Very seldom do two teams from the same region meet for the state title.
However, that happened last year when Lincoln County defeated Washington-Wilkes
25-0 for its first state title since 1995. Even though Washington-Wilkes
moved back up to Class AA, there is enough talent and strong teams from
this region for two to make it back to the title game.
The A subregion will consist
of GMC, Hancock Central, Monticello, Twiggs County and Wilkinson County,
while the B subregion will consist of Aquinas, Glascock County, Lincoln
County and Warren County.
Twiggs County was one of the
most-improved teams in Class A last season. The Cobras dropped their first
three games, then won eight of their next 10 to earn a quarterfinal appearance.
The Cobras will pick up where they left off. One player to keep an eye
on is senior offensive lineman Chris Little (6-5, 320), a five-star recruiting
prospect by scout.com.
After Twiggs, three teams have
a chance at a playoff berth - Hancock Central, Monticello and Wilkinson
County. Monticello is dropping from Class AA.
GMC won only one game and is
looking to get its program back on track.
Lincoln County, like Twiggs,
also lost its first three games against higher-classification opponents,
then rebounded to win its next 12. The Red Devils will once again go deep
in the postseason. They return two solid Division I prospects in senior
running back Darell Norman (5-10, 180) and tight end Brandon Barden (6-5,
220).
Charles Rutland's Warren County
Screaming Devils had their best season this decade when they went 8-4
last year and made the playoffs. Warren County will be back in the playoff
chase this fall but must fight off Aquinas, which finished 6-5 last year
and also made the playoffs.
Aquinas features one of the
state's top defensive end prospects in senior John Douglas (6-2, 225).
Glascock County will play a
nonregion schedule.
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