High school soccer has hit down-the-stretch time, and teams across the state are jockeying for position for the top seedings before the state tournament begins April 24.
Here's an update on some of top boys teams in each classification:
Class AAAAAAA
Notable: In the state's highest classification, the Norcross boys team is coming off a thrilling Region 7-AAAAAAA victory against Parkview (3-2) after suffering its first loss to Lakeside-DeKalb on March 27 (2-1). Second-ranked Walton has shut out its last two opponents, Cherokee and North Cobb, 3-0 and 6-0, respectively, heading into its match against Parkview on April 7.
Where's the defending champion? Meadowcreek, which defeated Pebblebrook 2-0 in the title game last year, is unranked.
Class AAAAAA
Notable: Top-ranked Dalton has dropped only two games this season – Feb. 20 vs. Fort Payne (Ala.), 1-0; March 9 vs. Northwest Whitfield, 3-2. In their last five games, the Catamounts have outscored opponents 37-2 with four shutouts. Second-ranked Chattahoochee lost to Class AAA No. 1 Westminster on March 24 (1-0) before rebounding against Johns Creek three days later with a 4-0 victory.
Where's the defending champion? Chattahoochee defeated Gainesville 2-0 last year and is ranked No. 2.
Class AAAAA
Notable: Decatur appears to be the team to beat in Class AAAAA. It only has lost one match this season, to No. 2 McIntosh on Feb. 6, and is riding an 11-game winning streak. It has a slim hold on the No. 1 ranking. McIntosh, at No. 2, has lost three matches this year, including a 2-1 loss to Druid Hills on March 23.
Where's the defending champion? McIntosh, which defeated Clarkston 2-1 last season, is lurking.
Class AAAA
Notable: Marist is at the top of Class AAAA again this week despite falling to Class AAAAA Starr's Mill on March 28 (1-0). Marist has lost only two games this season and has a five-game winning streak. No. 2 Chestatee lost to Marist on March 20 (1-0) before regaining traction against White County (2-0) on March 27.
Where's the defending champion? Southeast Whitfield, which defeated Druid Hills 3-2 last year, is ranked No. 8.
Class AAA
Notable: Westminster is riding a 12-game winning streak which includes a streak of five games without allowing a goal. Its only blemish, if you want to call it that, is a 1-1 tie to Buford on Feb. 3. Westminster responded to the tie with blowout victories against Redan (11-0) and McNair (15-0) at the beginning of its streak.
Where's the defending champion? Right where it wants to be. No. 1. Westminster defeated Pace 2-1 in the championship game last season.
Class AA
Notable: Putnam County holds the top ranking in Class AA and is riding a six-game winning streak, which includes shutouts of Banks County (6-0) and Social Circle (3-0) in recent weeks. But second-ranked Benedictine is charging. The Cadets are riding a nine-game winning streak (all shutouts) since losing to Lakeside on Feb. 16.
Where's the defending champion? No. 2 Benedictine is riding momentum into the postseason after defeating Coosa 4-1 in last year's state title game.
Class A
Notable: Top-ranked Paideia has not lost a match since Feb. 10 against Grady (3-1), and in the span of 12 games, has eight shutout victories. Paideia is holding off a Whitefield Academy team that's trying to recover from back-to-back losses to Westminster and Southeast Whitfield on March 23 and 24, respectively.
Where's the defending champion? Whitefield Academy, ranked second, defeated Walker 2-1 in last year's state title game.
Boys Rankings: Week 7
Class AAAAAAA
1. Norcross
2. Walton
3. Central Gwinnett
4. Grayson
5. Hillgrove
6. Lambert
7. Lakeside-DeKalb
8. South Forsyth
9. Collins Hill
10. Parkview
Class AAAAAA
1. Dalton
2. Chattahoochee
3. Cambridge
4. Gainesville
5. Alpharetta
6. Greenbrier
7. Dacula
8. Heritage-Conyers
9. Allatoona
10. Sprayberry
Class AAAAA
1. Decatur
2. McIntosh
3. Carrollton
4. Cross Keys
5. Johnson-Gainesville
6. Clarkston
7. Clarke Central
8. Rome
9. Grady
10. Veterans
Class AAAA
1. Marist
2. Chestatee
3. Northwest Whitfield
4. Blessed Trinity
5. Woodward Academy
6. Upson-Lee
7. Columbus
8. Southeast Whitfield
9. Druid Hills
10. Perry
Class AAA
1. Westminster
2. North Murray
3. Windsor Forest
4. East Hall
5. Greater Atlanta Christian
6. Savannah Arts
7. Lovett
8. Fannin County
9. Stone Mountain
10. Pike County
Class AA
1. Putnam County
2. Benedictine
3. Jefferson County
4. Harlem
5. Thomasville
6. Model
7. Westside-Augusta
8. Pepperell
9. Vidalia
10. Callaway
Class A
1. Paideia
2. Whitefield Academy
3. Atlanta International
4. Pinecrest Academy
5. Athens Academy
6. Savannah Country Day
7. Wesleyan
8. Providence Christian
9. Brookstone
10. St. Anne Pacelli
