4 NOV 2024 · In the vibrant world of Atlanta high school football, the recent weeks have been nothing short of exhilarating. The season kicked off in grand style with the 33rd Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, a four-day, 11-game extravaganza held at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium from August 14 to 17. This event marked the beginning of the 2024 GHSA Football Season and featured a diverse lineup of teams, with 11 making their first-ever appearances in the classic.
On the final day, Saturday, August 17, fans were treated to a star-studded four-game lineup. The day began with Brookwood facing off against Walton at 10 a.m., followed by Houston County battling Alpharetta at 1 p.m. The afternoon saw a thrilling clash between McEachern and North Gwinnett, representing Cobb and Gwinnett counties, respectively. The grand finale pitted Cedar Grove against Douglas County, a historic first meeting between the two teams.
As the regular season progressed, several teams made significant strides. Carrollton, the No. 1 team in Class 6A, dominated Douglas County 49-28 to secure the Region 2 title, while Milton, the top-ranked team in Class 5A, defeated Roswell 35-20 to claim the Region 7 title. Both Carrollton and Milton finished their regular seasons with perfect 10-0 records and are now gearing up for the playoffs.
In another notable matchup, Lowndes, unranked in Class 6A, pulled off a stunning 30-20 victory over No. 9 Valdosta in one of Georgia's most historic rivalry games. This win marked a significant turnaround for Lowndes, which had endured two consecutive losing seasons prior to this year.
The final week of the regular season saw several upsets that shook the rankings. Pierce County, the defending Class 2A champion, lost to No. 9 Appling County 10-6, ending their 18-game winning streak. Toombs County, the top-ranked team in Class A Division I, fell to Savannah Christian 14-7, despite both teams entering the game undefeated.
Other notable upsets included Morgan County losing to Callaway 33-26, which denied Morgan County its first 10-0 regular season in 50 years. Hebron Christian, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A-A private, was beaten by Prince Avenue Christian 34-31, securing the Region 8-2A championship for Prince Avenue.
As the playoffs approach, the excitement is palpable. Teams like Buford, which clinched the Region 8 title by defeating Mill Creek 32-7, and Blessed Trinity, which won Region 6 with a 27-24 overtime victory over Cambridge, are among the favorites to make deep runs in the postseason.
The 2024 Georgia high school football season has been a rollercoaster of surprises, thrilling matchups, and historic moments. With the playoffs on the horizon, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the season.