Centennial dropped out of the top five in Class AAAAAA after two straight losses. Defending-champ Berkmar dropped out as did Grayson after recent defeats, clearing

Photo by Billy Wright

the way for Johns Creek and Parkview to debut in the top 10. Parkview's win over Grayson got the Panthers in while Johns Creek profited from a recent three-game winning streak. Harrison, meanwhile, has gone 4-0-1 in its last five and climbed to No. 4.

Glynn Academy moving into the top five was the lone change in Class AAAAA while Class AAAA saw Lanier drop out and LaGrange enter the rankings having won seven of eight.

In Class AAA, East Hall (to North Oconee) and Coahulla Creek (to North Murray) dropped out of the top five after recent losses while North Murray and Oconee County climbed into the top five.

Bremen, which is off to a 7-1 start, debuted in the rankings and replace Toombs County, which lost to Bryan County.

Class A saw the most movement of any classification besides AAAAAA as six teams saw dramatic alterations in their status. Fellowship Christian improved to No. 4 after beating Pinecrest Academy, which fell to No. 5. Paideia dropped after two straight defeats and Walker fell out completely after losing four straight. Darlington, meanwhile, has a four-game winning streak and Mt. Paran debuted after beginning the year 7-1.

Last year's Class AA state semifinal lineup featured a clean sweep by Region 6 representatives: Greater Atlanta Christian, Lovett, Wesleyan and Westminster. All four schools have reloaded and are once again monopolizing the top four spots in the rankings.

Region play is already underway and Greater Atlanta Christian geared up for it with a tough early-season schedule. The Spartans lost to Parkview, tied Marist and crushed Buford before kicking off region competition with a 1-0 loss at Lovett earlier this month. They bounced back last Tuesday with a 2-1 victory at Wesleyan. Greater Atlanta Christian faced former region foe Blessed Trinity last Friday and prevailed 2-0 at home. The game was tied heading into the final five minutes, but Perry Bitzer scored twice down the stretch on assists from Reagan Glisson and Danielle Marcano. Keeper Melissa Gray recorded the shutout.

Wesleyan also returned to the field following its game against the Spartans with a shutout of its own. Keeper Vivian McCoy stymied Northview from start to finish while T.J. Anderson provided for the game's only offense on an assist from Taylor Panther as the Wolves won 1-0. 

A Class AAAAAA showdown took place last Friday at Grayson, where Parkview experienced a rare and unwelcomed occurrence. The Panthers had not allowed more than two goals in a game since 2012 and they had not surrendered more than three in a game since 2010. Grayson, however, notched five to win the Region 8 battle with Parkview 5-4. Sophomore Jennifer Westendorf, a U.S. Under-17 National Team member, scored three goals and hit either a post or the crossbar with three other shots to lead Grayson. The Rams scored four unanswered goals to take a 5-2 advantage in the second half before hanging on for their first-ever win over Parkview.

Parkview's setback means the door could be open for Harrison, ranked second last week, to assume the top spot in Class AAAAAA. The Hoyas rolled over Allatoona 6-0 last Thursday. Three players-Treva Aycock, Carly Rich and Lizzy Sieracki-tallied two goals apiece. With that kind of offense, Harrison could be tough to beat this season because it boasts a pair of stellar keepers in senior Allison Leone and junior Kelsey Daugherty. Leone has signed with Western Kentucky and Daugherty is committed to Alabama-Birmingham. They Hoyas have now posted three straight shutouts.