Now that the regular season has come to a close, here’s how the power ratings will shake out, followed by a look at our region champions.
- MaxPreps' final Class A power ratings will be posted on the GHSA web site on Nov. 6.
- Any Class A school that believes its final power rating is incorrect may file an appeal in writing to the GHSA on Nov. 7, 8-11 a.m.
- A GHSA Appeals Committee will verify the results (including any appeals), break any ties and determine the Class A playoff brackets.
- The results of the appeals and the Class A playoff brackets will be posted by 4 p.m., on the GHSA web site.
Region 1: Pelham (9-1, 8-1)
Tiime to show the Hornets some love. Pelham won its first region championship since 2001 by scoring 22 unanswered points to erase an 18-7 deficit in the second quarter to defeat rival Mitchell County, 29-26. Now in his second season at the helm, Pelham head coach Dondrail Pickens has the Hornets in the post season in back-to-back years for the first time since 2001-2002. Making things even sweeter, Pickens was the head coach at Mitchell County from 2009-2011. Pelham and Mitchell County went into the game tied at No. 10 in the public school power ratings.
Region 2: Clinch (9-1, 7-0)
Clinch won its season finale 39-13 over Telfair County. The Panthers, the defending public champions, were last region champions in 2013. Last week they were No. 6 in the public school power ratings.
Region 3: Calvary Day (9-0, 5-0 in Division A) or Emanuel County Institute (9-0, 5-0 in Division B)
Hurricane Matthew played havoc with school schedules in southeast Georgia, home to most of the schools in Region 3. The region’s coaches decided to cancel the crossover games and title game, and a coin toss will decide the region champion. The teams clinched first place in their respective divisions with wins on Friday night. Calvary Day scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to defeat rival Savannah Christian 28-14, while ECI blew out Jenkins County 56-6. Calvary Day held the No. 5 spot in the private school power ratings last week, while ECI held down the same place on the public school side.
Region 4: Macon County (8-2, 5-0)
The Bulldogs went into Manchester and dominated the previously unbeaten Blue Devils 55-13 on Friday night. Macon County had competed in Class AA since 2012 but dropped back in to Class A after reclassification. It’s only two losses this season were to Class AA defending champion Fitzgerald and Class AAAAAA Northside-Warner Robins. Against Class A foes, the Bulldogs won by an average score of 54-10. Macon County was No. 4 in the public school power ratings last week.
Region 5: Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (10-0, 7-0)
ELCA, the defending private school champs, scored 35 points in the third quarter and went on to blank Landmark Christian School 49-0 to win its seventh consecutive region title. The Chargers were No. 1 in last week’s private school power ratings.
Region 6: Fellowship Christian (10-0, 7-0)
The Paladins went on the road into a hostile environment in Mt. Zion and defeated the previously unbeaten Bulldogs 28-14 to clinch the title on Friday. Fellowship is this year’s team that came out of nowhere. The region championship is the Paladins’ first since 2007 when they finished 11-2 and made their only appearance in the state playoffs. In fact, 2007 was the only other year in the 13-year history of the program that Fellowship won more than five games. Over the last five seasons the Paladins are 21-29. They went into the final weekend of the season at No. 4 in the private school power ratings.
Region 7: Tattnall Square (10-0, 5-0)
The Trojans won their first region title since joining the GHSA by downing Washington-Wilkes 47-21 on Friday. Tattnall Square advanced to the post season in its first season in the GHSA in 2014 but fell to 4-6 last season. The Trojans won 19 region titles and 11 state championships in the GISA. They were No. 6 in last week’s private school power ratings.
Region 8: Prince Avenue Christian (10-0, 9-0)
The Wolverines won their fourth consecutive region championship and finished the regular season undefeated for the second straight season with a 28-0 win over Athens Academy. In spite of complete changes in the coaching staff (Jeff Herron to Greg Vandagriff) and offensive and defensive schools, Prince Avenue didn’t miss a beat. The Wolverines were No. 2 in the private school power ratings.
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