New Top 10
Here’s a look at the new Top 10 and how those teams faired last week. The number in parenthesis represents the team’s position in the poll last week. Also, take note that the Georgia High School Association/MaxPreps Class A Power Ratings will begin on Sept. 8.
- Eagle's Landing Christian Academy, 1-0 (1). ELCA hammered North Florida Christian of Tallahassee, ranked No. 2 in Florida's Class 2A, 35-0. The Chargers' defense held NFC to 106 yards of total offense behind 11 tackles by DE Dalton Hardemon, nine by senior LB Chase Burdette, and eight by DB Khaleb Hood, who also had an interception. Sophomore RB Trevor Gear ran for 81 yards in the win. This week: Friday at Class AAAAA No. 3 Stockbridge (1-0)
- Marion County, 0-0 (2). The Eagles were off last week. This week: Friday vs. Miller County (0-0, 2-8 last season).
- Landmark Christian, 1-0 (4). The War Eagles downed Christian Heritage of Dalton, 34-22. Senior QB Stockton McGuire and junior RB/S Lofton Tidwell each ran for over 100 yards and combined to score five touchdowns – McGuire scored three rushing while Tidwell had one rushing and 90-yard KO return. This week: Friday vs. Class AAAAA Lithia Springs (0-0, 1-9 last season).
- Irwin County, 0-0-1 (3). Irwin tied Early County 7-7, the same score from last year's season opening meeting between the two teams. The game was halted at halftime because of severe thunderstorms. This week: Friday vs. Class AA Berrien County (0-0, 4-7 last season)
- Charlton County, 0-0 (5). Charlton was off last week. This week: Saturday vs. Class AA Manchester (0-0, 3-7 last season) at Mercer.
- Aquinas, 1-0 (6). The Irish rolled up 388 yards of total offense and scored all seven of their touchdowns in the first half in a 49-6 win over Class AAA Glenn Hills (0-1). This week: Friday vs. No. 7 Prince Avenue Christian (1-0)
- Prince Avenue Christian, 0-0 (7). The Wolverines were off last week. This week: Friday at No. 6 Aquinas (1-0).
- Mt. Paran Christian, 1-0 (8). The Eagles began the defense of their private school state title with a 42-35 win over Erwin of Asheville (N.C.). However, the MPC defense yielded over 300 passing yards and five touchdowns through the air. Senior RB/DB Taylor Trammell ran for 212 yards on 33 carries and scored five touchdowns, and had an 85-yard interception return. This week: Friday vs. Whitefield Academy (0-0, 4-6 last season)
- Hawkinsville, 0-0 (9). The Red Devils were off last week. This week: The defending public school state champions will begin defense of their title Friday at Class AA Bleckley County (0-1)
- Calvary Day, 1-0 (10). The Cavaliers downed Class AAAA New Hampstead (0-1), in just its second year of varsity competition, 48-12. A trio of freshmen – Nolan Smith, Jeremy Smith and Jalen Leary – combined to score five touchdowns. This week: Off
Other Results
Class AAA Jenkins 15, Savannah Christian 14. Demetris Robertson had 102 yards rushing and a 12-yard touchdown to go with two interceptions for the Raiders (0-1), but it wasn’t enough as senior K GodGreat Setoh drilled a 33-yard field goal with :33 seconds left in regulation for Jenkins (1-0).
Mt. Pisgah 27, Brookstone 21, OT. J.R. Cendoya scored on a 7-yard run in overtime, after Mt. Pisgah forced Brookstone (0-1) to turn the ball over on downs on its offensive possession, to lift the Patriots (1-0) to the win.
Trion 19, Gordon Lee 7. Senior WR/DB Gabe Howell scored two touchdowns and recovered a fumble to lead the Bulldogs (1-0) to a season-opening win over their northwest Georgia rivals.
Clinch County 53, Calhoun County 8.
PLAYER PROFILE: Chandler Reeves, ELCA
The 6-6, 270-pound senior, one of the top offensive linemen in the state, helped lead his team to a 35-0 shutout last week over North Florida Christian. He followed his older brothers and sister to ELCA. One of his brothers, Christian, starred at tight end and went on to Virginia Tech before transferring to William & Mary, where he is now a red-shirt senior. Chandler, a Clemson commit who was a freshman on the Chargers’ state title team in 2012, hopes to lead his team back to the private school title game this season.
On his family’s connection to ELCA
My older brothers (two) and sister went, and it was just always in the plans for me to go, too. It’s something our family, especially my parents, feel very strongly about. Our faith is very important to us, so our parents make the sacrifice for us to have a Christian education. ELCA is where God led our parents to send us and it’s been great.
On the accusations about ELCA and “recruiting”
You hear that stuff but the only thing I’ll say is we have the best high school coach in the state and maybe even the whole country. When you have a great school, a great coach with great assistants, just a great program all around, that attracts kids. I feel blessed to be a part of this program.
On when he started playing football
I wasn’t a big football guy. I was more into basketball. When I came to ELCA I started playing [football] in eighth grade and I loved it. With my brother playing and going on to Virginia Tech, a lot of people expected me to play, too. Coach [Jonathan] Gess has encouraged me from Day One and the way he runs the program is just great. I think he’s the best coach in the state of Georgia.
On his first varsity experience
It was ninth grade. We had a couple of big-time linemen, Isaac Rochelle [now at Notre Dame] and Andrew Williams [Auburn]. In the first game of the season, Isaac broke his wrist. The coaches came to me and told me I might have to play. I ended up starting against Holy Innocents that next week. Isaac came back to play the next game with a soft cast, but it was an experience I’ll always remember.
On winning the state championship as a freshman
There was so much camaraderie on that team. There were no clicks. Everybody on that team respected everybody, no matter if you were a freshman or a senior. We were all one unit and that is very important. We had such a great bond and I think that made the difference.
On this year’s team chemistry
I think this year’s senior class has done a great job of putting any differences aside and love each other and play for each other. Any great team has to do that in order to do big things, and that’s what we want to do.
On his commitment to Clemson
I didn’t do a lot of camps, but I went to Clemson and Georgia Tech, and got offers from both of them. Both are winning programs. There’s not much more any other school could offer. But when I went to Clemson I just fell in love with it. I just love what they have going on up there.
On the “star” ranking system and how he feels about being “graded” at camps by the recruiting services
I’ve never paid any attention to that. Not to disrespect them, but it’s pretty hard to judge so many players out there and get a true reading on how good they are. I just don’t think too much about it. I think they have me as a two- or three-star, but I’ve got all these offers and I’m going to Clemson. So there you go. And I don’t think many colleges look at stars. I think they look at how you play and if you fit their system.
On helping to lead his team to a state championship
I take my role as a leader very seriously. It’s a personal goal to lead our team to victory every Friday night. I want to be someone the team respects as a great leader and help create a team that is Christ centered.
