The top team in Class AAAAAAA to open the 2019 season will be Colquitt County. The Packers return a roster with proven playmakers and arguably the most depth in the state and will be well-equipped to make another state championship run under first-year head coach Justin Rogers. Coming in at No. 2 is Marietta. The Blue Devils will have Harrison Bailey quarterbacking an offense that could be the most productive in the state this season. Parkview, North Gwinnett and Archer round out the top 5 and McEachern, Hillgrove, Grayson, Lowndes and defending state champion Milton solidify the top 10.
In Class AAAAAA, Lee County heads the field at No. 1 with Northside-Warner Robins coming in at No. 2. Bainbridge begins the season at the top of Class AAAAA after it won its second state championship — first since 1982 in Class AAA— by outlasting Warner Robins 47-41 in three overtimes last year. Buford opens its season at No. 2 but will be tested out the gate against Class AAAAAAA Milton in the Corky Kell Classic. Rome enters the season at No. 3 and will begin the season against Class AAAAAAA No. 2 Marietta. Warner Robins, the state runner-up, opens its season at No. 4. Carrollton is No. 5 and will meet with East Coweta in the first game of the year.
Cartersville is No. 1 in Class AAAA ahead of two-time defending state champion Blessed Trinity at No. 2. Cairo comes in at No. 3, Troup takes No. 4 and Sandy Creek edges Marist for No. 5.
Peach County, a state runner-up twice in as many years, begins the season behind No. 1 Cedar Grove, the 2018 AAA champions. However, Peach returns a majority of its moving parts including quarterback Antonio Gilbert and Clemson-bound linebacker, and AJC Super 11 selection, Sergio Allen. Perennial playoff power Westminster enters the season at No. 3 but will have to weather quarterback Parks Harber’s decision to forgo his senior season of football to focus on his UGA baseball commitment. Calhoun enters the year at No. 4 in Clay Stephenson’s first year as head coach following Hal Lamb’s retirement. Greater Atlanta Christian debuts at No. 5 after losing to Westminster in the second round last year.
Top-ranked Callaway will begin its season in hostile territory against Opelika, Ala. after it defeated the Bulldogs last year at home, 35-21. Callaway’s four-star running back Tank Bigsby, an AJC Super 11 selection, recently committed to Auburn and will be a force on the offensive side. Hapeville Charter is No. 2 to open after losing to Callaway 31-13 in the second round last year. Dublin debuts at No. 3 after losing to Heard County in the quarterfinals 18-3. Heard County, the defending champion, opens the season at No. 6.
Eagle’s Landing Christian begins its bid for a fifth-straight state championship at the top of Class A-Private. The Chargers defeated No. 2 Athens Academy 44-17 last year. Darlington opens at No. 3 after a quarterfinal exit to ELCA last year. Prince Avenue Christian, which lost to Athens Academy 28-21 in the semifinals last year, is No. 4. Aquinas, who lost to Darlington in the second round last year, enters the rankings at No. 5.
Class AAAAAAA
1. Colquitt County
2. Marietta
3. Parkview
4. North Gwinnett
5. Archer
6. McEachern
7. Hillgrove
8. Grayson
9. Lowndes
10. Milton
Class AAAAAA
1. Lee County
2. Northside-Warner Robins
3. Dacula
4. Valdosta
5. Glynn Academy
6. Coffee
7. Harrison
8. Sequoyah
9. Mays
10. Creekview
Class AAAAA
1. Bainbridge
2. Buford
3. Rome
4. Warner Robins
5. Carrollton
6. Dutchtown
7. Stockbridge
8. Jones County
9. Wayne County
10. Clarke Central
Class AAAA
1. Cartersville
2. Blessed Trinity
3. Cairo
4. Troup
5. Sandy Creek
6. Marist
7. Eastside
8. St. Pius
9. Mary Persons
10. Denmark
Class AAA
1. Cedar Grove
2. Peach County
3. Westminster
4. Calhoun
5. Greater Atlanta Christian
6. Pace Academy
7. Benedictine
8. Jefferson
9. Crisp County
10. Pierce County
Class AA
1. Callaway
2. Hapeville Charter
3. Dublin
4. Fitzgerald
5. Rockmart
6. Heard County
7. Rabun County
8. Brooks County
9. Washington County
10. Swainsboro
Class A-Private
1. Eagle’s Landing Christian
2. Athens Academy
3. Darlington
4. Prince Avenue Christian
5. Aquinas
6. Hebron Christian
7. Savannah Christian
8. Fellowship Christian
9. North Cobb Christian
10. Calvary Day
Class A-Public
1. Clinch County
2. Irwin County
3. Pelham
4. Marion County
5. Commerce
6. Schley County
7. Mt. Zion
8. Mitchell County
9. Charlton County
10. Greene County
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