These are the Maxwell Ratings’ projected playoff brackets for classes 3A to A Division I. Unlike other classes, which are seeded in the traditional format, the GHSA will seed teams in classes 3A to A Division I using a points-rating model. The GHSA publishes the Post Season Rankings, but the draws below are more informative because they project how they might play out after four more weeks of the regular season.

Craig Dandridge of Cambridge, T.J. Peyton of Lanier and Jonathan Isom of Mitchell County put up big offensive numbers during important region victories in Week 9 of the regular season, while Rome’s Jaedon Harmon dominated on defense, playing only a half in a lopsided win over Lithia Springs.

Ware County, a perennial state contender that has gone unranked since consecutive losses to Florida opponents last month, is the biggest upward mover in this week’s high school football rankings after a 38-14 victory over previous No. 2 Benedictine of Class 4A on Friday night. Ware is now No. 6 in Class 4A despite its 3-3 record.

Zayden Cook of Chattooga, Antwann Hill of Houston County and Cody Bryan of Heritage of Ringgold held their statewide leads in rushing, passing and receiving yardage, respectively, but Class 6A has a pair of new leaders - Westlake's Travis Smith Jr. and Wheeler's Josiah Allen - after the big games they had last week.

First place will be at stake in several regions around the state this weekend. Notably, two games with front-runner status on the line match undefeated teams – Coffee at Lee County in Region 2-5A and Eastside at North Oconee in Region 8-4A. Elsewhere, the public-private battle for seeding in the lower classes wages on as North Cobb Christian meets Rockmart for first place in Region 7-2A.

Seventy-eight of the GHSA’s 415 football-playing schools have first-year head coaches, a couple since the season started. Here is a look at several that have made immediate impacts. Their backgrounds are varied, but many have coached in state championship games recently.

Dodge County’s Jerimiah Burns, Houston County’s A.J. Hill, Valdosta’s Todd Robinson and Wheeler’s Josiah Allen posted the big numbers on offense in their teams’ Week 8 victories, while Worth County linebacker Shermon Smith recorded 15 solo tackles and five assists to help his team upset Thomasville.

The Georgia High School Association’s rule-making authority, the 75-person executive committee, will discuss a bold plan Monday that would classify schools based on sports success rather than enrollment size starting in 2026. The proposal is called the GHSA Competitive Balance Reclassification Model.

Winder-Barrow’s M.J. Dowdy and Drew’s Jaylan Aquino surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in the seventh week of the regular season. Dowdy rushed for 347 yards in a 57-43 victory Saturday over Habersham Central. Aquino ran for 168 yards in a 13-7 win over Pace Academy on Monday.

Region 1-6A will try again to get league play under way when Camden County visits Valdosta and Lowndes travels to Colquitt County in games that were postponed last weekend because of Hurricane Helene. Collins Hill and Buford will face off to determine the team to beat in Region 8-6A, and several games across the state will establish region front-runners.