It’s Kickoff Weekend 2016! Here is a look at some of the top games in the classification.
Turner County at Dougherty (Thursday). Last season, Turner County got out of the gate quickly with a record setting 6-0 start, but the Rebels stumbled a bit down the stretch going 2-3. Now in Year Two of the Ben Simmons era in Ashburn, Turner will look to start fast again, and pick up some hefty Power Ratings points, against an opponent from Class AAAA.
Aquinas at Prince Avenue Christian. This will be contest between two teams that have undergone great change since last season. Aquinas finished 12-2 and advanced to the private school final. But the Irish will be without five of its top players from last season, all of whom transferred to other schools. Prince Avenue Christian was undefeated last season until it ran into eventual state champ Eagle's Landing Christian Academy in the semifinals. But head coach Jeff Herron, who led the Wolverines to a record of 31-6 in three seasons in Bogart, has returned to the state's highest classification, this time at Grayson. The new man in charge at PAC is Greg Vandagriff, who led Class AAAAAA Kell to an 8-2 mark in 2008, the last time he was a head coach.
Terrell County at Taylor County. It will be Showtime in Butler, as the curtain opens on the junior season for Lyn-J Dixon, one of the most highly touted players in the stateDixon, a running back, became the first player in Taylor County history to earn a scholarship offer from an SEC school. That was during his sophomore season. And now he reportedly has three SEC offers – Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.
ELCA at Eagle's Landing. Once again, the Chargers will test themselves early with tough games against teams from higher classifications. Up first for the defending private school champions is community rival Eagle's Landing from Class AAAAA. The Golden Eagles finished 6-4 last season.
Other games of note: Athens Academy at Walker; Atkinson County at Fellowship Christian; B.E.S.T Academy at Landmark Christian; Brookstone at Jordan; Dooly County at Crisp County; Island at Calvary Day; Johnson County at Montgomery County; Mt. Pisgah at Holy Innocents'; Manchester at Greenville
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