GHSF Daily's Chip Saye ranks the most surprising and notable games of the weekend:
1. Pace Academy 24, Lovett 0: Pace Academy was projected as a 29-point underdog by the Maxwell Ratings despite coming in ranked No. 10 in Class AA. Lovett was No. 7 in preseason but fell out of the top 10 after the loss. It was likely the most significant regular-season victory in the history of the Pace program, which began in 2008.
Credit: Chip Saye
Credit: Chip Saye
2. Lassiter 24, Hillgrove 17: Lassiter made a goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter to preserve its first victory on the field since 2013. Lassiter officially was 1-9 last season, but the win was the result of a Walton forfeit from a game the Raiders won 59-16. Lassiter gave up 47.1 points per game in 2014 and lost to Hillgrove 47-35.
3. East Paulding 17, Allatoona 10: New East Paulding coach Jon Lindsey had a successful debut at a program that reached the playoffs six times in seven years before slumping to 4-6 last season. Allatoona won 27-21 in last year's meeting to start a 13-game winning streak that ended in the state semifinals. East is 3-1 against Allatoona all-time.
4. Jenkins 15, Savannah Christian: Jenkins' GodGreat Setoh kicked the first field goal of his career, a game-winning 33-yarder with 20 seconds remaining. Jenkins had missed both of its extra-point attempts, including one kick and one two-point try. Savannah Christian won 23-7 in the teams' season-opener in 2014.
5. Corky Kell blowouts: The seven teams ranked this week that participated in Corky Kell Classic had an easier-than-expected time of it in their openers, with five of the games ending with a running clock. The only close game was Norcross's 34-31 victory over Valdosta. The average margin of victory in the seven games was 29.9 points, up from 15.7 last season.
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