The Albany Herald ... We're All About You!

M T W The Albany Herald ... We're All About You!

Posted on
Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Weddings & Engagements

Birth Announcements

Search Archives

Sports

Monroe back on top after loss by Early County

After a couple weeks away, the Tornadoes are the No. 1 team again in the Herald Top 7.

Colin Chmielewski

TOP 7 OF '07

No. 1: Monroe (6-1) – Despite escaping against Crisp County with a narrow 14-13 win, theTornadoes reclaim the top spot. Next: vs. Westover, Saturday.

No. 2 (tie): Early County (6-1) – After falling just short against Fitzgerald, the Bobcats will have to regroup in time to stop Chris Clay. Next: at Randolph-Clay, Friday.

No.2 (tie): Bainbridge (5-2) – The Bearcats have reeled off four straight wins and appear to be the only team who might challenge TCC. Next: at Americus-Sumter, Friday.

No.4: Deerfield-Windsor (7-1) – The Knights are coming off one of their most impressive wins of the year, a 28-0 shutout at Westfield. Next: at Stratford Nov. 2.

No. 5: Americus-Sumter (5-2) – After a loss to powerhouse TCC, this week’s contest is a must-win if the Panthers want a home playoff. Next: vs. Bainbridge, Friday.

No. 6: Randolph-Clay (5-2) – Even with their three-game win streak, the Red Devils likely have to win 2 of their final 3 to make state. Next: vs. Early County, Friday.

No. 7: Dougherty (3-3) – The Trojans have now lost two games because of special teams, which is something they need to fix quickly. Next: vs. Cairo, Friday.

ALBANY — Monroe played one of its most lackluster games of the season against Crisp County, but as the popular saying goes, a win is a win.

Thanks to their 14-13 victory against the Cougars, the Tornadoes move back into the No. 1 spot in the Herald’s poll with just three weeks remaining before the playoffs.

But Monroe (6-1) will have to pick up its level of play quickly, as it plays the toughest part of its schedule over the final weeks — a game against Westover, a trip to Cairo and a clash with Dougherty.

The second spot sees the first tie of the season with Early County and Bainbridge. Although the Bobcats beat the Bearcats earlier in the season, the teams now share the No. 2 ranking.

The Bobcats (6-1) suffered their first loss of the season to state-ranked Fitzgerald last week. Despite a comeback, a late interception gave the Purple Hurricanes the 24-21 win.

Early County’s road doesn’t get any easier, though, as it faces No. 6 Randolph-Clay and powerhouse Thomasville over the next three weeks.

Bainbridge (5-2) has only lost to Early County and Cairo, who are both ranked in the state’s Top 10. But the Bearcats appear to have found their stride at the right time. Bainbridge has a shot at a home playoff game and a Region 1-AAAA title, but it has to beat No. 5 Americus-Sumter this week.

In the fourth spot are the Deerfield-Windsor Knights. Allen Lowe’s club seems to be gaining steam as the season progresses, as evidenced by their 28-0 win at Westfield.

The Knights (7-1) finish the season with games against Stratford and First Presbyterian Day — two of GISA’s top AAA teams. Deerfield’s finale against FPD should decide the region title.

Even though Americus-Sumter is 5-2, both of their losses have come against quality teams. The Panthers lost to Tift County and then last week at Thomas County Central. But a win against Bainbridge on Friday will put the Panthers in great shape for the second spot in Region 1-AAAA.

No. 6 Randolph-Clay has ridden Chris Clay to each of its five wins. This week, though, Clay will face a stingy Early County defense with the Red Devils’ playoff hopes on the line.

Dougherty grabs the final spot in the poll after its 35-34 loss to Westover. If the Trojans can’t upset Cairo on Friday, they could be giving up their spot to the Patriots next week.

Back to today's Sports>>