DAILY DIVE: Top-ranked North Oconee leads a loaded Class 4A field

Once again, Class 4A is one of the most competitive classes in the state and while only 11 teams remain undefeated, more than a dozen appear poised for a run at a state title.

Defending champion North Oconee has again dominated the start of the regular season. The Titans are 3-0 and extended their regular season winning streak to 39 games. North has beaten Oconee County 41-0, Dalton 56-7 and Clarke Central 40-0 entering into this week’s matchup with a ranked Class 3A Jefferson team.

The Titans could be favorites to win a state title, but the program will face stiff competition. With returning championship experience, senior quarterback Harrison Faulkner, senior receiver JT Doster and senior back Dallas Dickerson continue to be offensive powers for the Titans.

Marist, the defending runner-up, has had some offensive struggles through two games but are 1-1 despite the sluggish start in a 19-0 loss to Jefferson. The War Eagles earned 16-12 victory over rival Woodward Academy to get back to .500 and should once again be the favorite to win the Region 5 championship.

Creekside may be the most impressive team so far in 2025.

Through three games, the Seminoles have outscored opponents 150-56 with victories against Rome 48-28, Seminole FL 32-0 and Desoto TX 70-28.

It becomes even more impressive when you consider that, outside of a rough start to the Rome game and three kick-return touchdowns against DeSoto, the defense has given up only 14 points.

Blessed Trinity may have the most dominant defense in the class, with brothers D.J. and Dawson Jacobs controlling the line of scrimmage. Through three games, they have allowed only 29 points, including wins over two private-school powers – No. 1 Prince Avenue 28-13 and No. 6 Holy Innocents 30-2.

Benedictine might be one of the most underrated teams in 4A right now.

Loaded with talent, the Cadets are led by the No. 1–ranked junior in the country, LaDamian Guyton. Alongside him, three-star quarterback Stephen Cannon and several high-end weapons make Benedictine a team that will be hard to beat, despite their 1-2 record. The Cadets lost to Colquitt County 27-24 in the season-opener and fell to Class 6A No. 2 Buford 42-14 before rebounding against Burke County with a 41-0 victory on August 29. Benedictine will play next on Sept. 19 at Westminster.

In addition, programs like Perry, Warner Robins, Kell, Stockbridge and many others, help make this class deeper than ever before with 11 schools that have won a championship in the past 10 years and 15 teams making at least one state finals appearance in that time. The only real question: who will come out on top?

The only real question: who will come out on top?

PHOTO - North Oconee’s quarterback Harrison Faulkner (1) dives through Marist’s defense during the second half of a Class 4A championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo/Daniel Varnado)