Three days before football season kicks off with Saturday's Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia Dome, 50 of the state's top high school programs were voted into the top 10 of their respective classifications in the Associated Press' preseason poll.

Two Cobb County teams made the list with Lassiter tying Woodstock for ninth place in Class AAAAA and Hillgrove taking No. 9 by itself in Class AAAA.

When asked how it felt to be in the top 10, Lassiter coach Chip Lindsey and Hillgrove counterpart Phil Ironside admitted they didn't even know a poll had come out yet, but were pleased nonetheless.

"I think it's a surprise (we are in the poll), considering we had to replace a lot of guys from last year," Lindsey said. "But I think it is something we can be proud of and it points to us moving in the right direction with our program."

Lindsey wasn't able to say the last time the Trojans were in a preseason poll, but knows it was before he took over a year ago. In 2007, Lassiter finished with a 3-7 record and had to earn respect in '08 before breaking into the polls after a few victories.

Regardless of whether his team is in the poll or not, Lindsey said they can't be taken too seriously early on.

"Preseason polls are really just that - preseason," he said. "We sure do have a lot of work to do to even earn up to being in the polls, but at the same time, we really do think it is a great honor for our players."

After its state title a year ago, Camden County was voted the top school in Class AAAAA. The Wildcats were followed by Peachtree Ridge, Lowndes, Grayson, Northside-Warner Robins, Newnan, North Gwinnett and Stephenson before Lassiter and Woodstock wrapped the top 10.

Kell and Harrison also earned votes from the pollsters, but could not crack the top 10.

As for Hillgrove, Ironside said the Hawks' poll status was a result of the team making great strides on the field last season to earn the program some respect.

"I would say, last year, nobody thought much about us because we were brand new and people didn't know what to think," Ironside said. "We beat some people last year. I guess (being in the poll) is good for the school and good for the kids. Now, we just have to go out and win some games to stay there."

Reigning champ Tucker was ranked No. 1 in Class AAAA, followed by Southwest DeKalb and Hillgrove's Region 7AAAA, foe Rome. Marist and Griffin rounded out the top five, followed by Sandy Creek, Westside-Macon and Statesboro. Brunswick followed Hillgrove in 10th.

Carver-Columbus, the only one of the state's five preseason No. 1s not coming off a state championship, led Class AAA. Last year's state champ, Cairo, ranked fifth.

Title-winners Buford (Class AA) and Wesleyan (Class A) were also ranked No. 1.