Four area teams will open the season ranked in the top-10 of the Georgia Sports Writers Association high school football poll.
Released Tuesday evening, Buford (No. 5 Class 5A), Jefferson (No. 9 Class 3A), Rabun County (No. 9 Class 2A) and Commerce (No. 5 Class A-Public) making the top-10 in their respective classifications.
-- Buford finished the 2018 season with a 23-20 Class 5A quarterfinal loss to eventual state champ, Bainbridge. They enter the 2019 campaign with a new head coach in Bryant Appling. Appling is no stranger to Buford, having served as an assistant for previous 15 seasons. The Wolves are loaded with Division-I talent and should be among the state's elite again this year.
-- Jefferson, riddled with injuries, managed to finish the regular season 8-2 and take the No. 2 spot out of a brutal Region 8-3A last season. But the Dragons' injuries caught up with them against Westminster in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs, losing 35-7. The Dragons are back with more experience and are healthy to kick off a brand new season. If things go as planned, Jefferson could climb the rankings quickly.
-- Rabun County, led by freshman quarterback Gunner Stockton last season, lost a tough Class 2A quarterfinal battle at home with Fitzgerald, 28-18. Stockton returns a year older and wiser this season and is set to blow past last year's numbers. Jaybo Shaw took over for his father, Lee, at the end of last season. The Wildcats most likely will be the king of Region 8-2A again this season and are set up to make a big run again this season.
-- Commerce dropped a gut-wrenching 23-20 loss to Irwin County in the quarterfinals last season. Senior Nate Ray returns at quarterback for a third straight season to lead their powerful triple-option attack along with a good group of lineman and a solid fullback in Sam Roach. If the Tigers fill the holes effectively on defense, another deep run in the state playoffs could be in their future.
Class AAAAAAA
1. Colquitt County
2. Marietta
3. Parkview
4. Grayson
5. Archer
6. Milton
7. Lowndes
8. North Gwinnett
9. McEachern
10. Hillgrove
Class AAAAAA
1. Lee County
2. Valdosta
3. Northside
4. Coffee
5. Dacula
6. Allatoona
7. Harrison
8. Stephenson
9. Creekside
10. Glynn Acad.
Class AAAAA
1. Rome
2. Carrollton
3. Dutchtown
4. Buford
5. Bainbridge
6. Warner Robins
7. Jones County
8. Wayne County
9. Stockbridge
10. SW DeKalb
Class AAAA
1. Blessed Trinity
2. Cartersville
3. Troup
4. Sandy Creek
5. Marist
6. Cairo
7. Woodward
8. Mary Persons
9. Eastside
10. St. Pius
Class AAA
1. Cedar Grove
2. Peach County
3. Calhoun
4. GAC
5. Benedictine
6. Westminster
7. Pace Academy
8. Pierce County
9. Jefferson
10. Jenkins
Class AA
1. Callaway
2. Dublin
3. Hapeville
4. Fitzgerald
5. Rockmart
6. Washington Co.
7. Brooks Co
8. Heard Co.
9. Rabun Co.
10. Thomasville
Class A-Public
1. Clinch
2. Irwin
3. Marion
4. Pelham
5. Commerce
6. Schley
7. Mitchell
8. Mt. Zion Carroll
9. Charlton
10. ECI
Class A-Private
1. ELCA
2. Athens Acad.
3. Darlington
4. Prince Ave.
5. Savannah Christian
6. Hebron
7. Aquinas
8. Fellowship
9. Calvary Day
10. Wesleyan
