Archer tops Class AAAAAA preseason poll

We are releasing our Class AAAAAA rankings today to kick off the week. We will release one classification per day through Saturday, when Class A will be revealed. Our methodology in the poll is to rank the teams based on how good they are right now, not just what happened on the field last season. We take into account the amount of players returning, coaching changes as well as last year's accomplishments on the field.

Archer is at the top of the preseason rankings as the Tigers return a bevy of starters from a team that went undefeated into the playoffs last year only to fall 34-32 in the quarterfinals to a North Gwinnett squad the Tigers led 20-7 at one point. QB Gabe Tiller, TE Connor Redmond (South Carolina commit) and WR Kyle Davis (also South Carolina commit) lead a Tigers team that we think will take home the top prize this season in Class AAAAAA.

One glaring omission to many readers may have been the exclusion of two-time defending champion Norcross. The Blue Devils do not return one offensive touchdown last season and lost several starters on both sides of the ball as well as 62 seniors. QB A.J. Bush, DE Lorenzo Carter, LB Kevin Mouton and virtually every Blue Devils starter are among the myriad of losses.

McEachern has been the highest-ranked Georgia team in several preseason national high school polls, but can the Indians' defense match their tremendous offensive potential? Sophomore QB Bailey Hockman has several elite weapons to use, but the key to the Indians' season will be on the other side of the ball. McEachern gave up 27 or more points seven times last season, including in its semifinals loss to North Gwinnett.

Grayson, the 2011 state champ, returns almost in tact and should be completely rebuilt from the 2012 squad that graduated nearly everyone. Tucker is the lone team in our AAAAAA top 10 that was not in the classification last season. Mill Creek boasts one of the best offensive lines in recent memory to protect QB Daniel David and a powerful Hawks running game. By many accounts, Mill Creek was the top team in the state to not make the playoffs. Scott Burton has built quite the program at Marietta and we think the Blue Devils will again make some noise out of Region 4.



CLASS AAAAAA PRESEASON POLL

1. Archer

2. McEachern

3. Mill Creek

4. Colquitt County

5. North Gwinnett

6. Lovejoy

7. Grayson

8. Camden County

9. Tucker

10. Marietta