When the Georgia High School Association reclassification efforts were completed last fall, the teams making up Region 8-2A weren’t sure whether to celebrate or complain.
On one hand, Rabun County, which had dominated the region with eight straight titles, and Elbert County, the usual No. 2 finisher, both were relegated down to the new Class A Division 1. On the other hand, in came Athens Academy, a two-time Class A Private state runner-up within the last five years, and Fellowship Christian, a Class A Private semifinalist in 2021.
Banks County and Union County were the only holdovers. East Jackson moved down from Class 3A and Providence Christian also moved up from the old Class A Private to round out the new-look region.
The new configuration of teams went 19-10 during the non-region schedule. Only Region 3-2A with Pierce County, Vidalia, and Toombs County (19-8) was better in Class 2A.
Coming into the season, Athens Academy and Fellowship Christian were by far the most seasoned programs in the new alignment. The Spartans have advanced to the playoffs each of the past seven seasons, making at least the second round each of the past six years, including a pair of Class A Private championship game appearances (2017, 2018).
The Paladins have turned into a recent powerhouse winning 64 games since 2016 with six straight playoff appearances, five trips to the quarterfinals or better, three semifinals, and one title game appearance (2016).
Union County has made the playoffs eight of the last nine seasons but has just one playoff win in its history. East Jackson has not made the playoffs since 2009 and also has just one playoff win in its history. Banks County also has just one playoff win in its history.
Providence Christian is on to its third coach in four years and has won just four total games over the past three seasons.
However, based on the non-region schedule, this region may not be the pushover many expected coming into the season. Union County (4-1) and Banks County (4-1) already have exceeded their win totals from all of last season. East Jackson (3-2) and Providence Christian (2-3) already have matched their 2021 win totals.
Athens Academy (4-1) and Fellowship Christian (2-2) were the overwhelming picks to finish 1 and 2 in the AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night preseason poll. Union County was picked third with East Jackson edging out Banks County for fourth.
“I’m not surprised how things are going for the teams in this region. It’s a good region with a lot of good teams,” East Jackson coach Cameron Pettus said. “This is going to be a fun region to watch. Right now, I feel like everyone is capable of winning (the region title).”
His Eagles open up against Banks County at home on Thursday. The game was moved from Friday because of Hurricane Ian. It will be a crucial showdown right out of the gate. The rest of the region will get underway next week.
“This is a huge game to start off the region,” Pettus said. “(Banks County) is playing really well and I feel like we’re starting to show what we can do. I think both teams are much better than we were last year.”
Union County is off for a second consecutive week and will kick off its region schedule next week against Banks County in Homer. Coach Michael Perry said they can’t wait to get started.
“It’s tough not playing for three weeks but it’s giving us a chance to get healthy,” Perry said. “Banks County is playing so well right now. That’s going to be a huge game and very tough on the road. They have one of the best players in North Georgia in (running back Andrew) Shockley and are a lot like us in that pretty much everyone is better than last year. That game will be a key one for both teams.”
The key game may be on Oct. 14 when Fellowship Christian plays host to Athens Academy. However, the Paladins close out the season with Banks County at home and then on the road at Union County, so it could go down to the final week.
“This is going to be a fun region to watch every week,” Perry said. “Every game will be important and I really do think everyone has a chance at a region title.”
