If you’re having trouble still trying to figure out just which region your favorite high school team will be playing in over the next two years, you’re not alone.
The latest round of reclassification by the Georgia High School Association shook things up around the state more than a protein shake in a blender in the morning.
The GHSA implemented a 3.0 multiplier that applied to every member school in the state, which prompted more movement up, down, and sideways than in just about any other time in its 114-year history. It also initiated an exodus among many of its Class A Private schools to GISA, now known as the GIAA.
The sports staff at AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night, for the first time, reached out to other area and state media to see just who we, and they, think will win region titles in 2022.
Each day until opening night AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night will look at one of the seven GHSA regions in the Northeast Georgia area and share our thoughts on how we think things will shake out. We will work from the largest classification (7A) down to the smallest (Class A).
Voting was comprised by members of AccessWDUN, Athens Banner Herald, Blitz Sports Georgia, Forsyth County News, Friday Game Night, Jackson County Herald, North Georgia Sportslink, Potluck Football, WCON-FM, White County News, and WRWH AM/FM.
The teams with the lowest aggregate vote total were predicted to win region titles.
REGION: 8-5A
TEAMS: Clarke Central, Eastside, Flowery Branch, Heritage-Conyers, Jefferson, Loganville, Winder-Barrow (In: Flowery Branch, Heritage-Conyers, Jefferson, Winder-Barrow; Out: Apalachee, Greenbrier, Jackson County, Walnut Grove)
Region 8-5A, which like 8-6A, had teams move up and down with four of the seven teams being new to the region. Three-time defending region champ Clarke Central is back but the additions of Region 8-4A champ and powerhouse Jefferson, along with perennial playoff team Flowery Branch, should make this a compelling region to watch.
Only two of the playoff teams from 2021 -- Clarke Central and Eastside (the No. 3 seed) -- remain. But Jefferson and Branch both made the playoffs in Class 4A in 2021 and should be instant contenders.
New Jefferson coach Travis Noland, who came over from Oconee County, is more than familiar with most of the region's makeup and is expecting a dogfight throughout.
“It’s a very, very tough region,” Noland said. “We played Clarke Central and Eastside several times while we were at Oconee and Stephens County. We’re very familiar with Winder-Barrow. I think it’s going to be a very competitive, very athletic region, and it’s going to be a challenge each and every week.”
Branch also is no stranger to its new home having been in 8-5A for seven seasons from 2012-17. First-year Falcons head coach Jason Tester said they know what is in store.
“I think it’s stronger than where we were (in Region 8-4A),” Tester said. “The first years I was here, it was Marist, Blessed Trinity and Denmark and the last two years, it's been Jefferson and North Oconee. Now we pick up Clarke Central and Eastside.
“It’s going to be fun. I look forward to this region. There’s no cupcake.”
The Gladiators dominance in this region over the past three seasons apparently carried little weight with the AccessWDUN and Friday Game Night poll voters. Jefferson emerged as the favorite to win the region, edging out the Gladiators, who were picked second. Branch was picked third and Eastside fourth.
And it may not take long to see which direction things will head. Clarke Central and Jefferson open region play on Sept. 23 in Athens and the Gladiators then travel to Flowery Branch the following week. Branch opens against Eastside on Sept. 23 on the road, has Clarke Central the next week at home, and will tangle with Jefferson at Falcons Field on Oct. 14.
Next up is Region 8-4A.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2022/8/1123467/accesswdun-prediction-series-jefferson-picked-to-oust-glads-in-8-5a