By Michael A. Lough
The Sports Report
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The shuffling in Division I is matching Division II, and that makes things interesting.

First, though, an apology. Bleckley County was inadvertently omitted from last week’s Division II poll. Sorry. Obviously, the Royals are on the short list of contenders for No. 1.

And hey, look who’s No. 1 this week!

It’s early, but Division I again just isn’t overloaded with teams above .500, or much above .500. But there are three or four teams in the hunt for that fifth spot, which is good.

That’s not always the case

Of 13 in the division, six have winning records, two are 1-1, and four have losing records. Alas, only some upsets will lead to movement, with Baldwin, Peach County, and Mary Persons idle this week.

CENTRAL GEORGIA’S BEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COVERAGE

This week
🏈 Macon Touchdown Club players of the week this week

Last week
🏈 Roundup: The Mac hosts Northside's exorcism, Baldwin stuns Dublin late, West Laurens storms back to shock Dodge County, Mary Persons rebounds, Lamar County pops Bowdon, Bleckley County cruises, more
🏈 Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
🏈 Maxwell Predictions
🏈 Who’s going to win this week’s games?
🏈 Central Georgia Maxwell/state composite rankings
🏈 Central Georgia rankings
🏈 Macon Touchdown Club players of the week last week

Two weeks ago
🏈 HS FB: Jasper County stuns Mary Persons, Dublin handles Perry, Warner Robins survives thriller with Northeast, Veterans comes back and holds on, ACE storms back
🏈 Scouting Reports: This week’s GHSA and GIAA games
🏈 Maxwell Predictions
🏈 Who’s going to win this week’s games?
🏈 Central Georgia state composite rankings
🏈 Central Georgia rankings

🏈 Macon Touchdown Club players of the week

Of 13 in the division, six have winning records, two are 1-1, and four have losing records. Alas, only some upsets will lead to movement, with Baldwin, Peach County, and Mary Persons idle this week.

Division II? Four or five teams are a win away from being rankable. Doesn’t mean they’ll get ranked, but any stumbles and the shuffling continues.

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

5. Mary Persons
There are a number of teams around 5, 6, and 7, but a quality romp over Rockmart is the tiebreaker. Is this the real Mary Persons?

4. Northside
Folks have been waiting for the offense to catch up some with the defense, and it sure did in a much more thorough thumping of Warner Robins than folks expected. QB Kerion Tate’s long TD run was a thing of beauty (and some poor tackling attempts). Next up: sustaining success and establishing consistency. Next up: A top-10 Class 7A team.

3. Baldwin
Coming back to beat Dublin? Outgaining Dublin? In Dublin? The phrase just off the Milledgeville bypass is “Yes, please.” That kind of defense and avoidance of self-inflicted wounds sets up a good season.

2. Peach County
In 2023 through three games, Peach County was winless and outscored 110-51. Hard to believe, the way things are going now.

1. Houston County
A year ago, the Bears outscored Brookwood and Effingham County 87-66. This year, they’ve topped West Forsyth and Jones County 83-28. If that defense keeps going, keep your eyes open.

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

10. Taylor County
The schedule has been a little favorable, but taking care of business is always notable, especially on defense. This week is the first real test of the season. A W, and we can consider Taylor County a player heading into the normal tough region schedule.

9. Stratford
Yes, it’s too early to start wondering where this team ranks or will rank in program history. But – sorry Paul Carroll – there’s a good shot for the conversation down the road.

8. Macon County
The Bulldogs can rack up a third straight shutout this week, first time since 2021. Granted, it’s highly unlikely, and a third straight win - which happened last October – would suffice.

7. ACE Charter
The table is set for a 6-0 start – the young program’s first - entering a showdown at Bleckley County if the Gryphons stay focused and avoid any stumbles of overconfidence.

6. Dodge County
Losing to West Laurens is no surprise, no big deal. Losing a pretty solid lead at home? Eh, a bit of a surprise. Good chance for a quality rebound against top-5 Fitzgerald is next.

5. Lamar County
So now we’re left to figure out the Trojans a little, from getting thumped by Dodge County to thumping Bowdon. Nice battle at Northeast on Sept. 25 shaping up.

4. Dublin
See “Baldwin” above, and reverse some of the words. Some rare things happened Friday night in Dublin. Granted, Baldwin’s a decent higher-class team, but an opponents’ 20-0 run and holding down the offense like that sure doesn’t happen often.

3. John Milledge
As mostly expected, John Milledge had to sweat some against Bulloch. Back to normal this week.

2. Northeast
From the jaws of victory will predictable mistakes snatch defeat, and a mighty good win against a decent higher-class team was right there two Fridays ago. A week off afterward, will that game fester or tighten things up? Another chance comes this week.

1. Bleckley County
The Royals are rolling. And if the defense keeps up with the offense, and this week will be something of a test, that Dublin-Swainsboro-ACE-Dodge County stretch will be fairly fascinating to watch.