Evans softball coach Colette Cassedy has had many talented teams in her 20 years with the school. However, her 2008 squad might be her best yet.

"Ever since I've been here, we've gone .500 or better," Cas-sedy said. "But this team is up there with any of the teams I've had."

The Knights got off to a fast start this season, going unbeaten in their first eight games (7-0-1). That early success vaulted them to the top spot of the Class AAAA GaSports.com/GACA Softball Coaches Poll on Aug. 26, the high-est ranking in Evans softball history.

"I don't put a lot of stock into it. It's a nice gesture but I make my girls come out here and do it on the field. It's not what's said or read, it's what you do on the field," Cassedy said.

Much of what has carried the Knights to the top of the polls has been a desire to take care of unfinished business from the 2007 state playoffs. Last season, Evans came within one win of reaching the state finals in Columbus, Ga., a feat no current Knights player has achieved.

"They could taste it last year," Cassedy said. "They got a vision of it; a glimpse of it. That's where they want to make it."

If the Knights' championship dreams get buried again in 2008, it won't be Greenbrier holding the shovel.

The Wolfpack made the jump this season to Class AAAAA, where they are currently 15-2 and ranked second in the state. Their departure from Region 3-AAAA makes Evans the favorite to win the region for the first time since 2003. Yet, Cassedy isn't overjoyed.

"It was sad. I wanted them in our region," Cassedy said. "It makes our region stronger and helps prepare you in the latter part of the season for postseason play."

The Knights dropped to fourth in the state after a poor showing at their own tournament last weekend, the Evans Invitational at Patriots Park. Evans lost three games, two of them to Class AAAAA schools. The rough weekend came one day after junior pitcher Jenny Shepherd struck out 15 and hit a three-run homer to lead Evans to a 12-0 rout of Social Circle.

This season might be Evans' best chance at claiming the school's first-ever state title in softball.

"I've always told my team 'We don't brag,' " Cassedy said. "If people want to come watch you play, to see if you're good or not, they can come watch you. You don't have to tell them."