GA Power 25: Week 3

We are well underway in the 2021 season, and week 3 has provided us with some chaos in the rankings. There are shakeups all through the Power 25. Although one thing remained the same, Buford (9-0) as the No. 1-ranked team in state. The rest of the Power 25 has created more questions than answers in an up and down week of action.

Here are the top headlines coming out of the third week of the season, March 1 to March 7.

Buford Rolls

+ No. 1 Buford (10-0) - The Wolves continue to do what we wall though they would do: win. The Wolves had a busy week as they doubled their win total from 5 to 10. They completed the season sweep of Shiloh on Monday before heading to Hoover, AL for a four game set. They took care of Thompson (AL) 4-2, PBR Alabama 6A No. 5 Hartselle (AL) 2-0, Providence School (FL) 12-2. Buford ended their trip with their closest game to date, a 7-6 victory over Spanish Fort (AL). In fact, Buford allowed as many runs in the game against Spanish Fort as they had in the previous nine games combined. Which is a testament to just how good and consistent the Wolves pitching staff is. Buford is back in region play this weekend with a three game set against Lanier, starting today.

Top-10 Movement

+ No. 2 Carrollton (11-1) - The Trojans rise to No. 2 in this week’s Power 25. Despite their unbeaten streak, dating back to the end of 2019 season, ending over the weekend, Carrollton has been highly impressive. They did themselves no favors with their schedule, but they have gotten through it largely unblemished. Last weekend, in Hoover, they made easy work of PBR Alabama 6A No. 2 Helena (AL) 16-1 and Daphne (AL) 4-2, before dropping to 6A No. 4 Cullman (AL) 12-3. Carrollton regrouped in the trip finale to beat Montverde Academy (FL) 6-3. The Trojans have a big game against No. 23 Wesleyan tonight and then face Bremen at home on Friday.

+ No. 3 North Oconee (9-1) - North Oconee continues their steady ascent up the Power 25. The Titans had their run of nine wins to start the season snapped on Friday against St. Pius X in a close 5-4 loss. However, they did pick up two more wins earlier in the week over Oconee County and North Hall. The Titans get into region play this week with a three game series against Chestatee.

+ No. 4 Houston County (7-3) - It has been tough sledding for the Bears since dropping a game to PBR Alabama 6A No. 5 Hartselle. Houston County squeaked by Campbell 5-4 on Friday, but dropped a double header versus a .500 Parkview team on Saturday. The Bears will look to right the ship this week as they travel to Veterans on Tuesday, host Valdosta Friday and then travel to Locust Grove on Saturday.

+ No. 6 Grayson (8-0) - The surprise of the early season, Grayson is off to one of the hottest starts in the state.The Rams completed a season sweep of Mill Creek on Tuesday and toppled Hillgrove 7-4 on Friday night. Grayson faced their biggest test to date on Saturday when they came up against No. 23 Wesleyan. The Rams’ offense slugged its way to a 10-9 victory. Grayson will settled for one game this week against Archer. Looking ahead to the following week, Grayson will look to make a statement in the region when they play a three game series against Parkview.

+ No. 7 Loganville (7-2) - Loganville was another school that made the trip to Hoover, AL this past weekend and came away with some big wins. The Red Devils opened things up with wins over PBR Alabama 6A No. 3 Oxford (AL) 3-2, 7A No. 4 Vestavia Hills (AL) 9-2 and Russell County (AL) 5-3. They could not complete the four game sweep in Hoover though, dropping the rematch against Oxford (AL) 3-2. Loganville is back in action on Wednesday against Mill Creek before hosting No. 15 Brookwood.

Bounced Back

No. 11 Blessed Trinity (6-4) - After an up and down beginning at the Georgia Dugout Club Tournament the first two weekends of the season, Blessed Trinity looks to be back on course. The Titans took two of three against No. 24 Marist. The challenges continue though, as the Titans will come up against No. 22 Calhoun in a three set this week. This is a huge series as two of the region's top teams square off.

No. 17 Starr’s Mill (6-3) -  The Panthers appeared to be in free fall last week after dropping three consecutive games, and with a matchup against a Harris County team ranked in the top-10 looming. Starr’s Mill pulled it together though and held a dangerous Harris County team to just one run in route to a 5-1 victory. The Panthers picked up another win later in the week over Northgate 5-1. Three games this week will further help the Panthers get back on track, hosting Griffin tomorrow, Whitewater on Thursday and away at McIntosh on Friday.

Newcomers

No. 21 Lowndes (6-1) - The Vikings break into the rankings for the first time all season at No. 21. Lowndes are coming off a 2-0 week where they made easy work of Lee County 12-2 and Middleburg (FL) 7-2. The lone loss on their record is courtesy of No. 6 Grayson 5-4. Overall, Lowndes are getting it done all over the field. The offense is averaging 7.0 runs per game, while the pitching staff and defense are holding opposing teams to just under 2.6 runs per game. If they can continue this trend, they have created a recipe for success. A busy week lies ahead for the Vikings. They travel to Berrien today, host Valdosta and then have a double header at Colquitt County on Friday.

No. 25 Alexander (8-1) - The second newcomer in our rankings, we had a first hand look at Alexander two weekends ago at the Georgia Dugout Club Tournament. The Cougars went 2-1 in route to winning their pool. Alexander has already had two four game winnings streaks early in the season, with wins over Johns Creek (twice), LaGrange, North Forsyth and Grady. Their offense is putting up huge numbers, averaging over 8 runs per game. This week they have a Monday/Thursday matchup with Landmark Christian and are away at Trinity Christian on Friday.

GA Power 25

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