If ever there was a year for a darkhorse to emerge in Class 4A and win a title, this is it. Mays’ Bobby Anthony (pictured) and several other teams have shown they are at or near the top of a wide-open classification, but who are the REAL contenders?
Tucker and Ware County seem to be, for the meantime, out of title contention, and the reigning champ, Northside, moved up to 5A. Here are three categories for teams in the classification in regards to their state potential.
LOOKING STRONG
Westside-Macon: If the Seminoles can survive one late-season hurdle—Oct. 31 vs. Thomas County Central—they will be the No. 1 seed out of Region 1-AAAA and in a great position to make a run at the school’s first title.
Mays: The Raiders have apparently put last year’s disciplinary problems behind them and are focused on winning Region 5. Mays always has the athleticism on the roster to play with anyone.
VERDICT’S OUT
Statesboro: Another team with a relatively easy road to an undefeated season, one might worry this team won’t be battle-tested going into the playoffs.
Marist: Though they boast two of the best wins of any team in the state (Tucker and Chamblee), the War Eagles still got beat handily by St. Pius X in the opener. They will have to prove that their youth has matured to the point where they can legitimately be called a title contender.
Sandy Creek: Wins over East Coweta and Shaw are nice, but tonight’s showdown with Whitewater will show us if the Patriots have earned their stripes.
OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Chamblee, Thomas County Central, Tucker, Dalton, Whitewater, Evans
UNRANKED DEEP DEEP SLEEPER
Southwest DeKalb: Vs. Chamblee Oct. 10, at Marist on Oct. 24 and vs. Tucker on Nov. 1. Those are the key games that the Panthers will have to deal with from now until the end of the season. Go 2-1 in those contests, and SWD should be considered a very real threat to be playing in December.
Ewalt can be reached at aewalt@scoreatl.com.
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