Three of the eight state finals this week are between No. 1 and No. 2 teams from the final regular-season rankings. There have been 21 such meetings since 1982, when The Atlanta Journal-Constitution began its rankings (replacing those of the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Constitution). No. 2 teams held an 8-7-1 advantage through 2014, but No. 1 teams have won the last five and lead 12-8-1.
2018: #1 Blessed Trinity vs. #2 Cartersville (AAAA)
2018: #1 Irwin Co. vs. #2 Clinch Co. (A public)
2018: #1 ELCA vs. #2 Athens Academy (A private)
2017: #1 ELCA d. #2 Athens Academy 41-3 (A private)
2016: #1 Grayson d. No. 2 Roswell 23-20 (AAAAAAA)
2016: #1 Cartersville d. No. 2 Thomson 58-7 (AAAA)
2016: #1 Benedictine d. No. 2 Fitzgerald 49-26 (AA)
2015: #1 Cartersville d. #2 Buford 10-0 (AAAA)
2014: #2 Calhoun d. #1 Washington Co. 27-20 (AAA)
2013: #2 Lovett d. #1 Lamar Co. 14-7 (AA)
2011: #2 Calhoun d. #1 Buford 27-24 (AA)
2007: #1 ECI d. #2 Wilcox Co. 41-21 (A)
2005: #2 Statesboro d. #1 Northside-W.R. 13-10 (AAAA)
2004: #1 Hawkinsville tied #2 Clinch Co. 14-14 (A)
2003: #2 Hawkinsville d. #1 Lincoln Co. 18-8 (A)
2001: #1 Parkview d. #2 Northside-W.R. 12-7 (AAAAA)
1997: #1 Washington Co. d. #2 Carrollton 42-28 (AA)
1996: #1 Washington Co. d. #2 Americus 22-21 (AA)
1995: #2 Lincoln Co. d. #1 Macon Co. 12-0 (A)
1991: #1 Clinch Co. d. #2 Lincoln Co. 11-8 (A)
1989: #2 Marist d. #1 Worth Co. 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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