Schools fare well in polls

Soccer season has recently begun, and the state coach's poll has been released.

The biggest winner of the preseason poll is the Lakeside boys team. The Panthers are ranked No. 4 in Class-AAAA after making it to the state quarterfinals last season before losing, 3-2, to state runner-up Dalton.

The Lakeside girls team also received preseason recognition, landing in the sixth spot in the rankings. The Lady Panthers are replacing a number of starters from a team that lost to Marist, 3-2, in the state championship game. Returning are Susanne Rogers and Ashley Wray.

"I think we can be real good this season," Rogers said recently. "I don't know if we can be as good as we were last season, but we will still be a strong team."

The Greenbrier girls squeaked into the top 10 at the No. 9 spot.

The Lady Wolfpack return most of their best players from a team that lost on penalty kicks to St. Pius in the state quarterfinals.

Harlem, coming off a 20-2 season, was ranked No. 7 to start the season after finishing last year ranked No. 6.

The Lady Bulldogs, who have returned most of their starters, lost their season opener, 4-2, to Evans.

The Greenbrier boys and Evans boys teams received votes in Class AAAA.

"I think the kids really pay attention to rankings and it gives them an opportunity to see what everyone else in the state is doing," said Evans coach Brian Killips. "But I really don't care right now. The end of the year rankings are the only ones that matter."

Soccer Rankings

Class AAAA Boys

1. Woodward

2. Dalton

3. McIntosh

4. Lakeside

5. Salem

6. St. Pius

7. Clarke Central

8. Marist

9. Lakeside-DeKalb

10. Chapel Hill

Class AAAA Girls

1. Marist

1. McIntosh

3. St. Pius

4. Woodward

5. Forsyth Central

6. Lakeside

7. Rockdale County

8. Heritage

9. Greenbrier

10. Chapel Hill

Class AAA Girls

1. Westminster

2. Spalding

3. Blessed Trinity

4. Gainesville

5. Richmond Hill

6. Johnson

7. Harlem

8. Columbus

9. St. Vincent's

10. South Effingham