High School Sports

15 teams that pulled off upsets in first round of Georgia high school football playoffs

Peachtree Ridge quarterback Darnell Kelly (5) runs for yardage during the Norcross at Peachtree Ridge GHSA region football game on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Suwanee, GA. (Jim Blackburn for the AJC)
Peachtree Ridge quarterback Darnell Kelly (5) runs for yardage during the Norcross at Peachtree Ridge GHSA region football game on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Suwanee, GA. (Jim Blackburn for the AJC)
By
Nov 18, 2024

Fifteen underdogs won first-round games, according to the computer Maxwell Ratings. There were 17 last season. Here are this year’s upset winners with their projected margins of defeat.

Georgia high school football

Photos from the championship games

Milton in Fulton County to finish No. 2 in six national high school football polls

The playoffs:

- Key details for each of the championship games played Dec. 16-18

- Grayson defense lowers the boom on Carrollton to claim 6A championship

- Calhoun shuts down Jefferson in Class 3A final to win first state title since 2017

- In Class 5A final, champion Milton tested, runner-up Hughes dignified

- Hebron Christian gets redemption over Prince Avenue Christian, claims 1st state title

- Carver-Columbus too much for Burke County in 52-14 rout

- North Oconee flips the script to beat No. 1 Marist for first state title

- Big-play Polke’s TD return sends Toombs to first state title

- ‘Relentless’ Bowdon’s 27-point run against Brooks County leads to three-peat state title

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