Georgia High School Softball Power Rankings: Week of September 30, 2025

ATLANTA, GA — With the regular season barreling toward the finish line, Georgia’s top programs continue to sort themselves out across every classification. This week’s GHSA power rankings (PSR) showcase undefeated juggernauts at the top, razor-thin margins in the middle, and a handful of late risers making noise just in time for seeding.


Class 6A (AAAAAA): Buford still perfect, Carrollton/East Coweta chase1) Buford (24–0, PSR .7267) remains the state’s standard, pairing an elite win percentage with sturdy strength-of-schedule inputs (OWP .562). 2) Carrollton (17–1, .6951) holds firm thanks to a robust OWP (.615), while 3) East Coweta (18–3, .6818) continues to stack quality wins with one of the best opponent metrics in 6A (OWP .643).
The next wave features 4) Tift County (15–2, .6711) and 5) North Gwinnett (21–3, .6576)—both balanced resumes that travel well statistically. Brookwood (6), North Cobb (7), Harrison (8), Grovetown (9), Archer (10) round out a deep top ten where tiny PSR gaps hint at volatility down the stretch.
Notables:

• Archer (16–2) debuts in the top ten behind a sparkling WP (.883).
• North Cobb (17–5) and Harrison (20–4) benefit from solid opponent metrics, hinting they’re built for bracket play.
• Watch Mill Creek (13) and Cherokee (14) lurking just outside the top tier.

Class 5A (AAAAA): Veterans edges a crowded elite1) Veterans (21–4, .6878) nudges ahead on balance—credible OWP (.618) plus strong OOWP (.600). 2) Loganville (18–2, .6756) and 3) Coffee (18–6, .6666) are inches behind, while 4) South Effingham (15–2, .6663) and 5) Creekview (17–4, .6577) keep the top five compressed.
The classification’s depth is obvious: Effingham County (6), Alexander (7), Glynn Academy (8), Houston County (9), Lassiter (10) all rate as legitimate top-five caliber on the right week.
Notables:

• Decatur (12) has a premium WP (.856) and could spike with tougher opponents ahead.
• Jackson County (14) trends up as their schedule matures.

Class 4A (AAAA): Eastside unbeaten; Harris County & Kell in hot pursuit1) Eastside (19–0, .7101) keeps the zero in the loss column and posts elite PSR efficiency. 2) Harris County (21–4, .6913) boasts heavyweight schedule power (OWP .636, OOWP .596). 3) Kell (18–2, .6830) and 4) Cambridge (17–4, .6766) are within striking distance, while 5) Wayne County (17–5, .6518) rounds out a fierce top five.
Depth behind them--Northside-Columbus (6), Cartersville (7), Central-Carroll (8), Ola (9), Jones County (10)—means a single result can shuffle seeds.
Notables:

• Blessed Trinity (13) and Westminster (15) own strong schedule profiles, signaling postseason bite.

Class 3A (AAA): Jefferson leads a photo finishIt’s tight at the top: 1) Jefferson (19–1, .6521) edges 2) LaFayette (23–3, .6518) by a whisker, with 3) West Laurens (20–3, .6423) right there. Harlem (4) and Long County (5) anchor a top five separated by decimal dust.
Behind them, North Hall (6), Pickens (7), Monroe Area (8), Dawson County (9), Cherokee Bluff (10) create a competitive second tier.
Notables:

• Southeast Bulloch (11) and Heritage-Catoosa (12) are trending; keep an eye on Whitewater (14) as well.

Class 2A (AA): Private-school powers pace the pack1) Prince Avenue Christian (21–3, .6775) edges 2) Hebron Christian (21–1, .6722)—two polished resumes with formidable WPs and supportive schedule data. 3) Cook (18–2, .6452) sits close, followed by South Atlanta (4) and Sonoraville (5).
The middle is crowded: Appling County (7) through Pierce County (11) feature strong OWP/OOWP that could convert to October wins.
Notables:

• Miller Grove (14–1, .6324) and Pike County (13–4, .6227) are climbing with room to grow against stronger slates.

Class A Division I: Wesleyan on top, but margin is slim1) Wesleyan (20–3, .6824) holds the lead, just ahead of 2) Lamar County (19–2, .6656) and a cluster including 3) Gordon Lee (21–4, .6566) and 4) Elbert County (20–3, .6562). Bacon County (5) and Mount Vernon (6) keep the upper tier deep.
From Bremen (7) to Jeff Davis (12), PSR differences are modest—expect late movement.
Notables:

• Vidalia (9) rides a standout OWP (.733) that could pay off in seeding.
• Model (19) is a sleeper with a high WP (.806).

Class A Division II: Taylor County & ECI separate (for now)1) Taylor County (19–1, .6573) and 2) Emanuel County Institute (19–3, .6555) are nearly indistinguishable by PSR. Wheeler County (3), Irwin County (4), Lanier County (5) form a strong chase pack.
The parity tier from Marion County (6) through Wilcox County (10) has enough schedule quality to spring postseason surprises.
Notables:

• Treutlen (8) and Trion (9) quietly stack wins; Clin ch County (11) lurks with solid WP/OWP balance.

Biggest Movers & Trending Teams (by resume momentum)

• 6A: Archer into top 10; Harrison steady climb; Grovetown holding ground with 21 wins.
• 5A: Alexander (20–2) surging; Decatur flashing top-10 upside.
• 4A: Cambridge and Kell tightening the gap on Eastside; Blessed Trinity rising.
• 3A: LaFayette and West Laurens closing on Jefferson; Southeast Bulloch gaining traction.
• 2A: Miller Grove and Pike County with upward arrows.
• A D-I: Vidalia’s schedule strength positions them for a late jump.
• A D-II: ECI inches closer to Taylor County; Treutlen/Trion trending up.

How the PSR works (quick refresher)

• WP (Win Percentage): Your record.
• OWP (Opponents’ Win %): How tough your opponents are.
• OOWP (Opponents’ Opponents’ Win %): The depth of that toughness.
• PSR blends all three** to reward teams that win and schedule well—so close PSR gaps mean tiny week-to-week swings can shuffle seeds.

What to watch next

• Undefeated watches: Buford (6A), Eastside (4A) keeping perfect marks under pressure.
• Strength-of-schedule climbers: Programs with rising OWP/OOWP (e.g., Carrollton, Cambridge, Vidalia) are primed to leap if they convert marquee dates.
• Seeding chess: Tight PSR bands in 6A, 5A, 3A make every remaining region game a potential tie-breaker.

​

GHSA Power Rankings: Unbeatens, Heavyweights, and Late-September Separation

The stretch run is here, and the latest GHSA fast-pitch softball power rankings show real separation at the top across most classes. A handful of undefeateds are still out there, several bluebloods are charging, and schedule strength is beginning to matter as much as gaudy win–loss marks. Below, we break down the major storylines in each classification and explain why some teams with spotless records aren’t automatically No. 1.

How the numbers work (quick refresher)

• WP (Winning Percentage) is exactly what it sounds like—your record.
  
• OWP (Opponents’ Winning Percentage) and OOWP (Opponents’ Opponents’ Winning Percentage) measure schedule toughness in two layers.
  
• PSR (Power Rating) blends the three; it’s the number that orders the list.
  In late September, OWP/OOWP swings can move a team several spots even when records are similar. That’s why an undefeated or near-undefeated team can sit behind a one-loss contender with a stronger slate.
  

AAAAAA (6A): Carrollton edges unbeaten Buford; East Coweta in striking distanceTop 5: 1) Carrollton (14–1, PSR .69870) • 2) Buford (18–0, .69631) • 3) East Coweta (14–3, .68037) • 4) Tift County (14–2, .67105) • 5) North Gwinnett (20–2, .66041)

• Why Carrollton at No. 1? The Trojans’ blend of a robust OWP (.62757) and steady OOWP (.54684) nudges them past unbeaten Buford. Their single loss is outweighed by who they’ve beaten and who their opponents have beaten.
  
• Buford’s 18–0 is undeniable, but the OWP (.49396) drags the PSR just enough to land second—within a whisker. Expect that to change if the Wolves stack wins against stronger late-season opponents.
  
• East Coweta (14–3) posts the highest OWP in the top five (.66833)—a signal the Indians are battle-tested and built for October.
  
• Tift County (14–2) and North Gwinnett (20–2) round out a brutal top tier; both have top-half OWP/OOWP profiles befitting contenders.
  
• Climbers & notables: North Cobb (16–3, #6) keeps banking quality results, while Archer (11–1, #7) owns elite WP but a lighter OWP that caps their rise for now. Grovetown (19–3, #8) and Harrison (19–4, #9) have volume wins; stronger opponents down the stretch could pop their PSR.
  

Bubble watch: Brookwood (14–4, #10), North Forsyth (18–6, #11), and Mill Creek (12–7, #13) all carry schedules that can move the needle with one or two premium victories.

AAAAA (5A): Veterans’ résumé rules; Loganville and Coffee push hardTop 5: 1) Veterans (17–4, .69264) • 2) Loganville (16–1, .66616) • 3) Coffee (15–5, .66493) • 4) South Effingham (12–1, .66276) • 5) Effingham County (14–5, .65847)

• Veterans sits atop a deep, volatile 5A because the Warhawks pair strong wins with top-tier OWP (.65068) and sturdy OOWP (.61633).
  
• Loganville (16–1) and South Effingham (12–1) boast elite WPs; a lower OWP keeps each just behind Veterans despite the records.
  
• Coffee (15–5) and Effingham County (14–5) showcase balanced metric profiles—more losses, but the schedules are doing real work in the model.
  
• Depth chart: Glynn Academy (17–3, #6) and Creekview (16–3, #7) are right there, and Houston County (14–8, #9) shows how a heavy schedule can buoy PSR even with more losses.
  

On the rise: Decatur (14–2, #10), Greenbrier (14–8, #11), Jackson County (12–3, #12)—all with room to gain if late opponents boost OWP.

AAAA (4A): Eastside remains perfect, Harris County and Kell keep paceTop 5: 1) Eastside (16–0, .71873) • 2) Harris County (18–4, .67962) • 3) Kell (16–2, .67961) • 4) Cambridge (15–3, .67413) • 5) Central-Carroll (16–5, .64915)

• Eastside (16–0) pairs an elite WP (effectively 1.000) with balanced OWP/OOWP to produce the highest PSR in any class this week.
  
• Harris County and Kell are neck-and-neck—near-identical PSRs with strong schedules.
  
• Cambridge owns top-five OWP among elites and feels like a team peaking as the calendar flips.
  
• Watch the second tier: Northside-Columbus (17–3, #6), Wayne County (13–5, #7), and Cartersville (19–2, #8)—each has a path to a top-four seed line if they finish strong.
  

Sneaky movers: Ola (14–3, #9) and Jones County (17–3, #10)—records that could pop with any uptick in OWP.

AAA (3A): Jefferson leads a crowded, championship-tested packTop 5: 1) Jefferson (18–1, .64891) • 2) LaFayette (18–3, .64768) • 3) West Laurens (18–3, .63866) • 4) Harlem (18–6, .63121) • 5) Long County (18–3, .61073)

• Margins are razor thin: The top three are separated by just .010 PSR.
  
• Jefferson gets the nod with the best blend of record and schedule; LaFayette and West Laurens are within reach.
  
• Harlem stays top-five on schedule heft; Long County’s elite WP is excellent, with room to grow via OWP.
  
• Middle-class volatility: Pickens (12–4, #6) through Monroe Area (12–7, #10) can shuffle quickly with a single marquee result.
  

Trending: Cherokee Bluff (9–5, #8) has the OWP (.60213) to surge if the wins stack.

AA (2A): Hebron in front, but watch the strength-of-schedule waveTop 5: 1) Hebron Christian (18–1, .67721) • 2) South Atlanta (8–0, .66664) • 3) Prince Avenue Christian (17–3, .66473) • 4) Pike County (13–2, .66355) • 5) Cook (17–1, .66204)

• Five teams within .015 PSR—the tightest title race on the board.
  
• Hebron has the edge on sustained volume and balanced metrics; South Atlanta is spotless but needs late OWP lifts to grab No. 1.
  
• Prince Avenue, Pike County, Cook form a co-No. 3 tier by the numbers; the final two weeks will be decisive.
  

Depth with punch: Sonoraville (18–4, #6), Rockmart (15–4, #8), Appling (8–4, #9)—clubs that can scare a bracket.

A Division I: Mount Vernon still perfect; Wesleyan and Lamar County lurkTop 5: 1) Mount Vernon (14–0, .70571) • 2) Wesleyan (17–2, .67908) • 3) Lamar County (16–2, .67514) • 4) Gordon Lee (19–4, .65409) • 5) Bacon County (14–2, .64530)

• Mount Vernon blends unbeaten status with a strong OWP (.56424)—that combination produces a class-leading PSR.
  
• Wesleyan and Lamar County are both built for October: high WPs and sturdy schedules.
  
• Gordon Lee has played a big slate (19–4)—that OWP/OOWP ballast makes the Trojans as dangerous as anyone.
  
• Banks County (19–2, #7), Elbert County (18–3, #6), and Jeff Davis (16–5, #8) round out a deep top eight.
  

Dark horses: Dade County (19–4, #9) and Social Circle (18–3, #10)—if the OWP ticks up, so will the PSR.

A Division II: ECI on top; Taylor County and Lanier County headline the chaseTop 5: 1) Emanuel County Institute (17–2, .66686) • 2) Taylor County (16–1, .63416) • 3) Marion County (15–4, .61056) • 4) Lanier County (11–5, .60374) • 5) Wheeler County (13–6, .59390)

• ECI earns No. 1 on overall balance—strong record plus top-end OWP/OOWP for the class.
  
• Taylor County (16–1) is right there; a lighter OWP (.43019) explains the small gap.
  
• Marion, Lanier, Wheeler form a competitive second tier with enough schedule weight to threaten the top two.
  
• Metter (8–6, #10) and Irwin County (14–2, #6) are classic late risers depending on closing-stretch opponents.
  

Keep an eye on: Trion (9–5, #7), Treutlen (10–3, #8), and Clinch (12–4, #9)—compact PSRs mean one signature week can vault any of them.

What today’s table tells us

1. Undefeated ≠ automatic No. 1. In multiple classes—especially 6A and A-D1—an unbeaten mark comes second to a slightly tougher slate.
   
2. Eastside (4A) owns the week’s best PSR (.71873)—that’s elite even by cross-class comparison.
   
3. 6A is a three-program arm-wrestle: Carrollton–Buford–East Coweta, with Tift and North Gwinnett looming.
   
4. AA is the closest race by pure PSR separation across the top five.
   
5. Depth will decide it. With OWP/OOWP now fully “alive,” the final two weeks favor teams that scheduled ambitiously and can cash in late.
   

WEEK 3 OF the GHSA Power Rankings: What the Numbers Say Across Every Classification

The latest GHSA power rankings deliver a clear snapshot of who’s thriving now and who’s built to last into October. Beyond simple win–loss records, these tables weigh who you beat and who your opponents beat, rewarding programs that schedule tough and win anyway. Here’s a newspaper-style dive into the data you shared—by class, with quick takeaways on why teams sit where they do and what to watch next.

How to read the metrics (quick refresher)

• WP (Winning Percentage): Your record, normalized. Beating good teams or bad teams counts the same here.
  
• OWP (Opponents’ Winning %): Strength of schedule—how good your opponents are overall.
  
• OOWP (Opponents’ Opponents’ %): A second-order strength metric that smooths out small-sample quirks.
  
• PSR (Power Score/Rating): A composite that blends winning and schedule strength. Higher = stronger résumé right now. (Exact weighting isn’t published here, but trends are clear: elite records + tough slates drive top PSR.)
  

AAAAAA (6A)Headlines:

• Buford (14–0) sits No. 1 with a spotless WP 1.000 and sturdy PSR 0.711 backed by balanced OWP/OOWP (both ~.54–.58). That combo screams sustainable.
  
• Carrollton (13–0) mirrors the dominance (PSR 0.699) with slightly lower WP factor (.954) but a touch stronger OWP than Buford—hence the tight 1–2 split.
  
• Tift County (11–2) and North Cobb (15–2) both post elite OWP/OOWP (Tift’s are .617/.615), signaling real schedule heft and explaining PSR ~.671–.697 despite not being unbeaten.
  
• East Coweta (13–3) is classic “tests themselves, still wins big” (OWP .643) which props up a top-5 PSR even with three losses.
  
• Depth matters: North Gwinnett (17–2), Harrison (15–3), Brookwood (12–3) all cluster with PSR .624–.658, while North Forsyth (15–6) leverages volume of wins plus respectable OWP to hold top-10.
  

Why some strong records sit lower:

• Archer (9–1) has a great WP and quality team, but OWP .390 drags PSR into the low .60s. As region play thickens, that will normalize.
  
• Denmark (11–2) faces a similar profile—very good team, light OWP (0.372) capping PSR.
  

On the move:

• Mill Creek (8–7) has a modest record, but OWP .634 hints they’ve been through the gauntlet; PSR is already stabilizing and could pop with a win streak.
  
• Richmond Hill (5–6) sports a losing WP but a huge OWP .675—classic “better than the record” indicator.
  

AAAAA (5A)Headlines:

• Veterans (16–2) owns the class at PSR 0.725—best-in-class blend of winning and a meaty OWP .652.
  
• Loganville (14–1) and Creekview (14–2) chase closely; both have elite WP, but slightly lighter OWP/OOWP than Veterans explains the PSR gap.
  
• Coffee (12–5) and South Effingham (9–1) land in the mid-.660s PSR on strong strength metrics (Coffee’s OWP .677 is big-time).
  
• Effingham County (12–4) sits right there too (PSR .659), making 5A’s top six a razor-thin tier.
  

Depth/Parity:

• From Glynn Academy through Alexander, you see sturdy records but thinner OWP samples. Expect reshuffling as region slates add heft.
  
• Houston County is a classic “watch the climb” (WP isn’t sparkling, but OWP .655 is).
  

Underrated résumés:

• Thomas County Central (10–11) is sub-.500, yet the schedule is brutal (OWP .609, OOWP .580) keeping PSR competitive. A .600 week would vault them.
  

AAAA (4A)Headlines:

• Eastside (15–0): flawless WP plus balanced schedule (PSR .724) = clear No. 1.
  
• Kell (15–1) and Harris County (17–4) are built to contend—Harris County’s OWP .605/OOWP .590 is the class’s strength signal that travels in the postseason.
  
• Cambridge (13–3) and Northside-Columbus (16–2) round out a loaded top five where PSR ranges .657–.665—thin margins.
  

Schedule smoke tests:

• Cartersville (17–2) and Ola (14–3) have big WP; lighter OWP suppresses PSR slightly. More ranked matchups could close the gap fast.
  
• Walnut Grove (8–9) shows how a top-end OWP .683 props PSR despite sub-.500—dangerous draw in October.
  

Climbers:

• East Forsyth (9–5) and Blessed Trinity (9–6) carry sturdy schedule factors—watch their PSR trend with any win streak.
  

AAA (3A)Headlines:

• Jefferson (15–1) leads on superior WP + enough schedule (PSR .654).
  
• LaFayette (16–3) and Harlem (15–6) track closely (PSR .635 range); Harlem’s OWP .633 is doing heavy lifting—résumé credibility.
  
• West Laurens (12–3) and Long County (16–3) complete a tight top five, with PSR .614–.619.
  

Depth signs:

• The next tier--Cherokee Bluff, Heritage-Catoosa, North Hall, Dawson County, Pickens—features balanced profiles; small swings in OWP will shuffle spots weekly.
  

Bubble teams to watch:

• Monroe Area, Gilmer, Southeast Bulloch all carry schedule indicators that could pop PSR quickly with a statement win.
  

AA (2A)Headlines:

• A four-team logjam: Prince Avenue Christian, Pike County, Cook, Hebron Christian. All boast elite WP (~.83–.94) with PSR .663–.683. The difference is microscopic and will come down to head-to-head and region strength.
  
• Sonoraville (16–4) holds a strong OWP .590—that sustains a top-six PSR.
  
• South Atlanta (6–0) and Miller Grove (10–0) show perfect or better-than-perfect WP (per normalization), but lighter schedule (OWP ~.35) keeps PSR in check until they stack tougher opponents.
  

Middle pack with upside:

• Pierce County, Jackson, Appling County, Morgan County—solid OWP/OOWP mixes suggest room to rise with a big week.
  

A Division IIHeadlines:

• Emanuel County Institute (16–2) leads on balance (PSR .661), with Taylor County (14–1) close behind (.640) but lighter OWP.
  
• Lanier County, Marion County, Wheeler County provide depth with good WP and respectable schedule strength.
  

Schedule-driven movers:

• Irwin County (13–2): terrific WP, but lighter OWP slows PSR; a few marquee wins would change the math fast.
  
• Trion, Clinch County have decent balance and are positioned to climb with late-season series.
  

A Division IHeadlines:

• Mount Vernon (14–0) and Wesleyan (17–1) headline with elite WP and strong PSR (.716 and .697 respectively).
  
• Lamar County (14–2) is a résumé darling: strong WP and excellent OWP .605, yielding PSR .683—that travels.
  
• Gordon Lee (16–4) sits top-four on schedule heft (OWP .593) plus volume wins.
  
• Bacon County, Elbert County, Banks County fill out a deep top eight where small schedule changes produce real PSR movement week-to-week.
  

Quiet risers:

• Jeff Davis has a “prove-it” OOWP .598—as samples grow, expect PSR elasticity upward if they keep winning.
  
• Thomasville carries terrific OWP (.645) and can surge with consistency.
  

Big Picture Themes

1. Unbeatens vs. résumés: Across classes, undefeated teams lead—but the analytics consistently reward programs pairing great records with demanding slates (see Veterans, Harris County, Lamar County).
   
2. OWP drives October trust: Teams like East Coweta, Coffee, Harris County, Thomas County Central show how strong schedules buoy PSR even with a few losses—signals of postseason resilience.
   
3. Middle-tier volatility: The PSR .53–.60 range is extremely fluid. A single week with two quality wins can swing five to eight places.
   
4. Don’t ignore the “losing record + big OWP” profile: Squads such as Mill Creek (6A), Thomas County Central (5A), Walnut Grove (4A) can be dangerous draws because their numbers reflect gauntlet schedules, not mediocre play.
   

What’s next

• Head-to-head weeks inside regions will finally separate teams with similar PSR.
  
• Tournament weekends (multi-game sets vs quality) are PSR accelerators—expect sharper movement for clubs with stacked slates.
  
• For voters and fans, watch OWP: when a team’s opponents heat up, PSR can rise even on an idle week.
  

If you want, I can spin this into individual class capsules for the GADC site, plus a short “Top Storylines” social caption and a clean Top-5 graphic for each classification.

Class 6A CapsuleTop Line: Buford (14–0) and Carrollton (13–0) headline with perfect résumés; Tift County and North Cobb bring elite schedule strength; East Coweta’s tough slate keeps the Indians firmly in the title tier.
Why they rank:

• Buford — WP 1.000, balanced OWP/OOWP (.537/.579) → best overall PSR profile.
  
• Carrollton — Near-perfect WP (.954) with sturdy OWP (.570) keeps them on Buford’s bumper.
  
• Tift County — OWP/OOWP both ~.615, proving they’re battle-tested.
  
• North Cobb — Volume wins (15–2) + strong OWP (.575) sustain top-4 PSR.
  
• East Coweta — Premium OWP (.643) offsets three losses—postseason-ready mix.
  Movers & Watch: Archer (9–1) has a great record but lighter OWP depresses PSR—for now. Mill Creek (8–7) owns a gauntlet OWP (.634); a streak vaults them. Richmond Hill’s heavy OWP suggests “better than the record.”
  

Class 5A CapsuleTop Line: Veterans (16–2) owns the best blend of winning and schedule; Loganville (14–1) and Creekview (14–2) chase; Coffee and South Effingham round out a razor-thin top six.
Why they rank:

• Veterans — PSR leader (0.725) thanks to WP .883 and elite OWP (.652).
  
• Loganville/Creekview — Elite WPs; slightly lighter OWPs than Veterans explain the gap.
  
• Coffee — OWP .677 puts real weight behind a 12–5 record.
  
• South Effingham/Effingham Co. — Both show sturdy balance; minuscule PSR separation.
  Movers & Watch: Houston County’s OWP (.655) hints at a surge. Thomas County Central (10–11) is the archetypal “dangerous .500 team” due to schedule strength.
  

Class 4A CapsuleTop Line: Eastside (15–0) sits clearly atop; Kell, Harris County, Cambridge, and Northside-Columbus form a packed tier of contenders.
Why they rank:

• Eastside — Flawless WP and balanced strength numbers drive a class-best PSR.
  
• Harris County — OWP/OOWP (.605/.590) travel in October—state-level résumé.
  
• Kell/Cambridge/Northside-Columbus — All carry top-shelf WPs and credible OWP.
  Movers & Watch: Cartersville (17–2) and Ola (14–3) have win totals to rise fast as OWP thickens. Walnut Grove (8–9) has a huge OWP (.683)—upset profile if they string wins.
  

Class 3A CapsuleTop Line: Jefferson (15–1) leads; LaFayette (16–3) and Harlem (15–6) sit on strong schedules; West Laurens (12–3) and Long County (16–3) complete a tight, fluid top five.
Why they rank:

• Jefferson — Superior WP with enough schedule to anchor No. 1 PSR.
  
• LaFayette/Harlem — PSR buoyed by quality OWPs (Harlem .633).
  
• West Laurens/Long County — Balanced sheets, capable of quick PSR gains.
  Movers & Watch: Cherokee Bluff, Heritage-Catoosa, North Hall sit in a volatile middle tier where one marquee week reshuffles everything.
  

Class 2A CapsuleTop Line: Four-team logjam: Prince Avenue Christian, Pike County, Cook, Hebron Christian—elite WP bands with tiny PSR splits.
Why they rank:

• Prince Avenue — WP .925 with balanced strength = thin edge.
  
• Pike County — Big OWP (.638) gives “travels anywhere” credibility.
  
• Cook/Hebron — Both .92–.94 WP territory; PSR awaits a few more heavyweights.
  Movers & Watch: Sonoraville (16–4) owns OWP .590 and can crack the top tier; Pierce County, Jackson, Appling, Morgan have the schedule mix to pop.
  

Class A Division II CapsuleTop Line: Emanuel County Institute (16–2) nudges ahead on overall balance; Taylor County (14–1) is right there; Lanier, Marion, Wheeler form a sturdy tier.
Why they rank:

• ECI — High WP + steady OWP/OOWP (.540/.523) yields top PSR.
  
• Taylor County — Near-perfect WP; slightly lighter OWP explains the narrow second.
  
• Lanier/Marion/Wheeler — Consistent profiles; one signature week could reorder 2–6.
  Movers & Watch: Irwin County’s record impresses; schedule needs toughening to unlock PSR gains. Trion/Clinch poised to jump with region wins.
  

Class A Division I CapsuleTop Line: Mount Vernon (14–0) and Wesleyan (17–1) headline; Lamar County (14–2) is a résumé darling; Gordon Lee anchors the strength-of-schedule crowd.
Why they rank:

• Mount Vernon — Unbeaten with top PSR (.716) and steady strength across the board.
  
• Wesleyan — 17–1 with robust OWP keeps them within striking distance.
  
• Lamar County — WP .913 + OWP .605 = October proof.
  
• Gordon Lee — OWP .593 plus volume wins = high floor, high ceiling.
  Movers & Watch: Bacon, Elbert, Banks form a deep second tier. Jeff Davis’ OOWP (.598) signals upside if wins stack; Thomasville’s OWP (.645) screams riser with consistency.
  

GADC Power Rankings Breakdown of the 2nd Release 

With the newest GHSA power rankings now in, there are big moves across every classification—especially in 6A, 5A, 3A, and A Division I. Below, we stack today’s Power Score Rankings (PSR) against last week’s Georgia Dugout Club (GADC) Top-5 to spotlight risers, fallers, and trends you’ll want to watch heading into the heart of region play.


Class 6A (AAAAAA)Now (PSR Top 5): 1) Carrollton, 2) Buford, 3) East Coweta, 4) North Gwinnett, 5) North Cobb
Week 4 GADC Top-5: 1) East Coweta, 2) Buford, 3) North Gwinnett, 4) Brookwood, 5) Carrollton. 
What changed: Carrollton rockets to No. 1 and Buford holds top-two form, while East Coweta slides from No. 1 to No. 3. Brookwood drops from No. 4 to No. 9 in PSR, and North Cobb climbs into the Top 5. That Carrollton résumé (11-0) and PSR efficiency is the headline.
Teams to watch: Tift County (No. 6) continues a steady build; Harrison (No. 8) and Grovetown (No. 10) round out a crowded second tier.

Class 5A (AAAAA)Now (PSR Top 5): 1) Veterans, 2) Loganville, 3) Coffee, 4) Creekview, 5) South Effingham
Week 4 GADC Top-5: 1) Lassiter, 2) Veterans, 3) Creekview, 4) Northgate, 5) Loganville. 
What changed: Veterans grabs No. 1 and Loganville surges to No. 2. Coffee powers into the Top 3. Week-4 No. 1 Lassiter slips to No. 10 by PSR; Northgate sits No. 11.
Teams to watch: Greenbrier (No. 7) and Jackson County (No. 8) have top-10 PSR footing; Effingham County (No. 6) lurks right outside the first tier.

Class 4A (AAAA)Now (PSR Top 5): 1) Eastside, 2) Kell, 3) Northside-Columbus, 4) Cambridge, 5) Harris County
Week 4 GADC Top-5: 1) Eastside, 2) Kell, 3) Northside-Columbus, 4) Harris County, 5) Allatoona. 

What changed: The top three hold. Cambridge jumps into the Top 5 (No. 4 PSR), while Allatoona slides to No. 15 in PSR despite a strong start.
Teams to watch: Wayne County (No. 6) and Blessed Trinity (No. 7) are trending up; Central-Carroll (No. 9) has balance in its profile.

Class 3A (AAA)Now (PSR Top 5): 1) West Laurens, 2) LaFayette, 3) Harlem, 4) Jefferson, 5) Long County
Week 4 GADC Top-5: 1) Heritage-Catoosa, 2) Cherokee Bluff, 3) Whitewater, 4) West Laurens, 5) Harlem. 
What changed: Massive reshuffle. West Laurens leaps from No. 4 (Week 4 Top-5) to No. 1 PSR. LaFayette (unlisted in the Week-4 Top-5) is now No. 2 PSR. Heritage-Catoosa and Cherokee Bluff—No. 1 and No. 2 last week—sit No. 11 and No. 9 by PSR, respectively.

Teams to watch: Dawson County (No. 8) and North Hall (No. 10) keep piling quality results.

Class 2A (AA)Now (PSR Top 5): 1) Prince Avenue Christian, 2) Hebron Christian, 3) Cook, 4) Sonoraville, 5) Miller Grove
Week 4 GADC Top-5: 1) Cook, 2) Appling County, 3) Sonoraville, 4) Rockmart, 5) Pike County. 
What changed: With classification realignments in play, Prince Avenue Christian and Hebron Christian headline 2A by PSR. Cook stays elite (now No. 3), while Appling (Week-4 No. 2) is No. 11 PSR. Miller Grove debuts high at No. 5 PSR.
Teams to watch: Jackson (No. 8) and Pierce County (No. 10) are building momentum; Rockmart (No. 7) still profiles as dangerous.

Class A Division INow (PSR Top 5): 1) Lamar County, 2) Mount Vernon, 3) Wesleyan, 4) Bacon County, 5) Jeff Davis
Week 4 GADC Top-5 (A private mix reference): Wesleyan, Hebron Christian, Prince Avenue Christian, Trinity Christian, Savannah Christian. (Note: the Week-4 page grouped private programs differently; current PSR reflects 2025 alignment in A-D1.) 
What changed: In the current alignment, Lamar County and Mount Vernon sit 1-2 PSR, with Wesleyan at No. 3. Bacon County remains unbeaten and top-five. The composition of contenders here looks very different from the Week-4 snapshot because of classification distribution and who’s now counted within A-D1 versus other A/AA groupings.
Teams to watch: Model (No. 8) is perfect and climbing; Gordon Lee (No. 9) still reads like a postseason problem.

Fast Takes & Trends

• Carrollton’s rise to No. 1 in 6A is the story up top; unbeaten and balanced.
• Veterans reclaims control of 5A, while Loganville and Coffee have momentum that travels.
• 3A is chaos (in a good way): West Laurens, LaFayette, and Harlem form a new triangle at the top.
• Realignment matters: Private-school powers appearing in 2A and A-D1 shift the center of gravity vs. last week’s Top-5 snapshot.
• Depth in 6A and 4A: Programs 6–12 have enough PSR quality to shuffle the deck weekly.
  
  MORE  FOR EACH CLASSIFICATION
  
  
  Class 7A (AAAAAA) — Carrollton & Buford unbeaten; East Coweta battle-testedTop 5: 1) Carrollton (11–0), 2) Buford (11–0), 3) East Coweta (12–3), 4) North Gwinnett (12–2), 5) North Cobb (12–2)
  Why it matters: Carrollton and Buford open perfect, but East Coweta boasts the best OWP in 7A, signaling the most battle-tested résumé. North Gwinnett and North Cobb mirror each other with elite win% and steady schedule strength.
  Teams to watch: Archer (8–1), Harrison (11–3), Brookwood (10–3), Grovetown (11–3)
  Key storyline: Can the unbeatens hold off an East Coweta group built for heavyweight schedules?
  
  Class 6A (AAAAA) — Veterans owns the top PSR in 6ATop 5: 1) Veterans (14–1), 2) Loganville (10–1), 3) Coffee (10–4), 4) Creekview (13–1), 5) South Effingham (9–1)
  Why it matters: Veterans posts an elite PSR with both win volume and schedule strength. Coffee’s OWP is among the best statewide—four losses against big-time opponents don’t hurt much.
  Teams to watch: Effingham County, Greenbrier, Jackson County, Glynn Academy, Lassiter
  Key storyline: A crowded chase pack sits within striking distance—one 3–0 week flips seeds.
  
  Class 4A (AAAA) — Eastside separates earlyTop 5: 1) Eastside (11–0), 2) Kell (13–1), 3) Northside-Columbus (14–1), 4) Cambridge (11–3), 5) Harris County (15–4)
  Why it matters: Eastside pairs an unbeaten start with a top-tier OWP; Kell’s offense and Northside-Columbus’ depth keep pressure on. Cambridge’s OWP (.635) shows they’re battle-tested.
  Teams to watch: Wayne County, Blessed Trinity, Cartersville, Central-Carroll, East Forsyth
  Key storyline: Will anyone match Eastside’s schedule-proof profile by mid-September?
  
  Class 3A (AAA) — Depth everywhere; margins are tinyTop 5: 1) West Laurens (11–2), 2) LaFayette (13–3), 3) Harlem (13–6), 4) Jefferson (12–1), 5) Long County (13–3)
  Why it matters: Ten teams sit within a few PSR points. Harlem’s OWP is elite; Jefferson’s record is pristine; West Laurens leads on balance.
  Teams to watch: Monroe Area, Lumpkin County, Dawson County, Cherokee Bluff, North Hall
  Key storyline: Weekly volatility—expect constant Top-10 movement as region play heats up.
  
  Class 2A (AA) — Prince Avenue on top; Hebron & Cook right thereTop 5: 1) Prince Avenue Christian (13–1), 2) Hebron Christian (11–1), 3) Cook (13–1), 4) Sonoraville (13–4), 5) Miller Grove (8–0)
  Why it matters: PAC owns the best PSR; Hebron/Cook are nearly even; Sonoraville’s OWP (.609) says they’re forged by schedule.
  Teams to watch: Pike County, Rockmart, Jackson, South Atlanta, Pierce County
  Key storyline: PAC vs. Hebron feels inevitable—unless Sonoraville or Cook steals the bracket.
  
  Class A Division II — Tight top-8; Taylor leads… barelyTop 5: 1) Taylor County (10–1), 2) ECI (13–2–1), 3) Marion County (10–3), 4) Lanier County (9–4), 5) Wheeler County (11–4)
  Why it matters: Taylor opens No. 1, but ECI, Marion, and Lanier all boast OWP/OOWP profiles that can flip the top spot quickly.
  Teams to watch: Irwin County, Treutlen, Miller County, Metter, Crawford County
  Key storyline: Parity defines the class—one hot week changes everything.
  
  Class A Division I — A stacked group of unbeatens + bluebloodsTop 5: 1) Lamar County (11–1), 2) Mount Vernon (12–0), 3) Wesleyan (12–0), 4) Bacon County (12–0), 5) Jeff Davis (9–3)
  Why it matters: Lamar owns a sizable PSR edge thanks to elite OWP. Mount Vernon, Wesleyan, and Bacon are perfect; Jeff Davis carries heavyweight OOWP.
  Teams to watch: Dade County, Elbert County, Model, Gordon Lee, Thomasville
  Key storyline: Four unbeatens + Gordon Lee/Jeff Davis experience—seeding will hinge on head-to-heads.