It’s Week-3 of the Georgia High School football season, and believe it or not, we’re already closing in on the quarter mark of the year. While it feels like things just kicked off, teams across the state are quickly learning who they are — and who they’ll need to be once the games really start to count. Most programs remain in their non-region schedules, using these weeks to sharpen their identity, while a few will dive into region play sooner than expected. Here’s Part I of our breakdown of eight intriguing matchups to watch across Georgia this week.
Westminster vs. Calhoun
Westminster rides into Week 3 unbeaten after topping Lovett and Pace, while Calhoun comes off a bye following a dominant opener. The Wildcats’ defense faces a challenge from Yellow Jackets playmakers Trace Hawkins and Isaiah Nalls in what should be a physical, back-and-forth battle.
LaGrange vs. Sandy Creek
LaGrange closes out its non-region slate and begins region play against a familiar Sandy Creek squad this week. Both teams come in undefeated, featuring balanced offenses and stout defenses that have performed well in the early season. This matchup could be a key test for region positioning, with control of the ground game and turnovers likely to determine the outcome.
Blessed Trinity vs. Prince Avenue Christian
Blessed Trinity enters Week 3 averaging 43.5 points per game with a strong offense and defense. Prince Avenue Christian counters with a high-powered attack, averaging 455 yards per game. This non-region matchup should be a test of strength versus strength, with both teams looking to establish their ground game early.
North Gwinnett vs. Colquitt County
North Gwinnett looks to rebound after a modest Week 1 performance, relying on a stout defense and a balanced offense. Colquitt County counters with a strong running game and quarterback play, while both teams aim to assert themselves early in this Top-10 clash. Expect a closely contested matchup with the ability to run the football will go a long way in determining the winner.
Special thanks to the Georgia Helmet Project for providing each team’s helmet. You can find all of their work here: http://gahelmetproject.com
Historical records are provided by the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. (ghsfa.org)
The Westminster Wildcats have claimed bragging rights in Buckhead after back-to-back wins over Lovett and Pace Academy. Now, they face their toughest challenge yet: the defending Class 3A champion Calhoun Yellow Jackets.
Westminster will once again lean on two-way standout Jackson deButts, who totaled 254 offensive yards and three touchdowns in 2024. While the Wildcats are averaging just over 15 points per game on offense, their defense has been outstanding, holding opponents to just 7.5 points per contest through two games.
Calhoun enters fresh off a dominant opening-week performance. Sophomore quarterback Trace Hawkins was nearly flawless, completing 9 of 11 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown in three quarters of work. Fellow sophomore Isaiah Nalls added 116 yards and two scores on just eight carries, while Hudson Chadwick powered the ground game with 60 yards and a touchdown. Justin Beasley showed his big-play ability with 101 receiving yards and a long touchdown catch.
Defensively, Chadwick led the way with 11 tackles, and the Yellow Jackets’ front seven — including Alex Upshaw, Sager Quinn, and Ayden Parish — stifled their opponent, surrendering only a field goal in a dominant effort.
The key matchup will be whether Calhoun’s defensive front can bottle up Westminster’s rushing attack. The Wildcats will have the advantage of playing at home, but if the Jackets shake off any bye-week rust, they have the firepower to pull away late.
Prediction: Calhoun by 16.
The LaGrange Grangers closed out their non-region slate in impressive fashion and now turn their focus to region play, where they’ll face a familiar powerhouse in Sandy Creek. LaGrange has been explosive on offense, averaging 34.5 points per game behind dual-threat quarterback Dylan Barber, who has thrown for 175 yards, rushed for 252 yards, and accounted for five total touchdowns. Running back Peyton Davis is coming off a career night with 151 rushing yards and four scores, giving the Grangers another weapon in the backfield. Jardon Stringer and Kalvin Snowberger have provided reliable targets in the passing game, while the defense has been equally stout, holding opponents to just 7.5 points per contest.
Sandy Creek has started 2–0 for the fifth straight season and appears to already be in midseason form. Quarterback Caleb Hill has thrown for 433 yards and three touchdowns with a 68.3% completion rate while adding two rushing scores of his own. Running back Amari Latimer has powered the ground game with 339 yards and four touchdowns, and he’s also proven to be a reliable receiving threat out of the backfield. Alijah Ferrell and Avohn Florence have combined for 14 receptions, 277 yards, and three touchdowns, giving the Patriots multiple downfield options. Defensively, Sandy Creek has racked up 5.5 sacks and forced three turnovers in two games, with J.T. Austin leading the charge up front.
This matchup could go a long way toward deciding the region title, as both teams finished near the top of the standings last year and look poised for deep postseason runs. LaGrange will likely rely on Barber and Davis to control the tempo on the ground, but Sandy Creek’s balanced attack and big-game experience make them a tough out. Expect a physical, back-and-forth contest, but Amari Latimer may be the difference-maker late.
Prediction: Sandy Creek by 4.
The Blessed Trinity Titans are back at home for the third consecutive week, and through two games they’ve looked like a team on a mission. Averaging 43.5 points per contest while holding opponents to just eight, the Titans have dominated in all phases. The offense has leaned heavily on Ahmontae Pitts, who has rushed for 185 yards and five touchdowns, setting the tone for a balanced ground attack. Senior quarterback J.D. Callaway has taken over behind center, but with only 18 pass attempts so far, the Titans have hardly had to test their aerial game. When they have thrown it, receivers Quinn Davis and Saeger Olsen have been steady options, adding another layer of balance to an already efficient offense.
Defensively, Blessed Trinity has been as impressive as anyone in the state. Junior D.J. Jacobs and senior Lucas Smalls-Allen anchor a disruptive front, combining for 13 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and multiple sacks. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage and get into opposing backfields has been a nightmare for offenses trying to establish any rhythm. This week, they’ll face their biggest test yet.
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines bring an offensive juggernaut to Roswell, averaging 455 yards per game and piling up points behind junior quarterback Ben Musser. Musser has already thrown for 470 yards and five touchdowns while adding 108 rushing yards and another score. His favorite weapons are a trio of receivers: C.J. Dockery (6 receptions, 134 yards, TD), Hudson Hill (4 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TDs), and Andrew Beard (8 receptions, 97 yards, TD), who also leads the ground game with 256 rushing yards and four touchdowns on just 20 carries. Defensively, the Wolverines are led by sophomore linebacker Knox Blocker, who has 18 tackles, and Boss Boucek, who has five tackles for loss including a sack, but the unit is allowing nearly 20 points per game — something to watch against a physical Blessed Trinity offense.
This matchup is a collision of strengths. Prince Avenue’s high-flying attack has faced little resistance in the early going, but Blessed Trinity’s defense is packed with future Power-4 talent capable of slowing even the most explosive teams. If Jacobs and Smalls-Allen can disrupt Musser’s timing and force the Wolverines to earn everything in small chunks, the Titans’ ball-control offense led by Pitts should keep the game on their terms. Expect a physical, playoff-caliber atmosphere, even in late August.
Prediction: Blessed Trinity by 7.
he North Gwinnett Bulldogs return from a bye week ready to face another top opponent in Colquitt County. Week-1 was a tough test for the Bulldogs’ offense, which totaled 186 yards — 115 on the ground and 71 through the air. Seven different ball carriers saw action, with Kalil Mazzone leading the group with 35 yards on 11 carries. Quarterback Elam Rahman went 9-for-15 for 60 yards in the opener. While the offensive numbers were modest, North Gwinnett faced one of the best defenses they will see all season. Defensively, the Bulldogs were stout, holding their opponent to just 242 total yards. Jake Godfree led the team with 10 tackles, while Connor Coxwell added seven stops, combining for nine tackles for loss and multiple sacks in a dominant front-seven performance.
The Colquitt County Packers also come off a bye, and the timing could be perfect for the team as star running back Jae Lamar recovers from an early Week-1 exit. Lamar had 36 yards on three carries before leaving, while Ja’mari Stokescarried the load with 11 rushes for 21 yards. Sophomore quarterback Cohen Lawson has been dynamic, throwing for 142 yards, rushing for 22, and accounting for three total touchdowns. The passing game is well-distributed, with seven different receivers catching passes, including Antwan Lockett, who had three receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. On defense, senior linebacker Brayden Ruis led the Packers with 15 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, and safety Alfonso McNeil added 12 stops, giving Colquitt a balanced team on both sides of the ball.
This game features a clash of strengths: North Gwinnett’s defense against Colquitt’s offensive firepower. If Jae Lamar suits up, the Bulldogs will focus on stopping the run and forcing Cohen Lawson to beat them through the air. If Lamar is limited, North Gwinnett will likely put heavy pressure on Lawson to try to take control. The long road trip adds a challenge for Colquitt against North Gwinnett’s defensive front. That unit has the talent to make things difficult for the Packers. In a tightly contested Top-10 matchup, expect Jae Lamar to be the difference-maker, giving Colquitt County a narrow edge.
Prediction: Colquitt County by 2.