The Top 5 teams in NwGa that beat their preseason Calpreps ranking by the largest margin in 2020.
#1 Central Lions: +21
The Lions started the season ranked 35th in AAAA after 4 straight losing seasons. Central started strong in ’20. They won 4 of their 1st 5 games which included knocking off two ranked opponents (#10 Heard Co and #6 NW Whitfield). The Lions finished at 5-4 with two of their loses coming to #8 Cedartown and eventual State Champ Marist in the 1st Rd of the playoffs to finish ranked #14.
#2T) Ringgold Tigers: +19
The Tigers had a tough time in 2019 going 0-10 and entered 2020 ranked #52 of 57 teams in AAA. Ringgold went .500 this season and were only 3 points away from a playoff spot in Region 6AAA. They have a lot of talent coming back in 2021 and should be a factor in next seasons race. Ended 2020 ranked #33.
#2T) Woodland Wildcats: +19
Woodland was another team that had a tough 2019 going 1-9 and had not had a .500 season since 2008. The Wildcats were 4-4 in 2020 with 3 of their loses coming to Top 10 Blessed Trinity, Calhoun, and Cartersville. Their signature win was a 14-13 win over eventual 4th seed Hiram. The Wildcats ended 2020 ranked #26 up from a #45 preseason prediction.
#4) Gordon Lee Trojans: +13
The Trojans entered the season ranked #28 in A Public. Gordon Lee had not had an above .500 season since 2006. In 2020 they went 10-2, finished 2nd in 6A and had their 1st 10 win season since 2002. They flirted with the Top 10 all season long with their only loss coming by 2 points to Region Champ Bowdon. 2020 final ranking: #15
#5) Cedartown Bulldogs: +11
Coming into 2020 everyone knew Cedartown had a ton of talent, starting out #16 in AAAA, the question was could they finish the deal. The Bulldogs, under the guidance of 1st year Head Coach Jamie Abrams, went 8-3 and won their 1st Region Title since 2001. They also made their 1st quarterfinal playoff appearance since 2002. The Bulldogs finished 2020 ranked #5 by Calpreps in AAAA.