These are the Class A 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 A.
*There are 91 football-playing schools in Class A, up from 78 last season. The Class A playoffs have been expanded to 24 teams in both the public and private divisions. They had been 16-team draws.
*Teams moving down to Class A will be factors. In the private division, look out for Wesleyan, Darlington and Holy Innocents'. In the public sector, watch for Macon County, Bowdon, Manchester and Washington-Wilkes.
*The top-five teams in the Maxwell Ratings are private schools - ELCA, Aquinas, Prince Avenue, Mount Paran and Wesleyan. But, overall the two divisions are about equal. For example, the average top-24 private-school team's rating is 32.97, just 1.74 points better than the average top-24 public school. In fact, if you deleted Eagle's Landing Christian, the public division's top 24 would be stronger than the private side. The Maxwell Ratings suggest there are just as many good teams in both divisions, but more truly outstanding teams in the private ranks. For example, ELCA (private) would be a two-touchdown favorite over Clinch County (public) in a game between defending champions, according to Maxwell.
*Regions 3, 4, 6 and 7 are subdivided. All four will pit their subregion winners against each other in the final week of the regular season to determine region champions.
*Region 1 doesn't have a team in the top 30 overall, according to Maxwell, but will do well in the GHSA power ratings. Maxwell says only two of them - Pelham and Seminole County - are among the best 24 public schools in Class A, but as many as seven will have one of the best 24 W-L records. With teams playing only one non-region game, the GHSA's power ratings aren't sophisticated enough to officiate that.
Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily, a free e-mail newsletter. To join the mailing list, click here.
About the Author
