These are the Class AA 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 AA.
*Only one private school remains in AA. That's Benedictine, which escaped the 3-percent GHSA rule because it is a single-gender institution. Gone from AA are 2015 champion Pace Academy, Wesleyan, Lovett, Holy Innocents' and Darlington. Benedictine is Maxwell's preseason favorite.
*The private-school exodus opens the door for several schools to win their first championships in a long time. The last current AA school besides Benedictine to win a state title is Dublin in 2006. Fitzgerald, ranked No. 2 here, last won in 1948.
*Region 1 is the classification's strongest with No. 2 Fitzgerald and No. 3 Brooks County at the top. Region 2 with No. 1 Benedictine and No. 6 Vidalia is almost as good.
*Region 6 comprises seven Atlanta-area schools. The last to win a playoff game was Douglass (2007). The last to win a region title was Washington (2005).
*You think Region 7 is happy that Darlington is out of AA? Here are the last times these schools won region titles: Armuchee (1994), Chattooga (1974), Coosa (1975), Dade County (1970), Gordon Lee (1978), Model (1979), Pepperell (2006) and Rockmart (1988).
Coming Friday: Class A
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