Breaking down the state championship matchups in all 8 classifications of the Georgia high school football playoffs

Three days of state championship action in Atlanta starts at 5 p.m. Thursday with A Private, and the grand 7A finale is at 7 p.m. Saturday.

By Darren Nichols | Photo by Josh Major

It all comes down to three days in Atlanta to crown eight state champions.

Sixteen Georgia high school football teams will take the Center Parc Stadium stage from Thursday through Saturday to decide who's the best of the best in 2021.

After two games Thursday, there will be three each on Friday and Saturday. Here's a preview of all eight.

Georgia high school football playoffs scores, brackets

GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

A Private: Prince Avenue Christian (13-1) vs. Trinity Christian (13-0), 5 p.m. Thursday

Prince Avenue and Trinity Christian face off in a rematch of last year’s championship game. These two teams are ranked No. 1 and 2 in passing yards, touchdowns, receiving touchdowns and yards, receptions, points scored and total yards. Both teams are also among the state leaders in fewest points allowed. In last year’s championship matchup, Prince Avenue won 41-21. While this isn’t the same Prince Avenue team, Trinity Christian has made major improvements on both sides of the ball. This game will feature not just two of the best quarterbacks in A Private but in all of Georgia. Aaron Philo and David Dallas have combined for over 8,000 passing yards and 100 total touchdowns. This should be one of the most entertaining games of the year regardless of classification.

A Public: Brooks County (11-2) vs. Irwin County (12-2), 8 p.m. Thursday

Game 2 is another rematch of last year’s state championship, when Irwin County took down Brooks County 27-19. This will be the fifth consecutive season that Irwin County plays in the state title game, and the Indians have won two of those five. While Irwin County is trying to maintain its dynasty, Brooks County is on the verge of starting one. Both teams are top 10 in every offensive category and No. 1 and 2 in scoring and total yards. These two have gotten well acquainted over the past two seasons since moving into the same region. Irwin County has had Brooks County’s number recently, winning the last three matchups. Since their game earlier this year, Brooks County has won nine straight and improved since. While both teams are 1 and 2 in many categories, it isn’t necessarily neck and neck. Brooks County has scored 21 more touchdowns and 126 more points, thanks to the emergence of quarterback Jamal Sanders and running back Omari Arnold. Arnold is third in the state in rushing yards (2,224) and rushing touchdowns (37).

2A: Fitzgerald (12-2) vs. Thomasville (13-1), noon Friday

Fitzgerald is back in the finals after losing to Callaway last season. The Purple Hurricanes haven’t had the best luck in championship games, losing their last three. The last time Fitzgerald won a state championship was 1948. Fitzgerald and Thomasville are very familiar with each other, being region opponents, and they're 6-6 in their last 12 matchups. This has been a marquee rivalry going back for years and is a virtual sure thing to be a great game. Thomasville came away victorious in the teams' matchup this season, and this has been a special season for the Bulldogs. Thomasville has taken down rival Fitzgerald, dominated Rabun County and its record-breaking offense, and then dethroned the reigning champs in Callaway.

3A: Cedar Grove (11-3) vs. Carver-Atlanta (12-2), noon Saturday

Here's another final between region opponents, though this is their first year in the same region. Carver had no answer for Cedar Grove in their first matchup, falling 17-0. The one thing they were able to do was run the ball, as Jarveous Brown had 145 yards on the ground and Quintavious Lockett added 85 on only five carries. The Panthers will need to lean heavily on their run game once again while shoring up some holes defensively to bring an Atlanta public school its first state title since Southwest Atlanta did in 1973. Meanwhile, Cedar Grove is trying to capture its fifth title in six years. Last year’s COVID-riddled season didn’t do any favors for Cedar Grove, which went 4-5 — its first under .500 record in over 20 years, which ended a streak of four consecutive successful title runs.

4A: Carver-Columbus (12-1) vs. Benedictine (12-2), 3:30 p.m. Friday

Benedictine and Carver aren’t just two of the top teams offensively in their classification, but in the entire state. Benedictine (2) and Carver (5) are top five in total yards. Carver’s bread and butter is its ground game, and the Tigers are No. 5 in rushing yards at 3,807. Benedictine’s calling card is its air attack, ranking No. 12 in the state at 3,160. Carver is trying to sit at the throne for the first time since 2007. This year the Tigers and their rushing attack, led by Jaiden Credle, will have a chance to add to their history books. Benedictine is trying to bring home its first state title since 2016. The Cadets fell short last season, losing in the semifinals, but this year the Cadets have used that as motivation. Benedictine started the season 0-2 but has notched 12 straight wins since. The Cadets have one of the most dangerous offensive trios in the state. With Holden Grier under center, Justin Thomas at running back and Za’Quan Bryan at receiver, the trio has a total of 5,900 yards and 91 touchdowns, which is more than about 90% of the schools in the state. 

5A: Calhoun (12-2) vs. Warner Robins (13-1), 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Warner Robins is in its fifth consecutive state title game. The Demons have a long history of winning, but they've gone 1-3 in their last four appearances. Under head coach Marquis Westbrook, the team was finally able to hold up the trophy again last season, and he said it wouldn’t be his last. Calhoun, being new to 5A, has done well figuring out the terrain playing a new slate of teams. In their two years after jumping from 3A to 5A, the Yellowjackets have done well with a 21-6 record and a state title appearance. Calhoun dominated 3A during that tenure and is looking well on its way to starting a new dynasty in 5A. 

6A: Langston Hughes (13-1) vs. Buford (13-1), 7 p.m. Friday

This game features a tale of two totally different situations. On one end you have Buford, which will be playing in its third straight state title game, and in the Wolves' last 10 seasons they have a record of 158-18 with six victorious title runs. Meanwhile, this will be Langston Hughes’ first title game in school history, and the Panthers have a record of 85-56. Despite the different backgrounds and paths to this point, both teams are playing at the top of their game at the right time of year. Langston Hughes has one of the best defenses in the state, allowing only 125 points over 14 games. But Buford has arguably the best defense in the state, and the newcomers might have their hands full trying to move the ball against the Wolves. 

7A: Milton (13-1) vs. Collins Hill (14-0), 7 p.m. Saturday

Two heavyweight titans enter the ring in the battle of the Eagles. Collins Hill was heavily favored at the beginning of the season to get to where they are now, but the Eagles have been even more dominant than expected. Even with superstar receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter missing multiple games with a leg injury, Collins Hill never lost confidence or a game. As much attention as the offense gets with Hunter and Sam Horn, the Eagles' defense is one of the best in the country, allowing only 75 points on the year. With Division 1 talent all over the field and extra motivation coming from last year’s loss in the title game, Collins Hill is going to be a tough out. Milton has probably heard all week that this unstoppable force is coming its way, but these Eagles have shown they fear no team, and they're riding a 12-game winning streak. They've taken down Marietta, Mill Creek and Walton — about as tough of a playoff schedule as one could hope to avoid. Jordan McDonald is unlike any running back Collins Hill has faced this year, and Milton will rely heavily on the UCF commit in this championship game to end the Georgia high school football season.