years, but the real takeaway should be that this year’s Tigers team is also getting progressively better on a week to week basis. That is a dangerous combination and offers validity to this strong start.
Mary Persons (5-0)
Mary Persons has reached back-to-back semifinals and owns a 67-15 record since Brian Nelson took over in 2012. But as consistently great as the program has been, they are in my opinion one of the most underrated and overlooked powerhouses in the state right now. There is no reason that it should’ve taken this long for the Bulldogs to be showing up in the top 3 of the various statewide polls, or that they shouldn’t have been there in the first place. They are loaded with experience, talent and are proven noisemakers come playoff time. Not to mention that they haven’t lost a region game since 2014. This year’s offense is scoring 49 ppg. Senior quarterback JT. Hartage is 56-of-78 passing (71.8 %) for 1,012 yards and has thrown eight touchdowns with no interceptions. The ground game has already accounted for 22 touchdowns and is averaging an efficient 8.1 yards per carry. Senior Quen Wilson is leading the way with 67 carries for 541 yards and 13 touchdowns. Defensively, 6-foot-4, 260-pound nose tackle Derrick Goodson is a disruptive force. Using his size and wrestling background, Goodson has become both an effective run stopper and an effective pass rusher that is averaging a sack per game.
Richmond Academy (5-0)
The Musketeers are 5-0 for the first time since 1975 and have matched last year’s win total. Mason Cobb is 5-foot-5 quarterback and two-sport athlete with experience and leadership. The senior has thrown for 543 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception through five games. This much needed balance to the run-oriented offense has supplemented a 246.4 rushing yards per game average. Senior Torri Taylor found the endzone five times and took 15 carries for a season-high 217 yards in the Musketeers’ last outing, a 46-20 win over Midland Valley (SC) on Sept. 13. With Cobb at quarterback and a solid running game, Richmond Academy is entertaining, competitive and talented. Still, the program’s last region title came in 1976 and they will have Burke County to contend with this year in Region 3-AAAA, which took last year’s meeting 60-20.
Eastside (4-0)
At 35.25 ppg, this year’s Eastside offense is on pace to be the highest scoring in school history and defensively (11 ppg) the story is the same for the Eagles. Junior quarterback Noah Cook is back after injuries sidelined him last season and he has been a real difference-maker. Cook has completed 47-of-64 passes (73.4 %) for 686 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions and has accounted for two rushing touchdowns in coach Troy Hoff’s RPO offense. The defining moment of this season could come in two weeks when Eastside visits Woodward Academy and attempts to defeat the War Eagles for the first time in its history.
Cartersville (5-0)
Cartersville won its 43rd straight regular season game this past weekend, but it was incredibly close and the Purple Hurricanes uncharacteristically were giving up explosive plays. Also, it would take a second half comeback and a missed PAT for Cartersville to escape Cedartown and score the 21-20 victory. The defense did not allow a single touchdown until the second half of their fourth game this year, so the 21 and 57-yard touchdown runs by Cedartown quarterback Taji Hudson last Friday exposed a potential problem area considering they will have to face the explosive Troup offense in this year’s season finale. Cartersville will take on Central-Carroll and LaGrange the next two weeks, which should be blowout victories.
Troup (5-0)
Troup is the darkhorse in Class AAAA this season and its overwhelming athleticism and passing game is enough to make them a serious contender for the state title. Four-star Auburn commit Kobe Hudson has already passed for 1,514 yards (302.8 ypg) and 18 touchdowns with just one interception and has added 327 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. This offense is averaging 521 yards per game and the defense is holding teams to just 12.8 ppg. Last week, they defeated previously unbeaten Chapel Hill 56-24 and will faceoff with Sandy Creek this weekend before getting an early October bye week.
Pickens (5-0)
Pickens has gone 5-6 in each of the past two seasons, so this year’s impressive start is giving the Dragons plenty of confidence heading into a winnable Region 6-AAAA. This year’s team is doing its damage in the running game and carving up defenses with a 355.4 rushing yards per game average. With the running game moving, the passing game can take its chances and the defense can play with great energy. That will continue to be Pickens’ goal this season and so far it is working well. After giving up 34.55 ppg last season, this year’s defense has allowed just 13.4 ppg during its 5-0 start, something that will need to continue against a region with capable offenses.
Blessed Trinity (5-0)
Playing with even more discipline than last year and boasting a roster with even more experience, the defending state champions have exerted their dominance over five quality opponents to start the season. Last week’s Region 7-AAAA opener ended with a 45-3 win over West Hall and now the Titans will go on the bye before taking on the rest of the region. Ohio State commit Steele Chambers is one of the most talented athletes in the state and has 13 rushing touchdowns.
Flowery Branch (4-0)
Flowery Branch defeated rival Gainesville 28-19 last week to improve to 4-0. The Falcons have excelled defensively, allowing just 11.5 ppg, and offensively, they are getting the job done. All four wins, however, have come against programs outside of the classification, so when Flowery Branch opens up region play at White County this Friday, we will get to really see how good the No. 5 ranked Falcons are.
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