It's pretty hard to beat a Top 10 team, according to Loren Maxwell, who did some research of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association database to confirm it. The 417 teams in the GHSA have a winning percentage of .231 all-time against teams ranked by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which first compiled a Top 10 in 1952. In fact, 55 current Georgia teams have never beaten a Top 10 opponent. That includes Pike County - 0-67. Social Circle (0-56) and Meadowcreek (0-46) aren't much better at it. Only five existing teams have winning records against ranked opponents. (See list below). One program that had a winning record against ranked teams was Americus (74-66-5). The school played its final season in 2003. In its place, Americus-Sumter is 0-23 against ranked teams. Here are 31 active programs that having winning percentages of .400 or better against ranked teams all-time:
Lincoln County 110-49 (.692)
Valdosta 153-81-4 (.651)
Carrollton 108-93-7 (.536)
Hillgrove 10-9 (.526)
Buford 85-84-2 (.503)
Marist 83-93-5 (.472)
Charlton County 57-66-1 (.464)
Statesboro 63-75-5 (.458)
Colquitt County 73-89 (.451)
Washington-Wilkes 78-98-4 (.444)
LaGrange 71-90-7 (.443)
Dalton 58-74-4 (.441)
Peach County 54-69 (.439)
Camden County 55-72-1 (.434)
Clarke Central 57-75-1 (.432)
Tucker 63-83-1 (.432)
Kell 9-12 (.429)
Mount Paran Christian 3-4 (.429)
Grayson 17-23 (.425)
Stephenson 16-22 (.421)
Parkview 34-47 (.420)
Hawkinsville 59-83-2 (.417)
Marietta 46-65-2 (.416)
Thomas County Central 75-106-2 (.415)
Thomson 58-84-6 (.412)
Thomasville 82-119-7 (.411)
Sandy Creek 18-26 (.409)
M.L. King 9-13 (.409)
Dublin 62-92-4 (.405)
Northside-Warner Robins 57-84 (.404)
Mary Persons 59-88-4 (.404)
'It is chaos': 7-AAA race is one of the tightest
There are few region races more tightly contested than that of 7-AAA, where five teams - Dawson County (4-3, 3-1), Franklin County (4-3, 3-1), Banks County (5-2, 2-1), Fannin County (4-3, 2-1) and East Hall (3-4, 2-1) - have one region loss. None of the five has a rich football history. Dawson and Banks have never won region titles. Fannin won in 2007 and 1995, Franklin in 1991 and 1992 and East Hall in 1982 and 1987. The two teams that finished No. 1 and No. 2 last season, West Hall and Lumpkin County, are 0-3 and 0-4 in region play, respectively. "It is chaos, but it was kind of expected," East Hall coach Bryan Gray said. "Region 7-AAA might be the most balanced from top to bottom of any region. It is exciting because everyone has something to play for. Much easier to keep your kids focused and provide the communities a great game every week." The computer Maxwell Ratings predict the finish will be No. 1 Franklin, No. 2 Banks, No. 3 Dawson and No. 4 East Hall.
Bradwell renames stadium after Jackson
Members of the 1965 Class B championship team at Bradwell Institute were recognized at Thursday's game against South Effingham. Olvey Field was renamed Hokey Jackson Stadium in honor of the team's head coach. Hokey Jackson died last year at age 89.
Another week off for Godfrey Stadium
Another stadium with a new name, William "Buck" Godfrey Stadium in DeKalb County, is not doing well, but officials hope it will be ready next week. A number of games scheduled at the former Panthersville Stadium this month have been moved. "Rain plus too many games equals no grass," said Mark Brock, DeKalb schools' athletic specialist for media relations. "They reseeded with rye and hope to play on it next week." The Cedar Grove-North Clayton game, scheduled for tonight at Godfrey, will be played Saturday at Hallford Stadium at 5:15 p.m.
Dalton OC Napier battles ALS with 'resolve'
Diagnosed with ALS in May 2013, Dalton offensive coordinator Bill Napier is doing well, according to his son, Kurt Napier, the running backs coach at Callaway. "He's really had a great attitude and resolve with this disease," Kurt said. "It's pretty crazy, but he can still drive his truck. The disease is progressing very slowly right now. Over the past six months, every time I come home to see him, he doesn't seem to be getting any worse. Our whole family has been overwhelmed by the prayers and support for Dad. It's been amazing to see." Dalton (6-2, 4-1) can win Region 7-AAAAA Div. A with a victory over Woodland of Cartersville tonight.
Coaching 101: Stars need coaching, too
Stockbridge DE Charles Wiley is having the season expected of an AJC 11 player. He's got 12 sacks for a 7-0 team that is ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA. But in a recent game, he got a 16-point deduction for mental mistakes as part of coach Kevin Whitley's grading of each defensive player. "Lining up wide," Whitley said when asked Wiley's offense. "Trying to get him to understand it's not all about athletic ability. In the playoffs and the next level, great athletes with technique win." Of course, Wiley isn't the only one who gets nit-picked. Whitley praises Wiley for his smarts and work ethic. Whitley's comments are just insights into how coaches push elite players, such as Wiley, who has committed to Ole Miss. "Great players sometimes don't understand at some point in their career their opponent will be just as good as you," he said. "When that time comes, it's too late to do the little things correctly. That is when offseason commitment will be unveiled, weight room, film study, technique and effort."
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