Class 6A Boys State Meet Preview

                                             

                                                                    Will Marietta (above) go undefeated against GA competition this season? Answer:  Highly Likely

 

                                                                                                                   6A Boys Team:

                        

 

 

                                                                                                            Team Race Analysis

 

After Marietta, the team battle is intense.  The rankings have changed a good bit all season, and there are quite a few teams that should be considered contenders.  Could Brookwood hold an advantage with such a tight 1-5 pack?  Brookwood is still Brookwood, and Coach Dehnke always has his guys ready for the big one as evidenced by last year’s title.  That pack could be the answer in such a wide open field.  Teams like Walton and Mill Creek have more ‘star’ power at the top, but do they have the depth at #5 to hang with the likes of Brookwood or Milton - another team with a tight 1-5 split (only 34 seconds en route to their region championship)?  Coach Carr certainly wants to prove his team’s worth at State.  Etowah lost a little bit of ground at their region meet but are still a threat led by a strong senior duo.  Peachtree Ridge, led by Isaac Penman, have faded since the early part of the season, but first year head coach Matt Adams will surely be out for redemption.  South Forsyth, once ranked #2 in 6A, will attempt to prove their worth following some impressive races.  They did just lose to region and county foe West Forsyth though.  Could there be two Forsyth County schools on the podium when the dust and woodchips settle?  Other teams that should be taken seriously include Lakeside-Dekalb, Harrison, Lambert, Kennesaw Mountain, Parkview, and Cherokee.  In a team race where there is a great mix of ‘new’ talent with ‘historic’ talent, it’ll be quite entertaining.  If you’re doing anything besides watching this race at 1:25pm in Carrollton on Saturday, you’re doing something less cool.  Seriously.  Be there.

 

 

                                                                                                               6A Individuals:

                                

                       Sanders                            Benson                       O'Brien                               Bailey                                     Slavic                                    Costa            

 

In a year where there isn’t a heavy favorite, this could be one for the ages.  Khayvonn Benson led the 6A charge at Coach Wood and was also the top GA finisher at Great American, so if there could be a favorite, he’s the likely candidate.  Teammate Jack Henderson has been great as well – could he challenge his teammate?  Sam Costa of Mill Creek easily won his region championship and was a mere second behind Benson at Great American.  He’s looked better than ever down the stretch of this season.  Mitchell Sanders, another region champion, won his first race of the season following 2 runner up finishes.  Owen Bailey of Woodstock finished top 10 at the unofficial ‘all-class’ state meet – could he pull the mild upset?  Davis Stockwell of Lakeside-Dekalb and Dax Willette of Rockdale had a classic battle at their region meets.  Both of them have the talent to be considered serious contenders.  Others looking to keep in touch and go for the victory include Tyler Scarbrough of Cherokee, Andrew Singh of Walton, Tyler Barber of Mountain View, John Green of West Forsyth, Ryan Peppenhorst of South Forsyth, and Jonathan Schwind of Lambert.