As most Class 5A teams get ready to jump into their region schedules, here are five questions to ponder:
Who will emerge as the champion in Region 1, the state’s toughest region?
No. 1 Warner Robins, No. 2 Ware County and No. 5 Coffee are all undefeated and capable of winning the region championship – probably even the state championship. Something should be known early, since Ware County opens Region 1 play at Coffee and at home against Warner Robins. Coffee and Warner Robins don’t play until the final week. Each team has shown its own level of strength this year and Warner Robins probably warrants extra consideration as the defending champion – plus the fact the Demons have reach the final in four straight years.
Who will emerge as the champion in Region 7? Sounds like a redundant question, but it’s just as applicable here, where No. 3 Cartersville, No. 7 Calhoun and No. 9 Blessed Trinity are in the same situation in Region 7 that the south Georgia powers face in Region 1.
Each team has its own strength. Cartersville has already beaten two state-ranked team and have found their quarterback in Jake Parker. Calhoun’s combination of Christian Lewis and Cole Speer is among the most dangerous in the state. Blessed Trinty may have the state’s best running back in Justice Haynes – if he can stay healthy.
Blessed Trinity hosts Calhoun on Oct. 8. Cartersville is at Blessed Trinity on Oct. 15 and hosts rival Calhoun on the final weekend.
Is Stockbridge back as a major player? The signature program in Henry County took a dip the last two seasons after coach Kevin Whitley left, but seems to have regained some of its mojo under first-year head coach Thomas Clark. The Tigers have shown they can still play defense, limiting Southwest DeKalb to seven points and blanking Locust Grove. More will be known this week when they travel to meet Region 4 favorite Jones County, which has not been held to fewer than 28 points in a game this season.
Who will be the biggest surprise team to make the playoffs? It’s still too early, but a good guess may be Stone Mountain, where coach James Lal’s team is 3-0. The Pirates haven’t played a great slate, but a 3-0 start hasn’t taken place there since 2011. That team went 8-2 but still missed the playoffs. Stone Mountain hasn’t made the playoffs since 2004. More will be known next week when they travel to play No. 10-ranked Decatur.
Who’s the best team that hasn’t won a game? Though Wayne County and Southwest DeKalb warrant consideration, the top winless team out there is Clarke Central. The Gladiators had to deal with some COVID issues and had the misfortune of playing Class 6A No. 1 and defending champion Buford and Class 3A runner-up and No. 2 Oconee County to open the season. Clarke’s defense is outstanding, but its offense has been slow to get started and has produced only a field goal. Coach David Perno’s team will know more after playing 0-3 Apalachee in the Region 8 opener.
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