The first real shocker in Class AA happened on Friday and as a result, there will most definitely be new teams entering the top 10 when the polls are released on Sunday.

The Thomasville Bulldogs, who were considered as having a down year after significant turnover that saw one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, Chad Mascoe, transfer out of the program and to national powerhouse IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), beat No. 8 Brooks County 31-20 at home in the Region 1 opener for both teams.

With the win, the Bulldogs (3-4, 1-0) have put themselves in contention for their second region title in three seasons after staring out 0-3.

For the Trojans (3-4, 0-1), their losing record to this point had been written off due to a tough non-region schedule that featured four ranked opponents — including two No. 1s and a No. 4. However, they haven’t had a winning record since their season-opening victory over A-Public’s No. 5 Mitchell County.

Pat Donahue has the game story for the Thomasville Times-Enterprise.

The Trojans weren’t the only top-10 team to lose Friday. The up-and-coming Bleckley County Royals edged the No. 9 Washington County Golden Hawks 21-18 in a key Region 3 game. The Royals improved to 5-2, 2-1 and the Golden Hawks fell to 4-2, 1-1.

WMAZ has complete game highlights.

Here’s how the rest of the top 10 faired:

  • Barring an improbable turn of events, the No. 2 Hapeville Charter Hornets have clinched a fourth consecutive Region 6 championship and No. 1 seed for the state playoffs, making easy work of South Atlanta, 43-7, which was the last remaining team with an undefeated region record. To not finish in first, Hapeville (5-1, 4-0) would have to lose to at least two of KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, Washington or B.E.S.T. Academy, all of which entered Week 8 with a combined 1-8 record in region play.
  • On Thursday, No. 3 Callaway took a big step toward winning a region title for the first time since 2016, defeating previously unbeaten Lamar County 46-7 in 5-AA action to improve to 6-1, 3-0. Kevin Eckleberry has the story for The LaGrange Daily News.
  • In 3-AA, Dublin moved one step closer to a second straight region title by defeating Dodge County, 35-6. The Fighting Irish improve 6-0, 3-0. WMAZ has highlights.
  • No. 6 Fitzgerald defeated Berrien 54-20 in its Region 1 opener to improve to 6-1, 1-0.
  • In Region 2, the Swainsboro Tigers made easy work of Bacon County, winning 50-12 to improve to 5-1, 2-0.
  • In Region 4, No. 10 Jefferson County shut out Laney 31-0 to improve to 5-2, 5-0.
  • On bye: No. 1 Rockmart, No. 5 Rabun County

Follow the AJC’s Class AA coverage on Twitter.

About the Author

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com