By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
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Two games down for one group, one down for another, so, yes, it’s still early.

The reclassification adds a class and all, but foks forget: teams are still competing, for the most part, with the same teams, and schools with similar enrollments. Class A being split for so many years muddled things as well.

Sure, Lamar County is “suddenly” in 3A, but in a region with similarly-sized schools. Westside jumped from 2A, for two years, to 4A, but with familiar former region rivals in the same region.

And as always, one can have only 11 on the field at a time. The coaching, the listening, the fundamentals, the hunger, all have nothing to do with enrollment.

It’s early, and one of those times when, yes, a couple spots are vacated, as in Division I. Next week, the Division I poll will drop back down to five teams.

The shuffling is likely to be behind No. 1 in both divisions, although Division II is likely to have some shaking up on a regular basis. And that’s mostly because the teams behind John Milledge have better competition, and can rack up more impressive wins.

Sure, the Trojans will drop from No. 1 at some point, but who’s playing in that final week is all that matters, and they’re the best bet in Division II to do that.

Until then, there are five other teams that have a good shot at spending some time in that top spot.

Division I (Classes 6A, 5A, 4A, 14 teams)

10. Vacant

9. Vacant

8. Jones County

The Greyhounds were in position to make it more competitive, but couldn’t finish a play, and paid, Valdosta taking advantage, as expected.

7. West Laurens

Having a week off after such a humbling opener is probably not a good thing. There will be running.

6. Baldwin

Winning the opener for the first time since 2023 is notable, and thumping a rival adds to it.

5. Mary Persons

Another romp over “rival” Jackson came in quite the starting debut for quarterback Jordan Singleton.

4. Northside

Sure, it’s early. Yeah, Northside won its third opener in the last four years. No, those wins didn’t lead to anything. But scoring 36.5 percent of last year’s total is notable.

3. Warner Robins

There was some non-weather-related sweating on the visitors’ side at Freedom Field. But a 34-6 second half is inspiring.

2. Peach County

Well, the Trojans are off their most impressive opener since beating No. 3.5 Northside 21-13 in Warner Robins back in 2019, leading to a 12-2 season.

1. Houston County

The Bears turned in their third straight impressive season-opening performance under head coach Jeremy Edwards, now 5-0 in Week 1.

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

10. ACE Charter

The Gryphons covered all bases well in a surprisingly easy win over a 2025 playoff team.

9. Taylor County

The debut for Taylor County head coach Jess DeVoursney went well, and it was the best night for a Central Georgia DeVoursney (dad Steve at Veterans and brother Eric at Perry).

8. Stratford

No real surprises so far for the defending GIAA 4A champs.

7. Macon County

The Bulldogs opened up the Spoon Risper era with their best season-opening win since a similar thumping of Dooly County, 45-0, in 2016, en route to a 12-2 season.

6. Dodge County

Anticipation has only grown after watching everybody else play a game.

5. Lamar County

The Trojans handled business well in a shortened game at Upson-Lee.

4. Dublin

Even if one of the top running backs in the area wasn’t playing, a road shutout of a playoff team is a road shutout of a playoff team.

3. Bleckley County

Sure, West Laurens has some holes to fill, but the Royals sure came out of the gate strong.

2. Northeast

In reality, those paying attention weren’t necessarily surprised Northeast thumped Westside in, ahem, their first meeting this century. The level of thumping is notable, though.

1. John Milledge

It’s the same story, different year in the early going for the Trojans.