By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

Here’s the problem. Division I’s hardly going to change much.

Sure, Perry lost, to a pretty good 6A team. And Peach County hammered a losing 5A team. But it’s still about the big picture, not just that week.

The Panthers won that head to head with the Trojans, and while the gap might be closer for a week, the nod still goes to Perry.

The problem is that there’s a gap after Jones County to the rest of Division I. That showed with West Laurens’ loss to Harlem Friday, and with Mary Persons falling last week to Troup.

As it is, after the top five, only the Raiders, Bulldogs, and Howard have winning records, and no real quality eye-test wins. Barring some really bad games and upsets or some phenomenal games and upsets …

It’s a pretty easy poll, but the gaps are pretty close.

Division II, as always, has plenty of shuffling this week, and some teams are nearing consideration to be somewhere behind Dublin.

Division I (5A, 4A, 3A) 12 teams

5. Jones County

The whole region had the week off, adding to the anticipation of the top four teams playing each other this week.

4. Peach County

No, it wasn’t good news for Northside, Peach County having a week off, and then showing up last Friday. The Trojans are closing the gap a little bit in the poll.

3. Perry

A double-digit loss entering region play is a good thing for Perry, not so good for the next couple opponents.

2. Houston County

A week off, then Veterans, then Northside. And then it gets going with three top-5 teams, only one at home.

1. Warner Robins

It’s not a huge gap with the top three, but the Demons still get the edge.

Division II (2A, A, GIAA) 33 teams

Top 10

10. Stratford

Charging out to a 17-0 lead over Frederica wasn’t a surprise. Having to hold on for a three-point win was notable.

9. ACE Charter

The icing down of bruises from a very surprising pasting at Northeat better be taken care of quickly, and move on. The Gryphons still are probably the fourth-best team in that crowded region.

8. Tattnall

The Trojans are becoming pretty consistent on both sides of the line.

7. Hawkinsville

The Red Devils are an under-the-radar team, and can sure change that this week against Wheeler County.

6. FPD

You knew that the Vikings weren’t coming back out with a 1950s run-only offense against Westfield. Impressive turnaround in offensive schemes.

5. Jasper County

Defense has the Purple Hurricanes headed toward their first winning season since their head coach was a peach-fuzzed undergrad at Valdosta State.

4. Lamar County

It’s been noted here that the Trojans haven’t been themselves, and they sure weren’t last week, being upset at home by Westside. Should be a wakeup call.

3. Northeast

A mighty impressive performance in routing ACE was marred by, well, penalties. Good grief. The iffy PAT game got some work. But two things will doom Northeast when it counts: the infuriating 5-yard or play-nullifying penalties, and points after touchdown. This week, how long can the Raiders stay with Dublin? Not very long with penalties.

2. Dodge County

The Indians were helped by getting into something of a shootout with East Laurens. They may have another one this week.

1. Dublin

The schedule has been very favorable to Dublin in the first half of the season, but the lack of being challenged is countered by the ability to perhaps get some depth. Wonder if Northeast is physical enough for a three-quarter battle.