You’ve seen the top 10 teams. They’ve deviated very little, as Class AAA is a top-heavy league with a handful of very good teams who aren’t likely to lose a game until they meet one another.
But there are some teams out there lurking. You’ll have to pay attention to them once the playoffs begin. Some of them will enter the playoffs as a No. 2 or No. 3 seed and shock people by winning a couple of games. Here’s a chance to put these lurkers on your radar.
The top five lurkers to watch over the next five weeks:
Cedar Grove: The Saints (4-1) were in the preseason rankings, but a loss to Columbia in the second weeks knocked them out. They haven't lost since and are on their way to winning the Region 5-AAA Div. A regular-season championship. The Saints are loaded with talent and are favored to run the table and play the regular-season champion from Div. B for the region title.
Cook: A lot of people may have gotten off the bandwagon here when the Hornets lost their first two games. Since then they've won four straight, including last week's 33-8 win over Tattnall County. They still have three difficult games at Toombs, vs. Appling and at Dodge. Don't be surprised if they make some noise in Region 1-AAA Div. A.
Callaway: The Cavs (2-3) are a confusing bunch. Very talented, but it hasn't come across yet on the field. Now that the Region 5-AAA schedule is starting, look for Callaway to regain its focus and plow through the lesser opponents in their way en route to a probable showdown against Central Carroll in the regular-season finale.
West Hall: The Spartans were tripped up by North Oconee and Kawon Bryant; no disgrace there, as many teams have suffered the same fate. West Hall (4-1) may have the best defense in Region 7-AAA and that could be the deciding factor in a league with no clear-cut favorite.
Oconee County: How can a 6-0 team be considered a lurker? Probably because the Warriors have played a patsy schedule – until now. They take this week off to prepare for a gauntlet that includes Morgan County, Hart County, Jefferson and Elbert County. Win two of those and they'll gain respect – and possibly the No. 2 spot in Region 8-AAA.
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