It’s time for the Georgia high school football championships at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons. From Monday through Thursday, the National Football League team will host three girls’ flag championship games and eight boys’ tackle contests. The championship games return to MBS after four-years at Center Parc Stadium at Georgia State.
Along with the return to Mercedes-Benz, the Georgia High School Association will be using instant replay for the first time. Head coaches will be given two challenges each half. Teams will get one back on a successful challenge. A press-box official also may initiate a review.
Instant replay was instituted after a controversial end to last year’s 3A championship game between Sandy Creek and Cedar Grove.
Monday Games
Flag Football (A-4A)
SE Bulloch vs. North Oconee, 2 p.m.
Class A Division I
Prince Avenue (13-1) vs. Swainsboro (12-2), 4 p.m.
This is a rematch of the 2022 championship game that was won by Prince Avenue 52-34. The outcome shocked many since Swainsboro 27-17 midway through the third quarter.
PAC spent about a month in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. The Wolverines got as high as No. 292 before losing to Mary Persons on September 29.
Swainsboro is looking for its first state title since 2000
Class A Division II
Manchester (11-2) vs. Bowdon (12-2), 7 p.m.
Bowdon is back to defend its 2022 state championship. After an 0-2 start, that included a 21-20 loss to Manchester in the season opener, the Red Devils enter the game on a 12-game win streak.
Manchester is playing in its first state championship game since 1997. The team will play the game with a heavy-heart after learning that sophmore offensive lineman Brandon Smith passed away on Sunday.
Tuesday Games
Class 2A
Pierce County (13-1) vs. Rockmart (12-2), 1 p.m.
Pierce County is looking for its second overall state championship. The Bears won their last title in 20202. Quarterback Caden McGatha is having an outstanding junior season. He’s rushed for 1,331 yards and 16 touchdowns and thrown for 1,623 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Rockmart is trying to add another championship football to its trophy case. The Yellow Jackets already own three from 1948, 1954 and 2018.
Quarterback Calliyon Thompson has tossed 24 touchdowns against only three interceptions.
Class 4A
Stockbridge (12-2) vs. Perry (12-2), 4 p.m.
This is a matchup between two schools who have never played for a state championship.
Stockbridge stormed into the High School Football America 300 after shocking Benedictine in the state semifinals. The Tigers sit at No. 178 after their 45-31 win over the two-time defending state champs, who entered the game ranked No. 70 in America.
After an 0-2 start, with losses against No. 46 Colquitt County and No. 135 Douglas County, Stockbridge has won 12 straight.
NC State-recruit Duke Scott has run for over 2,300 yards this year with 38 touchdowns.
Like Stockbridge, Perry brings a 12-2 record into the game. Wide receiver Dakarai Anderson, a Cincinnati-recruit, has had a big year with 79 catches for 1,113 yards and three touchdowns. QB Colter Ginn has thrown for nearly 2,200 yards with 15 touchdowns against only four picks.
Class 6A
Woodward Academy (12-2) vs. Thomas County Central (14-0)
This is a battle between two teams highly-ranked in the HSFA 300 — Thomas County Central is No. 88, Woodward Academy is No. 120. And, both schools are looking for their first state championship in a long time.
TCC is looking for its first state championship since the late 90’s. The Yellow Jackets won titles in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1997. Woodward won titles in 1970 and 1980.
Thomas County Central is led by sophomore quarterback Jaylen Johnson. He has tossed 28 touchdown passes and run for nine more.
The War Eagles use a two-quarterback system. According to GPB Sports, which will televise all of the games, senior QB Griffin Marshall has thrown for 1,188 yards with 13 touchdowns. Junior Landon Walker has thrown for 1,127 yards with 13 touchdowns and run for 395 yards with nine touchdowns.
Wednesday Games
Class 3A
Cedar Grove (9-5) vs. Savannah Christian (12-2), 1 p.m.
Having played one of the toughest schedules in Georgia, Cedar Grove enters the game ranked No. 229 in the HSFA 300 national rankings.
Cedar Grove will be looking for its fifth state championship in seven years. As I mentioned earlier, the Saints are the reason instant replay is being used this year. If it had been used in 2022, CG would be going after a three-peat this year.
The Saints are led by junior quarterback Elliott Colson, a Central Florida-commit and running back Boden Walker, a Georgia-commit. Then there’s sophomore wide receiver Devin Carter, who’s already given his verbal to Florida State.
Savannah Christian is looking for its first GHSA state football title since 2011. The Raiders have two 1,000 yard rushers in juniors Zo Smalls and Kenry Wall.
Class 5A
Creekside (13-1) vs. Coffee (14-0), 4 p.m.
This another head-to-head High School Football America 300 matchup — Creekside is No. 85, Coffee is No. 199.
Creekside last won a state title ten years ago in 2013. The Seminoles only loss this year came against Mater Dei (California), currently in position to win our 2023 national championship.
Quarterback Vincent Berry has thrown for over 2,400 yards with 39 touchdowns. Running back Rodney McCrary is closing-in on 2,000 yards rushing.
Fred Brown is a workhorse for Coffee. He’s run for 2,305 yards with 23 touchdowns.
Class 7A
Walton (14-0) vs. Milton (12-2), 7 p.m.
Walton enters the 7A championship game ranked No. 13 in the HSFA 300. Milton is No. 45 after an outstanding postseason run. Milton is the only program with a state title. The Eagles won the 7A championship in 2018.
Walton’s Jeremy Hecklinski, a Wake Forest-recruit, has thrown for 3,711 yards and 48 touchdowns against only three interceptions.
Junior Luke Nickel also has some outstanding numbers. The Miami (Florida)-recruit has thrown for 3,709 yards with 38 TDs.
Girls’ Flag Championships
A-4A
SE Bulloch vs. North Oconee, Monday, 2 p.m.
5A-6A
Greenbrier vs. Lithia Springs, Tuesday, 11 a.m.
Flag Football (7A)
Pope vs. Allatoona, Wednesday 11 a.m.
