By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
PREP FOOTBALL: Newton's next opponent slips in rankings, still top five team
Kenyon_Jackson
Grayson and highly touted junior wideout, Kenyon Jackson, will be looking for some redemption this week against Newton after slipping a few spots in the rankings after last Friday's 6-3 loss to Archer. - photo by Submited Photo

COVINGTON, Ga. -- The Newton Rams have something in common with their next football opponent, other than their mascot and nickname.

When No. 3 Grayson comes to town Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, the "Gwinnett County" Rams will be smarting from the same opponent that had Newton smarting two weeks ago -- Archer. 

Fresh off of Archer's 20-19 win against Newton two weeks ago, the Tigers defeated then-No. 1 Grayson 6-3. The win boosted Archer to the No. 2 spot in this week's Class AAAAAAA rankings, while demoting Grayson to 3rd. Lowndes, which defeated Newton 57-0 earlier in the season, ascended to the top spot in the poll after pulling away late to hand Tift County its first loss of the season. 

In Class AAAA, literally nothing changed, including the fact that Eastside still found a vote in this week's poll even after its 28-21 loss to Woodward Academy. The War Eagles maintained the No. 8 spot this week. 

Both Eastside and Alcovy will have bye weeks this Friday. 

Below are the complete rankings for all of the GHSA's seven classifications. 


Class AAAAAAA

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Lowndes (9) 152 2

2. Archer (7) 145 3

3. Grayson 118 1

4. South Forsyth 104 5

5. Colquitt County 90 6

6. Tift County 81 4

7. Walton 72 7

8. McEachern 51 8

9. North Gwinnett 33 9

10. Brookwood 20 10

Others receiving votes: Marietta 5, Mill Creek 5, Parkview 4, North Paulding 1

Dropped out: None


Class AAAAAA

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Lee County (14) 158 1

2. Tucker (1) 143 2

3. Mays (1) 127 3

4. Dalton 99 5

5. Northside-Warner Robins 94 4

6. Harrison 79 6

7. Coffee 62 7

8. Winder-Barrow 55 8

9. Douglas Co. 24 10

10. Langston Hughes 14 NR

Others receiving votes:  Glynn Academy 11, Richmond Hill 7, Allatoona 3, Brunswick 3, Alexander 2, Sequoyah 1

Dropped out: Alexander (9)


Class AAAAA

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Rome (15) 159 1

2. Stockbridge (1) 136 2

3. Buford 128 3

4. Warner Robins 113 4

5. Jones County 105 5

6. Griffin 71 7

7. Carver-Atlanta 55 8

8. Starr’s Mill 47 9

9. Flowery Branch 33 10

10. Kell 12 NR

Others receiving votes:  Wayne County 7, Carrollton 5, Ware County 5, Banneker 3, Clarke Central 1

Dropped out: Carrollton (6)


Class AAAA

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Cartersville (16) 160 1

2. Thomson 143 2

3. Jefferson 114 3

4. Ridgeland 111 4

5. Blessed Trinity 87 5

6. Marist 77 6

7. Burke County 68 7

8. Woodward Academy 44 8

9. Troup 36 9

10. Cedartown 20 10

Others receiving votes:  Mary Persons 12, Heritage-Catoosa 7, Eastside-Covington 1

Dropped out: None


Class AAA

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Cedar Grove (16) 160 1

2. Greater Atlanta Christian 135 2

3. Peach County 129 3

4. Jenkins-Savannah 113 4

5. Calhoun 96 5

6. Bremen 75 6

7. Crisp County 63 7

8. Morgan County 49 9

9. Monroe Area 22 8

10. Lovett 18 10

Others receiving votes: Windsor Forest 12, Pike County 6, Dawson Co. 2

Dropped out: None


Class AA

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Benedictine (16) 160 1

2. Screven County 127 3

3. Thomasville 110 5

4. Hapeville Charter 107 4

5. Brooks County 83 7

6. Rabun County 80 6

8. Jefferson County 61 8

7. Heard County 58 10

9. Callaway 35 2

10. Dodge County 34 9

Others receiving votes: Swainsboro 9, Toombs County 2

Dropped out: None


Class A

School Points Last Week

(First place votes in parentheses)

1. Eagle’s Landing Christian (16) 160 1

2. Prince Avenue Christian 150 2

3. Manchester 138 3

4. Tattnall Square 100 5

5. Irwin County 91 4

6. Mount Paran Christian 75 6

7. Macon County 48 7

8. Emanuel County Institute 45 8

9. Clinch County 34 9

t10. Stratford Academy 19 NR

t10. Wesleyan 19 10

Others receiving votes:  Charlton County 4, Mt. Zion-Carroll 3, Calvary Day 2, Athens Academy 1, Commerce 1

Dropped out: None


Publications participating: Albany Herald; Athens Banner-Herald; Augusta Chronicle; Brunswick News; Times-Georgian, Carrollton; Cherokee Tribune, Canton; Columbus Ledger-Enquirer; Covington News; CowetaScore.com; The Daily Citizen, Dalton; Gwinnett Daily Post, Lawrenceville; Macon Telegraph; Marietta Daily Journal; Savannah Morning News; Tifton Gazette; Walker Co. Messenger, LaFayette.