Quarterbacks Rodge Waldrop of Brookwood School in Thomasville, Devin Edmonds of Jones County and Brody Hannah of Loganville combined for more than 1,600 passing yards in Week 8, and Columbia's Jadan Baugh and Valdosta's Eric Brantley made an impact on both sides of the ball in big region victories.

Calvary Day, a GHSA member since 1988, is No. 1 in football for the first time. The Cavaliers (7-0) of Savannah are on top of the Class 3A rankings this week after previous No. 1 Cedar Grove lost for the fifth time Friday. The latest came against Carver of Montgomery, Ala., 13-9. Cedar Grove’s previous losses had been to top-10 opponents from the highest classification, one in Florida. Carver is 4-2 but unranked in Alabama’s Class 6A.

Northeast Georgia is home of the GHSA’s leading rusher, passer and receiver after seven weeks of the regular season. They are Lumpkin County’s Mason Sullens (1,119 yards rushing), Prince Avenue Christian’s Aaron Philo (2,180 passing) and Loganville’s Ahmed Souare (825 receiving). Sullens took over the rushing lead with a 200-yard effort in a 30-21 victory over Wesleyan last week.

Now that region play is in full swing, the races for playoff berths and region titles are heating up. Region 7-5A has two blockbusters on the schedule this week (Calhoun at Hiram and Cass at Cartersville) that will shape the playoff picture. Other big games in Week 8 include Lowndes at Valdosta, Walton at North Cobb and Benedictine at Burke County.

The Georgia High School Associated approved a reclassification framework for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years on Monday. The big change is that private schools in classes 3A to A will play for one state championship in all sports, separate from public schools. They will continue to play in regions with public schools during the regular season.

The GHSA’s executive committee on Monday approved NIL deals for high school athletes and a plan that will have private schools in classes 3A, 2A and A competing in private-only state playoffs beginning in 2024-25. Both were expected.

Private schools in classes 3A-A will be playing for state championships separate from public schools beginning in 2024-25 if the Georgia High School Association’s executive committee approves the plan today in Macon. The GHSA’s reclassification committee voted 12-2 on Sunday to recommend the plan to the 75-member executive committee, which can make it official.

David Eziomume of North Cobb is the GHSA’s new leading rusher after a 326-yard performance in a victory over Milton last week. Eziomume has rushed for 933 yards in five games. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound running back is committed to Clemson. Prince Avenue Christian’s Aaron Philo (1,926 passing yards) and North Murray’s Judson Petty (707 yards receiving) maintained their leads.

It's still early in region play, but several Week 7 games will have a huge impact on who wins 2023 region championships. Among those games this week are Newton vs. Grayson in Class 7A; Lee County vs. Houston County and Roswell vs. Blessed Trinity in 6A; Cartersville vs. Calhoun and Ola vs. Warner Robins in 5A; North Oconee vs. North Hall in 4A; and Appling County vs. Pierce County in 2A