Class 3A Blog: A look at the opening schedule for last year's Top 5

The high school football season is weeks away so let’s look at how the season finished in Class 3A last year and glance at the schedule for the opening week of the season for the Top 5 from last season.

1. (7) Calhoun (12-3) – Won the program’s fifth state title with a 20-7 victory against Jefferson in the 3A championship game. The team is one of two programs – alongside 56 schools – with at least 200 wins since 2000. It marked head coach Clay Stephenson’s first title at Calhoun. The Yellow Jackets will open the season against Creekview on August 15.

2. (3) Jefferson (11-4) – Jefferson was one victory away from its second-ever state championship and the Dragons are hungry for another deep playoff run. Jefferson won its lone state title in Class 2A in 2012. The Dragons will open the season against Marist on August 15.

3. (1) Peach County (11-2) – Peach was upset by Calhoun at home in the quarterfinals 38-28 and enter the season with playoff experience. Peach won three championships – 2005, 2006 and 2009. The Trojans open the season against Class A Division I runner-up Northeast-Macon on August 15.

4. (NR) LaGrange (10-4) – The Grangers were a bit of a conundrum last season. Opening the year at No. 3, LaGrange lost to Douglass-Atlanta 18-3 in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic and fell to No. 10. After losing to Sandy Creek 27-7 in the third week of the season, LaGrange climbed to No. 8. But when it lost to Upson Lee 18-15 in the regular season finale, LaGrange fell out of the poll. In the playoffs, LaGrange moved past Lumpkin County 48-6, No. 2 Sandy Creek 38-22 and North Hall 49-17 before losing to eventual runner-up Jefferson 21-13 in the semifinals. LaGrange opens this year against Cass on August 15.

5. (5) Cherokee Bluff (11-2) – Cherokee Bluff entered last season unranked but carved out the first-ever quarterfinals appearance for a program that’s been playing football since 2018. The Bears won eight-straight contests to climb to 7th after beating North Hall 38-13 in Week 3. Bluff ascended to No. 4 after a 42-0 victory against Banks County in Week 5 and No. 3 after beating No. 9 Oconee County 17-10 in Week 7. Cherokee Bluff lost to No. 4 Jefferson 35-7 and slid to No. 4 at the end of the regular season. The Bears beat Monroe Area 28-7 and Luella 21-14 before falling to eventual runner-up Jefferson 42-28 in the quarters. The Bears open the season on August 15 against Lumpkin County on the road.

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