High school football in Atlanta is heating up as the season enters its final stretches, and there’s no shortage of exciting stories and standout performances.

In Week 12, the stage is set for some of the most intense matchups of the season. Region titles are on the line, and rivalries are about to reach a boiling point. One of the most anticipated games features a clash between two No. 1-ranked teams vying for the championship, a battle that promises to be nothing short of epic.

Lanier’s Tojuan Peyton Jr. is making waves as Class 5A’s new rushing leader. In a recent game against Roswell, Peyton rushed for an astonishing 421 yards on 27 carries and scored all six of his team’s touchdowns, despite the 59-42 loss. The week before, he rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns, and even added a fifth touchdown on a kickoff return in a 42-35 victory over Johns Creek.

Marcus Romain, a senior quarterback at Wheeler, is another standout. With a 4.18 GPA, Romain has passed for 519 yards and rushed for 412 yards this season, all while being limited to just six games due to an injury. His dual threat on the field and academic excellence have earned him the scoutSMART Student-Athlete of the Week award.

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes are continuing their tradition of excellence, despite graduating all eight of their first-team all-region players from last year’s state semifinal team. With only five returning starters, they are now 9-0 and ranked No. 2 in Class 5A, on the cusp of their ninth region championship in 11 years.

In a surprising turn of events, Hillgrove’s sophomore RB Jaiden Moore, who was initially a second- or third-teamer, stepped up due to an injury and made a significant impact. Moore rushed for 255 yards and scored on runs of 97, 51, and 67 yards in a 30-23 victory over crosstown rival McEachern.

The offensive line of Brunswick is also deserving of praise, having paved the way for 707 total yards, including 425 rushing yards, in a 61-34 victory against Lakeside of Evans. This unit, consisting of left tackle Chase Richardson, left guard Aiden Watford, center Garrett Wiggins, right guards Chris Wingster and Desmon Smith, and right tackle Kasi’yah Charlton, has been named GHSF Daily’s Offensive Line of the Week.

Greenbrier’s senior quarterback Kenzie Horton is making headlines in flag football, passing for 255 yards and four touchdowns, and even catching a TD pass in victories over Trinity Christian and St. Anne-Pacelli. Horton has been named GHSF Daily’s Flag Football Player of the Week.

As the season wraps up, these stories highlight the talent, determination, and teamwork that define high school football in Atlanta. With region titles and championships on the line, the excitement is palpable, and fans are eagerly anticipating the final showdowns of the season.