Eight Greats Around the State: Big Tests, Bounce-Back Opportunities and Statement Games Highlight our Week 4 GHSA Football Previews – Part II

Posted on September 10, 2026 by admin

Week 4 brings another slate of intriguing matchups across the GHSA as several teams look to make a statement while others try to bounce back from tough losses. This is Part II of our weekly feature, Eight Greats Around the State as we look at so,e of the more instriguing matchups in the GHSA this week. Jackson County puts its unbeaten record on the line against a North Oconee team that has also gotten off to a strong start, while Lee County welcomes perennial powerhouse Colquitt County in one of the week’s biggest tests. Marist and Brookwood will square off in a battle between two teams that have been dominant on the ground, and Prince Avenue Christian meets Greater Atlanta Christian in a matchup featuring two talented unbeaten teams. With strong starts, explosive offenses and plenty of questions still to be answered, these four games should provide some of the most telling results of Week 4.

Jackson County vs North Oconee – The Jackson County Panthers will face their toughest test of the season when they host North Oconee in the first meeting between the two programs in 13 years. Jackson County has raced out to a fast start behind a dominant rushing attack, while North Oconee enters the matchup at 3-0 for the fifth consecutive season.

Lee County vs Colquitt County – The Lee County Trojans return home after a dramatic road victory over Sequoyah and will face another major test when Colquitt County comes to town. The Trojans have been balanced offensively and have plenty of weapons. Colquitt County has rebounded nicely from its season-opening loss to Thomas County Central, dominating its last two opponents by a combined 90-6.

Marist vs Brookwood – The Marist War Eagles return from their bye week with a 2-0 record and will host Brookwood in the first meeting between the two programs. Both teams have been dominant on the ground to start the season, setting up what should be a physical battle in the trenches. Marist has allowed just one field goal through two games, while Brookwood has been nearly unstoppable offensively, outscoring its opponents 143-35.

Prince Avenue Christian vs Greater Atlanta – Prince Avenue Christian and Greater Atlanta Christian both enter this matchup with plenty of time to prepare after each team was off last week. The Wolverines have played just one game so far, but they picked up a seven-point win over Thomson. GAC has also opened the season with a pair of seven-point victories over quality 4A opponents.


As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

The Skinny

The Jackson County Panthers will have their toughest test of the season as they host North Oconee. This is the first meeting between the two teams in 13 years. The Panthers look to continue their fast start behind an offense that is generating 411 yards per game. The ground game has been the focal point of the offense, as the Panthers have rushed for 614 yards through their first three games.

Daylan Maxwell leads all Jackson County ball carriers with 305 yards on 40 carries and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, quarterback Ben Musser has rushed for 275 yards on just 17 carries with six touchdowns. Musser has also thrown for 208 yards and added a touchdown through the air. Noah Norwood leads the team with four receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Noah Bade leads the way with 21 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, while Maher Magness has recorded 18 total tackles and a tackle for loss. Senior safety Tyler Mobbs is third on the team with 17 total tackles.

The North Oconee Titans are off to their fifth straight 3-0 start. The Titans have been powered offensively by their ground game, with senior running back Joby McCannon rushing for more than 400 yards and four touchdowns during the young season. North Oconee is averaging 32.3 points per game.

Over the last two games, quarterback Brooks Benton has completed 70 percent of his passes for 223 yards and a touchdown. While the Titans have leaned on the ground game, Benton has shown he can make plays through the air when called upon.

The North Oconee defense has also come up big during the young season, allowing just 18.3 points per game. Mack Collins helps anchor the defensive front, while Kevin Millington and Harrison Luke patrol the secondary.

Keys to the Game

Jackson County Panthers

  • Establish the ground game: Daylan Maxwell and Ben Musser need to set the tone early.
  • Protect the football: North Oconee’s secondary has the ability to change the game with turnovers.
  • Control the clock: A strong rushing attack can keep the Titans’ offense on the sideline.
  • Limit Joby McCannon: The Panthers need to slow down North Oconee’s explosive running back.

North Oconee Titans

  • Stop the run: The Titans must find a way to slow down Jackson County’s dominant rushing attack.
  • Contain Ben Musser: Musser’s ability to make plays with his legs creates another dimension for the Panthers.
  • Win the turnover battle: Kevin Millington and the secondary need to take advantage of any mistakes.
  • Stay balanced offensively: Brooks Benton will need to make enough plays through the air to keep Jackson County from loading the box.

Prediction

The Titans’ defense might be the difference-maker in this matchup. Ben Musser will need to be aware of where Kevin Millington and the rest of North Oconee’s ball-hawking secondary are at all times. The Panthers cannot afford to give the Titans extra possessions with costly turnovers.

On the other side, if Musser and Daylan Maxwell can get the ground game going, it could spell trouble for the Titans. Jackson County has been extremely effective running the football, and a successful rushing attack could allow the Panthers to control the clock and wear down North Oconee’s defense as the game progresses.

We expect North Oconee to keep this one close, but ultimately believe the Jackson County ground game will be too much for the Titans to handle late.

Jackson County by 7

The Skinny

The Lee County Trojans used special teams and defense to overcome Sequoyah on the road last week. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Trojans as they welcome the Packers from Moultrie. The Trojans are averaging 240.7 yards per game through the air and 190 yards per game on the ground.

Lee County has used a two-quarterback system, taking advantage of the arm strength of Cohen Lawson and the running ability of Jordan Bush. Lawson is completing 70.8 percent of his passes for 722 yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Bush has rushed for a team-high 221 yards and three touchdowns. He has also completed three of five passes for 54 yards and a touchdown.

When the Trojans go to the air, they will likely be targeting Jaden Upshaw. The Texas A&M commit has caught 25 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns. Upshaw also scored the go-ahead touchdown on a punt return last week to secure the victory. The Lee County defense has recorded eight sacks and forced four turnovers through the first three games.

The Colquitt County Packers have bounced back from their Week 1 loss to Thomas County Central by winning their last two games. The Packers have outscored their last two opponents by a combined score of 90-6.

Colquitt County is averaging 189.3 yards per game through the air and 105.3 yards per game on the ground. Khi Mitchellhas thrown for 564 yards and six touchdowns, with Antwan Lockett emerging as his top target. The Georgia Tech commit has caught 18 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.

The Packers have relied on Mitchell (15 carries, 112 yards), Jason Stephenson Jr. (25 carries, 99 yards, 2 TDs) and Denim Lewis (21 carries, 65 yards, 3 TDs) to power the ground game. Defensively, the Packers have forced seven turnovers and recorded five sacks.

Keys to the Game

Lee County Trojans

  • Keep the pressure on: The Trojans need to challenge the Colquitt County secondary throughout the game.
  • Get Lawson and Bush involved: The two-quarterback system gives Lee County multiple ways to attack the Packers.
  • Get Upshaw the football: Jaden Upshaw is a game-changing playmaker who can impact the game on offense and special teams.
  • Limit Khi Mitchell: The Trojans need to keep Mitchell from making plays with both his arm and legs.

Colquitt County Packers

  • Corral Cohen Lawson: Keeping Lawson contained will be one of the biggest challenges of the night.
  • Control the football: The Packers need to sustain drives and keep the Lee County offense on the sideline.
  • Protect the football: Lee County has enough playmakers to make Colquitt County pay for turnovers.
  • Find success on the ground: Mitchell, Stephenson and Lewis need to establish the run and keep the Trojans’ defense honest.

Prediction

The Packers have looked good over the last two weeks, but there is a big step up in competition this week. They will have to find a way to corral Cohen Lawson, a player the Packers know well. Keeping Lawson and the rest of the Lee County offense off the field will be critical if Colquitt County wants to stay in this game.

Meanwhile, the Trojans need to continue applying pressure and challenge the Packers’ secondary. Lee County has the offensive weapons to create problems, and Colquitt County cannot afford to give up big plays.

We expect this game to be close through the first half, but we believe Lee County will take control as the game progresses and put the game away in the fourth quarter.

Lee County by 10

The Skinny

The Marist War Eagles return from the bye week after running their record to 2-0. They will host Brookwood in the teams’ first meeting. It is no surprise that the War Eagles have been getting things done on the ground offensively. Marist has racked up more than 500 yards rushing in its first two contests.

Cullen O’Leary leads the ground game with 136 yards. Marist has used several ball carriers this season, including quarterback Hayes Rollauer, Hudson Kalb, Dylan Chiok and Ferdi Ngando. Defensively, Marist has allowed just one field goal in its first two ballgames.

The Brookwood Broncos have been dominant in the early going of the 2026 season. Brookwood is outscoring its opponents 143-35. Similar to Marist, the Broncos have had plenty of success on the ground, averaging 280 yards per game rushing and 158 yards per game through the air.

Brayden Tyson has spearheaded the ground game with 361 yards on 55 carries and seven touchdowns. Fellow backs Michael Johnson (19 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs), T’Eric Brown (11 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD) and quarterback Gary Chatman (18 carries, 200 yards, 2 TDs) have all contributed to the success of the rushing attack.

Chatman has also been efficient through the air, completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 474 yards and five touchdowns. Nine different receivers have caught passes for the Broncos. Cobe Williams (6 receptions, 126 yards, 2 TDs) and Zy’aire Conway (5 receptions, 122 yards) have been the top receivers so far.

Senior safety Julian Elzy leads the defense with 19 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and a sack. The Broncos’ defense has recorded five sacks and forced seven turnovers through the first two games.

Keys to the Game

Marist War Eagles

  • Control the line of scrimmage: The Wing-T offense needs to establish the run from the opening whistle.
  • Keep Brookwood’s offense off the field: Long, sustained drives will be critical.
  • Force Chatman to throw: Marist needs to make Brookwood one-dimensional.
  • Win the turnover battle: The War Eagles cannot afford to give the Broncos extra possessions.

Brookwood Broncos

  • Stop the Wing-T: Brookwood must be disciplined against Marist’s ground-heavy offense.
  • Win first down: Putting Marist behind the chains will make the Wing-T much easier to defend.
  • Get Tyson going: Brayden Tyson has been outstanding and will be a major factor.
  • Take advantage through the air: Gary Chatman gives Brookwood another dimension that Marist may struggle to match.

Prediction

It goes without saying that both of these teams will rely heavily on the ground game this week. Brookwood has been more dynamic throwing the football, which could prove to be an important difference if Marist is able to slow down the Broncos’ rushing attack.

We would be surprised if Marist threw the ball more than five times this week. The War Eagles will look to lean on their Wing-T offense and control the clock, but if Brookwood can’t contain that attack, it could be a long night for the Broncos.

The team that dominates the line of scrimmage will likely win this ballgame. We believe Brookwood survives a scare this week, with Brayden Tyson providing just enough production to give the Broncos the edge.

Brookwood by 3

The Skinny

The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines have already had two bye weeks in the first three weeks of the season. In their only action this season, the Wolverines defeated Thomson by seven. Quarterback Gavin Hollum threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Jackson Bentley led the ground game with 110 yards on 18 carries. Hollum also picked up 85 yards on five carries and added a touchdown.

One thing we did not see in the season opener was Andrew Beard running the football. The Florida commit racked up 1,845 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns last season, and his availability could be a major factor in this matchup.

Defensively, Carson Prince and Colin Durning lead the team with 11 total tackles each. The Wolverines recorded two sacks in Week 1 and have forced one turnover.

The Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans were also off last week. The Spartans have opened the season with a pair of seven-point wins over two very good 4A teams. GAC has been balanced offensively this season, throwing for 367 yards and rushing for 401 yards through two games.

Junior quarterback Michael Miller has helped power the offense with 330 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while also adding 180 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Pierce Wilson has carried the ball 27 times for 155 yards.

The Spartans have spread the ball around to five different receivers, but Zach Koons has emerged as the top target with nine receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, C.J. Ohuabunwa leads the team with 20 total tackles and two tackles for loss.

Keys to the Game

Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines

  • Get Andrew Beard involved: If Beard is available, getting the Florida commit touches will be a major priority.
  • Pressure Michael Miller: The Wolverines need to force Miller into difficult decisions.
  • Protect the football: GAC has enough offensive firepower to capitalize on extra possessions.
  • Establish Jackson Bentley: Bentley’s ability to run the football should take pressure off Hollum.

Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans

  • Limit Andrew Beard: If Beard plays, the Spartans need to know where he is on every snap.
  • Protect the football: Miller cannot afford to give Prince Avenue short fields with turnovers.
  • Stay balanced: GAC needs to continue having success both running and throwing the football.
  • Make Hollum beat them: The Spartans need to limit the Wolverines’ rushing attack and force them into passing situations.

Prediction

We believe a lot will hinge on whether or not Andrew Beard is available this week. If he plays, we believe the Wolverines will have enough firepower to pull this one out. Beard’s ability to make plays on offense and special teams would give Prince Avenue another dimension that GAC will have to account for.

One thing to watch will be how Michael Miller handles the football. He has thrown three interceptions on the season, and the Wolverines will need to take advantage of any opportunities that come their way. If Prince Avenue can force a few mistakes while limiting GAC’s balanced attack, the Wolverines should have a chance to control the game.

Prince Avenue Christian by 5

Posted in GHSA Weekly Football Previews - Eight Greats Around the State, GHSA Weekly Game Previews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eight Greats Around the State: Big Tests, Bounce-Back Opportunities and Statement Games Highlight our Week 4 GHSA Football Previews – Part I

Posted on September 9, 2026 by admin

Week 4 brings another slate of intriguing matchups across the GHSA as several teams look to make a statement while others try to bounce back from tough losses. Thomasville and Worth County meet in what should be another tightly contested battle, while Bowdon faces an explosive Heard County offense in a matchup that will test the Red Devils’ ability to slow down a balanced attack. Pierce County returns from its bye looking to keep its dominant start going against a Swainsboro team that has already faced some tough competition. Meanwhile, Gainesville and McEachern will both be looking to get back in the win column after difficult losses. With plenty of talented players and intriguing storylines on both sides, Week 4 should provide another entertaining weekend of GHSA football.

Thomasville vs Worth County – The Thomasville Bulldogs and Worth County Rams will meet in what should be another competitive matchup between two teams that have shown the ability to create turnovers defensively. With both defenses already making an impact this season, ball security could ultimately determine which team comes away with the victory.

Bowdon vs Heard County – The Bowdon Red Devils return home looking to bounce back after dropping their second game of the season, but they will have their hands full against a Heard County team that has been explosive on offense through the first two weeks of their season.

Pierce County’s vs Swainsboro – The Pierce County Bears return from their bye week looking to keep their explosive start to the 2026 season rolling. Pierce County has averaged 51 points per game through its first two contests, led by a dominant ground game featuring Jae’veon Williams. Swainsboro will look to bounce back after a tough loss to Toombs County and will have the opportunity to test itself against another talented opponent before region play begins.

Gainesville vs McEachern – Both Gainesville and McEachern will be looking to bounce back this week after suffering losses against quality opponents. Gainesville has faced a pair of nationally ranked teams to open the season and will once again rely on senior quarterback Kharim Hughley while Nigel Newkirk continues to recover from injury. McEachern will try to rebound after being stunned by Marietta and will lean on a talented group of playmakers, particularly in the secondary.



As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

The Skinny

The Thomasville Bulldogs come off the bye week looking to continue the success they had in Week 2. In their first two games of the season, the Bulldogs are averaging 254.5 yards per game, with the bulk of that production coming on the ground. Senior quarterback Christian Hayes powers the offense, as he has thrown for 168 yards, rushed for a team-high 279 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns. Junior backs Sincere Bates and Elijah Kerbo have also seen carries during the first two games. Sophomore Kensley Reddick has shown explosiveness at receiver, averaging more than 29 yards per catch.

Defensively, Nyier Harris leads the team with 19 total tackles, while junior defensive end Jayden Jones leads the Bulldogs with five tackles for loss. Jones also leads the team with two sacks. As a team, the Bulldogs have recorded seven sacks and forced six turnovers in the young season.

The Worth County Rams were efficient through the air last week as they shut out Class A Early County. Senior quarterback Lyndon Worthy threw for 161 yards and four touchdowns to pace the offense. Through two games, Worthy has thrown for 347 yards and five touchdowns while completing 73.5 percent of his passes. Jaqueveon Nelson (9 receptions, 147 yards, 1 TD) and Keaton Tucker (7 receptions, 129 yards, 2 TDs) have been Worthy’s top targets.

Kody Crutchfield has been the early-season workhorse on the ground, rushing for 131 yards and three touchdowns, while Kevarius Tyler has chipped in 104 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Daylon Smith leads the Rams with 19 total tackles, including three tackles for loss. Tavoris Alford has a team-high five tackles for loss. The Rams have also been opportunistic defensively, forcing eight turnovers through their first two games.

Keys to the Game

Thomasville Bulldogs

  • Get Christian Hayes going: The Bulldogs need Hayes to establish himself early, particularly in the running game.
  • Protect the football: Worth County has forced eight turnovers already this season.
  • Create pressure: Jayden Jones and the Bulldogs’ defensive front need to make things difficult for Lyndon Worthy.
  • Hit the big play: Kensley Reddick gives Thomasville an explosive threat in the passing game.

Worth County Rams

  • Slow down Hayes: The Rams need to limit Hayes’ impact as a runner and force Thomasville to win through the air.
  • Win the turnover battle: Both defenses have shown an ability to create turnovers, making ball security critical.
  • Keep the passing game rolling: Lyndon Worthy has been extremely efficient through the first two games.
  • Get the ball to the playmakers: Jaqueveon Nelson and Keaton Tucker give Worthy two dangerous targets.

Prediction

Last season’s game went down to the wire, and we expect another competitive matchup this week. The Bulldogs will rely heavily on Christian Hayes and his ability to find success on the ground. Ball security will be especially important, as both defenses have been very good at creating takeaways.

The big question will be whether the Rams can slow down Hayes’ ability to get things going on the ground. Worth County may look to stack the box and force the Bulldogs to throw the football a little more than they are accustomed to. If the Rams can limit Hayes while continuing to take care of business offensively, they should have a chance to come away with the road win.

We believe the Rams have a few more weapons offensively and have a slight edge despite playing on the road.

Worth County by 6

The Skinny

The Bowdon Red Devils dropped their second game of the season as they fell to Lamar County last week. The Red Devils continue their brutal non-region schedule this week and will look to bounce back at home. Bowdon has relied heavily on the ground game, averaging 202.7 yards per game on the ground and just 38.3 yards per game through the air.

Eight different players have carried the ball for Bowdon, highlighted by quarterback Connor Daniel, who has 48 carries for 217 yards. Juniors Jett Abrams (19 carries, 74 yards, 1 TD), K.K. Patterson (12 carries, 85 yards) and Joshua Chandler (18 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD) have also chipped in on the ground. Daniel has attempted just 19 passes this season. Mykah Patterson has made the most of his opportunities through the air, catching four passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Paul Wilson leads the Red Devils with 15 total tackles, while Makhail Boykin and Lucki Bailey have each recorded 14 tackles. Bailey has also added a sack.

The Heard County Braves were off last week, but have impressed during their first two games of the season. The Braves are averaging 233 yards per game through the air and 186 yards per game on the ground while putting up an impressive 54 points per game.

Quarterback Ethan Tisdale has thrown for 331 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. Brody Buc Cofield has been the Braves’ leading receiver with nine catches for 160 yards and six touchdowns. Heard County has spread the ball around, with 12 different players catching passes this season.

Tisdale has also been a threat on the ground, leading the team with 210 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Darience Coleman leads the Braves in rushing attempts with 21 and has totaled 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Braves’ defense has allowed just 36 points through the first two games and has forced eight turnovers. Amir Morrisleads the team with 11 total tackles, including a tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks, while Jack Langley has recorded 10 tackles and three tackles for loss. Heard County has also recorded 3.5 sacks as a team.

Keys to the Game

Bowdon Red Devils

  • Control the clock: Bowdon needs to establish its ground game and keep the Heard County offense off the field.
  • Win on the ground: The Red Devils’ best chance to win is to consistently move the chains with their rushing attack.
  • Limit explosive plays: Heard County has too many weapons to give up big plays and expect to win.
  • Force turnovers: The Red Devils need to create extra possessions against an explosive offense.

Heard County Braves

  • Stop the run: Bowdon will look to pound the football, so the Braves must hold up against the Red Devils’ ground attack.
  • Start fast: An early lead would force Bowdon to move away from its preferred run-heavy approach.
  • Let Tisdale make plays: Ethan Tisdale has been extremely efficient through the first two games and needs to continue making plays.
  • Protect the football: Bowdon will be looking for opportunities to create short fields and keep the game within reach.

Prediction

The road gets a little tougher for Heard County this week, as Bowdon will really challenge the Braves’ run defense. Expect the Red Devils to lean heavily on their ground game in an effort to chew up the clock and keep the explosive Heard County offense on the sideline. That approach alone should help Bowdon keep this game close.

However, we believe the Braves are simply too explosive to be kept in check for too long. Heard County has plenty of weapons on offense and has shown the ability to score through both the air and on the ground. If the Braves can find some early success offensively, Bowdon could have trouble keeping pace.

Heard County by 8

The Skinny

The Pierce County Bears come off the bye week looking to continue building on their explosive start to the 2026 season. The Bears are averaging 51 points per game in their first two matchups. The ground game has been dominant, with Jae’veon Williams rushing for 494 yards and six touchdowns to help pace the Bears.

The Swainsboro Tigers are looking to bounce back after a tough loss to a high-powered Toombs County team. The Tigers have been balanced on offense this season, averaging 150 yards per game on the ground and 146.5 yards per game through the air during their first two games.

Quarterback Joshua Gray has thrown for 244 yards and four touchdowns in his first two games. During that same stretch, Kyle Johnson (289 yards, 1 TD) and Ja’Bois Smith (109 yards, 2 TDs) have carried the load for the Tigers on the ground. Seven different receivers have caught passes for Swainsboro this season, with Shannon Benjamin leading the way with seven receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Ja’Bois Smith has been a difference-maker, leading the Tigers with 15 total tackles and seven assists. Derek Hughes has also been busy, recording 22 total tackles.

Keys to the Game

Pierce County Bears

  • Keep Williams rolling: Jae’veon Williams has been dominant and should remain the focal point of the offense.
  • Control the line of scrimmage: Pierce County needs to establish its physical ground game early.
  • Limit Ja’Bois Smith: The Bears cannot allow Smith to create turnovers or change the game defensively.
  • Avoid turnovers: Swainsboro needs extra possessions to stay competitive.

Swainsboro Tigers

  • Slow down Williams: The Tigers have to find a way to limit Pierce County’s explosive running back.
  • Win on first down: Staying ahead of the chains will be critical against the Bears’ defense.
  • Get Smith involved: Ja’Bois Smith needs to make an impact on both sides of the football.
  • Stay balanced: The Tigers need production from both Joshua Gray and their rushing attack to keep Pierce County honest.

Prediction

The Tigers will likely provide Pierce County with its toughest test yet, especially with Ja’Bois Smith capable of being a game-wrecker on defense. If Smith and the Tigers can create some disruption and force Pierce County into passing situations, Swainsboro could make things interesting.

Swainsboro will be battle-tested by the time region play arrives, and this matchup gives the Tigers another opportunity to compete against a quality opponent. However, Pierce County’s explosive ground game should prove to be too much for the Tigers to handle.

Pierce County by 16

The Skinny

The Gainesville Red Elephants dropped their second game of the year while playing another nationally ranked opponent last week. The result may have been different if Red Elephants star Nigel Newkirk had suited up, but he continues to recover from an injury. Expect Gainesville to continue to lean on senior quarterback Kharim Hughley, who has thrown for 324 yards and two touchdowns. Hughley has also led the team in rushing with 148 yards. Jordan Brown has stepped in to help with the ground game in Newkirk’s absence.

Gainesville’s defense has certainly been battle-tested through the first two games and held East St. Louis to its lowest offensive production of the season. That experience against high-level competition should serve the Red Elephants well as they prepare for another talented opponent.

The McEachern Indians were shocked last week by Marietta. The Indians fell behind early and could not complete the comeback, struggling to get much going offensively. On the season, McEachern is averaging 136.7 yards per game through the air and 143.3 yards per game on the ground.

Eight different receivers have caught passes for the Indians, highlighted by Jarvaris Reed Jr., who has 11 receptions for 171 yards. Ty Nolan has been the workhorse for McEachern, carrying the ball 35 times for 148 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Casey Barner has added 202 yards on just 10 carries and scored twice.

The Indians may have one of the best secondaries in the state, headlined by the aforementioned Barner, who has already scored on special teams and intercepted two passes. Senior linebacker Michai Rowe leads the team with 25 total tackles, while lineman Jordan Simpson has recorded 17 total tackles. McEachern has also recorded four sacks and forced seven turnovers, including five interceptions.

Keys to the Game

Gainesville Red Elephants

  • Get Hughley going: Kharim Hughley will need to continue making plays both through the air and on the ground.
  • Pressure Brenton James: Gainesville needs to make James uncomfortable and force McEachern into tougher situations.
  • Limit the receivers: The Red Elephants cannot allow McEachern’s talented receiving corps to make explosive plays.
  • Protect the football: McEachern has already forced seven turnovers, including five interceptions.

McEachern Indians

  • Establish Ty Nolan: A strong running game would take pressure off the passing attack and help control the clock.
  • Continue creating turnovers: The McEachern secondary has been one of the team’s biggest strengths.
  • Get the ball to Jarvaris Reed Jr.: Reed gives the Indians a reliable target and needs to be involved early.
  • Take advantage of Newkirk’s absence: If Nigel Newkirk remains out, McEachern needs to make Gainesville prove it can win without its star playmaker.

Prediction

Both teams are looking to bounce back this week, and the matchup could come down to which defense is able to dictate the game. Gainesville will have its hands full again, specifically with McEachern’s talented wide receiver corps. If the Red Elephants can pressure Brenton James and force McEachern to rely more heavily on Ty Nolan, they could slow the game down and keep the Indians’ offense at bay.

Meanwhile, Kharim Hughley will need to avoid turnovers against a McEachern secondary that has been extremely aggressive and opportunistic. The biggest question remains whether Nigel Newkirk will be able to return. If he plays, he could be the difference-maker Gainesville needs. If he doesn’t, we like the Indians to take advantage and pick up the road victory.

McEachern by 4

Posted in GHSA Weekly Football Previews - Eight Greats Around the State, GHSA Weekly Game Previews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TFR Georgia High School Football Rankings Week 4 – Upsets Shake Up the Rankings as New No. 1s Emerge Across Georgia

Posted on September 6, 2026 by admin

There was plenty of movement throughout the TFR Georgia High School Football Rankings this week as several Top-10 teams suffered losses, while a number of new teams made their first appearance of the season.

With another week of high school football in the books, the rankings continue to take shape. Several teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack, while others will have plenty to prove in the coming weeks.

As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

Class 7A

There was at least one big upset in Class 7A last week as Marietta held on to defeat cross-county rival McEachern. The Indians fall all the way to No. 10 this week, while Marietta makes its debut at No. 9. Meanwhile, Camden County falls out of the rankings after suffering a loss to Benedictine.

Class 6A

There was one Top-10 battle last week, and it proved to be a dandy as Lee County came from behind to defeat Sequoyah. The game was much closer than the final score indicated, but the loss drops the Chiefs out of our Top-10 this week.

Hughes falls to No. 9 after losing to Grayson, while Gainesville drops to No. 7 following a close battle with out-of-state East St. Louis. Meanwhile, Coffee put together another impressive performance and finds itself ranked for the first time this season.

Class 5A

Most of the Top-10 took care of business last week. Warner Robins suffered a loss to cross-town rival Northside, but the Demons remain at No. 9 this week.

The Tucker Tigers defeated DeKalb County rival Stephenson to improve to 3-0 on the season. Tucker makes its debut in the rankings at No. 10. LaGrange falls out of the Top-10 after the Grangers suffered a loss to Ola.

Class 4A

Sandy Creek, Peach County and Troup all came away with victories last week. Despite their loss, Stephenson remains at No. 6 this week.

Douglass dropped a game to 7A Douglas County and falls one spot to No. 9. Baldwin defeated Dublin and moves into the rankings at No. 7, marking the Braves’ first appearance in our Top-10 this season. Westover also makes its first appearance of the season after a dominant performance against Columbus, sliding into the No. 10 spot.

Class 3A

We have a new No. 1 team in Class 3A this week as Toombs County claims the top spot from Morgan County. Morgan County dropped a game to Oconee County and tumbles all the way to No. 7.

Rockmart also takes a significant fall, dropping four spots after losing to Mary Persons. Hapeville Charter enters the Top-10 at No. 8 for the first time this season after defeating Carver-Columbus.

Class 2A

Dublin drops a couple of spots to No. 4 after falling to Baldwin. Fitzgerald remains at No. 2, while Bleckley County moves up to No. 3.

Swainsboro drops a couple of spots to No. 9 after losing to Toombs County. Commerce rounds out our Top-10 after defeating Elbert County. This marks the first time the Tigers have been ranked this season.

Class A

Lincoln County and Bremen continue to trade the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive week. Bowdon dropped a game to Lamar County and falls from No. 1 to No. 3 this week.

Lincoln County moves back to No. 1 following its victory over Aquinas. Macon County checks in at No. 7, while Randolph-Clay moves into the rankings at No. 8. This is the first time Randolph-Clay has appeared in one of our Top-10s.

ECI and Irwin County round out the Top-10.

Private

The Lovett Lions picked up a big win last week, defeating Fellowship Christian by 28 points. Lovett jumps to No. 5 this week. Meanwhile, Hebron Christian falls three spots following its second consecutive loss. North Cobb Christian climbs two spots to No. 8, while ELCA makes its first appearance in the rankings this week at No. 10.

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Eight Greats Around the State Week-3 Part I: Heavy Hitters, Hot Starts & Something’s Gotta Give

Posted on September 3, 2026 by admin

The early-season GHSA Football schedule is starting to heat up, and this week brings four intriguing matchups featuring teams looking to make a statement. Sequoyah will have its hands full with a Lee County team that is bringing a punishing ground game to Hickory Flat, while Troup and Calhoun square off in a battle that could be decided by which team wins the battle in the trenches. Jefferson travels to Fort Valley to take on a Peach County squad that has been lighting up the scoreboard, and North Gwinnett looks to keep its momentum rolling against a Walton team loaded with offensive weapons. This is Pari I of our weekly feature, Eight Greats Across the State. Four games, four very different challenges—and each one should tell us a little more about where these teams stand as the season begins to take shape.

As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

Sequoyah vs Lee County: Sequoyah enters Friday night’s matchup with Lee County riding the momentum of an impressive defensive performance, but the Chiefs will face perhaps their biggest challenge of the young season when the Trojans bring one of the state’s most physical rushing attacks to Hickory Flat.

Trouo vs Calhoun: The Troup Tigers have opened the season 2-0 and will look to keep their momentum going when they take on a Calhoun team looking to bounce back from a close loss to Greater Atlanta Christian. Troup has relied heavily on its rushing attack early in the season, while Calhoun will need to find some offensive consistency and get its key playmakers back on the field.

Peach County vs Jefferson: The Jefferson Dragons picked up their first win of the season last week, but they will face a much tougher challenge when they travel to Fort Valley to take on a Peach County team that has dominated its first two opponents. The Trojans have been especially impressive on the ground, while Jefferson will look to its efficient passing game to keep pace.

North Gwinnett vs Walton: The North Gwinnett Bulldogs are off to an impressive start, following up their upset win over Grayson with a shutout victory over Collins Hill. Now, the Bulldogs will face a Walton team coming off its first win of the season. North Gwinnett has been impressive on both sides of the football, but Walton has plenty of firepower of its own, particularly through the air.

The Skinny

The Sequoyah Chiefs used a swarming defense to force four turnovers and converted two of those takeaways into touchdowns as they defeated Lambert handily. The Chiefs also recorded five sacks, constantly harassing the Lambert quarterback and making life difficult for the Braves’ offense.

Offensively, Nolan Shakar opened things up a little more through the air, throwing for 229 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Shakar has now thrown for 339 yards and three touchdowns through two games, while Trace Washington has tallied 242 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Robert Van Alstyne leads the Chiefs with 11 receptions for 117 yards and appears to be developing a strong rapport with Shakar. Sequoyah’s defense has already recorded five sacks and forced four turnovers on the season. Drew Williamsleads the Chiefs with 24 total tackles, while Brady Streeter has recorded 23.

Newcomers Brody Bohannon and Danny Palmese have also been welcome additions to the secondary. The two safeties have combined for 29 total tackles through the first two games and will likely play a major role Friday night against Lee County’s physical rushing attack.

The Lee County Trojans come into Hickory Flat for the first time on the heels of two very impressive victories. Lee County shut out Hapeville Charter in Week 1 before knocking off nationally ranked Carol City out of Miami last week in Leesburg.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this Lee County team is the size and physicality of its offensive line, anchored by Shavezz Dixon. The Trojans boast one of the biggest lines of scrimmage in high school football, with Larry Mosley (6-foot-3, 305 pounds), London Mayes (6-foot-4, 317 pounds), Larry Jackson (6-foot-3, 285 pounds) and Jeremiah Jackson (6-foot-1, 305 pounds) leading the way.

That massive offensive line has helped Lee County average just under 200 yards per game on the ground. Jordan Bushhas carried the ball 30 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns, while Dominique Ball has 151 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries.

Quarterback Cohen Lawson has been extremely efficient through the air, completing 74 percent of his passes for 296 yards without throwing an interception. Jaden Upshaw has been his primary target, leading the Trojans with 14 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Keys to the Game

Sequoyah Chiefs

  • Stop the run. This is the obvious key for Sequoyah. The Chiefs will have to find a way to slow down Bush and Ball before Lee County can establish its physical rushing attack.
  • Win first and second down. Sequoyah can’t consistently put itself in third-and-long situations against a Lee County offense that can control the game with its offensive line.
  • Shakar must protect the football. The Chiefs have created turnovers on defense, but they can’t afford to give Lee County extra possessions. Shakar will have to take care of the football against a Trojans defense that will undoubtedly look to pressure him.
  • Washington needs a big night. Expect Sequoyah to lean heavily on Trace Washington and the running game in an effort to control the clock and limit Lee County’s offensive possessions.

Lee County Trojans

  • Establish the ground game. With the size of the offensive line and the production of Bush and Ball, Lee County will look to impose its will from the opening kickoff.
  • Make Sequoyah one-dimensional. If the Trojans can slow Washington and force the Chiefs to rely heavily on the passing game, they can put significant pressure on Shakar.
  • Pressure Shakar. Sequoyah’s quarterback has been productive early, but Lee County will likely try to disrupt his rhythm and force him into difficult decisions.
  • Take advantage of the secondary. Upshaw gives Lawson a dangerous weapon on the outside, and Lee County will need to take advantage of opportunities when Sequoyah brings its safeties into the box.

Sequoyah will have to find a way to stop the run, and this Lee County team appears to be even more dynamic than the Coffee team the Chiefs faced two seasons ago. The Sequoyah secondary will have to be aggressive in run support, but at the same time, the Chiefs can’t lose sight of Upshaw in the passing game.

Offensively, Sequoyah will need Shakar to continue making good decisions while Washington will need to have a big day on the ground. Expect the Chiefs to emphasize ball control and try to shorten the game, limiting the number of possessions available to the high-powered Lee County offense. Even with that approach, we believe Lee County is simply too strong this season.

Prediction: Lee County by 13

The Skinny

The Troup Tigers outlasted their region rival LaGrange last week to move to 2-0 on the young season. It has been a pretty simple formula on offense for the Tigers in the early going: feed the ball to Javarris Warner. The senior running back once again crossed the 100-yard mark last week and now has 436 yards on 49 carries with four touchdowns through two games. Troup has attempted just 21 passes in two games and has yet to throw a touchdown, but that hasn’t slowed down the Tiger express.

The Tigers have been more than capable of controlling games on the ground, and their defense has done its part as well. Troup has recorded 4.5 sacks and forced two turnovers while allowing just 10 points through two games, including a Week 1 shutout. Senior linebacker K.J. McQueen leads the Tigers with nine total tackles and will be a key piece of a Troup defense that has been impressive in the early going.

The Calhoun Yellow Jackets will look to rebound after dropping a close game to Greater Atlanta Christian last week. Drew Huff was efficient at quarterback, completing 4-of-7 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. Huff also contributed 52 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. Hudson Chadwick led the Jackets’ rushing attack with 57 yards, while Tony Reid added 17 yards.

Calhoun’s offense was without the services of Trace Hawkins and Isaiah Nalls, two key pieces of the Yellow Jackets’ offense. Their status for this game remains unknown, and their availability could have a significant impact on the matchup. Defensively, Huff has been active all over the field. He leads Calhoun with 22 total tackles and also has the team’s only interception through two games.

Keys to the Game

Troup Tigers

  • Feed Warner. Troup has found a formula that works. Warner has been nearly unstoppable through two games, and the Tigers will look to keep him heavily involved.
  • Control the clock. A strong rushing attack can keep Calhoun’s offense on the sideline and limit the number of possessions the Yellow Jackets receive.
  • Force Calhoun to throw. Troup’s defense has been stingy early and will look to make Calhoun one-dimensional.
  • Take advantage of play-action opportunities. With Calhoun likely loading the box to stop Warner, Troup should have opportunities to hit some big plays through the air.

Calhoun Yellow Jackets

  • Stop Warner. Easier said than done, but Calhoun must find a way to slow down Troup’s star running back.
  • Get healthy. The availability of Hawkins and Nalls could be critical for a Calhoun offense that needs more weapons.
  • Huff needs to make plays. Whether through the air or on the ground, Huff will likely need to be a difference-maker for the Yellow Jackets.
  • Win the turnover battle. Against a team that wants to control the clock and pound the football, extra possessions could be extremely valuable.

We expect both Troup and Calhoun to focus heavily on the ground game. With both teams likely looking to establish the run, there should be opportunities for some play-action passes as defenses key in on stopping the rushing attack. Calhoun is a talented football team, but with some uncertainty surrounding a couple of key offensive players, a punishing Troup ground game might be too much for the Yellow Jackets to overcome.

We expect Calhoun to keep this one close, much like the Yellow Jackets have done in their first two games, but Troup’s ability to control the line of scrimmage and keep the ball moving should be the difference.

Prediction: Troup by 6

The Skinny

Peach County Trojans

The Peach County Trojans have dominated their first two opponents this season, outscoring them 105-43. The Trojans have shown the ability to mix the run and pass, but it has been their powerful ground game that has fueled the offense. Ashton Barton and Zion Ellison have been a dynamic one-two punch in the Peach County backfield. Barton has rushed for 263 yards and six touchdowns, while Ellison has added 256 yards and five touchdowns. Through two games, the duo has combined for 519 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Quarterback Caiden Ivory has also been productive, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns in the Trojans’ Week 1 victory. His top targets have been Jash Reis and Tristan Brown, who combined for eight receptions and 175 yards in that opening-game win. With a balanced offense and two productive backs leading the way, Peach County has shown it can put points on the board in a hurry.

Jefferson Dragons

The Jefferson Dragons picked up their first win of the season last week, defeating Anderson-Westside out of South Carolina. The Dragons received a tremendous all-around performance from Carter Perrin, who scored on special teams, returned an interception for a defensive touchdown and also found the end zone as a receiver. His ability to impact the game in multiple phases gives Jefferson another weapon to account for.

Quarterback Boone Horne was extremely efficient through the air, completing 78 percent of his passes last week. The Dragons will need another efficient performance from Horne as they travel to Fort Valley to face a Peach County defense that will undoubtedly be focused on slowing down Jefferson’s passing attack. The Dragons have also found a nice complement to their passing game in big C.J. Hayes, giving Jefferson another way to move the football and keep defenses from sitting back against Horne.

Keys to the Game

Peach County Trojans

  • Keep feeding the backs. Barton and Ellison have been extremely productive, and Peach County will look to establish the run early.
  • Stay balanced. Ivory’s ability to make plays through the air should keep Jefferson from loading the box.
  • Limit big plays. Perrin is capable of changing the game in multiple phases, so Peach County will need to know where he is at all times.
  • Control the line of scrimmage. If the Trojans win up front, their rushing attack could make for a long night for Jefferson.

Jefferson Dragons

  • Horne must be efficient. Jefferson will need another strong performance from its quarterback to keep pace with the Trojans.
  • Find ways to slow the run. Barton and Ellison present one of the biggest challenges the Dragons have faced this season.
  • Get Hayes involved. Jefferson needs a strong performance from C.J. Hayes to complement the passing game.
  • Win the field-position battle. Against an offense as explosive as Peach County’s, Jefferson can’t afford to give the Trojans short fields.

The Dragons will need another efficient performance from Boone Horne as they travel to Fort Valley. Jefferson has certainly found a nice complement to its passing game with C.J. Hayes, and that could help the Dragons keep the Peach County defense honest.

The bigger challenge, however, will come on the other side of the ball. Peach County will test the Jefferson defense with a ground attack led by Ashton Barton and Zion Ellison, who have already combined for 11 touchdowns this season. We believe Jefferson will keep this one close and make the Trojans work for it, but Peach County’s talented running backs will ultimately prove to be the difference.

Prediction: Peach County by 5

The Skinny

The North Gwinnett Bulldogs followed up their upset win over Grayson with a shutout victory over Collins Hill, putting together an impressive start to the season. Quarterback Elam Rahman has thrown for 204 yards and four touchdowns, while Evan Hawkins has emerged as the Bulldogs’ leading receiver with eight catches for 128 yards and a touchdown. Christian Jackson has been a major red-zone weapon, leading North Gwinnett with three touchdown receptions.

Meanwhile, Stephan Brown leads the Bulldogs’ rushing attack with 188 yards and a team-high two touchdowns. North Gwinnett has shown the ability to move the football in multiple ways, giving Walton plenty to prepare for. Defensively, Jake Godfree has been all over the field. He leads the Bulldogs with 22 total tackles and six tackles for loss. Godfree and defensive end Jackson Hayes share the team lead with three sacks apiece.

North Gwinnett has been particularly disruptive defensively, forcing seven turnovers and recording 10 sacks through the early part of the season

The Walton Raiders picked up their first win of the season last week, having little trouble with North Clayton. Junior quarterback Christian Peacock has been productive through the air, throwing for 542 yards and five touchdowns. Peacock has also been effective on the ground, leading the Raiders with 75 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Christian Govea will likely join Peacock in the backfield. Govea has rushed for 61 yards on 17 carries, giving Walton another option to keep the Bulldogs’ defense from focusing exclusively on Peacock. The Raiders have plenty of weapons in the passing game. Jordan Peacock has caught 12 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, while Aiden Opore has 11 receptions for 186 yards and a touchdown. The duo has quickly established itself as the primary target combination for the Walton offense.

Defensively, Christian Lavette leads the Raiders with 20 total tackles, while Garrison Muller has recorded a team-high 12 solo tackles. Walton has also recorded four sacks and forced four turnovers.

Keys to the Game

North Gwinnett Bulldogs

  • Slow down Peacock and Opore. Walton’s receiving duo has been extremely productive, and North Gwinnett can’t allow either receiver to take over the game.
  • Pressure the quarterback. The Bulldogs have already recorded 10 sacks, and that pass rush could be a major factor against Walton’s offense.
  • Make Walton run the football. North Gwinnett needs to force the Raiders to sustain long drives rather than allowing big plays through the air.
  • Continue creating turnovers. The Bulldogs have forced seven turnovers already and will look to keep that defensive pressure going.

Walton Raiders

  • Protect Peacock. North Gwinnett’s pass rush has been one of its biggest strengths, so Walton must keep its quarterback clean.
  • Get the running game going. The question is whether Walton can mix in enough of the ground game to keep North Gwinnett from teeing off on the passing attack.
  • Get the ball to its playmakers. Peacock and Opore need to continue getting opportunities downfield.
  • Slow down North Gwinnett’s offense. Easier said than done, but Walton’s defense will have to find a way to keep the Bulldogs from controlling the game.

The Bulldogs have to find a way to slow down the Walton receiving duo of Jordan Peacock and Aiden Opore. Both have been extremely productive early in the season, and North Gwinnett can’t afford to give them easy opportunities down the field. The question is whether Walton will be able to mix in the ground game enough to keep North Gwinnett honest. If the Raiders become too one-dimensional, the Bulldogs’ pass rush could make for a long night.

On the other side, Walton’s defense will have the difficult task of slowing down a North Gwinnett offense that has been efficient and explosive. That’s easier said than done. North Gwinnett’s defensive pressure and ability to create turnovers should ultimately be the difference.

Prediction: North Gwinnett by 10

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Eight Greats Around the State Week-3 Part II: Heavy Hitters, Hot Starts & Something’s Gotta Give

Posted on September 3, 2026 by admin

The latest group of our Week-3 GHSA Football Previews features four matchups for teams with plenty to prove and some very different challenges ahead. Calvary Day brings one of the most balanced offenses in the group into its matchup with St. Pius, but the Cavaliers will have to contend with a Golden Lions offense designed to control the clock and keep the ball out of their hands. Benedictine looks to build on its strong start against Hebron Christian behind the legs of Stanley Smart Jr. and the hot arm of first-year starter Omari Burse, who has already shown he can make big plays through the air. Toombs County enters its matchup with Swainsboro after an explosive 539-yard offensive performance, with Joseph Owens, Brandon Stevens, and Don Mincey giving the Bulldogs plenty of ways to attack. Meanwhile, McEachern takes on Marietta with a high-powered passing attack led by Brenton James and a talented group of receivers. Each of these games presents a unique challenge, but all four should provide another good indication of which teams are ready to take the next step as the season progresses.

Benedictine vs Camden County: Two of the Coastal Georgia area’s hottest teams meet Friday night when the Benedictine Cadets host an undefeated Camden County squad. Both teams feature quarterbacks who have been highly efficient through the opening weeks of the season, and with plenty of offensive firepower on both sides, this one could come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes.

McEachern vs Marietta: The McEachern Indians will look to keep their momentum going when they take on a Marietta Blue Devils team that picked up its first win of the season last week. McEachern has found some consistency through the air behind senior quarterback Brenton James, while Marietta will need to establish its rushing attack and keep the Indians’ explosive offense on the sideline.

Calvary Day vs St. Pius: Calvary Day is off to another hot start and is already looking like an early-season contender for the private-school title. The Cavaliers have been dominant on both sides of the football, but they will face a St. Pius team that will look to slow the game down and keep Calvary’s explosive offense on the sideline.

Swainsboro vs Toombs County: The Swainsboro Tigers bounced back from a Week 1 loss to Cook with an impressive win over county rival Emanuel County Institute. Now they face perhaps their toughest challenge of the season when they travel to take on a Toombs County offense that has been putting up video-game numbers through the first two weeks.

As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

The Skinny

The Benedictine Cadets were firing on all cylinders last week as they defeated Hebron Christian, and they will have their third straight home game this week as they look to improve to 2-1 on the season. Running back Stanley Smart Jr. rushed for 192 yards in last week’s victory to pace the Cadets. Through two games, Smart has rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns and has quickly established himself as the centerpiece of the Benedictine ground game.

Meanwhile, first-year starter Omari Burse has gotten off to an impressive start at quarterback. Burse has thrown for 323 yards and six touchdowns on the season, including a tremendous performance last week when he threw for 210 yards and five touchdowns.

Eron Mallard was the biggest beneficiary of Burse’s big night, catching four passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns in the victory. On the season, Mallard has eight receptions for 250 yards and four touchdowns, giving the Cadets a big-play threat on the outside. Defensively, Rasheen Jackson leads the Cadets with 16 total tackles, while Isaac Scott has been a force along the defensive line and will be counted on to help set the tone against a physical Camden County offense.

The Camden County Wildcats enter Friday night’s matchup undefeated after conquering Brunswick, defeating both the Pirates and Terrors in back-to-back weeks. Quarterback Xavier Collins has been outstanding to start the season, throwing for 429 yards and five touchdowns while completing 74 percent of his passes. Collins has also been a threat with his legs, rushing for 102 yards and a touchdown.

Joining him in the backfield is Malakhi Poole, who has rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown to pace the Wildcats’ ground attack. The combination of Collins and Poole gives Camden County a strong rushing threat to complement its passing game. Meanwhile, Sean Green is off to a fantastic start to his senior season. Green has caught nine passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns and has quickly emerged as Collins’ top target. Defensively, Will Smith has been a tackling machine for the Wildcats. He leads the team with 22 solo tackles and 24 total tackles while also recording a sack.

Keys to the Game

Benedictine Cadets

  • Protect the football. Burse has been excellent so far, but Camden County will look to pressure the first-year starter into making mistakes.
  • Establish Smart early. A productive running game will take pressure off Burse and keep the Wildcats from simply sitting back against the passing attack.
  • Get Mallard involved. Mallard has been one of the most productive receivers in the state early in the season and gives Benedictine a major big-play threat.
  • Win the battle up front. Isaac Scott and the Cadets’ defensive front will have to slow down Poole and keep Collins from finding easy running lanes.

Camden County Wildcats

  • Keep Collins rolling. The senior quarterback has been extremely efficient and will need another strong performance against a talented Benedictine defense.
  • Establish Poole. Camden County needs to maintain balance and avoid becoming overly dependent on Collins.
  • Find Green. Sean Green has been nearly unstoppable early, and getting him opportunities downfield will be a major priority.
  • Force Burse into mistakes. The Cadets’ quarterback has been impressive, but this will be one of his biggest tests of the season.

These teams have not played often, and the last time they met, Camden County won going away. We don’t believe history will have much bearing on the result Friday night. Instead, this game could come down to the two quarterbacks. Camden County will need Xavier Collins to continue his hot start, and the same can be said for Benedictine and Omari Burse. Both quarterbacks have been efficient, both have weapons around them and both have shown the ability to make plays.

The quarterback who makes the fewest mistakes will likely lead his team to victory. We expect this one to be a close, physical battle from start to finish, but playing at home and getting a big performance from Burse and the Cadets’ offense gives Benedictine the slight edge.

Prediction: Benedictine by 4

The Skinny

The McEachern Indians have turned the offense over to senior quarterback Brenton James, and the senior has responded with 351 yards through the air while completing 61.5 percent of his passes. James has several receivers making an impact. Jarvaris Reed Jr. leads the Indians with 11 receptions for 171 yards, while Jahlil Page has caught six passes for 94 yards and leads the team with two receiving touchdowns.

Jacorey Shockley saw his first action of the season last week, giving the Indians another potential weapon as the offense continues to develop. Sophomore Ty Nolan leads the ground game with 76 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown. McEachern hasn’t needed to rely heavily on the running game early, but Nolan could become increasingly important if opposing defenses begin focusing heavily on James and the passing attack.

Defensively, it’s hard to talk about the Indians without mentioning Casey Barner, who is tied for the team lead with two interceptions. Joakim Gouda also looked good in his first action for McEachern, finishing with five total tackles and half a sack. Machai Rowe leads the Indians with 17 total tackles.

The Marietta Blue Devils picked up their first win of the season last week and will look to carry that momentum into this matchup as they try to pull the upset. Quarterback Jayden Whiteside has thrown for 431 yards and four touchdowns this season. Whiteside has also been productive on the ground, rushing for 102 yards, making him a legitimate dual-threat quarterback.

He is second on the team in rushing behind Titus Grant, who has carried the ball 36 times for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Grant will be an important piece of Marietta’s game plan as the Blue Devils look to establish the ground game. Marietta has several receiving options for Whiteside. Isaac Copeland has 10 receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while Brody Archie has eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Nesmith has added seven receptions for 110 yards.

Defensively, Jude Morris leads the Blue Devils with 16 total tackles. Marietta has also recorded four turnovers this season and will need another opportunistic performance against a McEachern offense capable of putting points on the board quickly.

Keys to the Game

McEachern Indians

  • Protect James. If Brenton James has time to stand in the pocket and work through his progressions, McEachern should have opportunities to make big plays.
  • Keep the passing game balanced. Reed and Page have been productive, and getting multiple receivers involved will make the Indians difficult to defend.
  • Win the turnover battle. Barner and the McEachern secondary have already shown a knack for creating turnovers.
  • Establish Nolan. A productive running game would keep Marietta from being able to sell out against James and the passing attack.

Marietta Blue Devils

  • Pressure James. This may be the biggest key for the Blue Devils. Marietta cannot allow the McEachern quarterback to sit comfortably in the pocket.
  • Establish Grant. Titus Grant needs to get the ground game going and help control the clock.
  • Let Whiteside make plays. His ability to run and throw gives Marietta a chance to keep McEachern’s defense off balance.
  • Avoid the McEachern secondary. The Blue Devils can’t afford to give the Indians’ ball-hawking secondary easy opportunities.

The Marietta defense will have its hands full trying to contain an explosive McEachern offense. The Blue Devils will need to find a way to generate pressure on quarterback Brenton James and keep him from comfortably standing in the pocket and going through his progressions. If James is able to do that, it could be a long night for the Blue Devils.

On the other side, Marietta will need to establish the ground game behind Titus Grant and take some pressure off Jayden Whiteside. Whiteside will also need to be careful with the football against a McEachern secondary that has already shown it can create turnovers.

We expect Marietta to hang around, but McEachern’s ability to stretch the field through the air should ultimately be the difference.

Prediction: McEachern by 8

The Skinny

Calvary Day is off to another impressive start, and the Cavaliers’ offense has been firing on all cylinders. Calvary is averaging 245 yards per game through the air and another 232 yards per game on the ground, giving the Cavaliers one of the most balanced offenses around.

Quarterback James Mobley has completed 72 percent of his passes for 481 yards and six touchdowns. His primary targets have been M.J. Knight, who has 11 receptions for 184 yards and three touchdowns, and Jalen Hicks, who has added nine catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Cavaliers have been equally impressive on the ground. Zay Middleton leads the way with 216 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns, while Ca’Den Jones provides plenty of depth in the backfield with 115 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

Defensively, Calvary has already recorded eight sacks. Jeffrey McCormick, Gabe Ausfeld and Elisha Williams are tied for the team lead with two sacks apiece. The Cavaliers also feature a formidable secondary led by Emerson Lewis, Braxton Bell and De’Shawn Wylie. That group could play a major role against a St. Pius offense that would much rather keep the ball on the ground.

St. Pius picked up its first win of the season last week and will look to make a statement when it travels to Savannah to take on Calvary Day. It should come as no surprise that the Golden Lions have done most of their damage on the ground. St. Pius rushed for 205 yards in last week’s victory, with five different players carrying the football.

Quarterback Cohen George attempted just three passes but was perfect on all three attempts. George was much more active on the ground, leading the Golden Lions with 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Sawyer Brandon also had a big day, rushing for 78 yards on just seven carries. St. Pius will likely look to use the same formula against Calvary: establish the run, control the clock and limit the number of possessions the Cavaliers receive.

Keys to the Game

Calvary Day Cavaliers

  • Stop the run early. Calvary needs to make St. Pius uncomfortable by taking away the Wing-T rushing attack on first down.
  • Create third-and-long situations. The Cavaliers’ defensive line and secondary can be at their best when Pius is forced to throw.
  • Stay balanced offensively. Calvary’s ability to run and throw makes it difficult for defenses to key on one area.
  • Avoid giving Pius extra possessions. The Golden Lions want to shorten the game, so Calvary needs to make the most of every opportunity.

St. Pius Golden Lions

  • Control the clock. The longer the Golden Lions can keep Calvary’s offense on the sideline, the better their chances of pulling the upset.
  • Run the football. George, Brandon and the rest of the St. Pius rushing attack will need to consistently move the chains.
  • Avoid negative plays. The Wing-T relies on staying ahead of the chains, especially against a Calvary defense capable of generating pressure.
  • Win the turnover battle. Extra possessions could be critical if the Golden Lions are going to keep pace.

The formula for St. Pius to pull what most would consider an upset is pretty simple: use the Wing-T to control the ball and the clock while keeping an explosive Calvary Day offense on the sideline. Meanwhile, Calvary will look to stymie the St. Pius rushing attack on first down and force the Golden Lions into passing situations on third down. That is where the Cavaliers’ defensive front and talented secondary could make a major difference.

The long trip to Savannah certainly doesn’t help the Golden Lions, and eventually we believe Calvary’s offensive balance will be too much for St. Pius to handle.

Prediction: Calvary Day by 13

The Skinny

The Swainsboro Tigers picked up a big win over their county rival, Emanuel County Institute, last week as they bounced back from their Week 1 loss to Cook. The Tigers have been balanced offensively through the first two games, averaging 146.5 yards per game through the air and 150 yards per game on the ground.

Quarterback Joshua Gray has thrown for 244 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Shannon Benjaminhas been Gray’s primary target, catching seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers have also shown plenty of production on the ground. Kyle Johnson leads the way with 194 yards on 17 carries, while Ja’Bois Smith has added 109 yards on 22 carries.

Smith, who is projected to play linebacker at the next level, has also been a force defensively. He is tied with Derek Hughes for the team lead with 22 total tackles. The Tigers have also forced four turnovers through the first two games.

The Toombs County Bulldogs made quick work of their rival Vidalia last Friday, continuing what has been an explosive start to the season. The Bulldogs piled up 539 yards of total offense in the victory, showcasing an offense that has proven capable of producing big plays from virtually anywhere on the field.

Quarterback Joseph Owens has thrown for 482 yards and a touchdown through the first two games. His primary targets have been Brandon Stevens and Nick Carroll. Stevens has been particularly productive, hauling in 12 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown, while Carroll has eight receptions for 95 yards.

On the ground, Don Mincey has been outstanding. He has rushed for 373 yards and eight touchdowns, giving the Bulldogs another explosive weapon for opposing defenses to contend with. Toombs County has also been productive defensively, recording five sacks through two games. Safety Alex Scott leads the Bulldogs with 14 total tackles, while Kyrell Williams leads the team with four tackles for loss.

Keys to the Game

Swainsboro Tigers

  • Protect the football. Swainsboro can’t afford to give an explosive Toombs County offense extra possessions.
  • Control the clock. The Tigers need to establish the run and keep the Bulldogs’ offense on the sideline.
  • Limit the big play. Toombs has several players capable of changing the game with one touch, so Swainsboro must keep everything in front of them.
  • Win on third down. Getting Toombs off the field will be critical if the Tigers are going to keep this game close.

Toombs County Bulldogs

  • Keep the offense rolling. The Bulldogs have been nearly unstoppable early and will look to continue attacking Swainsboro from the opening kickoff.
  • Get Mincey going. With 373 rushing yards and eight touchdowns already, Mincey is a major focal point of the offense.
  • Take advantage of Stevens’ big-play ability. Swainsboro will have to account for Stevens every time he lines up.
  • Force Swainsboro into passing situations. Toombs can unleash its pass rush if the Tigers are unable to consistently run the football.

The Swainsboro Tigers might have one of the toughest schedules in the state, with six ranked teams on the schedule. Toombs County is likely the toughest opponent they will face all season. The Tigers will have to avoid turnovers and find a way to keep the explosive Toombs County offense on the sideline. That is much easier said than done.

Toombs may not reach the 500-yard mark again this week, but the Bulldogs have too many weapons on offense and should eventually pull away. Swainsboro will compete, but we expect Toombs County to cruise to another impressive victory.

Prediction: Toombs County by 16

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Week-3 TFR Georgia High School Football Rankings: New Teams Crash the Top 10

Posted on August 30, 2026 by admin

TFR Georgia High School Football Rankings: Week 9 Brings Major Shakeups Across the Classifications

Georgia’s high school football rankings saw plenty of movement this week, with several teams making big jumps after impressive victories while others fell following tough losses. The top of several classifications remained steady, but there were enough surprises throughout the state to create plenty of intrigue heading into Week 9.

As always, a special thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing the artwork used with our rankings. You can find their work at Georgia Helmet Project.

We would also like to thank the High School Football Historians Association for their invaluable historical data and resources. You can find them at High School Football Historians Association. We greatly appreciate the work both organizations do to preserve and promote the history of Georgia high school football.

Class 7A

The top seven teams in Class 7A remained unchanged this week, with most of the state’s top programs rolling to sizeable victories. Perhaps the biggest surprise came Friday night when Newton handled Class 6A Roswell in impressive fashion. The Rams move up to No. 8 this week after the convincing victory.

Meanwhile, Norcross and Harrison had a short stay in the rankings. Both teams drop out of the Top 10 and are replaced by Camden County, which checks in at No. 9, and Westlake, which lands at No. 10. The question now is whether those two programs have enough staying power to remain in the rankings this week.

Class 6A

Class 6A produced one of the more impressive wins of the week, as Lee County knocked off highly ranked national program Carol City out of Miami. The victory sends the Trojans up to No. 2 this week. There were also a couple of notable losses in Class 6A, including the previously mentioned defeat of Roswell by Newton. Milton also suffered a tough loss, falling to Blessed Trinity by just one point. Despite the loss, Milton remains at No. 4 this week, while Roswell drops to No. 5.

Class 5A

The top four in Class 5A held steady this week, highlighted by the previously mentioned victory by No. 4 Blessed Trinityover Milton. Cass was the big mover, jumping all the way to No. 6 after defeating Sprayberry handily. Benedictine also rebounded after its impressive victory over Hebron Christian, which was ranked No. 1 in the Private division at the time. The Cadets move back up to No. 5 this week. Dalton makes its debut in the rankings at No. 10 following a big victory over rival Northwest. The Catamounts replace Eastside, which drops out of the Top 10.

Class 4A

Sandy Creek once again showed that it belongs in the conversation among Georgia’s top football powers. The Patriots picked up a huge victory over Douglas County, shutting out the Tigers on Friday night. Troup County moves up one spot to No. 3 after defeating county rival LaGrange. Calhoun drops a couple of spots following its loss to Greater Atlanta Christian, while Shaw makes its debut at No. 10 after shutting out Upson-Lee.

Class 3A

The top four in Class 3A remained unchanged this week.Carver-Columbus escaped an 0-2 start by edging out Spencer, keeping the Tigers near the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, Rockmart was the biggest riser this week. The Yellow Jackets scored 42 unanswered points to defeat rival Cedartown and jump four spots to No. 5. Pierce County enters the rankings at No. 7 for the first time this season, while Hart County at No. 9 and Northeast-Macon at No. 10 both make their debut in the rankings this week.

Class 2A

There was no change among the top six teams in Class 2A this week. Swainsboro was the biggest mover near the top, climbing two spots to No. 7 after defeating county rival ECI. Bremen makes its debut at No. 9 following another resounding victory, while Dodge County rounds out the Top 10 at No. 10.

Class A

Class A continues to be one of the more interesting classifications to watch. Lincoln County suffered a loss to Westside-Augusta this week. While Lincoln probably should not have been heavily penalized for the loss, the Red Devils do swap spots with Bowdon, which jumped after defeating Callaway 32-3.

Either way, it appears there will likely be a team called the Red Devils sitting near the top of this ranking all season long. Taylor County makes its debut at No. 5 this week, while Montgomery County also enters the rankings following fast starts to the season. This classification is shaping up to be topsy-turvy after the first three teams, and there should be plenty of movement as the season progresses.

Private

In the Private rankings, Greater Atlanta Christian picked up the big win of the week, defeating Calhoun by seven points. The Spartans jump two spots to No. 2. Prince Avenue Christian remains atop the rankings after Hebron Christian fell to Benedictine. Hebron drops to No. 4 this week.

North Cobb Christian sneaks into the rankings at No. 10, replacing Athens Christian, which drops out after being shut out by Holy Innocents’. With several classifications beginning to separate themselves and others still wide open, Week 9 should provide another interesting round of results and plenty of movement in next week’s rankings.

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Eight Greats Around the State Week-2 Part II: More marquee matchups heading our way

Posted on August 26, 2026 by admin

Week one of the GHSA season is complete and we were treated to some great games and some surprises. This week, we will see which teams can bounce back from adversity and also see which teams can repeat the success of Week-1. This is our weekly feature that we call Eight Greats Around the State, where we look at 8 intriguing matchups across Georgia. Part II includes the following 4 matchups:

Douglas County vs Sandy Creek: Sandy Creek heads to Douglas County riding the momentum of its impressive Week 1 win over Grayson. The Tigers, meanwhile, return home looking for their first victory of the season after suffering their first opening-game loss since 2019.

Worth County vs Cairo: Worth County and Cairo both opened the season with impressive offensive performances, setting the stage for an intriguing matchup Friday night. Cairo has dominated this series historically, but after more than a decade apart, the Rams will look to turn the tables behind a balanced offense and an opportunistic defense.

Northwest vs Dalton: The two titans of Whitfield County square off Friday night as Northwest hosts Dalton in one of the area’s most anticipated rivalries. Both teams opened the season with impressive victories, but this matchup could come down to whether Northwest can protect the football and get its explosive passing game going against a Dalton defense that forced three turnovers last week.

Brooks County vs Pierce County: Two explosive offenses square off Friday night as Pierce County travels to Quitman to take on Brooks County. The Trojans showed they can still light up the scoreboard through the air, while the Bears enter the matchup after scoring 55 first-half points in their season opener.

Thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

The Skinny

The Douglas County Tigers will be back at home this week as they look to pick up their first win of the season. It was the first opening-game loss for the Tigers since 2019, and they will look to put that disappointment behind them Friday night.

Douglas County used two quarterbacks in Week 1, as Cam Anderson and Trey Byrd combined to throw for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Byrd also added a rushing touchdown. Sophomore Jeremiah Mathis caught five passes for 71 yards in the loss, while Justin Spivy added three receptions for 39 yards. Spivy and Ja’Narious Barner each rushed for 39 yards, with Barner receiving the lion’s share of the carries.

Defensively, Brandon Shannon Jr. and Kennedy Green paced the Tigers with 14 total tackles each, while Green added two tackles for loss. The opportunistic Douglas County defense also found the end zone in the defeat, returning an interception for a touchdown.

The Sandy Creek Patriots held serve at home last week, defeating Class 7A power Grayson in the opening week. Senior quarterback Caleb Hill showed his dual-threat ability, throwing for 140 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 100 yards and another touchdown.

The Patriots are still trying to fill some gaps in the ground game, so look for the workloads of Tyrann Williams and Tre Johnston to increase as the season moves forward. Freshman Brennan Williams led all Patriot receivers with five catches for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, senior linebackers Elijah Ware and J.T. Austin paced the Patriots with 11 total tackles each. The Sandy Creek defense allowed just 246 yards to a Grayson team that finished with 330 yards of total offense in Week 1.

Keys to the Game

Douglas County Tigers

  • Establish the run: Ja’Narious Barner will likely be a major part of the Tigers’ offensive game plan.
  • Protect the quarterbacks: Douglas County needs to give Cam Anderson and Trey Byrd time to make plays.
  • Create turnovers: The Tigers’ defense showed its opportunistic nature last week and will need another big play or two.
  • Limit Caleb Hill: Keeping Caleb Hill contained both through the air and on the ground will be a major challenge.

Sandy Creek Patriots

  • Protect Hill: The offensive line must give Caleb Hill a clean pocket and allow him time to make plays.
  • Create running lanes: Sandy Creek needs to establish more consistency on the ground as the season progresses.
  • Continue the defensive pressure: The Patriots need to build on their strong performance against Grayson.
  • Avoid complacency: Coming off a big win, Sandy Creek cannot afford to overlook a Douglas County team playing at home.

Prediction

Sandy Creek should enter this game with all the confidence in the world after knocking off Grayson. Their success offensively will come down to the offensive line’s ability to give Caleb Hill a clean pocket and create running lanes for the ground game.

Meanwhile, Douglas County will likely look to continue establishing the ground game with Ja’Narious Barner. Will there be a hangover for Douglas County, or will Sandy Creek be looking past the Tigers? We don’t believe either of those statements will be the case. Instead, we like the Patriots to pull off another close road victory and shock the Tigers at home.

Prediction: Sandy Creek by 4

The Skinny

The Worth County Rams used a balanced attack Friday night to outlast Brooks County. Senior quarterback Lyndon Worthy threw for 186 yards and a touchdown while adding 34 yards on four carries. The Rams’ ground game was paced by the combination of Kody Crutchfield and Kevarius Tyler. Crutchfield carried the ball 16 times for 95 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyler added 72 yards and a touchdown on just five carries.

Jaqueveon Nelson led the Rams’ receiving corps with five receptions for 99 yards and the team’s lone receiving touchdown. The Worth County secondary also made its presence felt, intercepting three passes in the victory. The Rams also recovered three fumbles on the night, showing just how opportunistic this defense can be.

The Cairo Syrupmakers defeated Thomasville on Friday night for just the fourth time in the last 10 years. The Syrupmakers jumped out to an early 22-0 lead, with La’Derrick Perkins scoring twice, including an 87-yard touchdown run that helped pace Cairo at home. Xavier Teal also added a touchdown on the ground.

Cairo held an 8-0 lead going into halftime before extending its advantage to 29 points. Thomasville added a late touchdown to account for the final margin. Defensively, Austin Hubbard came up big for the Syrupmakers, recording two sacks and six total tackles in the victory.

Keys to the Game

Worth County Rams

  • Take care of the football: Worth County’s defense created six turnovers last week, so protecting the ball will be critical.
  • Establish the run: Kody Crutchfield and Kevarius Tyler give the Rams a strong one-two punch on the ground.
  • Make plays through the air: Lyndon Worthy and Jaqueveon Nelson need to keep Cairo’s defense honest.
  • Create pressure: The Rams need to continue making big plays defensively and force Cairo into mistakes.

Cairo Syrupmakers

  • Protect the football: Cairo cannot afford to give Worth County extra possessions.
  • Get Perkins going: La’Derrick Perkins showed big-play ability last week and will be a key part of the Syrupmakers’ offense.
  • Win the turnover battle: Worth County forced several turnovers last week, making ball security a major concern.
  • Control the line of scrimmage: Cairo needs to establish itself physically on both sides of the football.

Prediction

Cairo has dominated this series, but this will be the first time these two teams have faced off in more than 10 years. Both teams showed balance on offense in Week 1, and both have a stable of very capable running backs to go along with experience at the quarterback position. Taking care of the football will be paramount in this game Friday night.

Cairo had a couple of turnovers on offense, while Worth County forced several turnovers last week. That could be the difference in what we believe will be a mild upset.

Prediction: Worth County by 4

The Skinny

Northwest Bruins

The Northwest Bruins cruised to a shutout victory over county foe Coahulla Creek last week, jumping out to a 30-0 halftime lead. Receiver Kade Mitchell picked up right where he left off last season. Mitchell is an explosive playmaker with game-breaking speed, and the Bruins showed plenty of explosiveness on offense in their Week 1 victory.

Smith Browning looked poised in his debut as the Bruins’ starting quarterback. He showed good poise in the pocket and displayed the ability to accurately deliver the football down the field. Northwest will face a much tougher test this week, however, as Dalton’s defense comes in fresh off a strong performance against Rockmart.

Dalton Catamounts

The Dalton Catamounts also got off to a hot start Friday night, defeating Rockmart at home. Caine Woods showcased his scrambling ability early in the ballgame, rushing for 78 yards on seven carries in just one half of play. Meanwhile, Bronx Stallion led the way for the Cats on the ground with 104 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns. Stallion also led Dalton in the passing game, catching two passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.

The Dalton defense forced three turnovers in the victory, including a game-sealing 77-yard pick-six by sophomore Drayden Gazaway. Linebacker Abreham Evans led the Cats defensively with 16 total tackles, including four tackles for loss.

Keys to the Game

Northwest Bruins

  • Protect the football: Dalton forced three turnovers last week, so Northwest cannot afford to give the Cats extra possessions.
  • Get Kade Mitchell involved: The Bruins need to find ways to get Kade Mitchell in space and take advantage of his game-breaking speed.
  • Protect Smith Browning: The Bruins need to give Smith Browning enough time to find his receivers down the field.
  • Win the defensive battle: Dalton has plenty of offensive weapons, so Northwest must avoid giving up explosive plays.

Dalton Catamounts

  • Create turnovers: The Dalton defense was opportunistic last week and will look to carry that momentum into Friday night.
  • Establish Bronx Stallion: If Caine Woods is unable to play, Bronx Stallion could be asked to shoulder an even larger offensive workload.
  • Contain Kade Mitchell: Keeping Kade Mitchell from making explosive plays will be a major priority.
  • Control the line of scrimmage: Dalton needs to establish itself physically and prevent Northwest from getting comfortable offensively.

Prediction

The competition gets stiffer this week for Northwest, as Dalton’s defense will likely look to capitalize on turnovers once again. Will Smith Browning have enough time to complete passes to game-breaker Kade Mitchell?

Meanwhile, we do not know the status of Dalton quarterback Caine Woods after he left last week’s game early. If he is unable to go, expect a steady dose of Bronx Stallion at running back for Dalton.

Northwest has won the last two games in a series that has historically been lopsided in Dalton’s favor. These two teams combined for more than 100 points a year ago, but we don’t expect that much offense this week. We do, however, believe Northwest gets its third win in a row over Dalton.

Prediction: Northwest by 6

The Skinny

The Brooks County Trojans proved their offense can be just as prolific as ever, tallying 439 yards of total offense, including 287 yards through the air. Seniors George Lamons Jr. and Khalil Watts led the way for the Trojans’ receiving corps. Lamons hauled in nine passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Watts exploded for six receptions and 199 yards.

Meanwhile, Caden Cobb received the bulk of the carries on the ground, rushing for 95 yards on 15 attempts and a touchdown. Lamons also found the end zone three times on the ground, rushing for five carries and three touchdowns. Junior quarterback Jamarion Crumity threw for 228 yards and a touchdown but was also intercepted twice in the game. Defensively, linebacker Zuri Vaughn led the Trojans with seven total tackles, including a sack.

The Pierce County Bears had little trouble in their opening-week victory over Coosa Christian out of Alabama, scoring all 55 of their points in the first half. Running back Jae’Veon Williams led the way for the Bears, scoring two rushing touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for another score in a dominant all-around performance.

Pierce County controlled the game from the start, as Coosa Christian never seriously threatened. For context, Coosa Christian won a state championship last season under then-head coach Rush Propst, who was let go by the program earlier this year. Several players also transferred following his departure.

Keys to the Game

Brooks County Trojans

  • Stop the run: The Trojans must find a way to slow down the Pierce County ground game and Jae’Veon Williams.
  • Protect Crumity: Jamarion Crumity showed he can make plays through the air, but Brooks County cannot afford the turnovers that hurt them last week.
  • Keep the passing game rolling: George Lamons Jr. and Khalil Watts give the Trojans explosive weapons on the outside.
  • Limit explosive plays: Pierce County has the ability to score quickly, so Brooks County must avoid giving up big plays.

Pierce County Bears

  • Establish the ground game: The Bears should lean heavily on Jae’Veon Williams and their talented rushing attack.
  • Make Brooks County one-dimensional: If Pierce County can slow down the Trojans’ passing attack, it will put the Bears in a great position.
  • Force turnovers: Jamarion Crumity threw two interceptions last week, giving the Bears an opportunity to create extra possessions.
  • Control the line of scrimmage: Winning up front will be critical against a Brooks County offense that can attack in multiple ways.

Prediction

Regardless of the blowout win by the Bears, expect Brooks County to be a much stiffer challenge this week. Junior quarterback Burrus only attempted four passes in Pierce County’s opener, but Jamarion Crumity showed that whoever is taking the snaps for Brooks County is capable of making plays through the air.

The key for Brooks County will be finding a way to stop the Pierce County ground game led by Jae’Veon Williams. That’s easier said than done. Expect plenty of fireworks in this game, but we like Pierce County’s ground game to be the difference in a close battle in Quitman.

Prediction: Pierce County by 5

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Eight Greats Around the State Week-2: More marquee matchups heading our way

Posted on August 26, 2026 by admin

Week one of the GHSA season is complete and we were treated to some great games and some surprises. This week, we will see which teams can bounce back from adversity and also see which teams can repeat the success of Week-1. This is our weekly feature that we call Eight Greats Around the State, where we look at 8 intriguing matchups across Georgia. Part I include the following 4 matchups:

Rockmart vs Cedartown: Rockmart looks to bounce back from last week’s loss to Dalton when the Yellow Jackets host a Cedartown team that opened the season with an impressive defensive performance. The Bulldogs are closing the gap, setting the stage for a much more competitive matchup than last season.

Benedictine vs Hebron Christian: Benedictine looks to erase the memory of last week’s disappointing home loss when the defending Private School champion Hebron Christian Lions come to town Friday night. The Cadets will need a much stronger defensive effort and a productive performance from quarterback Omari Burse to pull off the upset.

Blessed Trinity vs Milton: Milton will face its toughest defensive challenge of the young season when the Eagles travel to take on a Blessed Trinity defense that dominated in Week 1. The Titans boast elite talent up front, while Milton enters the matchup riding the momentum of a dramatic victory over North Cobb.

LaGrange vs Troup: Two longtime rivals meet for the 39th time Friday night when Troup County visits LaGrange. Both teams opened the season with shutout victories, setting the stage for a defensive battle that could ultimately be decided by Troup’s powerful ground game.

As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/ As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

The Skinny

The Rockmart Yellow Jackets look to bounce back this week after falling to Dalton last Friday. Rockmart’s offense put up more than 480 yards in the loss, including 366 yards on the ground. Quarterback Charlie Cannon threw for 119 yards but was intercepted twice. Gavin Green was his primary target, hauling in six passes for 45 yards.

The Jackets’ ground game was led by senior J.T. Taylor, who rushed for 112 yards, while junior Cortez Wright added 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Jackets were strong against the pass, allowing just 93 yards and one touchdown through the air. However, the ground game proved to be the bugaboo for the Rockmart defense, as Dalton rushed for 214 yards in the victory. D.J. Kennedy led the Jackets with nine total tackles, while linebacker Everett Adams recorded six tackles, including three tackles for loss.

The Cedartown Bulldogs got their season off to a hot start in Coach Tommy Atha’s second season at the helm. The Bulldogs churned out 386 yards of total offense in their Week 1 victory and were paced by a strong ground game.

Zeke Brown carried the ball nine times for 121 yards and a touchdown, while senior running back Jakobe Dorsey added 48 yards and two touchdowns. Senior quarterback Wyatt Mosley threw for 112 yards and three touchdowns on just eight pass attempts.

Rohan Kent made the most of his opportunities, as both of his receptions went for touchdowns.

Defensively, it was the best outing for Cedartown since Coach Atha took over a year ago, as the Bulldogs allowed just seven points in the victory.

Keys to the Game

Rockmart Yellow Jackets

  • Stop the run: Rockmart must improve against the run after allowing 214 yards on the ground last week.
  • Get Cannon on track: Charlie Cannon needs to find his rhythm in the passing game and avoid the turnovers that hurt the Jackets against Dalton.
  • Continue running the football: Rockmart’s rushing attack was impressive last week, and J.T. Taylor and Cortez Wright will need to keep that production going.
  • Win the line of scrimmage: The Jackets need to control the trenches on both sides of the football.

Cedartown Bulldogs

  • Lean on the running game: With Zeke Brown and Jakobe Dorsey coming off strong performances, Cedartown should look to establish the run early.
  • Make big plays through the air: Wyatt Mosley was extremely efficient in Week 1, throwing three touchdowns on just eight attempts.
  • Force Rockmart into passing situations: The Bulldogs need to slow down the Jackets’ rushing attack and make Rockmart one-dimensional.
  • Keep the momentum: Cedartown’s defense was outstanding in Week 1 and will need another strong performance against a talented Rockmart offense.

Prediction

The Jackets’ run defense will have to improve this week, as Cedartown will likely look to capitalize on its ability to run the football. Meanwhile, look for Charlie Cannon to get the passing game back on track as the Jackets continue to get more comfortable under Coach Fendley. This game should certainly be much closer than last year’s matchup, but we do like Rockmart to bounce back this week.

Prediction: Rockmart by 8

The Skinny

The Benedictine Cadets were ambushed at home last week and will look to get back on track Friday night. The road doesn’t get any easier, as defending Private School champion Hebron Christian comes calling.

The Cadets were led on offense by Omari Burse, who accounted for three touchdowns in the defeat. Benedictine struggled to get the passing game going, as the Cadets were held to just 111 yards through the air.

Defensively, the Cadets will have to find a way to disrupt the passing game after surrendering 258 yards through the air last week. Benedictine will need a much stronger performance on that side of the football if they hope to knock off the defending state champions.

The Hebron Christian Lions defense set the tone last week, holding their opponent to just 97 total yards, including only seven yards rushing. The Lions forced two turnovers and sacked the opposing quarterback five times in the victory.

Beau Bennett, Ryder Cole and Marley Woods led the charge, combining for 23 total tackles. Woods was especially disruptive, recording three sacks.

Meanwhile, Bennett paced the Lions offensively with 83 yards and two touchdowns. J.J. Stowers also added two touchdowns on the ground as Hebron Christian showed its ability to control the game on both sides of the football.

Keys to the Game

Benedictine Cadets

  • Shore up the run defense: The Cadets need to eliminate the big plays on the ground and force Hebron Christian to earn every yard.
  • Protect Omari Burse: Benedictine must give Omari Burse time to operate and avoid allowing the Lions’ pass rush to dictate the game.
  • Create turnovers: The Cadets need to find ways to give their offense extra possessions.
  • Get the offense rolling early: A fast start could give Benedictine the confidence it needs after last week’s disappointing loss.

Hebron Christian Lions

  • Pressure Burse: The Lions need to make Omari Burse uncomfortable in the pocket and prevent him from getting into a rhythm.
  • Continue to dominate defensively: Hebron Christian was outstanding last week and will look to carry that momentum into Friday night.
  • Establish the run: Beau Bennett and J.J. Stowers give the Lions a strong rushing attack that could put pressure on the Benedictine defense.
  • Force turnovers: If the Lions can create extra possessions, they could put themselves in position to control the game.

Prediction

Benedictine will have to have a short memory as they look to pick up their first win of the season. The great news is they don’t have to face a pass-happy attack this week. However, the Cadets will still need to shore some things up defensively, particularly against the run. Meanwhile, Hebron Christian will need to find a way to force a few turnovers and get pressure on Omari Burse to keep him uncomfortable in the pocket. The Lions look to be in midseason form defensively, and we believe they will compete. However, the long bus ride and a Benedictine team with plenty to prove could make the difference.

Prediction: Benedictine by 3

The Skinny

The Blessed Trinity Titans made quick work of Decatur last Thursday, led by an imposing defense that boasts some of the best players in the nation, namely the Jacob brothers, D.J. and Dawson.

The duo combined for five total tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks as the Titans completely disrupted the Decatur offense. Bishop Dameron also picked off a pass, and Blessed Trinity secured its first shutout of the young season while holding Decatur to just 93 yards of total offense.

Meanwhile, M.J. Craft motored to 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns to pace the Blessed Trinity offense, including a 71-yard touchdown run.

Ty Page and Ray Luke combined to throw for 118 yards and three touchdowns while spreading the ball around to seven different receivers. The Titans showed they have plenty of weapons on both sides of the football heading into this week’s matchup.

The Milton Eagles are coming off a back-and-forth affair with North Cobb that saw the Eagles come away with a dramatic victory.

Milton was the beneficiary of a late touchdown pass from Derrick Baker to Grant Haviland, then scored the winning points on the ensuing two-point conversion to get the Eagles into the win column.

Baker threw for 192 yards, added another 83 yards on the ground and accounted for three touchdowns on the night. Sheldon Atchison led the ground game with 96 yards on 15 carries and added a touchdown.

Haviland and Deuntrey Allen each caught three passes, while Jordan Carrasquillo led the Eagles with 58 receiving yards.

Keys to the Game

Blessed Trinity Titans

  • Win the line of scrimmage: The Titans’ defensive front will need to control the trenches against a physical Milton offensive line.
  • Pressure Derrick Baker: Getting Derrick Baker uncomfortable in the pocket will be critical.
  • Get Craft going: M.J. Craft had a breakout performance last week and will look to carry that momentum into Friday night.
  • Swarm to the football: Blessed Trinity’s defense has playmakers all over the field, and its ability to rally to the football could be the difference.

Milton Eagles

  • Neutralize the Jacobs brothers: Milton must find a way to slow down D.J. Jacobs and Dawson Jacobs up front.
  • Protect Baker: The Eagles cannot allow Blessed Trinity’s pass rush to consistently put Derrick Baker under pressure.
  • Establish the run: Sheldon Atchison and the Milton rushing attack will need to keep the Titans from simply pinning their ears back.
  • Make plays in the red zone: Against a defense this talented, Milton will need to capitalize on every scoring opportunity.

Prediction

The road undoubtedly gets harder this week for the Titans, as Milton will certainly be more prolific on offense. The big question is the line of scrimmage for each team. How will Milton neutralize the attacking Blessed Trinity defense and D.J. Jacobs? But it’s not just Jacobs. The Titans swarm from everywhere on the field, and Milton will have to find a way to consistently move the football against one of the most talented defenses it will face all season.

Meanwhile, M.J. Craft had a breakout game for the Titans on offense. The question is whether he can have the same success against Blaize Battaglia and the Milton defense We believe these teams will certainly put points on the board, and look for Derrick Baker to come through in the clutch once again for Milton. He might need a little more magic on the road, but we like the Eagles to pull out a close one.

Prediction: Milton by 6

The Skinny

The LaGrange Grangers picked up an impressive win Friday night, dominating the Newnan Cougars on the road. Jadarius Render showcased his playmaking ability, recording an interception and a sack while also finding the end zone on offense with a rushing touchdown. His performance helped spark the Grangers to victory, while Deanthony Stewart added two touchdowns of his own.

The Grangers’ defense could be the developing story of this team after keeping Newnan at bay in Week 1. Robert Pipoyled the defensive effort in the victory, and LaGrange will need another strong performance on that side of the football against a Troup offense that rushed for more than 300 yards last week.

The Troup Tigers earned a shutout victory in Week 1 and did so by leaning heavily on their ground game. Javarris Warner was the workhorse for Troup, carrying the ball 25 times for 279 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers scored six touchdowns on the ground as they controlled the game from start to finish.

Quarterback Chase Mosley completed five of 11 passes for 51 yards, while Trey Dean caught three passes for 36 yards. The Tigers’ defense was equally impressive, recording 4.5 sacks and forcing two turnovers in the shutout victory. Troup will look to carry that defensive momentum into Friday night’s rivalry matchup.

Keys to the Game

LaGrange Grangers

  • Stop Javarris Warner: Slowing down the Troup workhorse will be priority No. 1 for the Grangers.
  • Create turnovers: LaGrange made big plays defensively in Week 1 and will need to continue that trend.
  • Win third down: The Grangers need to get off the field and prevent Troup from sustaining long drives.
  • Capitalize on opportunities: LaGrange will likely have fewer possessions, making each offensive opportunity important.

Troup Tigers

  • Establish the run: With Javarris Warner coming off a 279-yard performance, Troup should look to establish the ground game early.
  • Control the line of scrimmage: The Tigers need to win the battle up front on both sides of the football.
  • Force LaGrange into passing situations: Troup’s defensive front should look to create pressure and make the Grangers one-dimensional.
  • Avoid turnovers: In a rivalry game, protecting the football could be the difference.

Prediction

Troup will look to establish the ground game on Friday, while LaGrange comes in after making several big plays defensively in Week 1. The question is whether that can continue to be a trend for the Grangers in Week 2.

If LaGrange can stop the Troup ground game, they can really make this game interesting. We believe that’s certainly possible. But we also believe the Tigers will find a way to get the ground game going when it matters most.

Prediction: Troup by 4

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TFR Georgia High School Football Rankings: Week 2: An Action Packed Week-1 shakes up the Top-10

Posted on August 23, 2026 by admin

Week 1 Summary

Most of Georgia’s top high school football teams took took to the field last week across the great state of Georgia. Some notable results included Milton’s win over North Cobb, Thomas County Central’s victory over Colquitt County, Sandy Creek’s upset of Grayson, and Toombs County’s 37-point rout of Benedictine.

As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here: https://hsfha.org/

Class 7A

The top of the Class 7A rankings remained unchanged this week, with No. 1 Buford and No. 2 Carrollton continuing to assert their dominance with big wins. There was significant movement at the bottom of the rankings, however, as North Cobb, Douglas County and Grayson all slipped out following losses. Taking their places are Harrison at No. 8, Norcross at No. 9 and Newton at No. 10.

Class 6A

Thomas County Central began its title defense in impressive fashion with a big win over Class 7A Colquitt County. Meanwhile, Gainesville dropped three spots following its loss to Class 7A No. 1 Buford. The biggest win of the week in Class 6A belonged to Milton, which defeated Class 7A North Cobb. The Eagles move up two spots to No. 4 this week to No. 4.

Class 5A

Cartersville held serve this week, shutting out Hiram and remaining our No. 1 team in Class 5A. Marist gutted out a win over 6A Woodward Academy and moves up to No. 2. There were also a couple of surprising results that shook up the rankings. Benedictine suffered a stunning 37-point loss to Class 3A Toombs County, causing the Cadets to tumble all the way to No. 8. Meanwhile, Central Carrollton also suffered a surprising loss, falling to 2A Heard County by 22 points. The loss knocks Central Carrollton out of the rankings and opens the door for Cass, which enters at No. 10 after defeating Flowery Branch.

Class 4A

Sandy Creek, the defending Class 3A champion, stunned Class 7A Grayson, defeating the Rams 21-13 in one of the biggest upsets of the weekend. North Hall was the only team in the Class 4A Top 10 to suffer a loss this week, falling to Greater Atlanta Christian. The Trojans tumble all the way to No. 9 following the defeat.

Class 3A

Morgan County takes over the top spot in Class 3A after No. 1 Carver-Columbus fell to Douglass, 28-7. Hot on the Bulldogs’ heels are the other Bulldogs from Toombs County, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the weekend by defeating Class 5A Benedictine by 37 points.

Class 2A

Heard County sent a message with its impressive win over Central Carrollton, pulling off another major upset across the state. The Braves move into the No. 1 spot this week after Thomasville suffered a loss to Cairo.

Class A

Lincoln County is perched atop Class A this week following a seven-point victory over Grovetown. Bowdon slips to No. 2 after falling to Class 2A Bremen. Mitchell County and Irwin County make their way into the rankings this week at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively.

Class 4A-2A Private

The Top 5 remained unchanged this week, with Hebron Christian holding on to the No. 1 spot. Savannah Christian won the only matchup featuring two Top-10 private-school opponents, defeating Athens Academy. The loss drops the Spartans to No. 10 after they opened the season ranked No. 6.

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Eight Greats Around the State Week-1: The Wait Is Over Part II

Posted on August 19, 2026 by admin

The GHSA Football season gets kicked off in earnest this week with a handful of games on Wednesday and Thrusday and a full slate on Friday night into Saturday. We had an apetizer last week as the Dave Hunter – Corky Kell Classic kicked off the season in the Benz. This is Part 2 of our feature, Eight Greats Around the state.

Woodward Academy vs Marist:Two Atlanta-area powerhouses meet in a matchup featuring teams coming off deep playoff runs and plenty of questions to answer. Woodward Academy advanced to the quarterfinals last season, while Marist reached the state semifinals. Both teams return talented players along the line of scrimmage, but Woodward appears to have the advantage at quarterback heading into this matchup.

Benedictine vs Toombs County: Two teams coming off state championship game appearances meet in what should be one of the most entertaining matchups of the week. Benedictine and Toombs County both return plenty of talent from their 2025 runs, but both will also be breaking in key pieces. The Cadets have a new quarterback to settle in, while Toombs County enters a new classification with an experienced offense ready to make another deep playoff run.

Calhoun vs Jefferson: Two programs with recent deep playoff experience meet in a matchup that could come down to which team adjusts fastest. Calhoun returns a veteran quarterback and plenty of offensive firepower but must replace significant production on defense. Jefferson enters the season coming off a state runner-up finish and will turn to a new quarterback while relying on an experienced stable of running backs.

Milton vs North Cobb: Milton and North Cobb meet in a matchup that already had plenty of intrigue before adding one of the biggest storylines of the week. The Eagles welcome back quarterback Derrick Baker after an injury ended his 2025 season in the opener, while North Cobb will turn to former Milton quarterback Ben Halevi. Both teams return plenty of experience, setting up what should be a tightly contested matchup.

As always, thank you to the Georgia Helmet Project for the artwork. You can find them here: https://www.gahelmetproject.com/As well as the High School Football Historians Association for all of their historical data. You can find them here:https://hsfha.org/

The Woodward Academy War Eagles are coming off a run to the quarterfinals last year and are looking for similar success in 2026. The War Eagles averaged 32.6 points per game a season ago and at one point reeled off nine straight wins before being derailed in the quarterfinals.

Woodward returns its starting quarterback, Ryan Harrigan, who threw for more than 2,000 yards last season. Harrigan will have some new targets to work with, however, as the War Eagles lose their top four receiving targets from a year ago.

Woodward does return its top running back in Princeton Woods, who ran for 640 yards on 123 carries and led the team with 10 rushing touchdowns. Woods also caught 14 passes for 156 yards out of the backfield, giving the War Eagles a versatile weapon to complement Harrigan.

Woodward’s strength might be its defense, particularly along the defensive line. The War Eagles return three All-Region performers in Myles Tate, Tory Clark, and Jack Wilson. Elijah Lyles also returns as the team’s leading tackler and is primed for another standout season.

The Marist War Eagles will be replacing plenty of talent themselves after making a run to the semifinals a year ago. The strength for Marist should once again be along the line of scrimmage, where Cooper Martenson and Hayes Remsbergwill anchor the unit.

The Marist offense is traditionally run-heavy and will likely lean on Hudson Kalb, regardless of who takes the snaps for the War Eagles when game time arrives. Defensively, Owen Hare and Lucas Rosser return to anchor the unit, along with linebacker Jack Weeks.

Marist also returns All-State kicker Tyler Baradel, who could prove to be a difference-maker if this game comes down to a few critical possessions.

Keys to the Game

Woodward Academy War Eagles

  • Protect Harrigan: With the top four receivers from last season gone, Ryan Harrigan will need time to develop chemistry with his new targets.
  • Feed Woods: Princeton Woods gives Woodward a proven weapon in both the running and passing games. Establishing him early could take pressure off Harrigan.
  • Win at the line of scrimmage: Myles Tate, Tory Clark, and Jack Wilson give Woodward plenty of experience up front. They will need to control Marist’s physical rushing attack.
  • Create pressure: Elijah Lyles and the War Eagles defense will need to force Marist into passing situations and make the quarterback position a factor.

Marist War Eagles

  • Run the football: Marist’s best path to victory may be controlling the clock and keeping the Woodward offense on the sideline.
  • Protect the quarterback: With questions still surrounding who will take the snaps, Cooper Martenson and Hayes Remsberg will be critical in keeping pressure away from the Marist quarterback.
  • Limit Woods: Princeton Woods is one of Woodward’s most versatile weapons. Marist cannot allow him to consistently create explosive plays.
  • Win the special teams battle: Tyler Baradel gives Marist a proven weapon in the kicking game. In what could be a close matchup, his leg could be the difference.

This should be another physical matchup between two programs that expect to make deep playoff runs. Marist has the ability to shorten the game and make Woodward work for every possession, but the War Eagles appear to have fewer questions to answer heading into the season.

Woodward Academy is certainly more settled at the quarterback position, while Marist is still searching for answers under center. We expect Marist to keep this game close with its ability to run the football and control the clock.

Woodward’s stability at quarterback and its experienced defense give the War Eagles the slight advantage.

Prediction: Woodward Academy by 6

The Benedictine Cadets enter the season coming off a run to the state championship game. The Cadets will have plenty of shoes to fill, perhaps none more important than at quarterback. Benedictine will turn to Omari Burse, who was efficient in limited action last season.

Burse will have a strong supporting cast around him. Eron Mallard returns as one of the state’s top big-play receivers after hauling in 32 receptions for 657 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Joining Burse in the backfield will be 1,000-yard rusher Stanley Smart, giving the new starting quarterback plenty of experience around him. The offensive line also features Noah Brainard and Collyn Ward.

Defensively, the Cadets will look to Isaac Scott to anchor the defensive line and help lead a unit that will be tested by a talented Toombs County offense.

The Toombs County Bulldogs are also coming off a run to the state championship game in 2025. The Bulldogs return a host of talent as they move up to Class 3A this season.

Quarterback Joseph Owens returns after throwing for more than 2,400 yards last season. His receiving corps remains largely intact, with Nick Carroll returning after catching 46 passes for 722 yards and seven touchdowns and Brandon Stevens coming back after recording 25 receptions for 506 yards and four touchdowns.

The Bulldogs will have some production to replace in the running game, but Donterrius Mincey, Zay Walton, and Alex Scott are expected to lead the rushing attack.

Toombs County’s defense has been one of the program’s biggest strengths in recent years. The Bulldogs allowed just 13.6 points per game last season, marking the third consecutive season they held opponents below 14 points per game. Jamarcus Johnson is a load along the defensive line, while Hayden Bullard also returns to wreak havoc up front.

Keys to the Game

Benedictine Cadets

  • Get Burse comfortable: Omari Burse doesn’t need to do everything himself, but the Cadets need him to settle in quickly against an experienced Toombs defense.
  • Establish Smart: Stanley Smart gives Benedictine a proven 1,000-yard rusher. If the Cadets can run effectively, it will take pressure off Burse.
  • Get Mallard the football: Eron Mallard is a proven big-play threat. Benedictine needs to find ways to get him opportunities in space.
  • Win the line of scrimmage: Noah Brainard, Collyn Ward, and Isaac Scott will be critical in a physical matchup against Toombs County’s front.

Toombs County Bulldogs

  • Let Owens attack: Joseph Owens returns with plenty of experience and needs to take advantage of a Benedictine defense breaking in some new pieces.
  • Feed the receivers: Nick Carroll and Brandon Stevens give Owens two experienced targets who can stretch the Cadets’ secondary.
  • Find production on the ground: Mincey, Walton, and Scott will need to help replace last year’s rushing production and keep the offense balanced.
  • Win the defensive front: Jamarcus Johnson and Hayden Bullard need to make life difficult for Burse and prevent Benedictine from establishing its ground game.

This should be one of the better games on the schedule, with both teams bringing championship-level experience and plenty of returning talent. Toombs County may have the more experienced offense, but Benedictine’s ability to run the football gives the Cadets the slight edge in what could be a high-scoring affair. How quickly Burse can take command of the Benedictine offense will certainly dictate the Cadets’ success Friday night.

Prediction: Benedictine by 6

The Calhoun Yellow Jackets enter the 2026 season looking to build off their playoff run a season ago. The Jackets were hit hard by graduation, especially on defense. Calhoun recorded three shutouts last season and allowed opponents just over 15 points per game.

Drew Huff and Hudson Chadwick will be counted on to lead the defense. Huff recorded 75 total tackles and six tackles for loss last season, while Chadwick finished with 35 tackles and two tackles for loss.

The Jackets should be just as prolific offensively as they were a year ago. Quarterback Trace Hawkins returns after throwing for 2,442 yards, 24 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Chadwick also returns at running back after rushing for 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns. Isaiah Nalls added 421 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Tony Reidcontributed 412 yards and three touchdowns.

Nalls has also proven to be a dangerous weapon out of the backfield, catching 14 passes for 147 yards last season. With Hawkins and several key skill players returning, Calhoun should once again have one of the more dangerous offenses in their region.

The Jefferson Dragons are coming off a state runner-up finish in 2025. The Dragons will lean on a new signal caller as Boone Horn takes over at quarterback. Horn saw limited action last season, completing 11 of 18 passes for 187 yards and a touchdown.

While the quarterback position is new, Jefferson has plenty of experience in the backfield. C.J. Hayes, Max Brown, and Eli Primm all return, with the trio combining for 1,603 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last season.

Defensively, the Dragons will rely on Brown, Dylan Berardinelli, Jacob Berardinelli, and Primm to set the tone. Shyne Parham will lead the secondary after tying for the team lead with three interceptions last season.

Keys to the Game

Calhoun Yellow Jackets

  • Stop the run: Drew Huff and Hudson Chadwick will have to lead a defense that faces one of the state’s deepest backfields.
  • Keep Hawkins in control: Trace Hawkins was outstanding last season, and Calhoun needs another efficient performance from its veteran quarterback.
  • Establish the ground game: Chadwick, Nalls, and Reid give Calhoun plenty of options. If the Jackets can run effectively, it will take pressure off Hawkins.
  • Avoid defensive fatigue: Jefferson’s ground game is built to control the clock. Calhoun needs to get off the field and avoid allowing long, time-consuming drives.

Jefferson Dragons

  • Protect Horn: Boone Horn has limited varsity experience, so Jefferson needs to avoid putting the young quarterback in obvious passing situations.
  • Feed the backfield: C.J. Hayes, Max Brown, and Eli Primm give Jefferson three proven options. The Dragons should lean on that experience early.
  • Slow down Calhoun’s rushing attack: Brown, Dylan Berardinelli, Jacob Berardinelli, and Primm will need to control the line of scrimmage and keep Calhoun from establishing its ground game.
  • Create turnovers: Shyne Parham and the Jefferson secondary should look for opportunities to make Hawkins uncomfortable and create extra possessions.

This should be a physical matchup between two teams with legitimate playoff aspirations. Calhoun has the more experienced quarterback and plenty of offensive weapons, but Jefferson’s depth in the backfield gives the Dragons a major advantage in what should be a battle at the line of scrimmage.

The Dragons may have some questions at quarterback, but we believe their defense and running game will be enough to overcome them.

Prediction: Jefferson by 6

The Milton Eagles had a relatively early exit from the playoffs last season after winning back-to-back state championships. The Eagles lost highly touted quarterback Derrick Baker in the first game of the season, but Baker is back and healthy and will lead an offense that churned out more than 359 yards per game last season.

Baker will have a couple of big-time targets at receiver, including Jordan Carrasquillo, who caught 33 passes for 586 yards and seven touchdowns, and tight end Grant Haviland, who added 24 receptions for 343 yards and four touchdowns.

Sheldon Atchison also returns at running back after finishing second on the team with 522 rushing yards and four touchdowns last season. Atchison is a physical runner who has shown the ability to break arm tackles and create yards after contact.

Defensively, Blaize Battaglia returns as the team’s leading tackler after recording 121 total tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. Christian Hunter and Roman Tumminia return as key pieces along the defensive front.

The North Cobb Warriors closed out their 2025 season with a run to the second round of the playoffs. The Warriors return one of the top junior running backs in the state in Zach Belyeu, who rushed for 1,244 yards and 25 touchdowns while splitting time with Quevy Echols, who has since graduated.

North Cobb will have a new signal caller this season, and ironically, it will be Ben Halevi, who led Milton last year after Baker went down. Halevi was an All-Region performer who threw for 1,541 yards, 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions last season.

Halevi will have the luxury of throwing to Micah Billingsley, who led the Warriors with 62 receptions for 693 yards and six touchdowns last year. Expect Iago Guimaraes to also take another step forward in the receiving game.

Defensively, C.J. Williams will anchor the defensive line, while linebackers Jayden Harris and Jayden Hamlette return as the team’s top tacklers from a year ago. Trey Shaw and Marcus Singleton provide plenty of experience in the secondary for Coach Queen’s defense.

Keys to the Game

Milton Eagles

  • Protect Baker: After losing Derrick Baker in last year’s opener, keeping the quarterback upright will be priority No. 1 against a talented North Cobb defense.
  • Establish Atchison: Sheldon Atchison gives Milton a physical presence in the running game. A strong performance from him would keep pressure off Baker.
  • Win the matchup outside: Jordan Carrasquillo and Grant Haviland give Baker two proven targets. Milton needs to take advantage of those weapons.
  • Contain Belyeu: Blaize Battaglia and the Milton defense must find a way to slow Zach Belyeu, who is capable of taking over a game.

North Cobb Warriors

  • Let Halevi settle in: Ben Halevi knows the Milton system and has proven he can run an offense. Keeping him comfortable early will be critical.
  • Feed Belyeu: Zach Belyeu is one of the most dangerous running backs in the state. North Cobb needs to establish him early and often.
  • Protect Halevi: Milton has enough talent up front to make life difficult for the quarterback. C.J. Williams and the North Cobb offensive line will need to keep pressure away from Halevi.
  • Win the turnover battle: With two experienced teams and plenty of offensive firepower, an extra possession could be the difference in a three-point game.

This game was already a big-time matchup, but the storyline of Halevi facing his former team adds another layer of intrigue. Both teams have plenty of experience on both sides of the football, so this could come down to the battle at the line of scrimmage.

Most importantly, protecting the quarterback will be critical. We believe Halevi picks up where he left off for North Cobb, but Milton and Baker find a way to close out the Warriors in a tightly contested game.

Prediction: Milton by 3

Posted in GHSA Weekly Football Previews - Eight Greats Around the State, GHSA Weekly Game Previews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment