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Quarterfinal preview: Classes 4A, 3A and 2A
The only game in any classification between undefeated teams, a game between a defending champion and a No. 1-ranked opponent, and a rematch of longtime rivals headline this weekend's quarterfinal schedule in classes 4A, 3A and 2A. Sixty-four teams remain in the GHSA playoffs, each with an eye on the state championships Dec. 16-18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Cambridge, Cherokee Bluff making first trip to quarterfinals
Cambridge and Cherokee Bluff made history by reaching the football quarterfinals for the first time, and Sprayberry, Jenkins County and Southeast Bulloch are back in a final eight after absences of more than 40 years. Unranked teams LaGrange, Stephens County and Aquinas victimized Sandy Creek, Callaway and Athens Academy, respectively, in the second round’s biggest upsets.
Complete scores from GHSA, GIAA and GAPPS playoff games
Each week this season, scores compiled from online scoreboards and social media will be posted on the Scores & Schedules page late Friday night. Here is the complete version from the second of the GHSA playoffs. If you have corrections, please contact us by clicking here.
16 second-round games will match top-10 teams
As far as upsets go, last week’s first round of the football playoffs was just a warmup for most of the state’s best teams. It’s about to get dicey Friday night, when the round of 16 arrives with 64 games on the weekend schedule, 16 that match top-10 teams.
Second-round preview: Classes A Division II and 3A-A private
Three games matching top-10 opponents and three rematches from the regular season headline the second-round schedule in Class A Division II and the 3A-A private playoffs this weekend. The top-10 battles are No. 2 Bowdon at No. 9 Metter in A Division II and No. 8 Lovett at No. 3 Hebron Christian and No. 9 Wesleyan at No. 10 Christian Heritage in 3A-A private.
Second-round preview: Classes 2A and A Division I
Four games matching ranked opponents highlight the second-round schedule in Class 2A and Class A Division I this weekend. In Class 2A, No. 10 Thomson travels to No. 6 Hapeville Charter and No. 9 Carver of Atlanta visits No. 4 Appling County. The Class A Division I games include No. 10 Dodge County at No. 6 Worth County and No. 7 Commerce at top-ranked Toombs County.
Second-round preview: Classes 4A and 3A
A couple of Class 3A rematches from the regular season will be among the high-profile games this weekend in the second round of the GHSA playoffs. Top-seeded Jefferson will try to avenge a 32-30 loss to Oconee County in the teams’ regular-season finale on Nov. 1. Sandy Creek will seek to beat LaGrange for the second time this season after winning 27-7 on Aug. 30.
Six top-10 teams fall in first round of GHSA playoffs
Unranked Sequoyah, Cambridge and Luella defeated top-10 teams, and Archer, Peachtree Ridge, Houston County and Bleckley County eliminated region champions in highlights of last week’s first round. The opening round was light on upsets, which is the norm. The computer Maxwell Ratings pegged 104 of 119 games correctly.
The Leaderboard: Truell, Elder, Cook earn regular-season yardage titles
New Hampstead’s Rashawn Truell finished first in regular-season passing yards with his 500-yard performance last week in the team’s season finale against Ware County, a 48-41 victory. Teammate Kamari Maxwell had 271 receiving yards in the game and took the Class 4A lead with 1,344 and fell five yards short of the statewide leader, Jaylen Elder of Morgan County.
Weekend Preview: Top 10 games of first round of playoffs
The GHSA playoffs begin this weekend with 119 games across the state to be played Friday and Saturday in the first of five postseason rounds. Among the high-profile matchups are Camden County at North Cobb and Mill Creek at Douglas County, with the winners to square off in the second round.
Calvary Day’s Stroud, with 272 career wins, to step down after playoffs
Calvary Day’s Mark Stroud, whose 272 victories rank second behind Marist’s Alan Chadwick among active GHSA coaches, will step down after the playoffs and give way to offensive coordinator Jason Cameron. Stroud held a press conference Tuesday to announce the news. His win total ranks 17th in GHSA history.
Top Performances from Week 13
Apalachee running back Favian Williford provided a bright spot in a rough season, running for 269 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Loganville. New Hampstead QB Rashawn Truell passed for 500 yards and five touchdowns in an upset victory over Ware County, and Telfair County’s Bradyn Cook ran for 216 yards and two TDs in a region-clinching victory over Wilcox County.
How the top-10 teams fared in Week 13
Carver of Columbus is the new No. 1 football team in Class 2A, marking the first time the Tigers are atop the AJC rankings since current Georgia State head coach Dell McGee was the Tigers’ coach in 2010. Carver didn’t play last weekend but got the promotion when previous No. 1 Appling County lost to Fitzgerald 21-16.
The Leaderboard: Race to be top passer comes down to final weekend
Chattooga’s Zayden Cook clinched the regular-season rushing title last week with a 302-yard final effort, and Morgan County’s Jaylen Elder appears safe as the regular-season receiving leader with 1,349 yards. The passing leader, Antwann Hill of Houston County, has completed his regular season and faces a final challenge Friday night.
Weekend Preview: Top games of Week 13
It’s makeup week in Georgia high school football. Forty-eight games Friday and Saturday will close out the regular season. The GHSA hopes to have playoff draws posted by 8 p.m. Saturday. This week wasn’t on the original schedule, but the GHSA added it to accommodate dozens of games still un-played from Hurricane Helene storm damage.
Recently crowned region champion Stockbridge to forfeit nine wins
Stockbridge, the 2023 Class 4A football runner-up and a recently crowned region champion that was on a nine-game winning streak, was forced to forfeit its nine victories Tuesday for using an ineligible player. GHSA executive director Tim Scott confirmed the penalty and told GHSF Daily that Stockbridge self-reported the violation.
Top Performances from Week 12
Brookwood’s Brayden Tyson rushed for 299 yards in a victory over Norcross last week and now has 2,123, believed to be second-highest regular-season total ever in the GHSA’s highest classification. Other outstanding performances in Week 12 were turned in by Lee County QB Weston Bryan, Newton RB Zion Johnson and Warner Robins DB/WR Rasean Dinkins.
How the top-10 teams fared in Week 12
Carrollton, Milton, Marist and Savannah Christian completed undefeated regular seasons last week and stand No. 1 in the football rankings with a limited final week ahead. It’s more complicated in Class 2A, where two-loss Appling County moved to No. 1 from No. 9 after a 13-6 victory over previous No. 1 Pierce County, ending Pierce’s 19-game winning streak.
The Leaderboard: Brookwood’s Tyson top rusher in 6A; Chattooga’s Cook No. 1 overall
Brookwood has won five straight games and put itself in position to earn the No. 2 seed out of Region 7-6A tonight if the Broncos (6-3, 5-1) can beat Norcross (7-2, 5-1) in a road game. Brookwood is putting its fate and the ball in the hands of a sophomore running back, Brayden Tyson, who rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-36 victory over Duluth last week.