Region 6-AAAA outlook

› Team to beat: Twotime defending region champion Ridgeland, even with a new head coach and the graduation of several stars, garnered most of the coaches’ first-place votes.

› Watch out for: Pickens. The Dragons easily return the most offensive talent in the region, and they get to host Ridgeland.

› Best game: It’s that Ridgeland-at-Pickens affair Oct. 19. Though each team has tests earlier in the region campaign, this could easily decide the top two playoff seeds.

› Dream schedule: LaFayette has a new coach in Paul Ellis and new offensive and defensive schemes, but the Ramblers have a favorable nonregion schedule with four teams that combined for seven wins a year ago.

› Nightmare schedule: Ridgeland, undefeated a year ago in the regular season, will have a difficult time repeating that feat with opening games against Class AAA champion Calhoun, a ninewin Troup County team and annual state power Sandy Creek. The Panthers also have to travel to Northwest Whitfield and Pickens in league play.

› Players to watch: Ridgeland dynamic receiver Stephon Walker could benefit from the Panthers’ move to the spread offense more than anyone, while massive tackle Fred Norman Jr. is perhaps the top lineman in the league. Northwest Whitfield 230-pound running back Dominique Sistrunk will be the focal point of the Bruins’ offense and looks to improve on a 1,300-yard season, while new quarterback Ty Fisher might benefit from a change of scenery after transferring from LaFayette. Heritage two-way starter Jeffrey Curtis and Southeast Whitfield running back Christian Gillespie are keys to graduation-depleted teams.