Lamar County drops out of top 10, Macon County hangs around

Lamar County has joined Lovett as perennial state playoff contenders that look outside the top 10.

The Trojans fell to 1-2 with their loss to Mary Persons, and as a result they lost their No. 6 state ranking. They still have plenty of time to get on the playoff track, however, as they don't play their first Region 4-AA game until six games into their season.

Lovett, on the other hand, is of to its worst start in nearly a quarter century. With their loss to Woodward Academy, the Lions drop to 0-4 for the first time since 1991. Granted, all their games have been against ranked opponents, but they've played a challenging schedule for years and have come out on top with at least a few wins in that span.

There could be light at the end of the tunnel for the Lions, however, as they toughest part of their schedule is out of the way. They still have a good shot at making the playoffs and also avoiding their first losing season since 2003.

Lovett's region rival Pace Academy moved up one spot to No. 4 after an unimpressive 16-14 home win over winless White County. The reason for their promotion is a technicality - somehow No. 4 Macon County lost at home to winless Perry, which dropped the Bulldogs to No. 10.

The Lamar County and Macon County losses allowed every other team outside of last week's top four to move up two spots. Wesleyan is the newcomer at No. 9 thanks to its 3-0 start.

Here is the complete top 10. Previous week's ranking in parenthesis.

1. (1) Benedictine

2. (2) Fitzgerald

3. (3) Greater Atlanta Christian

4. (5) Pace Academy

5. (7) Vidalia

6. (8) Rabun County

7. (9) Darlington

8. (10) Dublin

9. (NR) Wesleyan

10. (4) Macon County