Hughes set the state record for points in a season with 799 this year and became the first team in GHSA history to score 35 points in every game. Hughes’ 35-28 victory over Gainesville in the Class 6A final was the Panthers’ lowest scoring output of 2022. Here are all teams that have scored at least 28 in each game. It includes another 2022 team, South Atlanta. In parentheses are the number of games played by each team.

35 - 2022 Hughes (15)

34 - 2021 Trinity Christian (14)

33 - 2017 Rome (15)

31 - 2020 Prince Ave. Christ. (14)

31 - 2014 Mt. Paran Christ. (14)

31 - 2017 Lowndes (12)

30 - 2015 Colquitt County (15)

30 - 2012 Sandy Creek (15)

30 - 2009 Charlton County (13)

30 - 2022 South Atlanta (12)

28 - 2014 Colquitt County (15)

28 - 1994 Washington Co. (15)

28 - 2007 ECI (15)

28 - 2018 Rome (14)

28 - 2019 Sandy Creek (14)

28 - 1971 Valdosta (13)

28 - 1976 Warner Robins (13)

28 - 2004 Calhoun (13)

28 - 2010 Johnson County (12)

28 - 2018 Parkview (12)

28 - 2014 Harris County (12)

28 - 2021 Ware County (11)

28 - 2014 Union County (11)

28 - 2020 White County (10)

28 - 2020 Blessed Trinity (9)

There have been 65 scoring plays of 80 or more yards in state finals history, according to GHSF Daily research done last offseason. Five of them occurred in a 3-minute, 30-second stretch of the Mill Creek-Carrollton game Saturday. Here are the 65.

2022 - Jamal Anderson, Mill Creek (88 FGR)

2022 - Makhail Wood, Mill Creek (96 KR)

2022 - Bryce Hicks, Carrollton (80 pass)

2022 - Justin Content, Mill Creek (86 pass)

2022 - Caleb Odom, Carrollton (80 pass)

2022 - Jontavis Curry, Thomson (86 run)

2021 - Omari Arnold, Brooks County (86 run)

2021 - Kameron Edge, Benedictine (80 pass)

2021 - Janiran Bonner, Cedar Grove (80 pass)

2020 - Caleb McDowell, Lee County (95 KR)

2020 - Sam Phillips, Cartersville (94 KR)

2019 - Tyrek Thomas, Brooks County (96 FR)

2019 - Josh Rogers, Eagle's Landing Christian (87 run)

2017 - Ty Terrell, Lee County (95 KR)

2017 - Jamorri Colson, Irwin County (90 KR)

2016 - Justin Menard, Eagle's Landing Christian (90 KR)

2015 - A.J. Smith, Roswell (81 pass)

2015 - Verenzo Holmes, Aquinas (99 KR)

2015 - Khaleb Hood, Eagle's Landing Christian (100 IR)

2015 - Ziaire Andrews, Irwin County (93 run)

2013 - Myles Autry, Norcross (92 KR)

2013 - Cameron Jackson, Creekside (99 KR)

2013 - Keyston Fuller, Griffin (80 pass)

2013 - Ryan Cochran, Griffin (90 FR)

2013 - Trey Willis, Griffin (98 KR)

2013 - Melvin Hill, Washington County (86 PR)

2010 - Andre Sims, Brookwood (87 KR)

2010 - Will Austin, Savannah Christian (89 pass)

2009 - Ean Days, Camden County (96 KR)

2008 - Ronnie Smith, Peachtree Ridge (94 run)

2008 - DeAngelo Smith, Camden County (85 pass)

2007 - Greg Reid, Lowndes (91 run)

2006 - Garrett Embry, Roswell (83 pass)

2005 - Lavel Parker, Dougherty (85 pass)

2004 - Justin Williams, Charlton County (81 FR)

2002 - Chris Covington, Brookwood (99 KR)

2002 - Dentris Mathis, Dooly County (84 pass)

2000 - Sean Dawkins, Parkview (99 run)

2000 - Jermaine Allen, Americus (97 pass)

2000 - Monte Williams, Commerce (88 run)

1997 - Derrick Owens, Washington County (85 pass)

1994 - Anthony Johnson, Screven County (85 KR)

1991 - Larry Perryman, Cedar Grove (81 PR)

1988 - Profail Grier, Palmetto (88 KR)

1987 - Ray Doran, Morrow (89 run)

1985 - Andrew Williams, Thomson (98 KR)

1985 - Joe McCluskey, West Rome (80 run)

1985 - William Kent, West Rome (82 run)

1980 - Steve Player, Lowndes (85 pass)

1980 - Rodney Harris, Duluth (86 KR)

1979 - Thomas Jenkins, Johnson County (92 FR)

1975 - Ray Johnson, Americus (85 run)

1972 - Jerome Thompson, Central-Macon (86 run)

1972 - Derris Delk, Mitchell County (80 pass)

1971 - Jim Helms, Avondale (82 pass)

1970 - Corky Ormond, Savannah Country Day (85 run)

1970 - Harry Branch, Adairsville (92 run)

1967 - Donald Person, Carver-Atlanta (98 KR)

1961 - Gaines Wilson, R.E. Lee (90 KR)

1958 - Jimmy Burson, LaGrange (87 KR)

1955 - James Brantley, Vidalia (80 run)

1953 - John O'Neal, Valdosta (86 run)

1953 - Hollis Register, Ocilla (86 run)

1952 - Wesley Melvin, Fort Valley (84 run)

1949 - Charlie Maloney, Cook (83 run)

Mill Creek’s 70-35 victory over Carrollton set records for the most points by one team and both teams in a GHSA championship game. The Prince Avenue Christian-Swainsboro and Bowdon-Schley County games are also among only 19 that have hit 70 points or more, and Prince Avenue is among the 19 finalists to score 50 points or more. The GHSA’s first sanctioned championship game took place in1947. Both lists are below.

Most points combined

105 - Mill Creek 70, Carrollton 35 (2022)

91 - Griffin 56, Carrollton 35 (2013)

90 - Warner Robins 62, Cartersville 28 (2020)

90 - Brookwood 52, Colquitt County 38 (2010)

88 - Bainbridge 47, Warner Robins 41 (2018)

86 - Prince Avenue Christian 52, Swainsboro 34 (2022)

84 - Brooks County 56, Irwin County 28 (2021)

83 - Trinity Christian 55, Prince Avenue Chrsitian. 28 (2021)

82 - Cedar Grove 56, Carver-Atlanta 28 (2021)

80 - Creekside 52, Tucker 28 (2013)

75 - Benedictine 49, Fitzgerald 26 (2016)

75 - Thomasville 40, Wheeler 35 (1973)

74 - Dublin 42, Brooks County 32 (2019)

74 - Valdosta 62, Avondale 12 (1971)

73 - Rockmart 52, Valdosta 21 (1950)

72 - Lincoln County 52, Palmetto 20 (1985)

70 - Irwin County 56, Marion County 14 (2019)

70 - Washington County 42, Carrollton 28 (1997)

70 - Bowdon 39, Schley County 31 (2022)

Most points by one team

70 - Mill Creek (2022)

62 - Warner Robins (2020)

62 - Valdosta (1971)

59 - Tift County (1983)

58 - Cartersville (2016)

56 - Griffin (2013)

56 - Brooks County (2021)

56 - Cedar Grove (2021)

56 - Irwin County (2019)

55 - Trinity Christian (2021)

55 - Buford (2014)

52 - Prince Ave. Christian (2022)

52 - Brookwood (2010)

52 - Creekside (2013)

52 - Rockmart (1950)

52 - Lincoln County (1985)

51 - Statesboro (2001)

50 - Clinch County (2002)

50 - Buford (2007)

Hughes needs two points in its Class 6A final against Gainesville to set the GHSA record for most points in a season. Here are the teams that have scored at least 650. Class 7A finalist Mill Creek has scored 642 points this season.

758 - Rome (2017)

757 - Hughes (2022)

742 - Trinity Christian (2021)

737 - ELCA (2018)

737 - Washington County (2014)

728 - ELCA (2017)

716 - Warner Robins (2021)

713 - Benedictine (2021)

707 - Buford (2013)

700 - Colquitt County (2015)

696 - ELCA (2019)

695 - Cartersville (2016)

693 - Dublin (2019)

687 - Colquitt County (2014)

684 - Rome (2018)

684 - Rabun County (2017)

682 - Dublin (2006)

681 - Buford (2007)

680 - Gainesville (2012)

678 - Brooks County (2021)

671 - Buford (2014)

669 - Benedictine (2014)

668 - Washington County (2013)

667 - Prince Ave. Christian (2020)

666 - Burke County (2011)

662 - Camden County (2011)

661 - Benedictine (2016)

660 - Sandy Creek (2012)

657 - Carrollton (2013)

657 - Calhoun (2011)

655 - Gainesville (2013)

654 - Cedar Grove (2021)

652 - Tucker (2011)

Warner Robins, Fitzgerald and Prince Avenue Christian are among 32 programs in history to reach three consecutive championship games. Now, Warner Robins can become the 14th to win three straight championships. Here are the 32 schools that have made a final for three straight seasons and the 13 that have won three straight titles.

Three consecutive finals

10 - Buford (2007-16)

6 - ELCA (2014-19)

6 - Warner Robins (2017-22)

5 - Buford (2000-04)

5 - Calhoun (2008-12)

5 - Irwin County (2017-21)

4 - Adairsville (1969-72)

4 - Charlton County (2003-06)

4 - Lincoln County (1984-87)

4 - Lincolnton (1960-63)

4 - Valdosta (1950-53)

4 - West Rome (1982-85)

3 - Americus (1973-75)

3 - Blessed Trinity (2017-19)

3 - Brooks County (2019-21)

3 - Buford (2019-21)

3 - Carrollton (1960-62)

3 - Clarke Central (1984-86)

3 - Decatur (1948-50)

3 - Fitzgerald (2020-22)

3 - Lincoln County (1989-91)

3 - Northside-W.R. (2005-07)

3 - Palmetto (1981-83)

3 - Parkview (2000-02)

3 - Prince Avenue (2020-22)

3 - Savannah Christian (2009-11)

3 - Southeast Bulloch (1971-73)

3 - Statesboro (2003-05)

3 - Thomas Co. Central (1992-94)

3 - Valdosta (1955-57)

3 - Valdosta (1960-62)

3 - Warren County (1964-66)

Three consecutive titles

1951-53 Valdosta

1960-62 Valdosta

1982-85 West Rome (4)

1985-87 Lincoln County

1992-94 Thomas Co. Central

2000-02 Parkview

2001-03 Buford

2004-06 Charlton County

2007-10 Buford (4)

2012-14 Buford

2015-19 ELCA (5)

2017-19 Blessed Trinity

2019-21 Buford

Here are the 16 state finals coaches with their high school and college alma maters. Of note, Swainsboro’s Scott Roberts beat his alma mater last week to reach the finals. Tucker Pruitt is coaching his alma mater. Warner Robins and Cedartown have alumni coaching state finalists, but not theirs.

Darren Alford, Schley County: Americus/Georgia Southwestern

Jamie Abrams, Cedartown: Rivercrest (Ark.)/Minnesota State

John Adams, Cedar Grove: Southwest DeKalb/Jackson State

Danny Britt, Benedictine: Westwood/Georgia Southern

Richard Fendley, Bowdon: Warner Robins/West Georgia

Brett Garvin, Sandy Creek: Greenwood (S.C.)/Presbyterian

Joey King, Carrollton: Cedartown/Carson-Newman

Josh Lovelady, Mill Creek: South Gwinnett/West Georgia

Josh Niblett, Gainesville: Demopolis Academy (Ala.)/Alabama

Tucker Pruitt, Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald/Valdosta State

Scott Roberts, Swainsboro: Irwin County/Georgia Southern

Jason Strickland, Ware County: Clinch County/Valdosta State

Greg Vandagriff, Prince Avenue Christian: Halls (Tenn.)/Tennessee Wesleyan

Marquis Westbrook, Warner Robins: Crisp County/Florida

Daniel Williams, Hughes: Creekside/Benedict College

Michael Youngblood, Thomson: Burke County/Georgia Southern

Mill Creek and Schley County will be playing in their first state championship games this week. Six teams are back from last season. Here are the 16 finalists with their most recent appearances.

First - Mill Creek

First - Schley County

2000 - Swainsboro

2001 - Bowdon

2001 - Cedartown

2012 - Gainesville

2012 - Sandy Creek

2012 - Ware County

2013 - Carrollton

2016 - Thomson

2021 - Benedictine

2021 - Cedar Grove

2021 - Fitzgerald

2021 - Hughes

2021 - Prince Avenue Christian

2021 - Warner Robins

Seven teams will be trying to reach championship games for the first times in their schools’ histories tonight. Nine can return from last season. Here are the most recent state finals appearances of the 32 semifinal teams.

Never

Appling County

Dutchtown

Mill Creek

North Oconee

Schley County

St. Francis

Troup

1993

Johnson County

2000

Swainsboro

2001

Bowdon

Cedartown

2006

Lincoln County

2012

Gainesville

Sandy Creek

Ware County

2013

Carrollton

2016

Fellowship Christian

Roswell

Thomson

2017

Rome

2018

Colquitt County

2020

Cartersville

Oconee County

2021

Benedictine

Carver (Atlanta)

Cedar Grove

Fitzgerald

Hughes

Irwin County

Milton

Prince Avenue Christian

Warner Robins

In his 18th season at Carver of Atlanta, Darren Myles has been with his school the longest of any semifinal coach. Five coaches are in their first seasons with their schools.

18 - Darren Myles, Carver (Atlanta)

16 - Don Norton, Johnson Co.

12 - Danny Britt, Benedictine

8 - John Reid, Rome

8 - Tanner Glisson, Troup

7 - Greg Vandagriff, Prince Avenue Christian

7 - Darren Alford, Schley Co.

6 - Tucker Pruitt, Fitzgerald

6 - Tyler Aurandt, North Oconee

6 - Brett Garvin, Sandy Creek

6 - Scott Roberts, Swainsboro

5 - Richard Fendley, Bowdon

5 - Frank Barden, St. Francis

5 - Michael Youngblood, Thomson

4 - Conor Foster, Cartersville

4 - Daniel Williams, Hughes

4 - Josh Lovelady, Mill Creek

4 - Jason Strickland, Ware Co.

4 - Marquis Westbrook, Warner Robins

3 - Jamie Abrams, Cedartown

3 - Casey Soliday, Irwin Co.

3 - Lee Chomskis, Lincoln Co.

3 - Chris Prewett, Roswell

2 - Jordan Mullis, Appling Co.

2 - Joey King, Carrollton

2 - John Adams, Cedar Grove

2 - Tim McFarlin, Fellowship Christian

1 - Sean Calhoun, Colquitt Co.

1 - Niketa Battle, Dutchtown

1 - Josh Niblett, Gainesville

1 - Ben Reaves, Milton

1 - Ben Hall, Oconee Co.

Lincoln County is in the semifinals for the first time since 2012 but the 27th time overall. That’s the most among the 2022 semifinal schools and second-most in history to Valdosta’s 31. Lincoln County’s total here does not include the four semifinal appearances of predecessor school Lincolnton. With those combined, Lincoln County and Valdosta are tied. Carrollton’s 25 semifinals are tied for third all-time with Buford, which did not make it this season. Below are the number of semifinal appearances for each 2022 semifinal school.

27 - Lincoln County

25 - Carrollton

21 - Gainesville

19 - Warner Robins

17 - Irwin County

16 - Fitzgerald

14 - Colquitt County

13 - Cartersville

13 - Thomson

9 - Cedar Grove

9 - Prince Avenue Christian

8 - Benedictine

8 - Bowdon

8 - Cedartown

8 - Roswell

8 - Ware County

7 - Swainsboro

5 - Carver (Atlanta)

5 - Rome

5 - Sandy Creek

4 - Appling County

4 - Fellowship Christian

4 - Johnson County

4 - Milton

4 - Oconee County

3 - Mill Creek

3 - Troup

2 - Hughes

2 - North Oconee

1 - Dutchtown

1 - Schley County

1 - St. Francis

Five of the 32 semifinal teams were unranked in preseason. Six were ranked No. 1.

Class 7A

3. Colquitt County

5. Mill Creek

10. Milton

UN. Carrollton

Class 6A

1. Hughes

3. Rome

4. Roswell

UN. Gainesville

Class 5A

1. Warner Robins

3. Cartersville

7. Ware County

UN. Dutchtown

Class 4A

1. Benedictine

2. North Oconee

3. Cedartown

8. Troup

Class 3A

1. Cedar Grove

4. Carver (Atlanta)

5. Oconee County

7. Sandy Creek

Class 2A

2. Fitzgerald

3. Appling County

5. Fellowship Christian

UN. Thomson

Class A Division I

1. Prince Avenue Christian

4. Irwin County

6. Swainsboro

UN. St. Francis

Class A Division II

1. Schley County

5. Bowdon

8. Lincoln County

10. Johnson County

Three teams are in the semifinals for the first time. Fifteen of the 32 were in the semifinals last season. This list reveals the impact of the new Class A Division II, which effectively dropped the enrollment cap in the lowest classification to about 400 students from 600. The Division II final-four teams – Schley County, Bowdon, Johnson County and Lincoln County – are making their first semifinal appearances since 2012 or longer.

First - Dutchtown, Schley County, St. Francis

2005 - Bowdon, Johnson County

2012 - Lincoln County

2013 - Gainesville

2015 - Ware County

2016 - Mill Creek, Roswell, Thomson

2018 - Colquitt County, Rome, Troup

2019 - Sandy Creek

2020 - Cartersville, Oconee County

2021 - Appling County, Benedictine, Carrollton, Carver (Atlanta), Cedar Grove, Cedartown, Fellowship Christian, Fitzgerald, Hughes, Irwin County, Milton, North Oconee, Prince Avenue Christian, Swainsboro, Warner Robins

The two longest streaks of making the quarterfinals came to an end last week. Walton ended Buford’s 22-year streak, and Fellowship Christian ended Eagle’s Landing Christian’s 12-year streak. Peach County’s six-year streak and Lee County’s five-year streak also came to an end. Irwin County now leads the pack.

10

Irwin County

8

Cedar Grove

Rabun County

7

Callaway

Carrollton

6

Marist

Warner Robins

5

Fellowship Christian

Grayson

4

Metter

Thomasville

3

Appling County, Bainbridge, Benedictine, Calhoun, Calvary Day, Carver (Atlanta), Carver (Columbus), Cedartown, Fitzgerald, Hughes, Milton, Pierce County, Prince Avenue Christian, Westlake

2

Creekside, Holy Innocents', Mill Creek, North Oconee, Roswell, South Atlanta, Swainsboro, Thomson, Walton, Wilcox County

1

Bleckley County, Bowdon, Cartersville, Clinch County, Coffee, Colquitt County, Dooly County, Dutchtown, Early County, Gainesville, Houston County, Johnson County, Lincoln County, Mays, Mount Pisgah Christian, North Gwinnett, Oconee County, Rockmart, Rome, Sandy Creek, Savannah Christian, Schley County, St. Francis, Stockbridge, Thomas County Central, Troup, Ware County, Wayne County, Woodward Academy

St. Francis is the only school this season making its first quarterfinal appearance. Of the 64 quarterfinal teams, 35 are back from 2021. Here are the most recent previous appearances of the 64.

First - St. Francis

2009 - Thomas County Central

2012 - Early County

2013 - Bowdon, Wayne County

2014 - Dooly County, Gainesville, Mount Pisgah Christian

2015 - Johnson County

2017 - Mays

2018 - Rockmart, Rome, Schley County, Stockbridge, Troup

2019 - Dutchtown, Houston County, North Gwinnett, Sandy Creek, Woodward Academy

2020 - Bleckley County, Cartersville, Clinch County, Coffee, Colquitt County, Lincoln County, Oconee County, Savannah Christian, Ware County

2021 - Appling County, Bainbridge, Benedictine, Calhoun, Callaway, Calvary Day, Carrollton, Carver (Atlanta), Carver (Columbus), Cedar Grove, Cedartown, Creekside, Fellowship Christian, Fitzgerald, Grayson, Holy Innocents’, Hughes, Irwin County, Marist, Metter, Mill Creek, Milton, North Oconee, Pierce County, Prince Avenue Christian, Rabun County, Roswell, South Atlanta, Swainsboro, Thomasville, Thomson, Walton, Warner Robins, Westlake, Wilcox County

Walton’s 42-35 victory over Buford was the second round’s most newsworthy upset, but it’s common in the highest classification for the No. 1-ranked team to lose in the playoffs. Buford is the 15th this century and the sixth to fall in the second round or sooner.

2022 Buford (2R)

2019 Lowndes (F)

2018 Colquitt County (F)

2017 Lowndes (2R)

2013 North Gwinnett (F)

2012 Lassiter (1R)

2011 Camden County (QF)

2010 Camden County (2R)

2009 Grayson (QF)

2008 Lowndes (QF)

2007 North Cobb (1R)

2006 Norcross (QF)

2005 Camden County (QF)

2004 Camden County (SF)

2000 Warner Robins (2R)

John Milledge Academy, a school playing in the Georgia Independent Athletic Association, can set the state record for consecutive victories today. The Trojans play at home against Heritage of Newnan. They’ve won 47 straight games. Here are the teams with 30 or more consecutive victories and the years in which the streaks ended.

47 - John Milledge Acad. (active)

47 - Buford (2004)

46 - Parkview (2003)

44 - Lincoln County (1991)

42 - Buford (2015)

41 - Cartersville (2017)

41 - Sandy Creek (2011)

40 - Rome (2018)

38 - Lincoln County (1978)

37 - ELCA (2018)

37 - West Rome (1984)

37 - Valdosta (1963)

36 - Thomson (1969)

35 – Northside-W.R. (2008)

34 - Southeast Bulloch (1974)

33 - Americus (1976)

32 - Buford (2009)

32 - East Rome (1979)

31 - Morgan County (1960)

30 - Colquitt County (2015)

30 - Washington County (1997)

30 - Valdosta (1958)

Northeast’s Nick Woodford and South Atlanta’s Keyjuan Brown last week became the 24th and 25th backs in GHSA history to rush for more than 2,500 yards in a season, according to the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Brown also accomplished the feat last season. Both could threaten Daccus Turman’s state record of 3,172 yards but would need to go deep in the playoffs. Two other active players – Johnson County’s Germivy Tucker (2,373) and Hebron Christian’s Gavin Hall (2,333) – will pass the milestone if they have typical games this week.

3,172 - Daccus Turman, Washington-Wilkes (2000)

3,167 - Herschel Walker, Johnson Co. (1979)

2,982 - Washaun Ealey, Emmanuel Co. Institute (2007)

2,944 - Treylon Sheppard, Haralson Co. (2018)

2,871 - Michah Andrews, Greater Atlanta Christian (2002)

2,815 - Jamious Griffin, Rome (2018)

2,814 - Brandon Andrews, Swainsboro (2000)

2,795 - Chandler Byron, Monroe Area (2018)

2,776 - Ben Logue, North Springs (1981)

2,768 - Caleb King, Parkview (2005)

2,758 - Rob Brown, Trion (2021)

2,757 - Keyjuan Brown, South Atlanta (2021)

2,721 - Nick Chubb, Cedartown (2012)

2,690 - Nick Chubb, Cedartown 2013)

2,648 - Darryl Ogletree, Greenville (1980)

2,598 - Nick Woodford, Northeast (2022)

2,595 - Sidney Ford, Pepperell (1998)

2,559 - Kawon Bryant, North Oconee (2013)

2,554 - Jahmyr Gibbs, Dalton (2019)

2,544 - Omari Arnold, Brooks Co. (2021)

2,544 - Kenny Miles, Brookwood (2007)

2,530 - Charles Grant, Miller Co. (1997)

2,505 - Monte Williams, Commerce (2000)

2,504 - Keyjuan Brown, South Atlanta (2022)

2,501 - Runt Moon, Commerce (1973)

The computer Maxwell Rankings ranked the 16 remaining teams in each classification based on their chances of winning a state title. The rankings consider team strength and draw difficulty.

Class 7A

1. Colquitt County

2. Buford

3. Mill Creek

4. North Cobb

5. Carrollton

6. Milton

7. Westlake

8. Grayson

9. Walton

10. Lambert

11. Camden County

12. Parkview

13. North Gwinnett

14. Norcross

15. Marietta

16. Harrison

Class 6A

1. Hughes

2. Thomas County Central

3. Rome

4. Roswell

5. Gainesville

6. Houston County

7. Lee County

8. Northside (Warner Robins)

9. South Paulding

10. Woodward Academy

11. Marist

12. Alpharetta

13. Allatoona

14. North Forsyth

15. North Atlanta

16. St. Pius

Class 5A

1. Ware County

2. Creekside

3. Cartersville

4. Coffee

5. Dutchtown

6. Cambridge

7. Warner Robins

8. Calhoun

9. Kell

10. Mays

11. Dalton

12. Cass

13. Northside (Columbus)

14. Northgate

15. Chamblee

16. Decatur

Class 4A

1. Cedartown

2. Benedictine

3. North Oconee

4. Perry

5. Troup

6. Bainbridge

7. Stockbridge

8. Burke County

9. Holy Innocents’

10. Wayne County

11. Central (Carrollton)

12. Cairo

13. Stephenson

14. Spalding

15. Walnut Grove

16. Lovett

Class 3A

1. Cedar Grove

2. Sandy Creek

3. Calvary Day

4. Stephens County

5. Oconee County

6. Thomasville

7. Carver (Atlanta)

8. Peach County

9. Monroe Area

10. Carver (Columbus)

11. Savannah Christian

12. Adairsville

13. Hebron Christian

14. Dougherty

15. Harlem

16. Liberty County

Class 2A

1. Fitzgerald

2. Appling County

3. Pierce County

4. Rockmart

5. South Atlanta

6. Thomson

7. Fellowship Christian

8. Callaway

9. Cook

10. Northeast

11. Putnam County

12. Fannin County

13. North Cobb Christian

14. Eagle's Landing Christian

15. Berrien

16. Union County

Class A Division I

1. Prince Avenue Christian

2. Irwin County

3. Swainsboro

4. Rabun County

5. Darlington

6. Bleckley County

7. Metter

8. St. Francis

9. Dublin

10. Lamar County

11. Elbert County

12. Trion

13. Social Circle

14. Mount Pisgah Christian

15. Heard County

16. Screven County

Class A Division II

1. Bowdon

2. Charlton County

3. Schley County

4. Johnson County

5. Clinch County

6. Early County

7. McIntosh County Academy

8. Wilcox County

9. Lincoln County

10. Telfair County

11. Christian Heritage

12. Manchester

13. Lanier County

14. Dooly County

15. Washington-Wilkes

16. Wilkinson County

The Maxwell Ratings predicted 111 of 127 GHSA first-round games correctly. These are the underdogs, with their projected points spreads, that beat the computer.

Allatoona (-1) d. Douglas Co.

Bleckley Co. (-18) d. Brooks Co.

Burke Co. (-1) d. LaGrange

Cass (-30) d. Jefferson

Dalton (-14) d. Loganville

Dooly Co. (-7) d. Jenkins Co.

Fannin Co. (-15) d. Athens Acad.

Harrison (-15) d. Brookwood

Liberty Co. (-4) d. Morgan Co.

Lovett (-1) d. Westminster

North Forsyth (-8) d. Blessed Trinity

Northeast (-2) d. Worth Co.

Union Co. (-7) d. Model

Walnut Grove (-11) d. Heritage (Ringgold)

Washington-Wilkes (-4) d. Mt. Zion

Wilkinson Co. (-4) d. Macon Co.

Seventy-two of the 128 teams that reached the second round of the playoffs did the same in 2021. That’s 56.3%. Here are the final 128 teams, with the most recent season that they have advanced this far.

First - Lanier County, North Atlanta, Walnut Grove

1981 - Harlem

1983 - Cass

1991 - Berrien

2005 - Northside (Columbus), Social Circle

2007 - Chamblee

2014 - Central (Carrollton), Lamar County

2015 - Adairsville, Camden County, Gainesville, Telfair County, Wilkinson County

2016 - Dalton, Lambert, Northgate, Thomas County Central

2017 - Alpharetta, Elbert County, Mount Pisgah Christian, Screven County

2018 - Charlton County, Dooly County, Stockbridge, Troup

2019 - Cook, Dutchtown, Hebron Christian, Houston County, Johnson County, Kell, Mays, North Forsyth, Sandy Creek, South Paulding, St. Francis, Stephenson, Union County, Wayne County

2020 - Allatoona, Christian Heritage, Clinch County, Coffee, Colquitt County, Decatur, Dublin, Early County, Harrison, North Cobb Christian, Parkview, Rockmart, Rome, Savannah Christian

2021 - Appling County, Bainbridge, Benedictine, Bleckley County, Bowdon, Buford, Burke County, Cairo, Calhoun, Callaway, Calvary Day, Cambridge, Carrollton, Cartersville, Carver (Atlanta), Carver (Columbus), Cedar Grove, Cedartown, Creekside, Darlington, Dougherty, Eagle's Landing Christian, Fannin County, Fellowship Christian, Fitzgerald, Grayson, Heard County, Holy Innocents’, Hughes, Irwin County, Lee County, Liberty County, Lincoln County, Lovett, Manchester, Marietta, Marist, McIntosh County Academy, Metter, Mill Creek, Milton, Monroe Area, Norcross, North Cobb, North Gwinnett, North Oconee, Northeast, Northside (Warner Robins), Oconee County, Peach County, Perry, Pierce County, Prince Avenue Christian, Putnam County, Rabun County, Roswell, Schley County, South Atlanta, Spalding, St. Pius, Stephens County, Swainsboro, Thomasville, Thomson, Trion, Walton, Ware County, Warner Robins, Washington-Wilkes, Westlake, Wilcox County, Woodward Academy