Region 7-AAA at a Glance• Team on the rise: If the progression from 0, 1 and 5 wins continues for the program’s first full cycle of players, this could be Heritage’s season. The Generals return 18 starters and elite kicker Dustin Lewis. In a region full of questions, Heritage has very few.• Nightmare schedule: Since they will not play a real home game this season, it has to be Ringgold. The Tigers, displaced to Finley Stadium while their stadium is repaired from April’s tornado damage, also travel to Murphy, N.C., play 7-AAA (B) contender Cartersville and have to travel to three-time region champion Ridgeland.• Dream schedule: Heritage’s first four opponents — North Murray, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, Murray County and Pickens County — combined for six wins a year ago. The Generals do, however, have to visit region heavyweights Dalton and Ridgeland.• Best game: Considering league balance, it could be nearly any game, but on paper Ridgeland’s Sept. 30 game at Dalton should be huge. Ridgeland’s Panthers defeated the Catamounts for the first time in school history last year — and Dalton players, coaches and fans won’t forget that.• Biggest shoes to fill: Ridgeland’s Mason Harris was the most disruptive force in the region a year ago, terrorizing offenses from his defensive end/linebacker position and also playing offensive tackle.• Playoff bound: Allatoona and Cartersville from the B sub-region; Dalton and Ridgeland from the A side.
This is the time of year when football coaches at all levels choose their words carefully in predictions. The art of “poor-mouthing” one’s own team for motivational purposes has been around since since the days of leather helmets.
In Georgia’s Region 7-AAA, however, there is nothing to be gained this season by downplaying anyone’s potential because, as every coach in sub-region A will attest, there are too many unknowns for even the most skilled prognosticator to get a real read.
Consider:
• Three-time region champion Ridgeland returns only five starters and is the only team from the A sub-region to make the playoffs a year ago.