It appears Wheeler will be the team to beat when the Region 6AAAAA boys track and field championships begin today at Roswell High School's Ray Manus Stadium.

The meet will begin at 5 p.m. with finals in the long jump, high jump, shot put and 1,600-meter, as well as the running event preliminaries. It will conclude Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m., with finals in the triple jump and discus, as well as the remainder of the running events.

Meanwhile, Sprayberry and Hillgrove are expected to be among the top contenders in the Region 7AAAA boys meet today and Monday in Dalton.

The top two finishers in each event will qualify for the boys state championships May 13-15 in Jefferson.

Wheeler, which is coming off a convincing win in last month's Cobb County meet, is strong all across the board, especially in the sprints, hurdles and relays.

The Wildcats feature a number of athletes who are ranked among the region's best in their respective events, including Jordan Thompson in both hurdles events and Jamal Tiller in the triple jump, 400 relay and 1,600 relay.

Also expected to contend for Wheeler are Steven Lester (100, 200), Paris Carson (400, long jump) and Cole Jackob (800).

Walton is expected to contend for a top-three spot in the team standings with a strong contingent in the field events. Braylon Williams is favored in the high jump, while Chris Foster and William Kent are strong contenders in the long jump and discus, respectively.

Reigning region champion Kell will be led by Jordan Chambers in the shot put, Brian Randolph in the 100 and 200 and Shyam Kapadia in the 3,200.

Pope will also be aiming for a high standing, with Zach Tupper leading the way in the 3,200 and Courtland Garrett in the shot put and discus.

Lassiter will feature a couple of strong individual contenders, with James Pate expected to contend in the pole vault and Alexander Reece in the 400.

In Region 7AAAA, Sprayberry will aim for a team title with a squad strong in the sprints, hurdles, jumps and relays.

The Yellow Jackets have contenders in all three of the sprinting events, including Jerrick McKinnon and P.J. Stone in the 100, Michael Newton in the 200 and 400 and Kasey Rollins in the 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles.

McKinnon, who is bound for Georgia Southern on a football scholarship, and Kevin Gill are also expected to contend in the long jump, while Stone and Gill are contenders in the triple jump.

Hillgrove's strength lies mainly in the field events. Stephen Payne is a favorite in the high jump, Georgia Tech football signee Synjyn Days is expected to contend in the long jump and Rodney Tew is a contender in the discus. The Hawks will also be led by Dominic Padgett (100) and Chesley McNeil (100 hurdles).

Henry Stevens-Carty is the heavy favorite to win both the 800 and 1,600 runs for Allatoona, while Scott Lewis is a favorite in the shot put.