It’s not the state playoffs yet, but 10 high school football games this week will have a championship feel. Those are winner-take-all showdowns for region titles.
Lassiter, North Gwinnett, Hiram, Banneker and East Jackson are seeking their school’s first-ever region championships.
Lassiter plays Roswell in a game between unbeaten teams in Region 6-AAAAA. The only other game this week between unbeaten teams is Jefferson against East Jackson in 8-AA. Both are 9-0.
North Gwinnett, 9-0 and ranked No. 3, has a chance to win its first region title in a 10th-game showdown for the fourth straight season. No. 8 Peachtree Ridge (8-1) is the opponent in 7-AAAAA.
St. Pius, 9-0 at ranked No. 4 in Class AAA, hasn’t won a region title since 1968. St. Pius is favored to beat Dunwoody in 5-AAA.
In each of these 10 games, both teams will qualify for the state playoffs, which begin Nov. 13. But region champions will have a more favorable draw and a better chance for home-field advantage.
Games with region titles on the line:
Lassiter vs. Roswell (6-AAAAA)
North Gwinnett vs. Peachtree Ridge (7-AAAAA)
Sandy Creek vs. Banneker (5-AAAA)
Hiram vs. Dalton (7-AAAA)
St. Pius v Dunwoody (5-AAA)
Carrollton vs. Ridgeland (6-AAA)
Fitzgerald vs. Thomasville (1-AA)
Calhoun vs. Armuchee (7-AA)
Jefferson vs. East Jackson (8-AA)
Miller County vs. Clinch County (1-A)
This week’s rankings:
CLASS AAAAA
1. Grayson (9-0)
2. North Gwinnett (9-0)
4. Newnan (9-0)
4. Lowndes (8-1)
5. Stephenson (9-0)
6. McEachern (9-0)
7. Northside, Warner Robins (8-1)
8. Peachtree Ridge (8-1)
9. Camden County (7-2)
10. Woodstock (8-1)
CLASS AAAA
1. Griffin (9-0)
2. Southwest DeKalb (8-1)
3. Sandy Creek (8-1)
4. North Clayton (8-1)
5. Hiram (9-0)
6. Thomas County Central (8-1)
7. Apalachee (9-0)
8. Marist (7-2)
9. Westside, Macon (8-1)
10. Dalton (7-2)
CLASS AAA
1. Gainesville (9-0)
2. Carver, Columbus (8-1)
3. Peach County (9-0)
4. St. Pius (9-0)
5. Carrollton (9-0)
6. Baldwin (7-2)
7. Jackson (9-0)
8. LaGrange (7-2)
9. North Hall (7-2)
10. Washington County (8-1)
CLASS AA
1. Calhoun (9-0)
2. Fitzgerald (9-0)
3. Buford (8-1)
4. Jefferson County (9-0)
5. Charlton County (8-0-1)
6. Lovett (8-1)
7. Thomasville (7-2)
8. Jefferson (9-0)
9. Swainsboro (8-1)
10. Westminster (6-3)
CLASS A
1. Wesleyan (10-0)
2. Savannah Christian (9-0)
3. Lincoln County (8-1)
4. ECI (8-1)
5. Twiggs County (8-1)
6. Greenville (9-0)
7. Miller County (8-1)
8. Johnson County (8-1)
9. Wilcox County (7-2)
10. Holy Innocents’ (8-1)
Produced by Georgia High School Football Daily
About the Author
