These are the Class AAAAA 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 AAAAA:
*It's largely a North Georgia classification. Only 10 of the 58 schools are below Macon. No. 6 Bainbridge (Region 1) and No. 2 Ware County (Region 2) should represent South Georgia well.
*The GHSA's new 3-percent rule has put Buford in AAAAA. Buford was the AAAA runner-up last season and has won 10 state titles since 2001, when it was a Class A school.
*Maxwell rates AAAAA and AAAA to be equal in strength and predicts that moving up in classification will not deter Buford, which is far and away the best team in AAAAA based on historical scores.
*Region 7 is the classification's strongest. It features four teams among the top 11 and seven in the top 32. Kell is the projected winner. Fifth-place Paulding County would be expected to win Region 5.
*Region 5 is the weakest. The six teams playing a region schedule, all from DeKalb County, and their 2015 records are Southwest DeKalb (4-6), Chamblee (2-8), Lithonia (6-4), Arabia Mountain (4-6), Columbia (5-6) and Miller Grove (6-4). Miller Grove and Arabia Mountain are projected to make the playoffs for the first time.
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