South Georgia has the tradition, but this year, Gwinnett wears the crown in terms of playing the state’s best football.

After Friday night’s quarterfinals action, Gwinnett teams had taken four games from opponents from South Georgia, including two out of three in Class 5A from programs in the esteemed Region 1. And, even more impressively, all three 5A Gwinnett squads were on the road against their South Georgia, Region 1 foes.

Despite South Georgia teams routinely taking home state titles throughout history in Georgia high school football, Gwinnett County has become a serious factor in all classifications on a yearly basis. While reaching the level of consistency over decades, as South Georgia has, Gwinnett is certainly at the forefront of Georgia high school football now. Read more >

We were in the office late last night calling contacts around the metro area to provide YOU the best and most complete HS football coverage in Atlanta. See below for info on the top local games. We’ve included stats, records, big plays and all the information you need to feel like you were at the game yourself. From the Southside to North Fulton, and Cobb to Gwinnett, we covered 10 local games tonight.

ATLANTA/SOUTHSIDE

Marist 24, Mays 7: The visiting War Eagles (7-2) scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to pull away from Mays (6-3). Matthew Barker opened the scoring with a two-yard run in the first quarter to give Marist a 7-0 lead. Andy Perez scored in the second on a one-yard sneak to give the War Eagles a 14-7 lead. Read more >

ATLANTA SOUTHSIDE

North Clayton 28, Mt. Zion (Jonesboro) 7: Michael Ross took over in the fourth, scoring on a 68-yard run and 74-yard catch for the hosts (5-1). Austin Smith pulled Mt. Zion (5-1) within seven in the third. Read more >

Valdosta and Lincoln (Fla) renew somewhat of a recent rivalry tonight at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. The two uber-successful programs met every year from 1998-2007 with Lincoln holding a 5-3-1 edge. Usually, both teams are ranked in their respective classifications and this year is no different. Read more >

Anyone can put together a list of the best 10 or six or 11 football players in state, but how thorough would that list really be? Score Atlanta decided to comprise a list at least four times better than any other list in the state for the 2010 football season. Our list won’t have simply 11 players. Oh no. Score Atlanta is proud to present the Score 44, aka the 44 best senior players in the state of Georgia. Score Atlanta loves high school football and wants to give back to the athletes that provide such joy for 16 weeks a year.

The list was partially unveiled on last week’s “Official Visit” show on 790 the Zone. Tonight, 11 more will be recognized on the show.

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