The regular season came to a close, and eight of our local 11 teams made the state playoff, which is incredible. Here are the end of the regular season BLITZ Power Rakings, with a final Power Rankings set after the playoffs end.
#1 RABUN COUNTY WILDCATS
RECORD: 9-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #1
REASON(S): Rabun made it five straight region championships, which is just unheard of these days. There’s no question about it or why Rabun has been and is #1 in our Power Rankings for over two years now.
#2 DAWSON COUNTY TIGERS
RECORD: 9-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #2
REASON(S): An incredible run once again for the Tigers, stapled by an overtime thrilling win over North Hall to earn the home playoff game and Region Runner-Up.
#3 JEFFERSON DRAGONS
RECORD: 8-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #4
REASON(S): The Dragons had a bye week at the end of the regular season, so it’ll be interesting to see if Colby Clark has now healed enough to play in the playoff stretch. Unfortunately, if and when Jefferson gets to the second round, #1-ranked GAC awaits in round two.
#4 UNION COUNTY PANTHERS
RECORD: 9-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #3
REASON(S): The Panthers’ perfect run ended against long-time rivals Rabun. It’s not a matter of Union being overhyped…it’s more of a testament to how good Rabun is. This Union team is still very lethal. It’s unfortunate that the round one matchup is against Bremen, the only team to take down Rabun County this season.
#5 COMMERCE TIGERS
RECORD: 8-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #5
REASON(S): The Tigers dropped two straight to close the regular season, but just about won the region title over #1-ranked Athens Academy.
#6 HABERSHAM CENTRAL RAIDERS
RECORD: 6-4
PREVIOUS RANKING: #7
REASON(S): The Raiders’ made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. This team has gained steam the last few weeks, and despite an early-season loss to Stephens on the road, they get the slight nod here to bump ahead.
#7 STEPHENS COUNTY INDIANS
RECORD: 5-5
PREVIOUS RANKING: #6
REASON(S): The Indians fell to St. Pius to close the regular season, and will be the #4-seed traveling to Cartersville to open the playoffs. Not a fun task.
#8 WHITE COUNTY WARRIORS
RECORD: 3-7
PREVIOUS RANKING: #8
REASON(S): The Warriors squeaked into the playoffs despite losing its finale. Denmark lost and so did Chestatee, which gave White County a ticket. Let’s see what they do with it.
#9 BANKS COUNTY LEOPARDS
RECORD: 4-6
PREVIOUS RANKING: #9
REASON(S): The Leopards suffered a tough blowout loss to Elbert County to thrash any chance at the playoffs.
#10 LUMPKIN COUNTY INDIANS
RECORD: 3-7
PREVIOUS RANKING: #10
REASON(S): The Indians lost the finale in heartbreaking one-point fashion. This team is better than 3-7 though.
#11 TOWNS COUNTY INDIANS
RECORD: 3-7
PREVIOUS RANKING: #11
REASON(S): Towns County’s six-game losing streak is over…unfortunately so is its season more than likely (awaiting Power Ratings from GHSA).
