For the second year in a row, the No. 2 Hapeville Charter Hornets No. 9 dismantled the Heard County Braves, winning 61-7 and likely knocking the Braves (0-2) out of the rankings in the process. The Hornets improved to 2-0.
Last season, the Braves fell to the Hornets 33-3 before facing Rockmart the following week, which beat them 33-0 to drop them to 1-2 on the year. The Braves wouldn’t lose again, claiming the AA title in a rematch over Rockmart. But the Braves are staring down an 0-3 start to this season, having to again face Rockmart next week, which is now ranked No. 1 and will be coming off a bye. The Braves are in a rebuilding year, so closing the season on a win streak seems unlikely.
The Hornets, however, look very much like the team that won it all in 2017. They rebounded from a 26-16 defeat to AAA defending state champions Cedar Grove, and will roll into Region 6 play after a bye week. They’re a clearcut favorite in Region 6 and likely won’t lose again this regular season.
Here’s how the rest of the top 10 faired:
- The No. 3 Callaway Cavaliers moved their record to 1-1 after blowing out AAAA's LaGrange, 56-10. Kevin Eckleberry has a game story for The LaGrange Daily News.
- The No. 4 Dublin Fighting Irish hosted and defeated the No. 8 Swainsboro Tigers, 35-13. The Fighting Irish are 2-0; the Tigers are 1-1.
- The No. 7 Brooks County Trojans hosted A-public's No. 1 Clinch County and lost handily to them, 38-14. It was the first time Clinch County won at Brooks County since 1987. The Trojans are 1-1.
- The No. 10 Dodge County Indians' stay in the rankings was brief. They hosted AAAA's unranked West Laurens and lost 42-28 to drop to 1-1, just a week after moving into the top 10 following their bye and a Fitzgerald loss.
- On bye: No. 1 Rockmart; No. 5 Rabun County; No. 6 Washington County
Follow the AJC’s Class AA coverage on Twitter.
About the Author
