Power Rankings Week 8: Class 5A Over/Under Rated

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone has introduced a new power ranking system this season. The algorithm takes into account 5 different criteria and assigns a value. Below is the Top 10 Computer Rank for Class 5A and some discussion based on my personal rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A Top 10 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(1) Houston County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2) Langston Hughes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(3) Northgate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(4) Lovejoy </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(5) Thomas County Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(6) Roswell </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(7) Sequoyah</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(8) New Manchester</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(9) Gainesville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(10) River Ridge</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Discussion </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1 Spot</strong> (Redzone: Houston Co; Morgan Poll: Thomas Co Central)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston Co has had a great start to the '25 season. They are currently sitting at 7-0 and led by 2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='991472' first='Ryan' last='Maxwell'] who has passed for over 1300 yards with 18 TDs. I have the Bears at #7 in my poll with questions about strength of schedule. We will find out later in October as they have huge matchups with TCC and Lee Co. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2 Spot</strong> (Both Langston Hughes)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Easy choice here and Hughes is arguably #1 with big wins over Douglas Co and Westlake on their resume. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3 Spot </strong>(PRZ: Northgate; Morgan: Milton)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milton is obviously the biggest snub by the computer which has them at #13. The defending State Champs are 6-1 with their only loss coming to Class 6A #2 Buford. I have the Eagles at #3 in my personal poll and would not be surprised to see them at the Benz in December. I have Northgate outside the Top 10 at #11 in my poll. They are off to a great start at 7-0 but SOS is a concern.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4 Spot</strong> (PRZ: Lovejoy; Morgan: Gainesville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lovejoy Wildcats are off to a 7-0 start but SOS is a concern for me as I have them at #16 in my poll. They get their chance to prove me wrong later this month with key Region games v Northgate and Langston Hughes. Gainesville led by 2027 QB [player_tooltip player_id='885409' first='Kharim' last='Hughley'] has played a tougher schedule and we will know more Friday when they take on a powerhouse Milton squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5 Spot</strong> (PRZ: TCC; Morgan: Roswell)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underrated spot here by the computer for Thomas County Central. The Yellow Jackets, led by Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1089005' first='Jaylen' last='Johnson'], already have a few impressive wins under their belt including a win over rival Lee Co. I have Roswell in at #5 with their only loss coming to Class 6A #2 Buford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6 Spot</strong> (PRZ: Roswell; Morgan: Sequoyah)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7 Spot</strong> (PRZ: Sequoyah;Morgan: Houston County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The computer and I are on agreement with Sequoyah landing in the 6th and 7th spot. The Chiefs are 6-1 with their only defeat coming in a upset loss to Region foe River Ridge. A balanced high powered offense led by Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='1565843' first='Kolby' last='Martin'] and All State RB Will Rajecki who is 1 yard shy of the 1000 yard mark. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8 Spot</strong> (PRZ: New Manchester; Morgan: Rome)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Interesting selections here at #8 as both are from Region 5-5A. The computer likes New Manchester's 6-0 start but I think they will be big underdogs when they face the Rome Wolves for the Region Title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9 Spot</strong> (PRZ: Gainesville; Morgan: Lee Co)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Underrated spot by the computer for the Red Elephants. In my opinion they are one of the 4 Elite programs in Class 5A. Lee Co has a couple of Region losses (TCC, Coffee) but they will still be a formidable opponent come playoff time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10 Spot</strong> (PRZ: River Ridge; Morgan: Jackson County)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myself and the computer both slot a couple of dark horses in at #10. River Ridge is 6-1 with a signature win over Sequoyah in Region play. They are led by 2027 QB Hunter Lockerman and Senior RB [player_tooltip player_id='1214649' first='Camden' last='Cox'] who is averaging over 7 ypc. Jackson County has been the breakout team in Class 5A for '25. The Panthers have been lighting up the scoreboard behind Senior QB RJ Knapp and under the radar Sophomore RB [player_tooltip player_id='1584819' first='Daylan' last='Maxwell'] who has rushed for close to 1000 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->