Preseason Football Rankings

In Class 6A, Grayson returns at No. 1 after capturing last year’s state title and is returning a loaded roster of star power and experience—headlined by AJC Super 11 selection, four-year starter and five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. Buford is back at No. 2 and has all the ingredients to contend for a championship this season with Power 4 prospects leading both sides of the ball and giving the Wolves a deep roster built for a title run. Collins Hill, Douglas County and Carrollton round out the top 5. North Gwinnett and North Cobb come in at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively and McEachern debuts at No. 8 heading into Year 3 of head coach Kareem Reid. Lowndes is representing South Georgia in the poll at No. 9 and is going to be led by recent Texas A&M commit and four-star junior quarterback Jayce Johnson and Newton opens the year at No. 10. The Rams had a phenomenal summer—winning multiple 7-on-7 tournaments including the Brent Key/Corky Kell + Dave Hunter 7-on-7 tournament at Georgia Tech and have senior Deron Benson back at quarterback.

The 5A class is entering a season of uncertainty. With defending champion Milton not nearly as talented as it was last season, new teams will have a chance to compete for a championship. Thomas County Central appears ready for another title run. The Yellow Jackets are led on offense by 3-star wide receiver Jaydon Dunbar and 3-star quarterback Jaylen Johnson. On defense, 4-star edge rusher Cam Brooks will once again terrorize opposing quarterbacks. Defending runner-up Hughes enters the year with championship hopes. While the Panthers will be breaking in transfer quarterback Darnell Kelly, they return 4-star running back Carsyn Baker and 4-star tight end Xavier Tiller. Milton, though not the dominant force of the past two years, will still be a threat to win a third straight title. The Eagles are still loaded with talent including 2027 tight end Grant Haviland. Gainesville may be the most talented team in the class, but questions remain at cornerback and at wide receiver outside of Collin Porterfield. If they can put it all together they will be a threat to win it all.

In Class 4A, defending state champion North Oconee is back at No. 1 and returns the majority of last year’s historic team. Creekside earned the No. 2 spot ahead of No. 3 Benedictine and Blessed Trinity opens at No. 4 after last year’s semifinal run. Marist, Kell, Cartersville, Cambridge, Central-Carroll and Stockbridge round out the top 10.

The 3A classification may have the clearest No. 1 team of any class. Defending champion Calhoun returns with superstar 2028 quarterback Trace Hawkins leading the way.  Peach County comes in at No. 2. The Trojans feature one of the best offensive lines in the state, anchored by 2028 offensive lineman Hunter Hill. The team should be a domineering force once again. Stephenson is back in the state title conversation after a few down years. The Jaguars are coming off a semifinal appearance, the program’s first since 2005, and will be led by two elite front-seven defenders: defensive tackle Sergio Mason and top-100 junior edge rusher KJ Green. Sandy Creek might be the most talented team in 3A, but they’ve yet to get over the hump under the current coaching staff, failing to advance past the second round in each of the first two seasons. This year, the Patriots return another loaded roster, led by 4-star running back Amari Latimer.

Carver-Columbus won last year’s Class 2A title in dominant fashion with a young team and is the clear front-runner this season at No. 1. Pierce County, Callaway, Morgan County and Thomson round out the top 5, while Rockmart, last year’s state finalist Burke County, Appling County, Sumter County and Carver-Atlanta are represented in the poll and will be contenders.

Class A Division I will once again be a highly contested field. Thomasville returns most of its team from last year, including All-State honorable mention quarterback Cam Hill, a Mercer commit. Northeast-Macon is coming off a state championship appearance last season. While they lose a good bit they should be ready for another run led by quarterback Reginald Glover. Worth County is primed to chase its first title since 1987. The Rams bring back nearly all of their key players, most notably 2027 quarterback Lyndon Worthy, who has already thrown for over 6,000 yards and 64 touchdowns in just two seasons as a starter. Fitzgerald, under former coach Tucker Pruitt, was the model of consistency, reaching the semifinals or better five straight seasons. With Pruitt departing in the offseason, Wesley Tankersley takes over after a successful stint at Stephens County. He’ll aim to keep the Purple Hurricanes among the state’s elite. Dublin was dominant on the ground last year, with four players rushing for at least 800 yards. While three of those backs have graduated, the Irish return 800-yard rusher Travion Bostic to lead the ground attack.

In Class A Division II, the three-time defending champion Bowdon Red Devils remain atop the rankings, and their record speaks for itself. Going for its fourth straight title no other team will be No. 1 until someone dethrones them. Defending runner-up Brooks County also returns enough talent to make another deep playoff run, though they’ll need to replace several key players, including All-State selections Camauri Brinson, Chris Cole Jr., and Marquis Williams. Irwin County enters the season, having reached the quarterfinals or better in 12 straight seasons. Though longtime head coach Casey Soliday has stepped down, the program is expected to continue its success under new head coach Larry Harold. One of the most storied programs in the state, Lincoln County, and head coach Lee Chomskis are seeking the school’s first title since 2006, the longest drought in school history. Chomskis has guided the Red Devils past the second round three times in the last five seasons and looks to do it once again. Manchester remains a serious title contender. While the Blue Devils lost 5-star lineman Justice Terry, they return 4-star athlete Jaedyn Terry, who will be the focal point of the team this season.

Prince Avenue Christian opens the 2025 season at No. 1 ahead of Hebron Christian and Holy Innocents’. Both Prince Avenue Christian and Hebron Christian are going to be introducing outstanding new head coaches this season with Jon Richt leading the Wolverines and Kenny Dallas at the helm of Hebron Christian. Holy Innocents’ is this year’s team to watch and head coach Nick Perrotta has an ultra-talented roster that is going to be in Year 2 of their transition from a Wing-T offense to a modern attack. Keep an eye on the Golden Bears this season and do not be surprised if they become this year’s Hebron Christian and get an opportunity to play for the program’s first-ever state title.  

Class 6A

1. Grayson

2. Buford

3. Collins Hill

4. Douglas County

5. Carrollton

6. North Gwinnett

7. North Cobb

8. McEachern

9. Lowndes

10. Newton

Class 5A

1. Thomas County Central

2. Hughes

3. Milton

4. Gainesville

5. Lee County

6. Houston County

7. Rome

8. Sprayberry

9. Woodward Academy

10. Sequoyah

Class 4A

1. North Oconee

2. Creekside

3. Benedictine

4. Blessed Trinity

5. Marist

6. Kell

7. Cartersville

8. Cambridge

9. Central-Carroll

10. Stockbridge

Class 3A

1. Calhoun

2. Peach County

3. Stephenson

4. Sandy Creek

5. Jefferson

6. LaGrange

7. North Hall

8. Cherokee Bluff

9. Oconee County

10. Cairo

Class 2A

1. Carver-Columbus

2. Pierce County

3. Callaway

4. Morgan County

5. Thomson

6. Rockmart

7. Appling County

8. Burke County

9. Sumter County

10. Carver-Atlanta

Class A Div. I

1. Thomasville

2. Northeast

3.  Worth County

4. Fitzgerald

5. Dublin

6. Toombs County

7. Elbert County

8. Commerce

9. Rabun County

10. Fannin County

Class A Div. II

1. Bowdon

2. Brooks County

3. Irwin County

4. Lincoln County

5. Manchester

6. Metter

7. Trion

8. Clinch County

9. Jenkins County

10. Early County

Class A-3A Private

1. Prince Avenue Christian

2. Hebron Christian

3. Holy Innocents’

4. Savannah Christian

5. Calvary Day

6. Fellowship Christian

7. Athens Academy

8. Aquinas

9. Lovett

10. Greater Atlanta Christian

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