Six weeks ago, it wasn’t looking like the Thomasville Bulldogs would see the Class AA rankings again this season. After entering the preseason poll at No. 10, they proceeded to start 0-3, losing by double digits to Cairo (45-21), Thomas County Central (31-17) and Colquitt County (45-3). After a pair of wins over Everglades (Fla.) and Cook, they again lost to Crisp County before entering Region 1 play.
That’s when the Bulldogs turned their season around. Two weeks ago, they beat then-No. 8 Brooks County 31-20 at home. Then, last Friday, they beat then-No. 7 Fitzgerald 20-14 on the road.
Now, the 4-4 Bulldogs (2-0 in 1-AA) have all but clinched the region with only Berrien and Early County — both 0-1 in league play — left on the schedule. Pollsters have rewarded the Bulldogs’ latest efforts, placing them back in the No. 10 spot in which they started the season.
With their loss, the Purple Hurricane drop out of the rankings.
Other than that, there were only two minor tweaks to the rankings from last week. Hapeville Charter was docked two spots for tying AAAAAA’s No. 8 Allatoona, with Callaway and Dublin each moving up a spot. Also, Fitzgerald’s loss moved Bleckley County, Union County and Washington County up a spot.
For Friday night's recap, go here.
Below is the latest top 10. The number in parenthesis represents the previous week's ranking.
1. (1) Rockmart (7-0)
2. (3) Callaway (6-1)
3. (4) Dublin (7-0)
4. (2) Hapeville Charter (5-1-1)
5. (5) Rabun County (7-0)
6. (6) Swainsboro (6-1)
7. (8) Bleckley County (6-2)
8. (9) Union County (7-0)
9. (10) Washington County (5-2)
10. (NR) Thomasville (4-4)
Out: No. 7 Fitzgerald
In brief:
- On Saturday, the No. 2 Callaway Cavaliers shut out Spencer 40-0 to move to 7-1, 4-0 in Region 5. Tank Bigsby scored three touchdowns, including this one.
- Callaway's Tank Bigsby was recently presented his jersey for the Under Armour All-American game that he was selected to play in. WRBL has highlights of the ceremony.
- Callaway's Tate Johnson — who, along with Bigsby, is committed to Auburn — has been selected to play in the Hall of Fame World Bowl.
- Here's The West Georgia Football Podcast's breakdown of Callaway's win.
- Here are some highlights from WJBF of Harlem's 45-20 win over Hephzibah two weeks ago. The Bulldogs beat Screven County 47-21 last week and are now 5-3, 5-1 in Region 4 and have a firm hold on second place in the region. Junior running back Cameron Garnett earned WJBF Week 9 Top Plays honors for his 91-yard touchdown run.
- Model picked up a 12-6 win over Chattooga on Friday and have a shot at their first playoff berth since 2016. Before the game, they honored the 1979 AA championship team. The Blue Devils are 3-4, 3-1 in 7-AA. Jeremy Stewart has game story for the Rome News-Tribune.
- The Vidalia Indians are 6-1, 3-0 in 2-AA after edging Toombs County 17-14. It was coach Lee Chomskis' 100th win with Vidalia. ToombsNow has the coverage. WTOC has highlights at the 4:12 mark. The Indians still run the county of Toombs — just ask them.
- Here's Todd Forrest's game recap for NGN Sports of Union County's 14-7 win over Banks County. The Panthers are 7-0, 4-0 in Region 8.
- WTXL has highlights from Brooks County's 28-13 win over Early County (5:49 mark). The once-ranked Trojans are now 4-4, 1-1 in Region 1.
- Bremen receiver Jacob Reynolds earned Recruit Georgia's Top Play honors during Week 8 following the Blue Devils' 57-6 win over Jordan. The Blue Devils, who also shut out Temple 20-0 on Friday, are 4-3, 2-1 in 5-AA and have all-but-clinched a playoff spot for a sixth consecutive season.
- Former Vidalia standout Nyshun Bell returned a fumble for a touchdown on Saturday for the University of Pikeville.
- The defending state champion Heard County Braves beat Jordan 49-14 to improve to 3-4, 3-0 in Region 5. The Arrow Braves Athletics Weekly has details.
- The Metter Tigers beat Bacon County 31-12 to move to 6-1, 2-1 in Region 2 and currently hold the fourth and final playoff spot. If their place in the standings holds, they'll be in the postseason for the first time since 2015.
- Hephzibah beat Westside 8-0 on Saturday to improve to 5-2, 4-2 in Region 4 and are currently in third place in the region. AugBball has the highlights. SUVtv also has footage of the game's only score.
- Here's former Hapeville Charter quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams shining for Campbell.
- Washington County Golden Hawk Warren Coneway was named the teams player of the week for his six tackles and interception return for a touchdown in a 35-14 win over Dodge County. The Golden Hawks forced three turnovers in the game. The Golden Hawks are 5-2, 2-1 in Region 3.
- Here are some offensive highlights and defensive highlights from Rockmart's 34-17 win over Pepperell. The Yellow Jackets are 7-0, 4-0 in Region 7.
- Hapeville Charter was recently featured in this AP story about high school football in Georgia.
- Dublin senior running back JaQues Evans was named GHSF Daily's State Player of the Week after rushing for 237 yards and five touchdowns — two on 57-yard runs — while making four tackles at linebacker and two touchbacks as the kickoff man. Other top AA performers include Harlem running back Cam Garnett (212 yards and four touchdowns on 19 carries), Hephzibah defensive back Enoch Howard (three sacks), Screven County running back Gary Hawkins (20 carries for 200 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point conversion), Swainsboro defensive tackle Ka'yun Davis (three tackles for losses, a recovered a blocked punt) and Washington County running back Sha'Marcus Poole (90 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, 139 rushing yards and one touchdown on 18 carries); the offensive lines of Monticello, Putnam County and Thomasville earned "lines of distinction" honors.
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