Week 9 of the GHSA football season delivered a mix of dominance and drama across the classifications. While several top teams coasted through region play with decisive wins, others were pushed to the brink — and a few highly ranked programs saw their playoff hopes take a hit. From Gainesville’s statement win in Class 5A to major upsets in Class A Division I, this week’s rankings saw both stability at the top and fresh faces breaking into the mix.
Class 6A
There were no Top-10 matchups this week in Georgia’s largest classification. All nine ranked teams in action rolled to convincing wins, while No. 6 North Gwinnett enjoyed a bye. With everyone holding serve, the Class 6A Top-10 remains unchanged heading into next week.
Class 5A
The Gainesville Red Elephants claimed a key Region 7 victory over Milton, moving up two spots to No. 5. Milton slides three spots to No. 6 after the loss. Meanwhile, Brunswick was upset by Statesboro, knocking the Pirates out of the rankings entirely. That loss opens the door for Lovejoy, who makes their season debut at No. 10.
Class 4A
No changes in Class 4A this week. Top-ranked North Oconee survived a major scare from Eastside-Covington, pulling out a one-point win to stay unbeaten. Every other ranked team either took care of business or had the week off, leaving the Top-10 intact.
Class 3A
It was a clean sweep in Class 3A as all nine ranked teams in action notched victories. Among those winners were rivals LaGrange and Troup, who will meet next week in what should be a pivotal region showdown with major playoff implications.
Class 2A
Top-ranked Carver-Columbus survived a tough road test at Sumter County, escaping with a one-point win. Despite the loss, Sumter County holds steady at No. 5 after pushing the defending champs to the brink. All other ranked teams in Class 2A picked up wins to maintain their positions.
Class A – Division I
There was plenty of shakeup in Division I as Oglethorpe County stunned Rabun County, and Fitzgerald edged Thomasville in another thriller. Thomasville drops three spots to No. 6, while Rabun County falls out of the Top-10 entirely. Bleckley County enters the rankings for the first time this season at No. 10.
Class A – Division II The lone Top-10 matchup in Division II saw Clinch County win a hard-fought 6–0 defensive battle over Brooks County. Clinch remains at No. 3, while Brooks slips one spot to No. 5.
Class 3A – Private
There was notable movement in the private school rankings as Aquinas, Greater Atlanta Christian, and Holy Innocents’ all suffered losses. Aquinas drops out of the Top-10, while GAC slides to No. 8 and Holy Innocents’ falls to No. 9. Landmark Christian makes its first appearance of the season, debuting at No. 10.
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)