GA Power 25: Week 10

The regular season is over and we are now heading into the postseason. Our Power 25 sees another shakeup in the top-10 as a number of the teams slipped up last week. We also welcome three new teams to the rankings. You can see how teams stack up across the classifications by viewing our GHSA Class 7A-1A Polls. 

Here are the top headlines coming out of the tenth week of the season, April 19 to April 25.

Buford Perfect

+ No. 1 Buford (29-0) - The Wolves took on every challenger during the regular season and came out victorious. It is what can only be described as a historic season. The numbers are simply incredible. Buford scored 225 runs and allowed a measly 23 over the course of 29 games. The pitching staff allowed one run or less in 23 games, including 17 shutouts. The offense scored 7 or more runs in 21 games. This a multidimensional team that can just wear you out. It is going to take something really special to bring the Wolves down in a three game series. Buford will open up the playoffs with Alexander.

Streaking into the Postseason

+ No. 3 North Oconee (25-4) - The Titans hit a bit of a speed bump at the beginning of the month, dropping 3 of 4 games in a 10 day span. Since then though, they have reasserted their dominance, closing out the season with a 6 game winning streak. The present streak has included 5 shutouts and 5 games in which the titans scored 10+ runs. North Oconee has a favorable matchup against Luella in the first round of the playoffs.

+ No. 4 Allatoona (25-5) - Since losing to North Gwinnett on April 7th, Allatoona have ripped off 7 straight wins. The offense has exploded in this time period, putting up double digits run totals in their final four games of the season. The pitching staff has been equally as good allowing four or less runs in each of the last seven games. The Buccaneers will square off with a pesky Sequoyah squid in the first round. Looking further ahead, a date with Winder-Barrow in the second round looms, and potential matchups against Houston County in the semis and Buford in the finals. It will be a challenging road.

+ No. 10 Houston County (23-6) - Houston County hit a bump in the road in March, but have regrouped nicely. The Bears have not lost a game in April and are on a 10 game winning streak. Much like Allatoona, Houston County poses one of the greatest threats to Buford in 6A.

+ No. 11 North Paulding (22-7) - The Wolfpack were an up and down team all year, but seem to have found their stride at the right time. North Paulding was 14-7 as of April 3rd. Since then, they have rallied off 8 straight victories, including a season finale victory over Walton to win the region title. The Wolfpack are a deep and experienced team. They should be viewed as one of the favorites in 7A, opening up with McEachern in round one.

+ No. 17 Decatur (26-4) - Decatur is the one of the hottest teams in the state not named Buford, holding a 19 game winning streak. The Bulldogs have not lost a game since March 6th. Consistency is a big part of making a deep postseason run, and Decatur has shown that for the better part of two months. They will open up with a tricky Walnut Grove team and then have a potential matchup with No. 23 Cartersville.

+ No. 18 Lassiter (24-5) - Lassiter have every right to enter the postseason with a chip on their shoulder. Despite going 24-5 (13-3), the Trojans will line up as a 3 seed in the playoffs. This is a seasoned team with experience at every position. They have gone toe-to-toe with some of the state’s top teams. On top of that, they are also on a nine game winning streak. In any other region, Lassiter may have come out as a 1 or 2 seed, but now they have some work ahead of them. A first round matchup with Cambridge will certainly be challenging. Waiting in the second round will most likely be No. 2 Carrollton.

+ No. 19 Wayne County (24-5) - The Yellow Jackets have been one of the state’s most consistent teams over the past two months, recording a record of 20-2 in that span. Wayne County has an explosive offensive that averages nearly 8 runs per game. They got a favorable draw in the first two rounds and could be destined for a date with No. 12 Blessed Trinity in the quarterfinals.

Welcome

+ No. 20 Parkview (20-10) - Parkview return to the Power 25 for the first time since February. A perennial powerhouse, the Panthers can never be counted out in 7A. Just when we thought it was No. 7 Grayson’s turn to claim that region, Parkview reminds us that the region runs through them. The Panthers have gotten hot at the right time, winners of 8 straight. They will open up with Colquitt County in round one.

+ No. 24 Bainbridge (22-3) - The Bearcats break into the Power 25 for the first time this season, debuting at No. 24. Bainbridge cleaned up throughout the deep south of the state, and dispatched teams through Florida’s Panhandle. Despite being a 1 seed, the Bearcats could be a darkhorse in 4A. They will hold a significant home field advantage, as it will be a haul for most teams to make their way down to Bainbridge.

+ No. 25 North Hall (23-4) - It took some time, but we finally have another representative from Class 3A in the Power 25. North Hall enters at No. 25 for the first time this season. The Trojans have put together an impressive resume with wins over Mount Paran, Forsyth Central, North Forsyth, and North Oconee. North Hall dominated region play with a 17-1 record and are currently on a 12 game winning streak. They open up with Coahulla Creek before a matchup with a very talented Hart County or Redan squad.

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