The top five of our Power Rankings are all state-ranked programs and a combined 18-2 overall, which includes three unbeaten programs in Dawson County, Commerce and Union County, who are all 4-0.

#1 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS

RECORD: 3-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #1
REASON(S): The Wildcats got a 42-20 win over Putnam in which the starters sat the second half after going up 42-7 in the second quarter. Austin Jones led the way with three receiving TDs.

#2 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS

RECORD: 4-0
PREVIOUS RANKING: #2
REASON(S): Another incredible performance by two of the state’s best runners in Sevaughn Clark and Ahmad Kamara, who combined for over 225 rushing yards once again in a big win over Denmark. The Tigers look as they could be 6-0 before a showdown with GAC.

#3 JEFFERSON DRAGONS

RECORD: 3-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #3
REASON(S): Jefferson had little trouble with Gainesville in a 42-10 rout. This team has so many weapons it’s just ridiculous.

#4 COMMERCE TIGERS

RECORD: 4-0
PREVIOUS RANKING: #5
REASON(S): Commerce cruised past Providence Christian and remain unbeaten. Nate Ray, Caleb Mason and company just make a habit of finding the end zone.

#5 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS

RECORD: 4-0
PREVIOUS RANKING: #6
REASON(S): Union continues to climb into the top five. The Panthers struggled a little, but then cruised to the finish line of a win over Monticello to open region play at 1-0. Pierson Allison, Sawyer Drake, Chad Buzzard and company are without blemish this year.

#6 STEPHENS COUNTY INDIANS

RECORD: 3-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #8
REASON(S): Stephens County is very talented. Go see for yourself. So many guys having breakout years and others who have been doing it. Start remembering names like Hudson Spurlock, MJ Jones, Gamarion Carter, Kenny Colwell and many others, because they are legit, and a huge comeback win over rivals Habersham really showed this team is far ahead of the curve in terms of a “rebuilding program” that started the year with a new coaching staff and lost a ton of graduating seniors from last year.

#7 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS

RECORD: 3-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #4
REASON(S): A big drop for the Raiders here after the hard-to-swallow loss at Stephens in which Habersham held a 28-7 lead. The Raiders can’t and won’t dwell on this one, but will have a couple weeks to make adjustments before opening region play at Lanier. With five remaining games, Habersham MUST win two to get into the playoffs.

#8 WHITE COUNTY WARRIORS

RECORD: 1-3
PREVIOUS RANKING: #7
REASON(S): The Warriors suffered a third straight heartbreak to an unbeaten North Hall. White County is easily the best 1-3 team around the area. If it can put two good halves together, it could be 3-1 or 4-0 at this point. Look out Cedar Shoals next week as the Warriors are going to be playing with a bit more urgency and edge.

#9 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS

RECORD: 2-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #11
REASON(S): Big jump for the Leopards this week after a HUGE win over Social Circle. The offense is starting to click after being shut out in two straight games, and the win over Social Circle is nothing to take lightly, as it came in not allowing any points on the season. If Terrence Walker and Jacob Lehotsky stay healthy, Banks can make a statement with a playoff spot in a region that features state-ranked teams Rabun, Elbert and Union (soon to be ranked).

#10 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS

RECORD: 2-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #9
REASON(S): Lumpkin had a bye week after a big win over Gilmer. Next up is Dawson in Week 5, which will prove to be a very difficult team to stop.

#11 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS

RECORD: 2-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #10
REASON(S): Towns has alternated wins and losses so far, so that means it could be up for another win when hosting #2-ranked Athens Academy. Look out though, because Athens Academy crushed Stephens County, who handled Habersham, who handled White County, etc. This won’t be easy at all for the Indians.