Boys AAAAAA Preview
Team Race For the Win:
#1 ranked and 6A undefeated Pope Greyhounds are the favorite to take home the top spot, but not as much as they may have been a month ago. #2 ranked Cambridge Bears have been hard charging since Early Oct. and almost upset them at Region 7, losing by a mere 4 points. When these 2 teams saw each other in late August, Pope won by 26.
Fighting for the Podium:
Take your pick: Alexander, Harrison, Creekview, Richmond Hill all have a chance to finish 3rd. Alexander and Richmond Hill are very good teams that have Podium experience, but not much head to head results against other top 6A teams this season. Harrison is an up and down team with 3 big wins this season, but have some bad losses as well. Creekview has been running well of late, narrowly missing a Region 6 win.
Rounding out the Top 10:
So many teams are running well when it counts. Any of Northview, Alpharetta, Allatoona, Dacula, Dalton, Greenbrier or Gainesville could upset the above teams and possible find themselves on the final spot of the Podium.
Saturday's race could be sunny and warm. So, besides who can handle the hills of Carrollton the best, it may come down to who can handle the rough conditions as well. This is a deep 6A field and the results will be exc
The Individual Race
Allatoona's Adrian Hernandez is the favorite to win. After finishing 3rd in last year's race, he the top returner for 2017. He has victories at Berry, Cobb County, Coach Wood and Region 6. He is averaging 15:43 for the year.
Other boys who could find their way into the top 10 are:
Mekhi Williams, Alexander, 2nd Region 5
Robert Zell, River Ridge, 2nd Region 6
Jacob Brennaman, Pope, 3rd Region 7
Sully Shelton, Harrison, 3rd Region 6
Mugisha Beinvenu, Gainesville, 1st Region 8
Adan Rodriguez, Dalton, 4th Region 6 (6th at 2016 State)
Austin Muse, Alexander, 3rd Region 5
GIRLS
Team Race For the Win:
The battle for the top spot of the podium will be tighter than once expected. Creekview upset defending Region/State Champion Harrison for their 1st loss by a 6A team since early in the 2016 season. While it was a narrow win, it shows the Lady Hoyas vulnerability. But can Creekview overcome Harrison's depth in larger race which favors the defending champs. If those two are watching, the Lady Bears from Cambridge have been hard charging of late and could sneak up and beat both of them. And don't forget about Alexander's Lady Cougars as they have put together quite a back half of a season scoring just 18 points at their Region meet.
Fighting for the Podium:
In 2016, Region 7 held 3 of the Podium spots, so we lest we forget about the toughest Region in 6A: Johns Creek, Alpharetta and Dunwoody. All 3 teams will make a very hard charge to get back to the trophy Stand.
Rounding out the Top 10:
Region Champs should never be counted out, so watch out for Dacula, Lakeside Evans and Richmond Hill to make a run at the top 10. Heritage gave Lakeside Evans a big fight at Region so they could make a move too. And don't buck the Lady Bucs of Allatoona. With a good day, they could make the top 10 as well.