Hughes is the only one of 16 finalists making its first championship-game appearance. It’s the first time this century for two others. Half are back from last season.

First - Hughes

1967 - Carver (Atlanta)

1993 - Thomasville

2007 - Carver (Columbus)

2016 - Benedictine

2017 - Calhoun

2018 - Milton

2019 - Cedar Grove

2020 - Brooks County

2020 - Buford

2020 - Collins Hill

2020 - Fitzgerald

2020 - Irwin County

2020 - Prince Avenue Christian

2020 - Trinity Christian

2020 - Warner Robins

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Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman