MACON, Ga. — The 2024 high school football regular season has come and gone, but there's still plenty of football left to be played.
Several Central Georgia teams made the GHSA playoffs and will suit up on Friday, Nov. 15, in the first round. Meanwhile, several GIAA teams are in the midst of their playoffs and are growing closer to naming a champion.
Several teams will be competing across six different classifications. Class A Division 1 and Class A Division 2 have the most amount of Central Georgia teams represented. In Division 1, several teams stand out as possible contenders.
Some of the contenders include Dodge County, Northeast, Fitzgerald and Dublin. However, the road to a title won't be easy as some of the teams in the class are lurking down the road, including Toombs County, Fannin County, Heard County and Thomasville.
Northeast will have to face Swainsboro, who lost in the championship last season. While Swainsboro hasn't played at a championship level this season, they're still a possible threat. ACE and Jasper County will also face off in the first round.
Moving over to Division 2, Telfair County and Johnson County, each of which went 8-2, likely have the best shot to finish at the top. They, alongside several other Central Georgia programs, will have to deal with teams like Metter, Irwin County, Bowdon and Manchester.
Bowdon and Manchester were both in the championship game last season, and Manchester may be a particularly difficult opponent due to five-star defensive lineman Justus Terry.
In AA Classification, Sumter County is one of the top Central Georgia teams that could take home a championship by the end of the year. They must contend with teams like Rockmart, Carver-Columbus, Burke County and Pierce County.
Pierce County and Rockmart were in the championship game last season, and Jackson will play Pierce County in the first round, likely hoping for a massive upset.
In AAA, Peach County is one of the best teams in the entire Classification. Upson-Lee and West Laurens are also toward the top, as the three teams have likely the best shot to win a title for Central Georgia in AAA.
They'll have to take out top programs like Jefferson, Sandy Creek and Douglass, but one of the three have a great shot to win a title. West Laurens will have to get past fellow Central Georgia team Baldwin first to advance.
In AAAA, Perry High School likely looks to repeat as state champions once again. Warner Robins and Jones County are also right in the thick of it, but all three will have to take on teams like Marist, Creekside and North Oconee to have a chance at a title, or a second straight title for Perry.
In AAAAA, only Houston County represents Central Georgia in the classification. Led by Antwann Hill Jr., the Bears have shown promise this season, but have struggled as of late with a three game losing streak.
They'll face 2023 state champions like Milton, Coffee and Thomas County Central. The Bears lost to the latter two in the regular season alongside Lee County, who will also be tough to beat in the postseason.
Meanwhile, in GIAA, several teams are still alive. Westfield, Brentwood and Gatewood are each onto round three of the playoffs alongside reigning champion FPD. All four team's are in good spots and could play for a championship, but will be tested down the stretch.
Other Central Georgia GIAA teams, including Stratford, Mount de Sales, Trinity Christian, Tattnall and CFCA
For a full list of every Central Georgia playoff game happening on Friday, take a look below.
2024 Postseason Schedule 11/15
GIAA Games
- FPD vs Bethlehem Christian
- Westfield vs Deerfield-Windsor
- Brentwood vs Southland
- Gatewood @ Southwest Georgia
Class A Division 1 Games
- Northeast vs Swainsboro
- Jasper County vs ACE
- Southwest @ Toombs County
- Bleckley County @ Social Circle
- Dublin vs Gordon Central
- Washington County @ Jeff Davis
- Lamar County vs Dade County
- Putnam County @ Temple
- Fitzgerald vs Rabun County
- Dodge County vs Chattooga
Class A Division 2 Games
- Telfair County vs ECI
- Johnson County vs Pelham
- Macon County vs Greenville
- Wilkinson County vs Miller County
- Wilcox County vs McIntosh County Academy
- Hawkinsville @ Metter
- Schley County vs Trion
- Taylor County @ Bowdon
- Wheeler County @ Jenkins County
- Hancock-Central @ Mitchell County
AA Classification Games
- Westside vs Spencer
- Sumter County vs Union County
- Crisp County @ Appling County
- Jackson @ Pierce County
AAA Classification Games
- Baldwin vs West Laurens
- Upson-Lee vs Long County
- Peach County vs Chestatee
AAAA Classification Games
- Perry vs St. Pius X
- Warner Robins @ Marist
- Jones County vs East Forsyth
AAAAA Classification Games
- Houston County @ Clarke Central