Region 1 will be the last AAA grouping to begin inter-league play this week, but it’s worth looking at how the defending champions are playing as we head toward the final four games of the season. Do the defending region champs have what it takes to repeat? Let's take a look.
Region 1
Defending champion: Crisp County (4-3, 0-0)
Crisp will enter region play this week against Monroe (3-4, 0-0). The Cougars opened their season with a victory against Class AAAA Americus-Sumter before losing three consecutive games against West Laurens, Dutchtown and Tift County. The Cougars, in coach Brad Harber’s second season, have bounced back with victories against South Gwinnett, Bainbridge and Thomasville.
Region 2
Defending champion: Liberty County (4-1, 1-0)
Liberty County won the region last year in flawless fashion (5-0) before losing in the quarterfinals to Calhoun. This season, undefeated and dominant Pierce County (6-0, 1-0) could challenge the Panthers. The Bears have only allowed three touchdowns all season, with a string of four shutouts, and outscored Brantley County 49-7 in the region opener last week. It would be the first region title for Pierce since 2012. The Bears will host the Panthers on Nov. 2.
Region 3
Defending champion: Jenkins (4-2, 3-1)
It will be a tall task for Jenkins to win its third consecutive region title after the addition of Benedictine (5-1, 4-0) from Class AA. An undefeated Southeast Bulloch (6-0, 4-0) team defeated Jenkins 9-8 last week. Jenkins will face Benedictine on Nov. 3 in a pivotal game for the Warriors. A loss will all but write them out of the three-peat. Benedictine, in a game which should decide the region, will host Southeast Bulloch on Oct. 19.
Region 4
Defending champion: Peach County (4-2, 2-0)
Peach County is looking for its third consecutive region title, and the Trojans' ability to repeat could be determined against Westside-Macon (5-2, 3-0). Peach County will play Westside on Nov. 2 at home. The Trojans have defeated Kendrick and Pike County since entering region play. Westside has not beaten Peach since the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Region 5
Defending champion: Cedar Grove (6-1, 3-0)
Cedar Grove’s region run in 2017 was impressive, to say the least. The Saints were not challenged one bit. They outscored the region 312-37 with three shutouts. Since entering region play Sept. 21 against Lovett (45-0), the Saints have outscored opponents 177-0. Cedar Grove also defeated Redan (52-0) and Towers (80-0). Westminster (4-2, 2-0) and Pace (4-3, 2-1) could be contenders, but the Saints look unstoppable. Then again, they looked that way last year before Calhoun held them to six points in the semifinals. A measuring stick for the Saints will come Friday, when they face No. 5 Westminster. No. 10 Pace Academy, which also could challenge the Saints, travels to Lovett.
Region 6
Defending champion: Calhoun (6-0, 4-0)
Calhoun, the defending state champions, should win the region again for the 18th consecutive season. The Yellow Jackets are leading Haralson County (5-1, 3-1) and Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (4-2, 3-1). North Murray (4-3, 3-2), which lost to Calhoun on Sept. 14, is the only other team in the split region with a winning record.
Region 7
Defending champion: Greater Atlanta Christian (5-2, 3-0)
GAC is a favorite to win for the third consecutive season in AAA after winning 6-AA in 2014 and 2015. The Spartans and Fannin County (3-3, 2-0) are unbeaten in region play. GAC is coming off a victory against Dawson County (6-1, 2-1) last week, the only other team in the region with a winning record. Last year, GAC defeated Fannin County 55-7 and will face the Rebels on Nov. 2.
Region 8
Defending champion: Morgan County (3-4, 2-1)
When Monroe Area (7-0, 3-0) defeated Morgan County in its region opener Sept. 21, the Purple Hurricanes avenged a loss from 2017 (22-21) which handed Morgan County the title. This season, Monroe seems ready to stake its claim on Region 8. The Purple Hurricanes have outscored opponents 164-0 entering Friday’s road game at Hart County (2-4, 1-1). But don’t count out Jefferson (6-1, 3-0). The Dragons, back down from 8-AAAA, beat East Jackson 70-0 in their region opener before outlasting Franklin County 17-10. Jefferson will face Monroe Area on Oct. 19.
About the Author
