REGION 6-A OUTLOOK

› Teams to beat: There are plenty in this 15-team region, which produced eight state berths across the private school and public school playoffs a year ago, but in Subregion 6A-A, to which Christian Heritage, Gordon Lee and Trion belong, Darlington and Mount Zion-Carroll are trouble enough. In the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s preseason top 10 polls, Darlington’s Tigers ranked sixth among private schools and Mount Zion’s Eagles were fourth among public schools.

› Watch out for: Trion hasn’t won a region title in 15 years, and expecting that skid to end this season is probably unrealistic because of the amount of experience lost to graduation, but the Bulldogs have never had a losing season under seventh-year coach Justin Brown and have made three straight playoff appearances. Trion was part of the three-way tie atop the subregion standings with Darlington and Mountain Zion in 2017, losing to the Tigers and beating the Eagles in consecutive weeks. The Bulldogs won’t face either until the second half of the season this year, allowing them time to improve.

› Best game: It was a top-10 showdown when Darlington and Mount Zion met in late September last year. The Tigers will try to avenge that one-point loss when the Eagles visit on Sept. 21.

› Dream schedule: None of Gordon Lee’s nonregion opponents (Class AA’s Dade County, AAA’s Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe and AAAA’s LaFayette) had a winning record last season. The Trojans have a chance to strike early, then pull for those nonregion foes to win later — and help Gordon Lee’s power rating.

› Nightmare schedule: Christian Heritage’s nonregion opponents (Class A’s Riverside Military Academy, AA’s Gordon Central and AAAA’s LaFayette) went a combined 7-23 last year, but that’s not where the problem lies. The Lions start their 6A-A schedule with back-to-back games against Mount Zion and Darlington, which is less than desirable, though Christian Heritage does host both.

› Players to watch: There were several preseason allstate selections from 6A-A, including Christian Heritage kicker Joe Dixon and defensive lineman Duane Jones, Darlington quarterback Griffin Brewster and Mount Zion defensive back Tyriese Farley. The biggest recruiting buzz, though, is about Darlington junior Tate Ratledge, a 6-foot6, 295-pound offensive tackle who is the Peach State’s eighth-ranked recruit overall in the 2020 signing class, according to 247Sports.com, and has received interest from Southeastern Conference programs, including Georgia. Said Trion coach Justin Brown: “When Kirby Smart lands a helicopter on your practice field to come see you, you’re pretty good.”