Last season, the writers and guests at AccessWDUN Sports correctly picked four out of eight region champions that involved northeast Georgia teams in the Georgia High School Association. Fellowship Christian (8-A Division 1), Gainesville (8-6A), Jefferson (8-5A), and North Oconee (8-4A) all captured titles in 2023.
We also nailed 26 of the 32 playoff teams in the eight northeast Georgia regions in the GHSA.
The 2024 campaign will certainly be different as the GHSA dropped down to just six classifications. However, despite the smaller number of overall classifications, there are now 10 new regions among six classifications housing area teams that should bring some exciting action this fall.
A 13-person panel, made up of media members from Blitz Sports Georgia, Friday Game Night, Gwinnett Daily Post, North Georgia SportsLink, WDUN AM/FM, White County News and WRWH AM/FM, cast their votes during the offseason for who they think will win the 10 area regions.
We will look at two regions each day this week, starting with Class A and finishing with Class 6A.
REGION 8-A DIVISION 1 — Defending champion: Commerce
This should be one of the most competitive regions in the state, top to bottom, in any classification. It already may be the toughest in Class A Division 1.
It combined elements of the old 8-A D1 (Commerce, Elbert County, Rabun County) with half of the old 8-2A (Athens Academy, Banks County, Providence) and brought in Oglethorpe County from the old 5-A D1.
With Class A D1 using the new Playoff Rankings System (PRS) for the postseason, it’s possible that every team could make the playoffs, whether in public or private brackets.
Six of the seven teams made the playoffs in 2023, five of the seven posted winning records, and as a group, they averaged 7.42 wins/team, including playoffs. Commerce, Elbert, and Rabun all advanced to the quarterfinals last season.
If the GHSA had used the new PRS in 2023, Commerce would have been the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs, with Rabun in the top five as well. Both of those teams bring back a wealth of experience and talent.
The Tigers return both Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins, who combined for over 3,000 yards rushing in their powerful option attack. The Wildcats return the area’s leading passer in Ty Truelove and a slew of talented receivers to go along with one of the best offensive lines in the classification.
Elbert County returns its top three rushers, top three receivers, and a quarterback who threw for nearly 900 yards in a backup role. The Blue Devils knocked off Rabun County in 2023 and lost by just six in the playoffs.
Athens Academy returns its quarterback, top two rushers, and top two receivers on offense. They also return seven of their top nine tacklers from 2023 on defense.
Banks County is switching to the always-difficult to defend triple-option under a new coach but the numbers and enthusiasm for the program are way up and they could be a solid wildcard factor.
However, Oglethorpe County and Providence Christian both are expected to be in rebuild mode after graduating the bulk of their offensive production. But both teams have young talent that got playing time in 2023 and could be ready to shine.
This we know. Don’t take your eyes off of this region. EVERY game will be huge.
While Commerce was an overwhelming pick to win the region and is considered a serious state title contender, the Tigers, along with everyone in the region, will have a gauntlet of a schedule to navigate. Rabun County was picked second and Elbert County third. There are just too many huge matchups throughout the season to pin a region title on any one or two games.
Commerce will get both Athens Academy and Rabun County at home but will have to travel to Elbert County in a three-game stretch to open region play. If they can run the table, they should be primed for a second straight title with home games to close out the season against Banks County and Providence Christian. But the Tigers needed overtime to beat Rabun County last season at home in the finale to secure the title. It was THAT close.
Rabun County has an interesting road game against Banks County and its new offense to open the region and finishes at home against Elbert County. But the Wildcats will have huge road games against Commerce and Athens Academy in between.
Elbert County gets Commerce, Banks County, and Athens Academy all at The Granite Bowl but closes out the season in Tiger against Rabun County. If either Elbert County or Rabun County can pull the upset against Commerce, this could be for a region title to close out the season.
- Up Next in region previews: Region 8-2A
