GA Power 25: Week 1
February 22, 2021
The first week of the 2021 season is in the books, which means it is time for our first official update to the GA Power 25. The first week of the season was a chilly one, but after almost a year off from baseball, schools around the state were more than ready to brave the cold.
From now on, throughout the high school season, each and every Monday we will be updating the GA Power 25. We will be tracking the progress of schools and giving you the top headlines from the previous week, As the weather gets warmer, the top-25 will likely look different than it does today, especially when May rolls around.
Here are the top headlines coming out of the first week of the season, Feb. 15 to 21.
Buford Rolls
+ No. 1 Buford (3-0): The Wolves received a lot of preseason hype, and rightfully so, with a talent laden roster. They challenged themselves right from the get-go with an opening day matchup against 7A titans Preseason No. 7 Parkview. RHP Dylan Lesko (2022; Vanderbilt), OF/RHP Riley Stanford (2022; Georgia Tech) and co. took care of business as they tossed a combined no-hitter in their 3-0 victory. The strong pitching continued into the weekend where the Wolves recorded two more wins, 7-2 over Lambert and 2-0 over Mill Creek. We knew the pitching staff was going to be a strong one, so far they have only allowed two runs in 21 innings. This could be a special season for the Wolves.
Dylan Lesko
Georgia Dugout Club
+ No. 2 Houston County (3-0): The Bears breezed through their group at the GDC Tournament, outscoring opponents 28 to 7. Their biggest win came against Preseason No. 21 Walton, and they won in a big way, 17-3. Houston County has a big week ahead. They host Veterans on Tuesday, and then have three games on the weekend, two against Hartselle (AL) and one against Locust Grove. The bullpen may be stretched on the weekend, so that will be something to watch.
+ No. 3 Carrollton (4-0): The Trojans had the most impressive week out of any team in the Power 25. Carrollton went a perfect 3-0 in the Group of Death (Preseason No. 2 North Paulding, No. 5 Carrollton, No. 6 Blessed Trinity, Locust Grove) at the GDC. They played two instant classics against North Paulding and Blessed Trinity on Saturday night. The North Paulding game was a close affair until C Bear Madliak (2021; Georgia) gave the Trojans an 8-4 lead in the 6th inning with his three run homer. Then, in the finale, LHP Colton Cosper (2021; Mercer) was lights out as he tossed a complete game shutout against Blessed Trinity. Carrollton returns to LakePoint this weekend for the second weekend of the GDC Tournament, where they will face Ola, Campbell and Etowah.
Bear Madliak
+ No. 5 North Paulding (2-1): The Preseason No. 2-ranked team, North Paulding drops three spots, but still remain the top-ranked 7A team in the state. RHP/SS Mitchell Heer (2021; Walters St.) had one of the best single game performances we saw all weekend when he struck out 14 over six innings in North Paulding’s 8-2 win over Blessed Trinity. As we mentioned above, the Wolfpack did drop a game to Carrollton, but it was a very competitive game that could have gone either way. North Paulding is also back at LakePoint this weekend for the second weekend of the GDC. They will play Cedartown, No. 13 Pope, and West Forsyth.
+ No. 6 Allatoona (3-0): The Buccaneers quietly went about their business at the GDC as they swept St. Pius X, Savannah Christian, and Redan, outsourcing them 27-4. They should see more of a challenge at the second weekend of the GDC Tournament. Allatoona will be in a tough group with No. 8 Blessed Trinity, Walton and East Coweta.
+ No. 8 Blessed Trinity (1-2): It is tough to knock the Titans too far down the rankings after they went up against two of the state’s best teams this weekend. Blessed Trinity had an early lead against North Paulding, but were unable to keep the pressure on, falling 8-2. Their 1-0 loss to Carrollton easily could have gone either way. However, as it stands the Titans are 1-2. It does not get any easier this week either, as they will come to LakePoint for the second weekend of the GDC. As we mentioned above, they will be in a group with No. 6 Allatoona, Walton and East Coweta.
+ No. 13 Pope (2-1): The Greyhounds drop one spot in the Power 25 after dropping the pool deciding game this weekend to Whitewater, 1-0. Pope rolled their first two opponents of the event, beating Creekview 8-1 and Walnut Grove 15-6. But the offense could not get going against Whitewater. The Greyhounds will have a busy week. They host Roswell on Tuesday, and then are back to LakePoint for the second weekend of the GDC to take on No. 5 North Paulding, West Forsyth and Cedartown.
Movers
+ No. 10 Harris County (3-0), No. 11 Winder-Barrow (3-0), & No. 12 Brookwood (3-0): All three schools are the biggest movers this week, jumping up three spots.
+ No. 14 Parkview (0-2): A rare 0-2 start for the Panthers has them falling from No. 7 to No. 14 this week. Parkview opened up the season against No. 1 Buford, dropping the game 3-0. They could not get the bats going in game two against Mountain View, losing 3-1. The positive thing is the pitching staff is keeping the Panthers in games. Parkview is back in action today at Lassiter, and then they host Lovett and No. 15 Wayne County this weekend in the Georgia Peach Tournament.
+ No. 21 Calhoun (1-2): Calhoun was pegged as one of the favorites in 5A entering 2021, but have experienced a less than stellar start to the season. They split their season opening series with Cherokee and then dropped a game against West Forsyth 5-3. The Yellow Jackets will have a week to get things straight, before they open up region play against a very dangerous No. 8 Blessed Trinity.
+ No. 24 Lassiter (4-0): The first newcomer to the Power 25, Lassiter had a big opening week. They started the season by taking down Preseason No. 21 Walton 11-8 and then shutout Cartersville 2-0 the following day. Over the weekend, they took a trip to Hoover, AL and recorded two extremely impressive victories over PBR Alabama Class 7A ranked teams. The Trojans defeated No. 6 Sparkman 7-4 and in the second game of a double header beat No. 1 Hoover 8-4. Lassiter hosts No. 14 Parkview today, travel to Milton on Wednesday and host North Cobb on Friday.
GA Power 25
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