Championship Game Previews: Classes 6A and 5A

Class 6A

Grayson vs. Carrollton

When, where: 7 p.m. Dec. 18, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Grayson is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 4-6A and No. 6; Carrollton is 14-0, the No. 1 seed from 2-6A and No. 1.

Last meeting: This is the teams’ first meeting.

Things to know: Carrollton is trying to win its eighth state title but first since 1998 and first in the highest classification, which the Trojans joined in 2022. They’ll face the highest classification’s winningest program this century as Grayson’s 240-67 record represents the most victories and best winning percentage in the big-school division since the Gwinnett County school opened in 2000. Carrollton, ranked in the top 10 of five national polls, is led by Julian Lewis, the AJC Super 11 Colorado signee whose career totals are now 10,484 yards passing (ninth in GHSA history) and 140 touchdowns (fifth all-time). He is 39-3 as a three-year starter, beginning when he arrived as perhaps the most heralded freshman in state history. Lewis is surrounded by a wealth of major Division I talent, particularly in a secondary that includes DB Zelus Hicks (Texas), DB Shamar Arnoux (Florida State) and Dorian Barney (top-100 national junior prospect). Carrollton coach Joey King, formerly of Cartersville, can become the 16th coach in GHSA history to win state titles at two schools. Grayson’s leader is junior quarterback Travis Burgess, who has passed for 2,075 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushed for 539 yards and four scores. Grayson’s defense glitters with major D-I players. They include LB Tyler Atkinson (five-star junior), LB Andre Fuller (Georgia Tech), LB Anthony Davis (four-star junior), DL Joseph Mbatchou (Florida), DB Jaylen Bell (Indiana) and DL Josiah Victor (N.C. State).

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Carrolton 35, Grayson 26

Class 5A

Hughes vs. Milton

When, where: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Records, rankings: Hughes is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 3-5A and No. 4; Milton is 14-0, the No. 1 seed from 7-5A and No. 1.

Last meeting: Milton won 17-14 in the second round of the 2014 Class 6A playoffs.

Things to know: Milton is a victory from cementing its name among the greats in state history, and standing in the way is Hughes, an opponent from the other end of Fulton County with state championship pedigree of its own from 2022. Milton is ranked in the top five of six national polls and No. 2 in three of them. The Eagles returned 18 of 22 starters from last season’s Class 7A championship team and have nine major Division I signees in their senior class, tied for second behind Grayson’s 2018 team (12) for the most in state history. Luke Nickel, an AJC Super 11 pick signed with Miami, has thrown for 3,335 yards and 40 touchdowns in an offense that features a 1,600-yard rusher, T.J. Lester, and a trio of receivers with more than 800 yards led by Super 11 C.J. Wiley. Hughes’ most attractive feature is its offensive line, all five starters weighing 300 pounds or more led by Tavaris Dice (Florida) and Dontrell Glover (Georgia). New quarterback Christian Langford has passed for 3,031 yards and rushed for 554 with 44 total touchdowns. Hughes’ lone loss came against Class 6A Douglas County 21-14 in September. Hughes has beaten 2023 champions Thomas County Central 28-12 and Coffee 49-26 the past two rounds and can take out a third 2023 champ next week.

Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Milton 29, Hughes 17