Defending champions Brookwood (Class AAAAA), Sandy Creek (AAAA) and Buford (AA) were ranked No. 1 in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s preseason football polls.
Tucker (AAAA) and Eagle’s Landing Christian (A) took the top spots in the other classes ahead of defending champs Chattahoochee and Clinch County. All five preseason No. 1 teams were from metro Atlanta for the first time since 1969, when the Atlanta Constitution first compiled preseason rankings.
In AAAAA, Brookwood lost 16 of 22 starters, including all-state linebacker Cameron Lynch (to Syracuse), but no other contender had an overwhelming case to state to switch places at the top. Traditional powers Camden County, Lowndes and Colquitt County from South Georgia were next in line, followed by Grayson, the highest-rated Georgia team in two national polls.
Chattahoochee graduated the all-class player of the year, quarterback Tim Byerly, and started at No. 6. Tucker, a program that is 49-6 over the past four seasons, was No. 1.
In AAA and AA, Sandy Creek (state champs in 2009, 2010) and Buford (going for a state-record fifth consecutive title) were easy choices at No. 1. Each has four or more major college recruits who have already committed.
In A, Eagle’s Landing Christian was No. 1 for the first time in its history. ELCA, which was 12-1 last season, losing to eventual champion Clinch County 34-27 in the state quarterfinals, has four major Division I-A prospects, including perhaps the classification’s top running back in junior Keyante Green.
About 25 games are scheduled this weekend, including four at the annual Corky Kell Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome on Saturday.
Class AAAAA
1. Brookwood
2. Camden County
3. Lowndes
4. Colquitt County
5. Grayson
6. McEachern
7. Stephenson
8. North Gwinnett
9. M.L. King
10. Hillgrove
Class AAAA
1. Tucker
2. Northside-Warner Robins
3. Statesboro
4. Flowery Branch
5. Brunswick
6. Chattahoochee
7. Kell
8. Ware County
9. Starr’s Mill
10. East Paulding
Class AAA
1. Sandy Creek
2. Carrollton
3. Peach County
4. Cairo
5. St. Pius
6. Burke County
7. Cedar Grove
8. Allatoona
9. Eastside
10. Baldwin
Class AA
1. Buford
2. Calhoun
3. Carver-Columbus
4. Cook
5. Greater Atlanta Christian
6. Westminster
7. Fitzgerald
8. Brooks County
9. Swainsboro
10. Thomasville
Class A
1. Eagle’s Landing Christian
2. Clinch County
3. Savannah Christian
4. Wilkinson County
5. Emanuel County Institute
6. Wesleyan
7. Wilcox County
8. Darlington
9. Lincoln County
10. Charlton County
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