Five ranked Division II teams suffer losses in Week 1

Storm clouds approach the stadium as the Milton defense huddles up against Buford in the first half at Milton High School, Friday, August 16, 2024, in Milton, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Storm clouds approach the stadium as the Milton defense huddles up against Buford in the first half at Milton High School, Friday, August 16, 2024, in Milton, Ga. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Schley County and Telfair County fell out of the AJC’s top-10 after losses in the opening games of the season, and three of the new Class A Division II top-five teams, including top-ranked Bowdon, also lost.

It was an eventful Week 1.

Schley County, ranked fifth, lost to unranked Seminole County 32-14, allowing Seminole to move to No. 8 in the division. It was one of the most surprising results across the state in the opening week.

Telfair County, ranked 10th, lost to Class A Division I Lamar County 24-8 and was replaced with Metter in the top-10. Bowdon remained at the top spot in the poll after a 36-35 loss to Fellowship Christian.

Irwin County climbed two spots after beating Class A Division I No. 4 Fitzgerald 19-13. Brooks County slid to No. 3 after its 35-12 loss to Thomasville, the No. 6-ranked team in Class A Division I.

Manchester, ranked No. 4, lost its opener to Class 4A Harris County 16-8. Clinch County won its opener and climbed one spot in the poll after a 36-21 victory against unranked Class A Division I Bacon County.

Bryan County defeated Class 3A Johnson-Savannah 20-12 and moved up from No. 7 to No. 6. Greene County opened with a 28-20 victory against Putnam County and ascended from No. 8 to No. 7.

Class A Division II rankings

1. (1) Bowdon (0-1)

2. (4) Irwin County (1-0)

3. (2) Brooks County (0-1)

4. (3) Manchester (0-1)

5. (6) Clinch County (1-0)

6. (7) Bryan County (1-0)

7. (8) Greene County (1-0)

8. (NR) Seminole County (1-0)

9. (9) Trion (1-0)

10. (NR) Metter (0-0)

Out: No. 5 Schley County, No. 10 Telfair County