Power Rankings: Where does FPD land after its impressive victory over Tattnall?
Week 8 in Middle Georgia high school football saw some exciting games with multiple teams in the Top 10 picking up big wins and some losing in upsets. Region champion contenders are slowly starting to emerge as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
1. Warner Robins
Warner Robins was off last week after a blowout win in its final non-region game against Camden County. The Demons are the best team in Middle Georgia and it’s not close.
Their game against Ware County on the road will likely decide the region winner. The fact that Warner Robins has to go to the swamp makes these a bit more interesting as the Gators will feed off their home crowd.
Last week: Bye
Previous rank: 1
2. Northeast
A blowout win for the Raiders was a welcome sign after an emotional comeback victory over Washington County. The next two weeks will define their season with games against Bleckley County and Dodge County. If Northeast comes away with a pair of wins, this team should be able to lock up a No. 1-seed and a region title.
Last week: 48-6 win over Southwest
Previous rank: 2
3. Baldwin
The Braves just keep winning. In a week where upsets were a prevailing theme in bad weather, Baldwin came away with a hard fought win. They are currently the leaders in their region but must win matchups against Spalding and Perry in the final weeks of the season. Next up is Howard, a potential trap game if Baldwin gets caught looking ahead.
Last week: 21-14 win over West Laurens
Previous rank: 4
4. Bleckley County
Bleckley County is 7-0 for the first time since 1978. Next up is Northeast in what could be a region defining game. The winner will likely have the best shot to take home the title. Each team is resilient and finds ways to win games. This should be one of the best showdowns this season.
Last week: 31-12 win over Lamar County
Previous rank: 7
5. Jones County
The Greyhounds were pushed to their limits in overtime by Ola Friday night. Heading into the week, it looked like a Jones County blowout win was in the forecast. But it took them stretching and clawing to come away with this one.
Last week: 48-42 win over Ola
Previous rank: 6
6. Perry
Perry used some big defensive plays late to come back on Washington County after trailing late in the game, an important win following their surprising loss to Spalding the week before. An away game against West Laurens is next.
Last week: 37-24 win over Washington County
Previous rank: 8
7. FPD
Tattnall seemed to be the team to beat among the four Macon private schools. In a muddy and rainy atmosphere, FPD managed to turn in a dominant performance and pulled off the upset. Circle the matchup with Stratford on Oct. 29.
Last week: 20-0 win over Tattnall
Previous rank: Unranked
8. Stratford
Stratford got a much needed win over rival Mount de Sales and gave themselves an inside track for a potential region title by keeping pace with FPD.
Those two teams will play in a couple weeks and, depending on how things shake out, it could be for a region title.
Last week: 14-7 win over Mount de Sales.
Previous rank: Unranked
9. Houston County
Houston County doesn’t move up or down after having a well-deserved off week. With region play starting up, the Bears will take on Lee County, the favorite to win the region. It will take a monumental effort for Houston County to pull the upset.
Last week: Bye
Previous rank: 9
10. Peach County
The loss to Crisp County will likely end the Trojans’ bid for the region title and a No. 1 seed. Peach County will need some help the rest of the way to have a shot at the region title. However, this doesn’t mean that the Trojans can’t flip the switch come playoff time. This is a talent team and should finish as the No. 2 seed.
Last week: 27-14 loss to Crisp County
Previous rank: 3