Non-region games and cross-classification matchups might not be able to impact the playoff seeding, but they are a great way to prepare for region competition and still offer some interesting perspective to how Class AAAA as a whole stacks up against the rest of the state. Last season, Class AAAA challenged seven out-of-state opponents in addition to the 195 total opponents from Georgia’s other classifications, offering plenty of evidence for what is the literal middle classification of the state’s seven.
Class AAAA went 6-1 against those out-of-state challengers last season and 121-81 overall (11-4 vs. Class A, 21-17 vs. Class AA, 37-21 vs. Class AAA, 25-24 vs. Class AAAAA, 19-18 vs. Class AAAAAAA, 2-5 vs. Class AAAAAAA). The 2018 season will once again have a ton of intriguing cross-classification matchups to keep an eye on, and here are my top 4.
Sept. 14: Mary Persons at Peach County
Three-time defending Region 2-AAAA champion Mary Persons will be put to the test early against 2017 Class AAA finalist Peach County. Last year, the Trojans got the best of the Bulldogs, scoring a 35-14 win. This will be the 15th all-time meeting between the schools and momentum is definitely on Peach County’s side. After defeating the Trojans in six of their first seven meetings, Peach County has topped the Bulldogs seven straight times entering this matchup.
Aug. 18: Burke County at Benedictine
Defending Region 3-AAAA champion Burke County is coming off a 12-1 season, the best finish since the Bears took the 2011 Class AAA state crown with a 14-1 record. Burke County is 4-0 all-time against the Cadets, but their last meeting was back in 2007, head coach Eric Parker’s first season at Burke County. Benedictine was bumped up to Class AAA for 2018, after producing 65 wins, two state titles and four perfect regular season records in its last five seasons spent in Class AA.
Sept. 14 Thomson vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
First-year Thomson head coach Michael Youngblood will face an extremely challenging non-region slate that includes this midseason tilt with Class AAA semifinalist GACS and a home game against defending Class AAAAAA state champion Lee County two weeks later. The Spartans rolled past St. Pius 42-14 last season when they challenged the classification and will be a great measuring stick for this year’s Bulldog team that has a chance to compete with Burke County and company for the Region 3-AAAA title.
Aug. 16 Ridgeland vs. Calhoun (Corky Kell at Rome)
The first game of the entire 2018 GHSA season will feature defending Region 6-AAAA champion Ridgeland against Class AAA state champion Calhoun. Ridgeland is 0-4 all-time against Hal Lamb’s Jackets so this is already going to be a big test. Ridgeland’s non-region schedule has lacked difficult matchups like this in years past so it will be interesting to see if the Panthers can come out of the gates strong against such a high-caliber opponent. In 2017, Ridgeland’s four non-region opponents offered little resistance, getting outscored 159-21 (34.5 ppg).
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