We take a look at the Top 5 teams that have the most improvement vs their Calpreps preseason computer rankings.
- Dalton Catamounts (+17.4)
The Catamounts and Head Coach Kit Carpenter are off to a 2-0 start with wins over North Murray (35-14) and Sonoraville (50-14) to start the year. Impressive offensive numbers, averaging 42+ points per game, but the defensive effort maybe be more impressive. They have giving up and average of 14 points per game to two teams that are averaging 42 points per game when not facing the Catamounts. This Friday: at Rockmart
2. Gordon Lee Trojans (+11.9)
4-6 in 2022 not much was expected from a very young Trojan team in ’23. They have looked good the last two weeks after dropping their opener at #10 Trion. Gordon Lee has averaged 40 points of offense a game in wins over Armuchee and SE Whitfield to move to 2-1 on the season. Soph RB Peyton Groce and Fresh RB Brayden Stoker have shown the potential to be 6AAA stars in the future. This Friday: Off Next Week: Open the Region schedule in an important game at Bremen.
3. Central Lions (+11.7)
The Lions are off to their best start, 3-0, since the 2015 team won 9 straight games to start the season. They have outscored their opponents by an average score of 42-11 which includes a 34-14 win over defending Class A State Champion Bowdon. Led by Fresh QB JR Harris and future P5 Soph RB Jonaz Walton, the Lions have their eyes set on a home playoff game, if not a Region Title, for 1st year Head Coach Umbrah Brown. This Friday: At McIntosh (First of two vs 5A opponents)
4. Northwest Whitfield Bruins (+11.6)
Maybe a little controversial ranking as they are right ahead of the team they lost to last week but the Bruins are off to a much better start than expected. They graduated their 4 yr starting QB1, Owen Brooker, and a lot of Senior contributors on defense from the ’22 team that went 5-5 and missed the playoffs. Soph QB Gavin Nuckolls is off to a good start taking over at QB1 and the defense has been one of the best in our Area only giving up 8.33 points per game. The Bruins looked poised to contend for a playoff spot in a highly contested 7AAAA. This Week: home vs North Murray
5. Ringgold Tigers (+11.0)
The Tigers are off to a 2-0 start beating two 7AAAA teams in the process. Both games were virtual coin flips by the computer rankings and the Tigers were able to hang on to a 21-12 win at Heritage and a battle last week, an 18-17 win over NW Whitfield in their home opener. Rookie Head Coach Austin Crisp has the Tigers playing a tough brand of football led by Soph RB Hadden Fries and one of the best all around LBs in our area, Junior Bryce “The Hitman” Hart. The Tigers will compete for the 6AAA crown. This Week: Travel to Elijay to play the Gilmer Bobcats.