MACON, Ga. — Georgia high school’s state playoff schedule will look a bit different in 2024.
Unlike in previous years, there will not be any playoff games scheduled during the week of Thanksgiving, Georgia High School Association’s president Robin Hines confirmed to The Augusta Chronicle on Friday.
The news comes off the heels of the announcement that the Georgia-Georgia Tech rivalry will be played on Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving. However, Hines said this did not affect the reasoning behind the change.
He said that the leap year, which caused a shift to the calendar, caused the change.
He added that the SEC had to change its championship game to Dec. 7. This did affect GHSA’s football playoff scheduling, as Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the site of GHSA’s football championships, will be occupied by the two best teams battling it out for the SEC championship.
This spot was typically for the semifinal playoff matchups, however these games will take place a week later on Dec. 6 — the day before the SEC championship, and thus, avoiding conflicts. As such, playoff finals will wrap up a week later on Dec. 16 through Dec. 18.
The Georgia Independent Athletic Association will not take a break, as their playoffs will conclude Nov. 21 through Nov. 23. Their season has typically ended in either late November or early December, but won’t due to their State playoffs taking place a week earlier than last season.
Region play must be completed for all teams by Oct. 25, as the first round of state playoffs will begin on Nov. 1.
Both these changes will allow players competing for a GIAA championship or to advance to the GHSA championship a break for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Instead of GHSA players practicing ahead of a big semifinal game that holiday weekend, they’ll have a bye week to enjoy Thanksgiving with their families. Instead of GIAA players preparing for the possible biggest game of their lives, their seasons will be finished and they can enjoy the Thanksgiving break.
Below is the full schedule for both leagues
GHSA
First round: Nov. 8 - Nov. 9
Second round: Nov. 15
Third round: Nov. 22
Semifinals: Dec. 6
Finals: Dec. 16 - Nov. 18
The GHSA state championship games will be held in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
GIAA
First round: Nov. 1
Quarterfinals: Nov. 8
Semifinals: Nov. 15
Finals: Nov. 21 - Nov. 23
The GIAA state finals will be played at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro.