The final week of the GHSA regular season is here, and the playoff picture is heating up fast. Teams across Georgia are making their last pushes for region titles and postseason positioning. Marietta made the biggest statement of the week, storming into the Class 6A Top-10 after five straight wins, while Thomas County Central, Roswell, and Kell all tightened their grip on region races as the chase for playoff seeding hits its peak. Here is our take on the Top-10 in each classification.
Class 6A
The Top-9 teams in Class 6A all took care of business, each winning by at least two scores. Hillgrove dropped from the rankings after a loss to Harrison, opening the door for one of the hottest teams in Class 6A — the Marietta Blue Devils. After a slow start, Marietta has caught fire, reeling off five straight wins and moving within one victory of its first region title in 20 years. The Blue Devils debut at No. 10 this week.
Class 5A
Thomas County Central picked up a crucial win over Houston County to strengthen its claim to the Region 1 title. The loss sends the Bears tumbling from No. 4 to No. 8, though they still have a chance to host a playoff game when they face Lee County this week. In another Top-10 clash, Roswell outlasted Gainesville, and can clinch the region outright with a win over Milton on Friday. Gainesville slips to No. 5, while Roswell climbs to No. 4.
Class 4A
Kell made a move this week after defeating Cambridge — the two teams swapped spots in the rankings, with Kell up to No. 7 and Cambridge down to No. 9. Kell also laid a claim to the Region title with the victory. Meanwhile, Ware County was upset by Warner Robins and dropped out of the Top-10 entirely. That opened the door for Eastside, which reenters the rankings at No. 10 after closing its season with a win over Cedar Shoals.
Class 3A
Cairo was the big winner in Class 3A, earning a key Region 1 victory over Peach County. The Syrupmakers have now won seven straight and can secure the region title with a win over Westover this week. Cairo climbs to No. 7, while Peach County drops to No. 9. Sandy Creek and Troup both rolled to wins, setting up a massive Region 2 title showdown this Friday in LaGrange Between the Tigers and Patriots.
Class 2A
There were no major surprises in Class 2A, as all Top-10 teams earned wins. However, this coming Friday promises plenty of excitement with two Top-10 matchups that will decide region titles: Morgan County hosts Callaway for the Region 2 crown, while Rockmart welcomes North Murray for the Region 7 championship.
Class A – Division I
In the week’s only Top-10 matchup, Worth County took down Jeff Davis 26–14. Meanwhile, Swainsboro fell to Class 3A-A Private Top-10 program Savannah Christian, causing Swainsboro to slide to No. 10. Fitzgerald continues its late-season surge, jumping to No. 5, while Jeff Davis remains at No. 9 entering the final week of play.
Class A – Division II
It was business as usual in Class A Division II, with all Top-10 teams notching wins and no changes in the rankings this week.
Class 3A – Private
Lovett suffered another setback, falling to Class 2A No. 6 Carver (Atlanta) and dropping to No. 10. Whitefield Academy moves up to No. 9. The rest of the rankings remain unchanged. This week, all eyes turn to Region 8-AA, where No. 1 Hebron Christian hosts No. 2 Prince Avenue Christian in a showdown that could preview the private school state championship matchup later this year.
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)