Realignment overhauled 6-AA for 2006, lumping together schools from DeKalb,
Cobb and Gwinnett counties, while saying goodbye to metro-Atlanta schools
Grady and Carver, which dropped down to Class AAA. The region is one of
the state's best with six playoff teams from 2005. The fight for the title
should be a good one.
Longtime state power Buford
failed to make the state title game last year for the first time since
1999, but Jess Simpson's team still has plenty of talent for 2006. Buford
will be very strong on defense with 10 returning starters, led by linebacker
Trey Hunsucker. Buford's biggest needs are in its offensive backfield,
an area wiped out by graduation. If Buford can get past Lovett and Decatur,
the Wolves could claim their sixth straight region title.
Lovett and Decatur are right
behind Buford. Lovett finished with an 8-4 record in 2005, while Decatur
finished at 8-2. Lovett is similar to Buford in that it will be strong
defensively with eight returning starters, while looking to fill holes
on offense, especially at quarterback and tight end.
Greater Atlanta Christian and
Wesleyan should also be in the thick of things. GAC, 8-AA runners-up in
2005, returns lineman T-Bob Hebert and quarterback Lee Chapple, who completed
61% of his passes last year for 1,672 yards. Caleb King's prescence should
instantly elevate GAC's chances.
New Wesleyan head coach Franklin
Pridgen has scrapped the Wolves spread offense from last year for a more-balanced
approach, hoping to better their 5-5-1 record.
Avondale drops down from 5-AAA
after a 2-8 campaign in 2005, while Cross Keys hopes to improve after
going 1-9. Holy Innocents' is also a newcomer to the region, while Creekview
will play a non-region schedule.
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