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
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