These are the Class AAA preseason predictions of the Maxwell Ratings, a computer-based ranking system created by Loren Maxwell. The projections are based on historical scores, with 2015 results being most significant.
Here are five observations on the new Class AAA.
*With four of Maxwell's top 10 teams, Region 5 is the super league. Westminster is the defending state champion, and Pace Academy won AA last season. Pace has Class A enrollment but elected to play with Buckhead neighbors Westminster and Lovett. Cedar Grove was a AAA semifinalist last season and finished ahead of Westminster in the region. (Most would consider Pace's No. 10 ranking much too low, as Maxwell's model favors long-standing tradition.)
*There are nine metro Atlanta teams in AAA. Eight are in Region 5. The ninth, Greater Atlanta Christian, is Maxwell's second-rated team in the class, and that was without Maxwell computing that GAC returned AJC Super 11 QB Davis Mills. One wonders if the GHSA didn't want Region 5 to be too strong and banished GAC to Region 7, where the Spartans are projected to have very pleasant trips to the North Georgia mountains.
*Region 6 is the only subdivided region outside of Class A. Calhoun's winning streak in region games, already more than 100, is highly likely to continue. Maxwell rates Calhoun as a 20-plus-point favorite over its nearest rival.
*Region 3 is the land of opportunity. This is a region of Savannah teams, plus Southeast Bulloch, which is the most recent in the region to claim a region title (1994). Jenkins, Maxwell's team to beat, last won a region title in 1966. The last Savannah team to win a region title was Savannah in 1993.
*Liberty County is Maxwell's team to beat in Region 2. Liberty has never won a region title. Worth County, the favorite in Region 1, last won a region title in 1989, the year of the Rams' only state championship.
Coming Wednesday: Class AA
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