Grayson leads three state champs at No. 1

Only three defending state football champions will start the year ranked No. 1, as reclassification will make things a bit harder on the 2019’s best teams.

Cedar Grove in Class 3A, Eagle’s Landing Christian in 1A Private and Irwin County in 1A Public are the reigning champs that return as No. 1 in the preseason Atlanta Jour- nal-Constitution rankings. Each returns a good core of its 2019 starters.

Cedar Grove has won three

e past four state titles in 3A. ELCA has won a state-record five straight, Irwin has four preseason all-state players back from the ’19 team that won its first state title since 1975.

“This team has all the tools to be special,” Irwin County coach Casey Soliday said. “It could be as good as last year.”

In 7A, Grayson is No. 1 while defending champion Marietta is No. 8. Grayson, which defeated Marietta in the 2019 regular season before reach- ing the state quarterfinals, has five preseason all-state players.

Marietta graduated eight players who signed with Power Five conference teams, including, Gatorade national player of the year Arik Gilbert. Lowndes, the 2019 runner-up, is No. 2. The defending 6A champion, Harrison, moved into 7A and is unranked. The Hoyas are replacing 16 starters. The No. 1 team in 6A is Valdo- sta, now led by former Colquitt

County coach Rush Propst. The Wildcats made the quarterfinals last season and have two receivers who had more than 1,000 yards receiving last season. They also have an intriguing new quarterback, Jake Garcia, a Southern Cal commit who moved from California after his state pushed its season into winter.

Georgia’s defending 5A and 4A champions also were moved up in class.

Buford, the 5A champ, is ranked No. 3 in 6A while Warner Robins, a state runner-up the past three seasons, nabbed the No. 1 ranking in 5A. Warner Robins returns quarterback Jalen Addie, the 5A offensive player of the year in ’19.

Blessed Trinity, three-time 4A champion, is No. 2 in 5A and remains a serious threat.

Marist begins at No. 1 in 4A. The War Eagles have made the quarters, semis and finals the past three seasons with coach Alan Chadwick, who is within striking distance of 400 victories. In his 36th season at Marist, Chadwick is 386-73.

In 2A, state champion Dublin and runner-up Brooks County have moved to 1A. Rabun County, which has never won a state title, starts No. 1. Rabun junior quarterback Gunner Stockton, recently committed to South Carolina, threw for 3,473 yards last season.

Brooks is No. 2 in 1A behind Irwin. Dublin, which suffered heavier graduation losses, is ranked No. 4.