The top five is still the top five, and are now a mind-blowing 37-4 overall.
However, a Jefferson loss shook things up a bit. Commerce and Union County are still undefeated.
#1 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
RECORD: 7-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #1
REASON(S): Rabun rolled once again at Social Circle. That makes the Cats 7-0 all time (all in last seven years) against Social Circle. Rabun closes with back-to-back home games against Oglethorpe and the GIGANTIC game against Union County in the finale, which will be a region title game.
#2 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
RECORD: 7-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #4
REASON(S): The Tigers got back on the winning track with a blowout win over Fannin County. Next up is Cherokee Bluff before a #10-ranked North Hall awaits in the final week, which will determine which program gets to start their playoff run at home versus on the road.
#3 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
RECORD: 8-0
PREVIOUS RANKING: #3
REASON(S): The Panthers still chase perfection after yet another win, this one over Oglethorpe. Pierson Allison continues to make his case for Player of the Year.
#4 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
RECORD: 7-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #2
REASON(S): The Dragons came up just short in a region title game, and Jefferson hopes it can get back star QB Colby Clark for the playoffs, who has now missed the past three games and will likely be out the rest of the regular season.
#5 COMMERCE TIGERS
RECORD: 8-0
PREVIOUS RANKING: #5
REASON(S): Like Union, Commerce is still unbeaten. The Tigers ran all over Towns County on the road, and close with RMA at home this week and a true region title crossover game on November 2.
#6 STEPHENS COUNTY INDIANS
RECORD: 4-4
PREVIOUS RANKING: #7
REASON(S): Stephens fell for the second straight game to an Oconee county team, this time to North Oconee on the road. In a five-member region, just one win is all Stephens needs to get in the playoffs, but that has to come in the final two weeks against either Madison County or St. Pius, the latter of which is improbable as St. Pius is the #4-ranked team in the state.
#7 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS
RECORD: 4-4
PREVIOUS RANKING: #8
REASON(S): The Raiders’ loss to Dacula means they MUST win against Winder and Apalachee to make the state playoffs. Winder presents likely the easiest of the two, but Apalachee will be a bigger challenge.
#8 WHITE COUNTY WARRIORS
RECORD: 2-6
PREVIOUS RANKING: #6
REASON(S): White County faced its most devastating loss in a one-point, last second defeat at the hands of Denmark that shook the playoff hopes to dangling by a thread. Next up is Chestatee, and a win is not optional.
#9 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS
RECORD: 4-4
PREVIOUS RANKING: #10
REASON(S): Banks went through the gauntlet of 8-AA with Rabun and Union, and Elbert still lies ahead to end the season. But for this week, it was a win over Putnam that kept the playoff hopes alive for the Leopards. A win over Monticello this week pretty much punches that ticket.
#10 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
RECORD: 3-5
PREVIOUS RANKING: #9
REASON(S): Lumpkin has faced state-ranked Dawson, GAC and North Hall over the past four weeks, which is an extremely tall task. Fannin County and East Hall are the final two games, both at home, which gives a chance for Lumpkin to steal two wins and get the #4 spot out of 7-AAA.
#11 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS
RECORD: 2-6
PREVIOUS RANKING: #11
REASON(S): Towns County continues to endure a tough season, now dropping five in a row. It’s been September 7 since a victory, and the Indians hope that comes again this week when they travel to win-less Lakeview.
