The top 10 remains relatively intact, with no changes to Nos. 1-7.

The No. 8 Lovett Lions, losing their fifth game of the season to GAC in what could have won them Region 6, drops out of the rankings. As a result, Region 6 foes Pace Academy moves up a spot to No. 8, while the Lions' other Region 6 team, Wesleyan, moves to No. 9. The Lions beat Wesleyan, but lost to Pace earlier this season.

The Lions' regular season is over at 5-5, but they've clinched a position in the playoffs and, depending on the outcome of this week's Wesleyan-GAC game, they'll take either the No. 2 or 3 seed in the state tourney.

With Lovett's exit from the rankings, the Screven County Gamecocks return to the top 10, sliding into the final spot. The Gamecocks were ranked No. 9 in the final week of September, but dropped out after getting blown out by Jefferson County - currently ranked No. 7. The Gamecocks stand at 8-1 and face a tough Metter team in the season finale.

For the most part, this week's rankings won't change much after this week. If Wesleyan loses to GAC in a game that will decide the Region 6 title, the Wolves likely exit the rankings, to be replaced by a current outsider. It's also possible Metter beats Screven County.

Aside from that, expect the top 10 should stay the same.

This week marks the final of regular seasons matchups. That means the rankings become nothing more than a gauge of what to expect in the state playoffs, and the teams will begin determining the ultimate rankings on the field in the form of playoff games.

The high school football season always goes by quickly, and that's a good thing, because now fans can observe 32 teams fight for one title - that of state champion.

Below is the complete rankings, with each team's previous week's rankings in parenthesis.

1. (1) Benedictine (9-0)

2. (2) Greater Atlanta Christian (8-1)

3. (3) Rabun County (8-1)

4. (4) Darlington (9-0)

5. (5) Fitzgerald (8-1)

6. (6) Brooks County (8-2)

7. (7) Jefferson County (7-2)

8. (9) Pace Academy (7-2)

9. (10) Wesleyan (8-1)

10. (NR) Screven County (8-1)

(Josh D. Weiss / Special to AJC)
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