Power Poll: Top four teams hold serve in Southeast Georgia rankings

This week’s edition of the Southeast Georgia High School Football Power Poll keeps the Wayne County Yellow Jackets in the top spot as the Jackets are a perfect 5-0 midway through their schedule.

The only other unbeaten team in the rankings is No. 3 Pierce County which posted another shutout Friday at South Effingham.

Camden County, which had an open date this past week, remained in the second spot in the power poll.

Ware County, following its victory Friday against Glynn Academy, stayed in the No. 4 spot.

The team taking the biggest tumble this week is Glynn Academy, which fell three spots to No. 8 after its Friday loss at Ware. The Red Terrors were the preseason No. 1 team in the power rankings.

Brunswick, which had fallen out of the poll, is back in the rankings this week after its comeback-victory Friday at home against New Hampstead.

The rankings look like this:

1. Wayne County (5-0, 0-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 7)

Last week: Won 38-7 vs. Appling County

This week: at Bradwell Institute

 The skinny: The Yellow Jackets made it five in a row to start the season with a victory Friday over rival Appling. Shamar Taylor passed for 336 yards and three scores in the win. The Wayne defense held the Pirates scoreless after halftime. 

2. Camden County (4-1, 0-0 Region 1-7A)

Last week: Off

This week: Home vs. Glynn Academy

The skinny: The Wildcats had a bye last week following their 37-0 victory the previous week at Brunswick. Camden will host Glynn Academy this Friday in Kingsland.

3. Pierce County (5-0, 0-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Won 42-0 at South Effingham

This week: Off

The skinny: The Bears posted their fourth consecutive shutout in a road win Friday over the Mustangs. Pierce finished with 480 total yards on offense.

4. Ware County(4-1, 0-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 8)

Last week: Won 26-6 vs. Glynn Academy

This week: at Lowndes

The skinny: The Gators snapped their four-game losing streak Friday against Glynn. Freshman quarterback Thomas Castellanos passed for 164 yards and a touchdown and also scored on two 11-yard runs in the home win over the Red Terrors.

5. Charlton County (4-1, 2-0 Region 2-A, ranked No. 5)

Last week: Won 35-7 vs. Turner County

This week: at Irwin County

The skinny: The Indians held Turner County scoreless until the fourth quarter on Friday. Turner was ranked eighth in the state coming into the region contest. Raykwon Anderson ran for 105 yards and two TDs and also threw for two scores for Charlton which visits top-ranked Irwin County this week in a region showdown.

6. Liberty County (3-1, 0-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Won 21-12 at Richmond Hill

This week: Off

The skinny: The Panthers came out victorious in a defensive game Friday that was 14-12 going into the fourth quarter. Liberty held the Wildcats to 124 total yards. The Panthers are off this week before opening region play at Tattnall County on Oct. 5.

7. Frederica Academy (3-2, 0-0 GISA Region 2-3A, ranked No. 7)

Last week: Off

This week: at Pinewood Christian

The skinny: The Knights were off last week after wining three straight games to rebound from an 0-2 start. They open region play this Friday at rival Pinewood.

8. Glynn Academy (3-2, 0-0 Region 2-6A)

Last week: Lost 26-6 at Ware County

This week: at Camden County

The skinny: The Red Terrors drop three spots this week after losing a second straight game Friday at Ware County. Glynn did earn a forfeit win last week over Fort Dorchester which defeated the Terrors in the season opener but used an ineligible player in doing so which led to the forfeit.

9. Brunswick (2-3, 0-0 Region 2-6A)

Last week: Won 31-27 vs. New Hampstead

This week: Home vs. Monroe-Albany

The skinny: The Pirates rallied for a win Friday after trailing the Phoenix 21-0 in the second quarter. KJ Lee came off the bench to play quarterback and threw for two scores and ran for another in the victory.

10. Appling County (2-3, 0-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: lost 38-7 at Wayne County

This week: Off

The skinny: The Pirates lost Friday at rival Wayne County. It was their second loss to a team ranked in the state polls. They are off this week before beginning region play in two weeks at Long County.