Central Georgia Sports ReportComment

Central Georgia HS football rankings

Central Georgia Sports ReportComment
Central Georgia HS football rankings

By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
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          This may be the year of unpredictability with Central Georgia’s football polls, even in Division I.

          It’s been a long time since the majority of Division I (6A, 5A, 4A) teams have been worthy of consideration this late in the season.

          And these human polls are not connected to the Post Seasoon - which really is one word, but that’s for another day – Rankings.

          No, there’s no suspense for 1-2 in Division I, and hasn’t been all season.

After that, there’s Warner Robins, Jones County, Baldwin, Mary Persons, Northside, Veterans, Howard,  and Perry have been ranked or are on the fringe.

          The top teams in Division II are really, really close.

          How hard is it in Division II?

Sure is a good time to make sure MaxPreps stats are updated and rosters accurate

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Sure is a good time to make sure MaxPreps stats are updated and rosters accurate 〰️

          In the seven-poll Georgia High School Football Daily composite rankings of GHSA teams, six teams from Division II (AAA-AA-A) are getting votes, and five are in the composite top 10 in their class.

          If you go by total points, albeit in separate classifications: Dublin (59) Northeast (51), Bleckley County (44), Taylor County (42), Macon County (37), and Putnam County (2).

          If you go by the order in the Maxwell computer ratings: Dubliun, 65.65; Beckley County, 61.72; Northeast, 58.26; Taylor County, 38.46; Putnam County, 37.47; Macon County, 35.31.

          Alas, as per Maxwell, Jasper County, Dodge County, and ACE Charter are ranked ahead of Taylor County, with Washington County before Putnam County and Macon County.

          And that doesn’t include John Milledge, Stratford, and Westfield, GIAA schools that are rated ahead of Macon County in Maxwell.

          Note: There is a level of objectivity in some – some - of the human polls to take into account, and there’s questionable objectivity in some polls, especially those with a level of financial investment or personal connection to schools or just a lack of professionalism.

          Yeah, there’s a reason – although it’s hard to determine – to be a little wary. Here? No such problems.

          Put together a round-robin with Dublin, Northeast, Bleckley County, John Milledge, and Stratford, and we objective folks would love it because the teams are so even and games would phenomenal.

          Yes, strength of schedule matters. No, we don’t know who will surpass or fail to meet expectations before the season. But we’re into it, and teams are who they are.

          And Dublin, as per Maxwell, has the toughest schedule among Division II’s top teams. But also know this: John Milledge and Stratford have players that decent-sized GHSA teams would love to have, and not just the top prospects. And those two play this week at Stratford, so if you don’t have a game to go to, consider that one.

          There is a gap, though, after the top teams, and that next group of rankables is even bigger and tough.

          Necessary reminder about polls: It’s about this week, not in two weeks or three weeks ago or just head to head. Big picture. Today.

          Tests remain, all the way through, though some teams have a fairly unchallenging finish to the regular season.

          This week, our  potential poll-shakers: Ola-Warner Robins, Mary Persons-Baldwin, Dodge County-Dublin, Putnam County-Jasper County, Taylor County-Schley County, John Milledge-Stratford.

Division I (Classes 6A, 5A, 4A, 13 teams)

5. Baldwin, Jones County, Northside, Perry, Veterans, Warner Robins (alphabetical order)

          Each has reasons to be No. 3, or No. 4, or No. 5 or not ranked, from head to head (only as a poll tiebreaker) to strength of schedule to good wins and good losses. Would Northside beat Warner Robins again? Would Perry hammer Jones County again? Would Baldwin lose soundly to Howard again? So many questions, some of which will be answered and eliminate the parity on Friday.

2. Houston County
          No, the Bears aren’t playing great football right now. They are, however, playing some extremely good and great teams right now. Few teams in the state would be doing any better in this region, which makes the posteason interesting for Houston County.

1. Peach County

          So begins  stretch of some toughness for the Trojans, who will likely have to deal with injuries down the stretch, with Howard, Baldwin, and Troup. If the Trojans run that table and are fairly healthy, a dream season may last awhile.

Division II (Classes 3A, AA, A, GIAA, 33 teams

9. Jasper County, Putnam County

          The tiebreaker is Friday night in Eatonton.

8. Macon County
          The Bulldogs can work on the passing game a little bit and get ready for a playoff run, because they’ll need it. Noah Parker is no secret.

7. Taylor County
          Sure, the schedule has been quite favorable, but a team still has to take care of business, and the Vikings’ playing so well is very notable, and yes, still a bit of a surprise. The consistency is impressive.

6. Dodge County
          The Indians’ 3 losses are by 1, 14, and 7. Dublin – coaches and most players – aren’t overlooking the Indians. Those who do do so are their own peril right now.

5. Stratford

          Losing standout sophomore RB-LB Aaron Jefferson to a knee injury for 2-4 weeks sure hurts Friday against John Milledge, but the Eagles have adjusted well to injuries, and will further adjust until he’s ready.

4. Bleckley County
          We’ve been here before, Bleckley County rolling along only to hit a speed bump. No regular-season speed bumps await, so the Royals are quietly preparing for the postseason, with no doubt a little extra oomph.

2. Northeast, John Milledge
          Sure would love to see these two play. Dang. And a prediction would be based on the time of year. Right now? No idea (without the weekly gametape review here at the home office).

1. Dublin
          Dodge County will be a test, and Vidalia may put up a decent fight for awhile, but the Irish are kind of making weekly statements, one being “Get outta my way, sonnyboy.” A win this week adds to that list.