List: Most recent finals appearance for remaining 16 teams
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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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.
