Power Poll: Wayne still No. 1; Camden climbs into second spot in rankings

The Wayne County Yellow Jackets remain in the top spot in the Southeast Georgia High School Football Power Poll this week after knocking off Glynn Academy Friday night at home.

The Jackets and Red Terrors entered their much-anticipated game as the top two teams in the power rankings.

Wayne won the matchup 29-15 at Jaycee Stadium in Jesup to go to 4-0 for the season.

After losing Friday’s game, the Terrors are now 2-2 overall and have fallen to the fifth spot in the rankings.

Thus, Camden County, a big winner over Brunswick last Friday, moves up to second, Pierce County goes to third and Ware County slides into the fourth spot as it prepares to host Glynn this Friday in another highly-anticipated contest.

Also worth noting is that Brunswick (1-3) dropped out of the rankings after getting shut out 37-0 by Camden last Friday at home.

Appling County moved into the power poll for the first time this season as the Pirates won their second game of the season and are now 2-2 as they get set to go to Jesup this Friday to play the rival Jackets on their home turf.

This week’s power poll looks like this:

1. Wayne County (4-0, 0-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 7)

Last week: Won 29-15 vs. Glynn Academy

This week: Home vs. Appling County

The skinny: The Yellow Jackets backed up their top ranking with a victory over Glynn Academy Friday in a matchup between the teams that were ranked first and second, respectively, in last week’s power poll. The Jackets ran for nearly 300 yards and stymied Glynn’s usually-strong running game to win at home.

2. Camden County (4-1, 0-0 Region 1-7A)

Last week: Won 37-0 at Brunswick

This week: Off

The skinny: The Wildcats continue their upward climb in the rankings, moving from third to second this week following their thumping of Brunswick last week. The Cats held Brunswick to 58 yards rushing while posting the shutout on the scoreboard.

3. Pierce County (4-0, 0-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Off

This week: at South Effingham

The skinny: The Bears move up a spot in the poll after having last week off. Pierce and Camden are the only two teams eligible for the power rankings that remain unbeaten through the first five weeks of the season. The Bears will try for win No. 5 this week on the road at South Effingham.

4. Ware County(3-1, 0-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 8)

Last week: Off

This week: Home vs. Glynn Academy

The skinny: The Gators’ only loss thus far is to Coffee which is unbeaten and ranked second in the Class 6A state poll. Ware will host Glynn this week in what has become a heated rivalry in recent seasons.

5. Glynn Academy (2-2, 0-0 Region 2-6A)

Last week: Lost 29-15 at Ware County

This week: at Ware County

The skinny: The Red Terrors fall three spots this week after losing at Wayne County on Friday. Glynn lost the ball twice on kickoffs and surrendered nearly 300 yards rushing while going scoreless in the second half.

6. Charlton County (3-1, 1-0 Region 2-A, ranked No. 5)

Last week: Won 37-12 vs. Atkinson County

This week: Home vs. Turner County

The skinny: The Indians started region play on a winning note last Friday with a home win over Atkinson. This week, they are set to take on eighth-ranked Turner County in Folkston in a region tilt.

7. Liberty County (2-1, 0-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Home vs. Cross Creek (cancelled)

This week: at Richmond Hill

The skinny: The Panthers didn’t get on the field last week as their game was cancelled due to weather concerns related to Hurricane Florence. This week, Liberty makes the short trip to Richmond Hill to battle the Wildcats in another non-region game.

8. Frederica Academy (3-2, 0-0 GISA Region 2-3A, ranked No. 7)

Last week: Won 44-13 at Augusta Prep

This week: Off

The skinny: The Knights ran all over a winless Augusta Prep team last Friday as they scored 41 points in the opening two frames before the game was played with a running clock in the second half.

9. Appling County (2-2, 0-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: won 27-20 vs. Cook

This week: at Wayne County

The skinny: The Pirates of Rick Tomberlin move into the poll for the first time this season. Now 2-2, Appling’s losses were to unbeaten Vidalia, ranked ninth in Class 2A, and unbeaten Dodge County, ranked sixth in Class 2A. Their first win came against Charlton which is ranked in Class A.

10. Richmond Hill (1-2, 0-0 Region 2-5A)

Last week: Home vs. New Hampstead (cancelled)

This week: Home vs. Liberty County

The skinny: The Wildcats didn’t play as their meeting with New Hampstead was cancelled by the threat of inclement weather stemming from Hurricane Florence. Richmond Hill will be at home on Friday against Liberty County.