Welcome to the first Class AA blog of the 2018 football season. Last AA season brought us a number of storylines (found in this season recap post) headlined by the Hapeville Charter Hornets capturing their first-ever state championship in just their seventh season in existence, beating Rabun County 35-23.
Coming into 2018, the Hornets retain their No. 1 ranking in the AJC's preseason poll and they also own the top spot in Maxwell's preseason ratings. Despite their preseason status, the Hornets are no lock to repeat as champions, however. In fact, AA hasn't crowned a back-to-back champion since Buford, which won four consecutive titles from 2007-10.
Here’s a look at five teams to keep an eye on in 2017.
Hapeville Charter
2017 results: 14-1; Region 6 champions; beat Rabun County 35-23 in the AA championship.
2018 outlook: The Winston Gordon-led No. 1 Hornets haven't lost to a Peach State school since the 2016 semifinals to Fitzgerald. Despite losing 25 seniors from last year's squad, there's a realistic chance they do something they've yet to: run the tables in the regular season. They play in a weak Region 6, but have a tremendous challenge in their second game of the season, when they play No. 2 Heard County of Region 5 on the road.
Rabun County
2017 results: 14-1; Region 8 champions; lost 35-23 to Hapeville Charter in the AA championship.
2018 outlook: Since coach Lee Shaw took over his alma mater in 2012, the Wildcats have improved their record each season. If the No. 3 Wildcats improve upon their 2017 record, that will mean an undefeated season and the program's first-ever state championship. That may be a tall order, but it's what Shaw and the team are shooting for despite losing AJC Player of the Year nominee Bailey Fisher and 13 other seniors.
Callaway
2017 results: 11-2; second place in Region 5; lost 31-0 to Brooks County in the AA quarterfinals.
2018 outlook: The No. 4 Cavaliers are regularly stocked with D-I talent under coach Pete Wiggins — he enters his 14th season at the helm — and this season is no different. This team is stacked on both sides of the ball and stand out among what should be a very competitive Region 5.
Bremen
2017 results: 9-2; third place in Region 6-AAA; lost 32-0 to Lovett in Round 1 of the AAA playoffs.
2018 outlook: The No. 9 Blue Devils are the most notable addition to the new-look Class AA and will join No. 4 Callaway and No. 2 Heard County in a crowded Region 5. Coach Davis Russell is in his third season with the Blue Devils, who are on the rise after improving their record in each of his first two seasons.
Thomasville
2017 results: 12-1; Region 1 champions; lost 28-14 to Heard County in the quarterfinals
2018 outlook: The No. 5 Bulldogs have taken on a new identity since Zach Grage became coach ahead of the 2016 season. Their goals have moved beyond beating local rivals Cairo and Thomas County Central and on to shattering school records, producing D-I talent and making deep postseason runs. Thirty seasons ago, the 1988 Bulldogs went 15-0 to win the AAA championship. Though they're reloading with the loss of 20 seniors, they're still in the state title conversation.
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