Milton is 5-0 for the first time in 14 years, but being ranked is even rarer. The Eagles are No. 9 in this week’s Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Class AAAAAA rankings, Milton’s first appearance in a state poll since 1980.
Milton opened the season with a 31-24 overtime victory over Alpharetta, now the first-place team in Region 6, and has won the rest of its games by at least four touchdowns.
The latest was a 38-9 victory over Wheeler despite the absence of star running back Treyvon Paulk, who is injured. Micco Brisker rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown in his place.
Milton plays another 5-0 team on Friday when unranked Etowah visits.
Room for Milton in the Top 10 came when Valdosta and Coffee from Region 1 were beaten. Defending state champion Norcross re-entered the rankings.
Other teams entering the rankings are South Paulding for Allatoona in AAAAA, Pierce County for Woodward Academy in AAA and Marion County for George Walton Academy in A. South Paulding is ranked for the first time in history.
Class AAAAAA
1. (1) North Gwinnett (4-0)
2. (2) McEachern (5-0)
3. (3) Colquitt County (4-1)
4. (4) Lovejoy (4-1)
5. (5) Peachtree Ridge (5-0)
6. (6) Camden County (4-1)
7. (8) Hillgrove (4-0)
8. (9) Archer (5-0)
9. (NR) Milton (5-0)
10. (NR) Norcross (3-2)
Class AAAAA
1. (1) Tucker (5-0)
2. (2) Stephenson (5-0)
3. (3) Northside-Warner Robins (4-0)
4. (4) Kell (5-0)
5. (5) Gainesville (4-1)
6. (6) Thomas County Central (4-1)
7. (8) Warner Robins (4-0)
8. (9) Ware County (4-1)
9. (10) Creekside (5-0)
10. (NR) South Paulding (4-0)
Class AAAA
1. (1) Sandy Creek (3-0-1)
2. (2) Carrollton (4-0)
3. (5) Griffin (5-0)
4. (4) Monroe Area (5-0)
5. (6) Wayne County (5-0)
6. (7) Mary Persons (5-0)
7. (8) Statesboro (5-0)
8. (9) Cedartown (5-0)
9. (10) Marist (2-2)
10. (3) Stockbridge (4-1)
Class AAA
1. (1) Buford (4-0)
2. (2) Cartersville (5-0)
3. (3) Washington County (4-0)
4. (4) North Hall (4-0)
5. (5) Carver-Columbus (4-1)
6. (6) Jefferson County (5-0)
7. (7) Hart County (4-0)
8. (8) St. Pius (4-1)
9. (9) North Oconee (3-1)
10. (NR) Pierce County (5-0)
Class AA
1. (1) Lamar County (4-0)
2. (2) Lovett (5-0)
3. (3) Greater Atlanta Christian (5-0)
4. (4) Jefferson (3-1)
5. (5) Washington-Wilkes (5-0)
6. (6) Calhoun (4-1)
7. (7) Benedictine (5-0)
8. (8) Brooks County (4-1)
9. (9) Macon County (3-1)
10. (10) Fitzgerald (3-1-1)
Class A
1. (1) Eagle’s Landing Christian (4-0)
2. (2) Landmark Christian (5-0)
3. (3) Aquinas (4-0)
4. (7) Seminole County (4-0)
5. (9) Johnson County (5-0)
6. (4) Savannah Christian (2-1-1)
7. (6) Prince Avenue Christian (4-1)
8. (8) Irwin County (3-0-1)
9. (NR) Marion County (4-0)
10. (10) Lincoln County (2-2)
