Week 7 of the GHSA football season marks a pivotal point on the calendar as teams across Georgia dive deeper into region play. Contenders are beginning to separate themselves from the pack while others fight to keep their postseason hopes alive. Signature matchups and long-running rivalries dot the schedule this week, with region titles, playoff seeding, and bragging rights all on the line. Here is a look at some of the more intriguing matchups throughout the state of Georgia.
Thomas County Central vs. Lee County
Thomas County Central’s blistering, balanced offense squares off with Lee County’s power running game and physical defense in a matchup that could shape the region title race.
Pickens vs. North Hall
Unbeaten Pickens looks to keep its dream season alive by slowing North Hall’s high-flying, 500-plus yards-per-game attack in a pivotal showdown of region frontrunners.
Sonoraville vs. Rockmart
Both teams bring three-game win streaks into this clash, as surging Sonoraville tries to knock off a Rockmart squad riding a decade-long region dominance streak.
Early County vs. Seminole County
Early County’s bruising ground game takes on Seminole County’s balanced, efficient attack in a contest that could decide the inside track to the region crown.
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 Skinny
Thomas County Central has been on a roll. The Yellow Jackets have won nine straight regular-season games dating back to 2024, losing only once in the regular season since head coach Justin Rogers took over. This year’s group has been electric, averaging 59 points per game and piling up 432 yards of total offense per contest with a near-perfect balance between passing (211.8 ypg) and rushing (221 ypg).
Quarterback Jaylen Johnson has been surgical through the air, throwing for 831 yards and 17 touchdowns with just one interception while completing nearly 69% of his passes. He’s also added another 116 yards rushing. J.B. Watkins leads the receiving corps with 20 receptions for 280 yards and seven scores, while Rodney Dunbar and D.J. White have combined for 18 receptions, 375 yards, and seven touchdowns. On the ground, Christian Lawrence paces the Jackets with 431 yards and eight touchdowns, and Jordan McNeil has chipped in 269 yards and three scores.
Defensively, Thomas County Central is allowing only 5.6 points per game with two shutouts already this season. The Jackets have tallied 14.5 sacks and forced eight turnovers. Linebackers Jacoby Herring (26 tackles) and Omari Stephenson (19 tackles), along with pass-rush specialist Cam Brooks (3.5 sacks), anchor a stingy unit.
On the other sideline, Lee County remains the last team to beat Thomas County Central in the regular season. The Trojans are scoring 37.5 points per game this year, powered by a deep rushing attack. Jordan Bush leads the way with 364 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground while also throwing for 112 yards and a score. Canton Williams adds another 215 yards and two touchdowns, and senior Marcus Snipes heads the passing game with 361 yards and three TD passes. Jaden Upshaw is the top receiving threat with 17 catches for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
Lee County averages 214.5 yards per game on the ground and 118.3 through the air, while allowing 24 points per game defensively. Lasiah Jackson leads the team with 34 tackles, and the Trojans have matched Thomas County Central with eight forced turnovers, though their pass rush (five sacks) has been less disruptive than the Jackets’.
Keys to the Game
For Thomas County Central
Keep the pedal down early; force Lee County to chase the game instead of dictating tempo with the run.
Lee County’s defense hasn’t generated a ton of sacks, but keeping Johnson upright lets the Jackets use their full playbook.
Limit Lee County’s inside rushing lanes to make the Trojans one-dimensional.
For Lee County
Long, sustained drives with Jordan Bush and Canton Williams can shorten the game and keep the Jackets’ offense off the field.
Sustaining drives should wear down the Jackets’ defense and give their own unit rest.
Lee County may need extra possessions to offset Thomas County Central’s scoring punch.
Lee County’s ability to run the ball gives them a path to keep this game tight, but Thomas County Central’s balance, depth, and home-field advantage tilt the scales.
Prediction: Thomas County Central by 8.
The Skinny
The Pickens Dragons are off to their best start in six years. At 5-0 for the first time since 2018, the same season they captured their only region crown, the Dragons have been steady and balanced offensively, averaging 33.6 points per game with 162.8 passing yards and 190.2 rushing yards per outing.
Junior running back Ike Wyngaard powers the ground game with 421 yards and six touchdowns, while Ezra Faber(230 yards, 2 TDs) and quarterback Hayden Jones (154 yards, 3 TDs) add complementary production. Through the air, Jones has been efficient, throwing for 679 yards and six scores with a 61.6% completion rate and no interceptions. His go-to target is McCord Purdy, who has already hauled in 27 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Pickens allows 17.6 points per game. Landon Poole anchors the unit with 60 total tackles, while Jacob Watkins leads the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. The Dragons have forced eight turnovers and recorded 7.5 sacks this season.
Across the field, North Hall has been even more explosive. After going unbeaten in region play in 2024, the Trojans have scored 107 points in their first two region games this year and are averaging 48.4 points per game overall. Their offense has been nothing short of prolific, piling up an astounding 544 yards per game — 348 through the air and 196 on the ground.
Quarterback Alex Schlieman has been lights out, throwing for 1,588 yards and 13 touchdowns while completing 71.7% of his passes with just three interceptions. His top weapons are Ty Kemp (35 catches, 641 yards, 8 TDs) and Cole Cable(28 catches, 505 yards, 2 TDs). On the ground, Wyatt Tumlin (236 yards, 1 TD), Smith McGarvey (206 yards, 5 TDs) and senior Justin Allen (171 yards, 7 TDs) give the Trojans a versatile rushing attack.
North Hall’s defense has been solid, surrendering 21.6 points per game. The Trojans have produced 13 sacks and five turnovers led by Buddy Clark (50 total tackles) and Dalton Hulsey (34 total tackles).
Keys to the Game
For Pickens:
Slow down Schlieman and the Trojans’ air raid by mixing coverages and applying pressure.
Control the clock with Wyngaard and the running game to limit North Hall’s possessions.
Win first downs and avoid turnovers to keep it close deep into the second half.
For North Hall:
Tackle in space to neutralize Wyngaard and Purdy.
Start fast and force Pickens out of its balanced attack.
Protect Schlieman to allow big plays to Kemp and Cable.
Both teams have separated themselves in the region standings along with Greater Atlanta Christian, making this a pivotal matchup. Pickens has proven it can score, but its defense will be tested like never before by North Hall’s explosive attack. We believe the Dragons can hang around for a half, but the Trojans’ air raid offense is too much over four quarters.
Prediction: North Hall by 11.
The Skinny
The Sonoraville Phoenix enter Week 7 riding a three-game win streak and brimming with offensive confidence. Averaging 41.4 points per game, the Phoenix have been dynamic both through the air and on the ground, racking up 227.4 passing yards and 199.6 rushing yards per contest.
Senior quarterback Chaz Pate has been the catalyst, throwing for 1,112 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes. His top targets are Langston Butler (23 receptions, 326 yards, 4 TDs) and Braxen McMahan (14 receptions, 237 yards). On the ground, Jayden Cruz has been a workhorse, rushing for 660 yards and eight touchdownsat an eye-popping 8.4 yards per carry.
Defensively, Sonoraville is surrendering 26.6 points per game but has shown a knack for making impact plays with 10 sacks and nine turnovers forced. Ethan Cochran (49 tackles), Ely Fox (43 tackles), and Wade Stepp (33 tackles)headline the Phoenix defense.
Across the field, the Rockmart Yellow Jackets also come in on a three-game win streak and carrying an incredible streak of their own — they haven’t lost a region game since October 14, 2016, a run of 62 consecutive regular-season region wins.
This year’s Jackets average 36.8 points per game on 413 yards of total offense. Freshman quarterback Tucker Parsonhas been sharp beyond his years, throwing for 1,177 yards and 12 touchdowns with a 70.3% completion rate and just one interception.
Gavin Green (26 catches, 598 yards, 7 TDs) and Nate Davis (14 catches, 229 yards, 3 TDs) lead the receiving corps, while Davis also tops the rushing chart with 497 yards on 54 carries and four rushing scores. Defensively, Davis doubles as the team leader with 62 total tackles. Rockmart’s defense has been stout, notching 13 sacks and forcing 11 turnovers, including two shutouts this season.
Keys to the Game
For Sonoraville:
Keep Chaz Pate comfortable and spread the ball to Butler and McMahan to loosen up Rockmart’s defense.
Feed Jayden Cruz early to control tempo and keep the Jackets’ offense on the sideline.
Win red zone opportunities — field goals won’t be enough against Rockmart’s firepower.
For Rockmart:
Lean on experience and balance; establish Nate Davis on the ground to complement Parson’s passing.
Pressure Pate consistently to force mistakes and shorten Phoenix drives.
Maintain composure if Sonoraville strikes early — the Jackets haven’t faced many four-quarter region fights in recent years.
Both teams like to sling it around, and both bring streaks into this pivotal region clash. Sonoraville’s offense is dangerous enough to test Rockmart’s defense, but the Jackets’ balance and playmaking edge on both sides of the ball give them the upper hand. Expect a closer-than-usual region game but another Rockmart win.
Prediction: Rockmart by 10.
The Skinny
The Early County Bobcats roll into this week on a three-game winning streak, looking to keep their momentum alive. Both of Early’s losses this season came against Class 3A opponents, and the Bobcats are averaging 29.4 points per gamewhile allowing 20.2. Last week, they posted a season-high 42 points against Terrell County.
Offensively, Early County is led by quarterback Evan Grist and running back D.J. Lee. Grist is a true dual-threat who can hurt defenses with his arm and his legs, while Lee provides the power and consistency on the ground in the Bobcats’ run-first attack. Defensively, standouts Kaden Kendrix and Ra’Keevian Lee have sparked big plays for a unit that has stiffened over the past three weeks.
On the other side, the Seminole County Indians are off to their first 4-0 start since 2013, when they went unbeaten and reached the state quarterfinals. This season, Seminole County has been balanced and explosive, averaging 38.2 points per game while passing for 156.3 yards and rushing for 190.8 yards per contest.
Quarterback Ellis Denham has been sensational, completing an efficient 78.4% of his passes for 617 yards, 8 touchdowns, and just one interception. He’s spread the ball around to 10 different receivers, with Christian Kimble (7 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD), Zakari Henderson (6 catches, 126 yards, 3 TDs), Kamauri Johnson (6 catches, 69 yards) and Timothy Brown (6 catches, 98 yards, 3 TDs) leading the way. Johnson also tops the team in rushing with 415 yards on just 30 carries and five touchdowns.
Defensively, the Indians have been stingy, allowing only 12 points per game, while recording five sacks and forcing eight turnovers through four games.
Keys to the Game
For Early County:
Lean on the run-first attack with Grist and Lee to control time of possession.
Limit Seminole County’s explosive plays by keeping everything in front of the secondary.
Win the turnover battle and capitalize on short fields.
For Seminole County:
Maintain offensive balance; mix Denham’s efficient passing with Johnson’s ground game.
Pressure Grist and contain his scrambles to force the Bobcats into long-yardage situations.
Stay disciplined on defense and avoid giving up momentum-changing plays.
This game has the feel of a region title preview. Early County has momentum and a physical ground game, while Seminole County’s balance and Denham’s efficiency have powered its unbeaten start. Expect a tight contest that comes down to one or two defensive stops late.
Prediction: Early County by 4.