Three of the eight state finals this weekend are between No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the final regular-season rankings. There had not been more than one No. 1-vs.-No. 2 state final in any one year since 1982, when The Atlanta Journal-Constitution began its rankings (replacing those of the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution). That is partly a function of having eight state finals for the first time. There were only four as recently as 1999. But it also is the highest percentage of state finals that match No. 1 vs. No. 2. The No. 1 teams are 8-8-1.
2016: #1 Grayson vs. No. 2 Roswell (AAAAAAA)
2016: #1 Cartersville vs. No. 2 Thomson (AAAA)
2016: #1 Benedictine vs. No. 2 Fitzgerald (AA)
2015: #1 Cartersville d. #2 Buford 10-0 (AAAA)
2014: #2 Calhoun d. #1 Washington County 27-20 (AAA)
2013: #2 Lovett d. #1 Lamar County 14-7 (AA)
2011: #2 Calhoun d. #1 Buford 27-24 (AA)
2007: #1 Emanuel County Institute d. #2 Wilcox County 41-21 (A)
2005: #2 Statesboro d. #1 Northside (Warner Robins) 13-10 (AAAA)
2004: #1 Hawkinsville tied #2 Clinch County 14-14 (A)
2003: #2 Hawkinsville d. #1 Lincoln County 18-8 (A)
2001: #1 Parkview d. #2 Northside (Warner Robins) 12-7 (AAAAA)
1997: #1 Washington County d. #2 Carrollton 42-28 (AA)
1996: #1 Washington County d. #2 Americus 22-21 (AA)
1995: #2 Lincoln County d. #1 Macon County 12-0 (A)
1991: #1 Clinch County d. #2 Lincoln County 11-8 (A)
1989: #2 Marist d. #1 Worth County 30-8 (AAA)
1987: #1 Central (Carrollton) d. #2 R.E. Lee 28-7 (AA)
1985: #1 Clarke Central d. #2 Warner Robins 21-7 (AAAA)
1984: #2 Thomson d. #1 Marist 27-17 (AAA)
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