GHSA moves first-round playoff games in 6A, 1A to Saturday
The first round of the GHSA football playoffs will be played over two days Nov. 12-13 to ensure enough qualified officials are available to work them, the GHSA announced this week.
Playoffs in classes 7A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A will be played Friday, Nov. 12. Those in 6A and 1A will be Saturday, Nov. 13.
The GHSA also split first-round games over Friday and Saturday last season for the first time and indicated that it might be the new normal. It’s not been uncommon in recent years for regular-season games to be shifted to Thursday or Saturday because of a declining number of certified officials available to handle a full Friday workload.
In years past, all first-round games were schedule for Fridays unless the GHSA granted permission otherwise, which it occasionally did when two playoff teams shared a stadium.
The football season has two more weeks of the regular season. The state finals will be Dec. 9-11 at Georgia State.
About the Author
Todd Holcomb covers high school sports across the state. He rejoined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2025 and has worked with the AJC in varying capacities since 1985. He is a co-founder and editor of Georgia High School Football Daily.
