Three Class 7A teams are undefeated but unranked. Given that there is a 1-4 team in the rankings (Colquitt County), that might be seen as disrespectful.
On Wednesday, GHSF Daily will be producing a story on the 15 unbeaten, unranked teams in all classifications. Here's a sneak preview of the three that play in the highest class.
North Paulding (4-0) – The Wolfpack's star player is Chad Terrell, a wide receiver committed to South Carolina. Terrell has 26 catches for 415 yards and seven touchdowns. Sophomore QB Ross Malmgren has thrown for 1,131 yards (282.8 per game) and 10 touchdowns in a spread offense. North doesn't run much. Outlook: The move to the highest classification in 2014 has been rough on the Wolfpack, which has finished 4-7 and 3-8 after the 11-win season in Class AAAAA in 2013. But this looks promising. North was 3-2 last season against its current Region 3-AAAAAAA opponents. If North can match that feat and win at Cherokee on Friday, that would be 8-2.
Forsyth Central (3-0) – Frank Hepler is the coach who started West Forsyth's program (2007-2013) and built a winner. He's back in Forsyth County and making strides. The 3-0 start is the best since 1997. Central is primarily a run/ball-control team built around Sabrian Howard, who has rushed for 608 yards and four touchdowns. Outlook: Central has played a weak schedule for a reason. It's still a work in progress. The Maxwell Ratings rank Central sixth out of six in Region 5-AAAAAAA, so making the playoffs for the first time since 2001 is still an uphill battle. Central is a slight favorite to beat Kennesaw Mountain this week. Win that and go 1-4 in region play would make for a 5-4 finish, the best record.
Mountain View (4-0) – The Bears have won four games in a full varsity season for the first time and beaten a 2015 region champion, Lambert. They are holding opponents to 53.0 yards rushing per game. SS/LB Blake Carroll and OLB/DE Alex Davis, both juniors, have 6.5 sacks between them. Sophomore DE Jaelin Humphries has six tackles behind the line. The offense is balanced. Feature RB Jasen Johnson has rushed for 400 yards and five touchdowns on 55 carries. QB Matt Edwards is 39-of-83 passing for 675 yards and nine touchdowns with just one interception. Outlook: Mountain View hasn't beaten North Gwinnett, Collins Hill, Mill Creek or Peachtree Ridge since 2011. One must fall to make the playoffs for the first time. Maxwell rates Mountain View as the No. 4 team in Region 6-AAAAAAA.
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