Friday, Aug. 26, 2022
Reclassification assessed
Maxwell Ratings provide computer insights
The Maxwell Ratings have been a cornerstone of GHSF Daily since the newsletter’s inception in 2009. Mathematician Loren Maxwell’s computer algorithm ranks teams, regions and classifications. It also predicts games, scores, region finishes and state playoffs.
 
For those looking even deeper, the Maxwell Ratings can evaluate reclassification. The Georgia High School Association finished the biennial process in January, putting 129 of Georgia’s 412 football-playing schools in different classes and several more into different regions for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years.
 
Here are five observations based on Maxwell’s ranking of classes and teams published this week on ajc.com (subscription).
 
1. If you can’t run with the big dogs …
The largest gap between classifications exists at the top. The average Class 7A team is 11 points better than the average Class 6A team, according to Maxwell. Nearly two decades ago, the GHSA considered a highest class of only 32 teams, called the Big 32, to address the belief that there’s a profound competitive imbalance between schools with 3,500 students and those with 2,000. That plan was rejected, but the presumption was astute. To that end, the highest class has been limited to about 48 schools in recent years, and the Maxwell Ratings show why. That doesn’t mean smaller schools can’t be good. Maxwell has Carrollton, Westlake and Valdosta – teams up from 6A – in his top 16 of Class 7A. But with playoff opponents about 10 points stronger every round, it could be 10 to 50 times more difficult to win a state title, or even reach the quarterfinals, in 7A than in 6A.
 
2. A bone for the little dogs
The next-largest gap between classes exists at Class A’s new divisions I and II. The average Division I team is nine points stronger than the average Division II team, per Maxwell. The reasons are the same as for 7A-6A. In the old Class A, schools with 500 students often were playing against those with 250. That’s twice the enrollment and twice the odds of finding the next Garrison Hearst walking the halls. If the current divisions I and II were merged, Maxwell would have only one Division II team, Clinch County, in the top 10, and that’s based largely on Clinch’s tradition. In short, the new Division II is a godsend to schools with fewer than 400 students such as Washington-Wilkes, Lincoln County, ECI and McIntosh County Academy.
 
3. Where class boundaries get fuzzy
In the playoffs, the differences between classes 6A and 5A and between classes 4A and 3A are virtually non-existent. The average 6A team is 4-5 points better than the average 5A team, according to Maxwell, but when comparing the top 16 teams in each class, the difference is only 2.3 points. When comparing 4A and 3A, the differences are even smaller. Class 4A’s top 16 teams are only 0.6 points better than 3A’s top 16 teams. So, getting bumped up just one class – so long as it’s not into 7A or 5A – is really nothing to fret. The chances of winning a state title are essentially the same in 6A as 5A, the same in 4A as 3A, and almost the same in 2A as A Division I. So, if you’re Blessed Trinity, Burke County, Bremen or Thomasville, just relax. Now, two-class bumps – yikes, Gordon Lee and Greater Atlanta Christian! – those do matter, according to Maxwell's numbers.
 
Here's Maxwell’s breakdown on the average team in each class and top-16 teams in each class.

7A - Overall: 71.84 ... Best 16: 89.75
6A - Overall: 60.89 ... Best 16: 77.62
5A - Overall: 55.49 ... Best 16: 75.30
4A - Overall: 52.88 ... Best 16: 67.99
3A - Overall: 48.28 ... Best 16: 67.36
2A - Overall: 41.36 ... Best 16: 64.02
A D-I - Overall: 43.40 ... Best 16: 60.29
A D-II - Overall: 34.54 ... Best 16: 50.00
 
4. Hardly a speed bump for private schools
Private-school football teams are better than most people realize. That’s surprising since almost everybody realizes they’re really good in Georgia. But how good? According to the Maxwell Ratings, the average 6A private school is 19 points better than the average 6A public school. In 4A, they’re about 12 points better than average. In Class A Division I, where there are six private schools, the difference is only about seven points, and it would be less except that private schools are simply less likely to be terrible (none ranked outside the top 25). It’s hard not to conclude that the 3.0 multiplier didn’t do much to sand-bag the larger private schools, but from Class 3A down, there is relatively good parity between public and private schools. Of the 19 private schools in 3A below, only two have top-five rankings.
 
Private schools ranked by class:

7A - None
6A - No. 2 Blessed Trinity, No. 5 Woodward, No. 8 Marist, No. 13 St. Pius
5A - No. 23 Greater Atlanta Christian
4A - No. 1 Benedictine, No. 7 Trinity Christian, No. 11 Westminster, No. 20 Holy Innocents’, No. 22 Pace Academy, No. 25 Lovett
3A - No. 9 Calvary Day, No. 21 Savannah Christian, No. 24 Savannah Country Day, No. 27 Hebron Christian
2A - No. 2 ELCA, No. 8 Fellowship Christian, No. 12 Athens Academy, No. 23 North Cobb Christian, No. 28 Mount Paran Christian, No. 38 Landmark Christian, No. 52 Providence Christian
A D-I - No. 3 Prince Avenue Christian, No. 10 Whitefield Academy, No. 16 Mount Vernon, No. 17 Mount Pisgah Christian, No. 22 Athens Christian, No. 23 St. Francis
A D-II - No. 9 Aquinas, No. 19 Christian Heritage

5. Closer look at city schools
City schools are good, too. As it did with private schools, the GHSA targeted city schools with its 3.0 out-of-zone multiplier to mete out competitive justice. After reclassification, the average city school football team is ranked 14th in its classification. The average county team is 27th. City schools are about 15 points better than non-city schools in 7A and about 17 points better in 5A. The difference in Class A Division I is negligible, however. Smaller city schools don't perform above expectation as much as the bigger ones, according to Maxwell's math.
 
City schools ranked by class:

7A - No. 1 Buford, No. 18 Carrollton, No. 14 Valdosta, No. 18 Marietta
6A - No. 4 Rome, No. 7 Gainesville
5A - No. 1 Cartersville, No. 6 Calhoun, No. 9 Jefferson, No. 17 Dalton, No. 22 Decatur
4A - None
3A - No. 7 Thomasville, No. 19 Bremen, No. 41 Gordon Lee
2A - No. 20 Vidalia
A D-I - No. 8 Dublin, No. 15 Commerce, No. 18 Trion, No. 19 Pelham, No. 28 Social Circle
A D-II - None

Note: The average ranking of all GHSA teams is 25.8.
Aiden Ruckh, North Forsyth
Aiden Ruckh, a senior wide receiver at North Forsyth, is the scoutSMART Student-Athlete of the Week. Ruckh has a 4.0 GPA and is one of the team’s leading returning receivers. He finished the 2021 season with 22 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown, and he had three catches for 26 yards in the team’s season opener last week. “Aiden was voted a team captain by his teammates,” said Matt Dobson, North Forsyth’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “He is one of the hardest-working athletes both on the field and in the classroom. Aiden is a great leader that volunteers his time to make his team and community better.” Ruckh spends time reading to elementary school students, volunteering at youth camps and helping with various youth events at school and in the community. Ruckh hopes to attend school to become a pilot.
 
GHSF Daily, in conjunction with scoutSMART, will be announcing a football student-athlete of the week each Friday this season. The ideal candidate will be outstanding on the field and in the classroom. Please click here to send nominations to Diane Bloodworth.
Congrats, Champ
Champ Bailey, a former Charlton County star, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in December. Here are former Georgia high school players who have achieved this honor.
 
*Champ Bailey, Charlton Co. (Georgia)
*Harris Barton, Dunwoody (North Carolina)
*Ray Beck, Cedartown (Georgia Tech)
*Emerson Boozer, Laney (Maryland Eastern Shore)
*Kevin Butler, Redan (Georgia)
*Bobby Davis, Jordan (Georgia Tech)
*Bill Fincher, Tech (Georgia Tech)
*Ray Guy, Thomson (Southern Miss)
*Bill Hartman, GMC Prep (Georgia)
*Calvin Johnson, Sandy Creek (Georgia Tech)
*Chip Kell, Avondale (Tennessee)
*Bob McWhorter, Gordon Institute (Georgia)
*Larry Morris, Decatur (Georgia Tech)
*Jim Parker, Ballard-Hudson (Ohio State)
*David Pollack, Shiloh (Georgia)
*Peter Pund, Richmond Academy (Georgia Tech)
*Tracy Rocker, Fulton (Auburn)
*George Rogers, Duluth (South Carolina)
*Sterling Sharpe, Glennville (South Carolina)
*Ron Simmons, Warner Robins (Florida State)
*Vernon Smith, Lanier-Macon (Georgia)
*Bill Stanfill, Cairo (Georgia)
*Matt Stinchcomb, Parkview (Georgia)
*Everett Strupper, Riverside Military (Georgia Tech)
*Pat Swilling, Stephens Co. (Georgia Tech)
*Fran Tarkenton, Athens (Georgia)
*Jessie Tuggle, Griffin (Valdosta State)
*Herschel Walker, Johnson Co. (Georgia)
*Charlie Ward, Thomas Co. Central (Florida State)
*Scott Woerner, Jonesboro (Georgia)
Today’s featured inductee is former Washington Redskin and Fulton High and Auburn graduate Tracy Rocker. Rocker will be inducted into the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame on Oct. 22 at the College Football Hall of Fame.
 
Tracy Rocker
Fulton High School Graduate
Tracy Rocker was the AJC’s Lineman of the Year and a USA Today All-American in 1983, when he was a prized high school recruit as a defensive lineman at Atlanta’s Fulton High. Rocker redshirted his freshman year at Auburn, and his next three seasons would leave him in Auburn lore. He was a three-time first-team All-SEC player and a consensus All-American on Auburn’s 1987 and 1988 SEC championship teams. In his final season with the Tigers, Rocker became the first player in SEC history to win the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy (nation’s best lineman) in the same year alongside the 1988 SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award. Rocker’s Tigers held opponents to only 7.6 points per game that season. He would be selected in the third round of the 1989 NFL draft by the Redskins. He was an All-Rookie in 1989 but would play only one more year in the NFL and would finish his playing career in the World Football League. He then returned to Auburn in 1992 to coach. He has since coached 11 teams over 30 years and is currently the defensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles.
On the Web
NFHS Network
The NFHS Network will present live streaming of football games from around the state each week. To sign up for the network or watch the games, click here. The NFHS Network partners with more than 100 Georgia high schools to give their students the opportunity to train and learn to broadcast their school's sporting events. Contact the NFHS Network to find out how your school can serve its students and fans with sports broadcasting opportunities.
 
Here are this week’s featured Georgia Games of the Week, with broadcast times in parentheses:
  • Eagle’s Landing Christian at Blessed Trinity (7:30 p.m.)
  • Hapeville Charter at Lee County (7:30 p.m.)
  • Hughes at McEachern (7:30 p.m.)
  • Mountain View at Gainesville (7:30 p.m.)
  • Stockbridge at Colquitt County (7:30 p.m.)
 
On TV
Today
*Mill Creek at Norcross, 7 p.m., ESPN2
*Aquinas at Westside (Augusta), 7:30 p.m., WJBF MeTV 6.2 (Augusta)
*Crisp County at Westlake, 7:30 p.m., GPB
*Fannin County at Gilmer, 7:30 p.m., ETC TV 3 (Ellijay)
*Heritage (Ringgold) at East Hamilton (Tenn.), 7:30 p.m., WFLI-TV (Chattanooga)
*Liberty County at Bradwell Institute, 7:30 p.m., WSAV-CW (Savannah)
*North Atlanta vs. Drew, 8 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)

Saturday
*South Atlanta vs. Chapel Hill, 10 a.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)
*Carver (Atlanta) vs. Riverdale, 1 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)
*Mays vs. Douglas County, 4 p.m., WPCH Peachtree TV (Atlanta)
Cedar Grove game canceled again
Cedar Grove’s Saturday football game against Edison of Miami is off again, canceled for the second and final time. Cedar Grove coach John Adams sent an email to parents and supporters Thursday morning.
 
“I'm not sure the reason or who’s fault. I can assure you that Cedar Grove HS football didn't have any fault in this decision,” Adams wrote. “I'm in pursuit of another game for this week or during a bye week. It is very late in the week but I'm going to try. I will keep everyone informed of my findings.”
 
The game originally was part of the three-game Georgia vs. Florida Battle of the Borders at DeKalb County’s Hallford Stadium. The three Florida teams pulled out, but Edison then jumped back in to play Cedar Grove, only to cancel again two days before kickoff.
 
Another game on the Week 2 schedule, Midtown vs. B.E.S.T. Academy on Thursday night at Henderson Stadium in Atlanta, was called off. No reason was given.
Today interviewee is Stanley Lott, talk show host for “The Talk Around Sports” on 101.9 The Rocket and online at therocketrocks.com. Lott’s show is co-hosted and produced with the help of his wife, Vette, and sons Tyler and Logan. Before launching the show, Lott did color commentary on Coffee's football broadcasts for 28 years. He's a former University of Georgia football trainer.
 
Stanley Lott,
sports radio talk show host
1. Coffee had a nice win Friday, beating Tift County 55-7. What was your impression of the game and where Coffee is headed this season? “That was a huge first game of the regular season win for Coffee. Going back to the spring scrimmage, Coffee lost to Brooks County. Some people went to scratching their heads and started wondering what was going on. However, these coaches and players had only been together 10 days. After a great summer of workouts, seven-on-seven and OTAs [organized team activities], Coffee then beats Fitzgerald 28-14 in a scrimmage on Aug. 5 and then took it to Tift County. Coffee clicked on all cylinders. However, special teams and the defense was the difference. Pat McCall takes the second-half kickoff and goes 90 yards for a touchdown to give Coffee a 27-0 lead, and DB Anthony ‘Ant’ Paulk takes an interception from Tift County back 53 yards for a TD. Coffee never looked back. We will have another big test Friday night as we travel to Bainbridge.”
 
2. What's Coffee's new coach like? “When coach Mike Coe was hired back in the spring from Madison County, Fla., he came out of the introduction press conference and hit the ground running. We interviewed Coach Coe that afternoon on our radio sports talk show, and he got emotional a couple of times when he talked about his father was not in his life and his uncle helped raise him and he always knew that he wanted to be a football coach. He said y’all are the first ones to have me crying during an interview. I knew then that Coach Coe had a passion. He is a big man, but he has a bigger heart. He is a community person. You will see him at church, the grocery store, barber shop, at a restaurant, etc., and that is a breath of fresh air. He reminds a lot of people of the legendary former coach Bonwell Royal. He loves God, his family, his players and everyone around him. He has become one of my dear friends and is giving his testimony at our church on Sunday, Sept. 11. The staff that he put together here is amazing. He has coaches that he brought in from Florida that were head coaches and ADs, and he brought in former Coffee High players. He believes in working hard but loving your players harder. Coach Coe also has a saying, ‘Let’s C.R.A.W.L.,’ meaning Community, Respect, Attitude, Willingness, Love.”
 
3. You've spent a lot of time following high school football. What has kept you so involved and invested in it? “It’s the love for the game of high school football. High school football is bigger than ‘Friday Night Lights’ and the season tickets are settled in divorce court before anything else. It’s the only sport that has everyone in that community on the same page for one day or night each week during the season pulling for their team to win, especially here in south Georgia. It’s the cheerleaders, band members, players, coaches, staff, etc., that put on a show and entertain us, and we all have one another’s back. On my show, we love interviewing the different high school football coaches and players and giving these schools some PR. Some of these schools have no radio coverage in rural areas. I just love all stories and history of Georgia high school football.”
 
4. What's either the most memorable game or player you've seen? “This one is easy as for the most memorable game. I would say games in 2017 when we beat Tucker at Tucker in the semifinals to play for our first-ever football state championship and then the state championship game against Lee County, a game that we missed a field goal by inches outside of the upright on the last play of the game. Even though we lost in overtime, I will never forget that game. I have seen several awesome and amazing players throughout the years all over the state – Jake Fromm [Houston County], Derrick Brown [Lanier], and Chansi Stuckey [Northside of Warner Robins] to name a few. However, watching Tyreek Hill [formerly of Coffee, now of the Miami Dolphins] and the speed that he had was incredible.”
 
Official football, basketball, softball and baseball of GHSA. Provides balls for GHSA playoffs/championships. Wilson Sporting Goods has been at the heart of sports history for over a century. No other company has been as influential and intimately involved in shaping the games of tennis, golf, baseball, softball and American football as Wilson. As the originator of breakthrough technologies, Wilson has produced legendary classics and earned world-wide legitimacy in each sport it participates in. Backed by generations of athletes, Wilson is the true American icon in the world of sports equipment. Wilson is the world's leading manufacturer of ball sports equipment. – “More Wilson More Win” Contact Craig Kalb at craig.kalb@wilson.com.
Which state championship game through history was between schools the shortest distance from each other? (Answer Monday)
 
Answer to Thursday’s question: The Georgia teams that beat out-of-state reigning champions last week were Buford (vs. Thompson, Ala.), Prince Avenue Christian (over Hammond, S.C.) and Commerce (Southside Christian, S.C.)

Kick off your game day with the best sports flooring and turf in the industry. Designed to take a beating.
GHSA
Thursday’s scores
Berkmar 21, Clarkston 12
Druid Hills 21, McNair 20
Glynn Acad. 22, McIntosh Co. Acad. 12
Midtown at B.E.S.T. Academy, canceled
Miller Grove 24, Jackson, Atlanta 7
Redan 34, Stone Mountain 6
Shaw 48, Kendrick 8
Troup 49, Hardaway 21
Western, Fla. 33, Johns Creek 14

Today’s games
ACE Charter at GMC Prep
Aiken, S.C. at Appling Co.
Allatoona at Kell
Aquinas at Westside, Augusta
Arabia Mountain at Heritage, Conyers
Armuchee at Gordon Lee
Baconton at Pataula Charter
Baldwin at Putnam Co.
Beach at Vidalia
Benedictine at Chris. Columbus, Fla.
Berrien at Atkinson Co.
Bleckley Co. at Wilcox Co.
Bluffton, S.C. at Jenkins (P)
Brantley Co. at Groves (GC)
Calhoun at Gardendale, Ala.
Callaway at Cedartown
Cambridge at Denmark
Camden Co. at Brunswick (GL)
Campbell at Kennesaw Mountain
Carrollton at South Paulding
Centennial at Roswell
Central, Carrollton at Bowdon
Central, Talbotton at Miller Co.
Central Gwinnett at Apalachee
Charlton Co. at Yulee, Fla.
Cherokee at Etowah
Cherokee Bluff at Adairsville
Christian Brothers, Mo. at Milton
Christian Heritage at Temple
Clarke Central at Oconee Co.
Coffee at Bainbridge
Cook at Valdosta
Coosa at Woodland, Cartersville
Creekview at Hillgrove
Crisp Co. at Westlake
Cross Creek at Glenn Hills
Cross Keys at Community Christian
Dade Co. at North Sand Mtn., Ala.
Darlington at Sonoraville
Dawson Co. at Lambert
Decatur at Wesleyan
Discovery at Loganville
Dooly Co. at Irwin Co.
Drew at North Atlanta (HA)
Duluth at Jackson Co.
Eagle's Land. Christ. at Blessed Trinity
Eagle's Landing at Grayson
Early Co. at Seminole Co.
East Jackson at Social Circle
Edmund Burke Academy at Glascock Co.
Effingham Co. at Burke Co.
Elbert Co. at Madison Co.
Fannin Co. at Gilmer
Fayette Co. at Mundy's Mill (TO)
Franklin Co. at Pickens, S.C.
Gadsden Co., Fla. at Lowndes
Greene Co. at Morgan Co.
Greenville at Mt. Zion, Carroll
Grovetown at Greenbrier
Hampton at McIntosh
Hancock Central at Harlem
Hapeville Charter at Lee Co.
Haralson Co. at Bremen
Harris Co. at Russell Co., Ala.
Harvester Christian at Mount Vernon
Heritage, Ringgold at E. Hamilton, Tenn.
Hilton Head, S.C. at Claxton
Hiram at Woodstock
Howard at Central, Macon (HM)
Hughes at McEachern
Jackson at Lovejoy (TO)
Jasper Co. at Pike Co.
Jefferson Co. at Thomson
Johnson Co. at Jenkins Co.
Jones Co. at Dacula
Jonesboro at Cartersville
Jordan at Columbus (K)
Lake Oconee Acad. at Towns Co.
Lakeview Academy at Athens Christian
Lakeview-Ft. Ogle. at Murray Co.
Lamar Co. at Upson-Lee
Laney at Hephzibah
Lanier Co. at Telfair Co.
Lassiter at Wheeler
Liberty Co. at Bradwell Institute
Lincoln Co. at McCormick, S.C.
Lithia Springs at Alexander
Lithonia at Rome
Lovett at Greater Atlanta Christian
Luella at Ola
Lumpkin Co. at Union Co.
M.L. King at Winder-Barrow
Macon Co. at Clinch Co.
Mallard Creek, N.C. at Buford
Marietta at West Forsyth
Marion Co. at Southland Academy
Marist at Pike Road, Ala.
Metter at Emanuel Co. Institute
Mill Creek at Norcross
Mobile Christian, Ala. at Athens Academy
Monroe at Cairo
Monroe Area at Cedar Shoals
Mountain View at Gainesville
Mt. Paran Christ. at Mt. Pisgah Christ.
Murphy, N.C. at Commerce
Munroe, Fla. at Terrell Co.
New Hampstead at Windsor Forest (SM)
New Manchester at Banneker
Newnan at East Coweta
Newton at Alcovy (SH)
North Clayton at KIPP Atl. Collegiate (L)
North Forsyth at Forsyth Central
North Gwinnett at Archer
North Paulding at East Paulding
Northside, Col. at LaGrange (C)
Northside, W.R. at Peach Co.
Northview at Lakeside, Atlanta
Northwest Whitfield at Coahulla Creek
Notre Dame Academy at GSIC
Osborne at Chattahoochee
Pace Academy at Westminster
Parkview at Shiloh
Paulding Co. at Sprayberry
Peachtree Ridge at Lanier
Pelham at Chattahoochee Co.
Pepperell at Model
Perry at Houston Co. (FF)
Pickens at North Murray
Pierce Co. at Jeff Davis
Pinewood Christian at Sav. Country Day
Providence Christian at Hebron Christian
Rabun Gap at Sequoyah
Randolph-Clay at Dougherty (M)
Richmond Academy at Savannah
Richmond Hill at Ware Co.
Ridgeland at North Cobb Christian
River Ridge at Pope
Riverside Military at King's Ridge
Riverwood at Holy Innocents' (RW)
Rockmart at Cass
Rutland at Hawkinsville
Salem at Rockdale Co.
Sandy Creek at Greenwood, S.C.
Savannah Christian at Islands
Screven Co. at Bacon Co.
Seckinger at East Forsyth
South Cobb at Pebblebrook
South Forsyth at Harrison
South Gwinnett at Meadowcreek
Southeast Whitfield at Gordon Central
Spalding at Mary Persons
Spencer at Carver, Columbus (CM)
St. Francis at Landmark Christian
St. Mary's Academy at Walker
St. Pius at Flowery Branch
Starr's Mill at Northgate
Stephens Co. at Rabun Co.
Stockbridge at Colquitt Co.
Strong Rock Christ. at Whitefield Acad.
Swainsboro at Washington Co.
Tattnall Co. at Long Co.
Taylor Co. at Crawford Co.
Thomas Co. Central at Thomasville
Tift Co. at Dutchtown
Towers at Chamblee (ND)
Treutlen at Bryan Co.
Tri-Cities at Morrow (SC)
Trinity Christian at Fellowship Christian
Trion at LaFayette
Tucker at Southwest DeKalb (GO)
Turner Co. at Fitzgerald
Twiggs Co. at Portal
Veterans at Griffin (GM)
Villa Rica at Anniston, Ala.
Walton at Brookwood
Warren Co. at Montgomery Co.
Washington at Douglass (L)
Wayne Co. at Brooks Co.
West Hall at Johnson, Gainesville
West Laurens at Dodge Co.
Westover at Sumter Co.
Westside, Macon at Southwest (HM)
Wheeler Co. at Toombs Co.
White Co. at Habersham Central
Whitewater at Union Grove
Woodland, Stock. at Columbia (AV)
Woodward Acad. at McCallie, Tenn. (TC)
Worth Co. at Mitchell Co.
Wren, S.C. at Jefferson
 
Saturday’s games
Chapel Hill at South Atlanta (HA)
Douglas Co. at Mays (HA)
Mt. Zion, Jonesboro at Therrell (L)
Riverdale at Carver, Atlanta (HA)
Southeast Bulloch at Statesboro
 
GIAA/GAPPS
Today’s games
Bethlehem Christian at Cherokee Christ.
Brookstone at Glenwood, Ala.
Bulloch Academy at Augusta Christian
Calvary Christian at Pinecrest Academy
Central Fellowship at SW Georgia Acad.
Creekside Christian at Heritage, Newnan
Cross Keys at Community Christian
Edmund Burke Academy at Glascock Co.
Flint River Acad. at Rock Springs Christ.
Frederica Academy at Tiftarea Academy
Georgia Christian at Riverside, Fla.
Harvester Christian at Mount Vernon
King's Academy at Loganville Christian
Lakeview Academy at Athens Christian
Maclay, Fla. at Deerfield-Windsor
Marion County at Southland Academy
Memorial Day at Fullington Academy
Mount de Sales at Brentwood
North Georgia Christian at Lanier Christ.
Notre Dame Academy at GSIC
Piedmont Academy at Terrell Academy
Pinewood Christian at Sav. Country Day
Robert Toombs Academy at Aucilla, Fla.
St. Andrew's at Valwood
St. Anne-Pacelli at Tattnall Square
St. Mary's Academy at Walker
Stratford Academy at Westfield
Strong Rock Christ. at Whitefield Acad.
Thomas Jefferson at Briarwood Academy
Trinity Christian (Dublin) at Gatewood
Wewahitchka, Fla. at Brookwood School
 
Saturday’s game
Chambers Acd., Fla. at First Presbyterian
 
Stadium abbreviations: (AV) Avondale; (C) Callaway; (CM) Columbus Memorial; (FF) Freedom Field; (GC) Garden City; (GL) Glynn County; (GM) Griffin Memorial; (GO) Godfrey; (HA) Henderson, Atlanta; (HM) Henderson, Macon; (K) Kinnett; (L) Lakewood; (M) Mills; (ND) North DeKalb; (P) Pooler; (RW) Riverwood High School; (SC) Southern Crescent; (SH) Sharp; (SM) Savannah Memorial; (TC) University of Tennessee-Chattanooga; (TO) Twelve Oaks

Join both the GACA and GFCA for $55.00 per coach! JOIN TODAY!
GHSA schools play numerous games against out-of-state competition. GHSF Daily will track the scores of those games each week to see how Georgia fares against the rest of the nation.
 
Vs. Alabama**********5-2
Vs. Florida**********3-2
Vs. Missouri*********0-0
Vs. North Carolina***0-1
Vs. Pennsylvania*****1-0
Vs. South Carolina***9-1
Vs. Tennessee********1-1
Vs. Virginia*********1-0
Total***************20-7
 
Week 1 scores
American Heritage, Fla. 38, Lowndes 20
Bluffton, S.C. 42, Beach 13
Brunswick 23, Andrew Jackson, Fla. 13
Buford 38, Thompson, Ala. 7
Carrollton 69, Gadsden City, Ala. 7
Cherokee Co., Ala. 20, Model 0
Collins Hill 20, Life Christian, Va. 0
Colquitt Co. 37, Deerfield Beach, Fla. 0
Commerce 21, Southside Christ., S.C. 17
Darlington 28, Schuylkill Haven, Pa. 16
ELCA 50, Brentwood Acad., Tenn. 49
Evans 16, North Augusta, S.C. 7
Grovetown 43, Midland Valley, S.C. 17
Hayesville, N.C. 13, Towns Co. 12
Hughes 47, Spartanburg, S.C. 16
LaGrange 49, Smiths Station, Ala. 20
Lakeside, Evans 32, Aiken, S.C. 0
Laney 16, Strom Thurmond, S.C. 0
Lipscomb Academy, Tenn. 17, Milton 7
Mt. Zion, Carroll 34, Cleburne Co., Ala. 17
New Hampstead 47, May River, S.C. 27
Opelika, Ala. 29, Callaway 28
Pataula Charter 52, Barbour Co., Ala. 0
Prince Avenue 39, Hammond, S.C. 3
Sav. Christ. 54, Hilton Head Chr., S.C. 7
Valdosta 40, North Miami, Fla. 6

Week 2 games
Western, Fla. 33, Johns Creek 14
Aiken, S.C. at Appling Co.
Benedictine at Christopher Columbus, Fla.
Bluffton, S.C. at Jenkins
Calhoun at Gardendale, Ala.
Charlton Co. at Yulee, Fla.
Christian Brothers, Mo. at Milton
Dade Co. at North Sand Mountain, Ala.
Franklin Co. at Pickens, S.C.
Gadsden Co., Fla. at Lowndes
Harris Co. at Russell Co., Ala.
Heritage, Ringgold at E. Hamilton, Tenn.
Hilton Head, S.C. at Claxton
Lincoln Co. at McCormick, S.C.
Mallard Creek, N.C. at Buford
Marist at Pike Road, Ala.
Mobile Christian, Ala. at Athens Academy
Munroe, Fla. at Terrell Co.
Murphy, N.C. at Commerce
Sandy Creek at Greenwood, S.C.
Villa Rica at Anniston, Ala.
Woodward Acad. at McCallie, Tenn. (TC)
Wren, S.C. at Jefferson
Here is where Georgia teams stand in several national polls. The numbers on the left are this week's rankings; the numbers in parentheses are last week's rankings.
(Top 100)
7. (17) Buford
11. (34) Hughes
15. (16) Mill Creek
19. (29) North Cobb
21. (24) Grayson
33. (46) Collins Hill
34. (58) Brookwood
46. (74) Colquitt County
50. (75) Cedar Grove
61. (NR) ELCA
62. (NR) Brooks County
68. (NR) Woodward Academy
80. (NR) North Gwinnett
85. (NR) Rome
88. (NR) Milton
89. (NR) Westlake
90. (NR) Calvary Day
92. (NR) Lowndes
93. (NR) Lee County
 
(Top 100)
10. (11) Buford
21. (22) Grayson
26. (26) Mill Creek
37. (39) Hughes
54. (54) Collins Hill
65. (68) North Cobb
67. (NR) Lee County
70. (56) Milton
72. (72) Cedar Grove
85. (85) Colquitt County
94. (93) Kennesaw Mountain
(Top 100)
12. (16) Collins Hill
14. (50) Buford
22. (37) Mill Creek
25. (76) Grayson
32. (60) North Cobb
69. (NR) Colquitt County
70. (NR) Lee County
74. (83) Brookwood
80. (NR) North Gwinnett
84. (NR) Carrollton
 
(Preseason Top 100)
3. Buford
16. North Cobb
22. Warner Robins
30. Hughes
35. Grayson
37. Mill Creek
65. Milton
75. Colquitt County
78. Walton
80. Brookwood
 
(Top 25)
8. (19) Buford
16. (17) Grayson
 
(Top 25)
7. (7) Buford
16. (16) Grayson
Team of the Week: Columbia
The Columbia Eagles, who defeated 34-point favorite Camden County 13-10 in their season opener, received their Georgia Team of the Week plaque Wednesday at their school. Columbia (players and coach Greg Barnett pictured above), a Class 2A school, is ranked this week for the first time since 1997. The state Team of the Week award is sponsored by BSN Sports and Titan Electric. 
Player of the Week: Jaden Gibson
Jaden Gibson, a senior wide receiver at Rabun County who had a career-high 273 yards in a 49-3 victory over Haralson County last week, received his Georgia Player of the Week plaque Wednesday at his school. Gibson (pictured with head coach Michael Davis) needs 1,031 yards to break the state record for career receiving yards. The state Player of the Week award is sponsored by Sports Turf.
Visit our website throughout the season for updated standings in all eight classifications.
Note: All scores are courtesy of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets. If a score is not accurate, it was reported incorrectly.

All games are on Fridays unless noted. All game schedules are subject to change.
Stadium key: M - Mills
Lakeside seeking candidates for next Sports Hall of Fame class
DeKalb County’s Lakeside High School, one of the state’s most successful all-around high school sports programs in the 1970s, is seeking nominations on its next Sports Hall of Fame class, which it will induct on April 30, 2023, at the high school. Currently, the Hall has 126 members, which includes coaches and is spread across 12 sports. In addition to state football championships in 1970 and ’72, Lakeside won 24 other state team titles in the 1970s. The Hall also picks a cheerleader each year (Beth Cooley Award) as well as handing out The John Kicklighter Award, which honors a person who was instrumental in Lakeside’s success off the field. To make nominations, please contact Mark Fleetwood at jmarkfleetwood10@gmail.com or I.J. Rosenberg at ijrosenberg@comcast.net.
 
GPSA helps students grow in athletics, education, and life skills
Georgia Storm Prep Academy, named for owner and head coach Storm Johnson (a former UCF standout and NFL running back), is a post-graduate football program. The program includes in-face NCAA-approved classes to increase GPAs, and competitions against other Prep programs and JUCOs to gain additional exposure. GSPA has a complete facility with on-site housing with meals, a weight room, a game room, and a home game field. For information, call 770-652-7711 or contact us via email by clicking here.
 
'Kicking Adversity Aside - The Coach Kim Braswell Story' on Amazon
Kim Braswell's 134 consecutive extra points at Avondale High remained a national high school record for almost 50 years, and he then went on to set UGA kicking records despite dealing with insulin-dependent diabetes and deafness. "Kicking Adversity Aside -- The Coach Kim Braswell Story" is the inspiring tale of how he overcame his challenges and went on to coach for more than four decades in Georgia high school football. Available on Amazon.
GHSF Daily classified ads
Reach 23,000 readers per day in GHSF Daily’s classified ads. Rates are $50 per week. Ads must be a maximum of 75 words and include a headline and contact information. Click here to contact us.
About Us
Georgia High School Football Daily is a free e-mail newsletter produced and owned by Todd Holcomb and Chip Saye. Holcomb is a former lead high school football writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and co-founder of the Georgia High School Football Historians Association. Saye is a 38-year veteran of the newspaper industry who has covered high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Athens Banner-Herald, Anderson (S.C.) Independent-Mail and Gwinnett Daily News.