Power poll: This week’s rankings do include a few changes

You will notice a few changes this week in the Southeast Georgia High School Football Power Poll.

The top five teams remain the same including Wayne County staying in the No. 1 spot after getting a major scare against Statesboro Friday night. The Yellow Jackets managed a 21-20 overtime win to keep their hopes for an unbeaten season alive.

The first change in this week’s poll comes at the No. 6 position where Frederica Academy now resides. The Knights were so dominant in their victory Friday against Westfield that their performance moved them up a notch in the rankings.

Thus, Liberty County drops a spot into the seventh position despite winning its first region game of the season Friday against Tattnall County.

Glynn Academy stayed in the eighth hole while having an open date last week.

With its win over Brunswick, Richmond Hill moved up a spot in the rankings to No. 9.

Meantime, the Pirates fell out of the poll this week after the 41-7 loss at home to the Wildcats.

That made room for Appling County to resurface in the power rankings as the Pirates are back in at No. 10 after an easy win Friday over Long County to kick off their region schedule.

So, here is a look at the rankings for this week:

1. Wayne County (7-0, 1-0 Region 2-5A, ranked No. 9)

Last week: Won 21-20 (OT) at Statesboro

This week: Home vs. South Effingham

The skinny: The Yellow Jackets survived a scare Friday at Statesboro with a narrow overtime win. The Jackets blocked an extra-point try by the Blue Devils to pull out the victory.

2. Camden County (6-1, 0-0 Region 1-7A)

Last week: Won 52-7 over Colleton County (S.C.)

This week: at Colquitt County

The skinny: The Wildcats closed out their non-region schedule with a blowout win over Colleton. Now, they get set for region play which opens Friday night at top-ranked Colquitt County.

3. Pierce County (6-0, 1-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Won 49-7 at Brantley County

This week: Home vs. Long County

The skinny: The Bears were scored on for the first time after four straight shutouts, but they punished Brantley with a powerful ground game in another convincing win.

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

Last week: Off

This week: Home vs. Statesboro

The skinny: The Gators had a bye last week, but they will open region play this week at home in Waycross against a Statesboro team coming off the tough 21-20 overtime loss to Wayne County last Friday at home.

5. Charlton County (4-2, 2-1 Region 2-A, ranked No. 6)

Last week: Off

This week: Home vs. Wilcox County

The skinny: The Indians had a week off last week to lick their wounds after losing big to top-ranked Irwin County. They will resume region play this week with a home game against Wilcox County.

6. Frederica Academy (5-2, 1-0 GISA Region 2-3A, ranked No. 8)

Last week: Won 48-3 over Westfield School 

This week: Home vs. Trinity Christian

The skinny: The Knights enjoyed a happy Homecoming game Friday as they put together a dominating performance against Westfield that gave them their largest margin of victory this season. The win was the fifth in a row for Frederica.

7. Liberty County (4-1, 1-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Won 21-7 at Tattnall County

This week: at Appling County

The skinny: The Panthers opened region play with a road win over the Battle Creek Warriors. This week, they can expect a more stern challenge when they head to Baxley to face off against Appling.

8. Glynn Academy (3-3, 0-0 Region 2-6A)

Last week: Off

This week: Home vs. Richmond Hill

The skinny: The Red Terrors are set to open region play Friday at home against a Richmond Hill team that beat them last year in Brunswick. The Wildcats won this past Friday at Glynn County Stadium, knocking off Brunswick by 41-7.

9. Richmond Hill (3-3, 1-0 Region 2-6A)

Last week: Won 41-7 at Brunswick

This week: at Glynn Academy

The skinny: The Wildcats waltzed past Brunswick this past Friday at Glynn County Stadium to open region play. They will try to go 2-for-2 at the Brunswick stadium when they return this week to take on Glynn Academy. Richmond Hill beat Glynn last year in their region meeting which also was in Brunswick.

10. Appling County(3-3, 1-0 Region 2-3A)

Last week: Won 41-7 at Long County

This week: Home vs. Liberty County

The skinny: Rick Tomberlin’s Pirates won their region opener last week against the Blue Tide. This week, they are at home  for a key meeting with defending league champion Liberty.