The 2018 high school football season is set to open this week around the state including right here in Southeast Georgia.
As area teams prepare for their season openers, AllOnGeorgia is excited to post its preseason Southeast Georgia High School Football Power Poll.
The debut listing is as follows:
- Glynn Academy (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-6A, ranked No. 8 )
Last week: Lost 64-26 at Valdosta in scrimmage
This week: Home vs. Fort Dorchester (S.C.)
The skinny: Yes, the Red Terrors lost big to Valdosta Friday, but Glynn has traditionally started slow under Rocky Hidalgo. History also shows they’ll be a force to reckon with come region play and into the postseason. Glynn has earned the top spot, going to the quarterfinals or beyond each of the last four seasons, but the youngsters will have to grow up for the Terrors to do that again.
- Wayne County (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 9)
Last week: Won 45-7 over Hilton Head (S.C.) in scrimmage
This week: Off, open season Aug. 24 at Long County
The skinny: The Yellow Jackets have created a lot of buzz in the preseason and perhaps could argue they deserve top billing in the power poll. They’ll get the chance to prove themselves, though. The Jackets are coming off a region championship season and could be headed for more than a second-round game in the state playoffs with talented returnees on both sides of the ball.
- Liberty County (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-3A, ranked No. 9)
Last week: Played scrimmage Friday vs. McIntosh County Academy
This week: Off, open season Aug. 24 at Bradwell Institute
The skinny: The Panthers have won back-to-back region titles and played 13 games each of the last two seasons. Last year, they lost to eventual state champion Calhoun in the state quarterfinals. Ten returning starters on offense return as Liberty looks for more success in 2018.
- Charlton County (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-A, ranked No. 6)
Last week: Lost 25-6 in scrimmage vs. Pierce County
This week: at Frederica Academy
The skinny: The Indians are coming off a 9-3 season and a trip to the state quarterfinals in Class A public last season. They have 20 seniors on the roster who are ready to lead them to another deep postseason run including Raykwon Anderson, a three-star prospect as a receiver who is expected to play quarterback this season. He is committed to North Carolina.
- Frederica Academy (0-0, 0-0 GISA Region 2-3A)
Last week: Won 37-6 over Bethesda in scrimmage
This week: Home vs. Charlton County
The skinny: The Knights are the only private-school team appearing in the rankings and are one of the favorites for the Georgia Independent School Association Class AAA state title. They will field a fast-paced offense featuring quarterback Jaylin Simpson and receiver Jayshawn Sheffield, both Auburn commits.
- Camden County (0-0, 0-0 Region 1-7A)
Last week: Won 28-9 over Ware County in scrimmage
This week: Home vs. West Forsyth
The skinny: The Wildcats enter Year 2 under Bob Sphire who is trying to get the program back among the elite in the state’s largest classification. They should be much improved, but what that means in terms of win and losses, especially in rugged Region 1, remains to be seen.
- Ware County (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 10)
Last week: Lost 28-9 in scrimmage at Camden County
This week: Home vs. Pine Ridge (Fla.)
The skinny: A rebuilding Gators team lost its first four games last season to playoff teams, but proceeded to finish 5-6 and advance to the second round of the playoffs. This year, they look to return to form and challenge Wayne County for the region title as the teams meet in the season finale.
- Brunswick (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-6A)
Last week: Won 33-7 vs. Beach in scrimmage
This week: at Coffee
The skinny: The Pirates are rebuilding under second-year coach Sean Pender after losing 31 seniors from last season’s playoff team. Brunswick has improved since losing big at Ware County in the spring game, but must continue to show marked progress to compete for homefield advantage out of Region 2 for this year’s playoffs.
- Pierce County (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-3A)
Last week: Won 25-6 in scrimmage vs. Charlton County
This week: at McIntosh County Academy
The skinny: The Bears enter their second season under Jason Strickland who coached previously at Fitzgerald. The Bears will look to improve on last year’s 5-6 season which included a trip to the second round of the playoffs.
- Richmond Hill (0-0, 0-0 Region 2-5A)
Last week: Won 41-13 vs. Johnson-Savannah in scrimmage
This week: at Grovetown
The skinny: The Wildcats lost their final three games a year ago to finish 7-3 after starting out 7-0 with their last victory coming over the region’s top playoff seed, Glynn Academy. They ended the year with a 29-21 loss at eventual state champion Lee County in the first round of the playoffs.
