New regions promise intrigue, intense rivalries in 2014

Posted 7:33PM on Monday 18th August 2014 ( 10 years ago )

Looking at the region alignments for this high school football season is a bit like looking at one of those old 3-D pictures: It takes some adjustment of the eyes before you can recognize the finished product. That's especially true for northeast Georgia's teams, many of whom found themselves moving up or down classifications -- and some even moving to different regions within the same classification. With that in mind, here's a sort of road map -- or a pair of 3-D glasses if you will -- to how each region containing teams within Friday Game Night's coverage area is shaping (NOTE: for a look at the teams in each region, simply look at the info box on the lower right). Let's start with the biggest and work our way down: -- Region 6-AAAAAA This region, which already contained North Forsyth, added area team Habersham Central for the 2014-15 seasons. The orange and blue Raiders join 6-AAAAAA from 7-AAAAAA, where they had won just one game in two seasons. Alpharetta won the 2013 6-AAAAAA title, going 9-3 while Lambert, West Forsyth and North Forsyth (the silver and black Raiders) all made the postseason. North Forsyth went 7-4, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2010. On the bottom end of 6-AAAAAA in 2013 was Johns Creek, going 0-10, while Centennial was 1-9. South Forsyth missed the playoffs with a 7-3 record in 2013. -- Region 7-AAAAAA This was the best region in the state last season, and the only change it faces this campaign is losing Habersham Central (now in Region 6-AAAAAA). Norcross, which won 7-AAAAAA by virtue of a tiebreaker over North Gwinnett and Collins Hill, went on to win state -- defeating North Gwinnett in the title game (Collins Hill made the quarterfinals). The fourth team from the region, Peachtree Ridge -- which edged out Mill Creek for the final state berth from 7-AAAAAA -- reached the Sweet 16. The Hawks finished 6-4 last season. North Gwinnett was 13-2. The Bulldogs are looking to rebuild this season, while Mill Creek has some key names to replace. The worst records in the region last season belonged to Meadowcreek (1-9), Mountain View (2-8) and Duluth (3-7). -- Region 8-AAAAA This Region -- which adds a fast-rising Lanier for 2014 -- saw steady improvement in 2013, led by state semifinalist Gainesville. The Red Elephants won 8-AAAAA last season, going undefeated in league play (8-0) and 12-2 overall. Flowery Branch, meanwhile, finished second, with just one region setback. Clarke Central (7-4) and Heritage, Conyers (6-5) rounded out the playoff squads a year ago, while Apalachee (0-10), Winder (2-8), Salem (3-7), and Cedar Shoals (3-7) all posted losing marks. Lanier will most likely add something big to the region, as the Longhorns made the 2013 postseason from Region 8-AAAA (and won a contest). -- Region 8-AAAA The league may have lost Lanier and Lumpkin County (as well as Eastside and Walnut Grove), but it gained Buford, North Hall and White County and North Oconee. The new mix may well have concocted the best region in the state -- regardless of classification. Seven of the eight teams in the region (excluding Johnson, which is going non-region) made the playoffs in 2013 -- Madison County being the only exception, and even the Red Raiders were 4-6 and returns a huge senior class. This region now features the 2013 Class AAA champion (Buford) and three other teams that made the second round of the playoffs last season (Chestatee, White County and Monroe Area). Monroe has undergone a coaching change, as has Chestatee and Stephens County. We're all waiting to see what will happen with this one. The 12-year-old Chestatee-North Hall rivalry will now carry playoff implications again. -- Region 7-AAA This region also underwent a major shake-up, with its 2013 champion (Buford), No. 2 seed (White County) and No. 3 seed (North Hall) all leaving for Class AAAA. Lumpkin County drops down after a 2-8 season. West Hall is the only remaining playoff team from a year ago, and the only team that posted a winning record in 2013. The coaches around the region say this is not indicative of what 2014 might bring, as a lot of the programs now in 7-AAA were young and growing last season -- Dawson County and East Hall included (both went 5-5 in 2013). Fannin County and Lumpkin each have new coaches in 2014, while Franklin County and Banks County are under second year head coaches. This is another region that brings with it a lot of unknowns -- and a lot of anticipation. -- Region 8-AAA The big change for this region includes the loss of playoff team North Oconee (now in 8-AAAA), along with Franklin County (now in 7-AAA). Jefferson also moves up from Region 8-AA, where it won a state title in 2012 and reached the state quarterfinals in 2013. The Dragons could be a factor in Class AAA with a team full of experience. Meanwhile, Jackson County, Elbert County and Hart County each return from 2013 playoff bids. The Panthers are coming off back-to-back state berths for the first time in program history. East Jackson and Oconee County posted the worst records in 2013, both going 2-8 -- but the Warriors have a new head coach (former Stephens County coach Travis Noland) and Gary Hughes is coming into his second season with the Eagles. -- Region 8-AA The only change in this region is the move (up) for Jefferson. The reigning 8-AA champ, Washington-Wilkes remained, along with No. 3 seed Rabun County and No. 4 seed Union County. Both the Wildcats and Panthers are expecting big things again in 2014, as is Washington-Wilkes. Riverside Military showed big improvement in 2013, going 5-5, and expects to take another step forward. The big question are Social Circle and Oglethorpe County, which both feature new head coaches in 2014. -- Region 8-A This region added two new teams in 2014, as Lakeview Academy and Towns County both opted for a region schedule. Prince Avenue Christian won the region in 2013, while Commerce posted its best record since 2009 last year. The Tigers must replace a few key faces but return the bulk of their team from last year's playoff squad. Only three teams made the playoffs from 8-A in 2013 -- due to the public/private playoff split, the postseason is all based on a power ratings point system.

West Hall and Banks County will battle again in Region 7-AAA in 2014.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/8/278422