Two No. 1-ranked teams knocked out in quarterfinals

North Cobb Christian and Calhoun upset No. 1-ranked opponents in the quarterfinals last week, and North Cobb Christian made further news as one of four teams making the semifinals for the first time.

The other first-time semifinalists are Toombs County and Northeast in Class A Division I and Hebron Christian in 3A-A private.

North Cobb Christian (11-1) was the quarterfinal’s brightest star as the Class 3A-A private school traveled 275 miles to the coast and defeated top-ranked Savannah Christian 30-27. Teddy Jarrard was 31-of-51 passing for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Savannah Christian, the Class 3A runner-up last season, came in 10-0 and heavily favored by the computer Maxwell Ratings.

Calhoun’s 38-28 victory over No. 1 Peach County in Class 3A was less surprising in that Calhoun is a three-time former state champion this century. The Yellow Jackets now have beaten seven No. 1-ranked teams since 2000. The previous most recent was Cartersville in 2022.

Toombs County (11-1) broke through to the semifinals for the first time with a 56-17 victory over Elbert County. Toombs, ranked No. 1, had been 0-6 in quarterfinal games, losing one to Rockmart last year.

Northeast, a Macon school that opened in 1970, beat No. 1-seeded and third-ranked Fannin County 48-39 to reach its first semifinal. Northeast (11-2) also set a school record for victories this season.

Hebron Christian, the No. 3 team in 3A-A private, beat Aquinas 63-13. Hebron, like North Cobb Christian, played its first varsity game in 2007. Hebron (10-2) also set a school record for victories in a season.

The Class 6A final four will be No. 1 Carrollton, No. 2 Buford, No. 4 Douglas County and No. 6 Grayson.

Carrollton beat Hillgrove 46-6 but led only 6-0 in the second quarter when Lewis, an AJC Super 11 pick who committed to Colorado, left the game injured. Dylan Bishop played the rest of the way in Lewis’ place. Lewis’ status for this week’s semifinal game at No. 2 Buford is uncertain.

Buford beat North Gwinnett 43-7 while Grayson beat Collins Hill 38-14 in marquee games played in Gwinnett County. Grayson will play at home against Douglas County, a 20-14 winner over West Forsyth.

In Class 5A, No. 1 Milton joined No. 2 Lee County, No. 4 Hughes and No. 7 Coffee in advancing. Milton beat Houston County 56-14. Hughes beat Thomas County Central, last year’s Class 6A champion, 28-12.

The most stunning news in 5A was Tyrese Woodgett’s state-record 605 yards rushing and seven touchdowns in Coffee’s 72-48 victory over Sequoyah.

In Class 4A, No. 3 North Oconee beat No. 4 Cartersville 28-26 in the only game in any class between two undefeated teams. No. 1 Marist, No. 4 Blessed Trinity and No. 10 Creekside also got through.

In Class 3A, seventh-ranked Calhoun’s fellow semifinalists are No. 8 Stephenson (first appearance since 2005), LaGrange (first since 20008) and No. 3 Jefferson. LaGrange is the only unranked team in the semifinals, though it held a top-10 ranking at times this season.

Carver of Columbus, the No. 1 team in Class 2A, beat defending champion Pierce County 44-7. Also winning in 2A were No. 3 Burke County, No. 4 Appling County and No. 8 Rockmart.

Class A Division I will have No. 1 Toombs County, No. 2 Dublin, No. 5 Northeast and No. 9 Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's Victor Copeland rushed for 417 yards and passed for 106 yards in a 42-38 victory over Worth County.

The Division II semifinals are No. 1 Manchester, No. 2 Bowdon, No. 3 Irwin County and No. 4 Brooks County.

The 3A-A private survivors are No. 2 Prince Avenue Christian, No. 3 Hebron Christian, No. 5 Fellowship Christian and No. 7 North Cobb Christian.