ITG Next broadcaster Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the 2024 Georgia high school football state championship games.
Carrollton vs. Grayson (Class 6A)
After their stunning win over Buford last week, the Carrollton Trojans will try to win their first state championship in 26 years when they take on the Grayson Rams, who defeated the Douglas County Tigers 35-28 in the other Class 6A semifinals contest.
Quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, whose availability was in doubt after leaving Carrollton’s quarterfinals game a week earlier with a hand injury, started the game and showed no signs of trouble in leading his team to a 30-17 win over Buford.
Grayson trailed Douglas County 21-6 at the half before making a comeback to defeat the Tigers by a touchdown.
The Rams will be making their first trip back to the state title game since 2020, when former head coach Adam Carter led Grayson to a state championship.
Phil’s Pick: Grayson 28, Carrollton 24
Milton vs. Hughes (Class 5A)
Milton and Lee County were tied 21-21 midway through the second quarter before Milton closed out the first half with 14 unanswered points to take a 35-21 halftime lead en route to a 56-28 win last week.
Milton will now try to win their second straight Georgia high school football state championship when they meet Hughes, who defeated Coffee 49-26 in their quarterfinals matchup last week.
This will be the first time Milton and Hughes have played each other in 10 years and is just the second overall meeting between the two programs. Milton will attempt to finish the season undefeated.
Phil’s Pick: Milton 38, Hughes 31
Marist vs. North Oconee (Class 4A)
Something’s got to give as Marist and North Oconee meet in this battle of unbeatens for the Class 4A state championship.
Last week Marist defeated Creekside on running back Brayden Lewis’ 15-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to advance to the state title game.
In their own quarterfinals contest, North Oconee fell behind 7-0 to Blessed Trinity before scoring 27 straight points to win and advance to the title game against Marist.
This will be North Oconee’s first trip to the state championship game.
Phil’s Pick: Marist 24, North Oconee 21
Jefferson vs. Calhoun (Class 3A)
The Jefferson Dragons will be looking for their second state championship after defeating LaGrange 21-13 in the semifinals last week. This will be Jefferson’s first appearance in the finals since 2020.
The Dragons will be facing off against the Calhoun Yellow Jackets, who advance to the final round of the playoffs after defeating Stephenson 35-13 in the semifinals.
Calhoun last played for a state championship three seasons ago when they fell to Warner Robins in the Class 5A title game.
Phil’s Pick: Jefferson 28, Calhoun 14
Carver (Columbus) vs. Burke County (Class 2A)
Can Burke County slow down Carver (Columbus) in this battle for the Class 2A Georgia high school football state championship?
Carver had the look of a champion last week as they cruised past a talented Appling County team 49-6.
Carver last won a state championship in 2007.
Burke County will be making their third trip to the state finals, and their first in 13 years, when they take on Carver in Atlanta next week.
Phil’s Pick: Carver 42, Burke County 17
Toombs County vs. Northeast (Class 1A-Division I)
Toombs County showed just how good this year’s Bulldogs team is by easily beating a talented Dublin team in front of Fighting Irish fans at home in the Shamrock Bowl by a 42-15 score. Dublin was 13-0 entering the game versus Toombs.
Northeast will be making its first ever trip to the state championship game after knocking the vaunted Fitzgerald running game on the way to a 46-14 win at home in the semifinals. Northeast’s own run game shined, led by Nick Woodford’s four touchdowns rushing. Woodford added a fifth score on a 26-yard reception.
Phil’s Pick: Toombs County 38, Northeast 35
Bowdon vs. Brooks County (Class 1A-Division II)
Before this 2024 season began, I picked the Brooks County Trojans from Quitman to win it all in Class 1A-Division II.
After struggling in the early part of the year, Brooks County head coach Josh McFather has rallied his team back to their first trip to the championship game since 2021. McFather took over the Brooks County football program on an interim basis this offseason when former head coach Maurice Freeman suddenly resigned to take a coaching job in Alabama.
While this finals appearance is a first for Brooks County’s new head coach, this will be the third consecutive trip to the championships for Bowdon Red Devils head coach Rich Fendley.
Bowdon advanced after defeating Irwin County in the semifinals, while Brooks County won an exciting overtime game against Manchester on a short field goal from Rafael Mojica.
Phil’s Pick: Brooks County 42, Bowdon 40
Prince Avenue Christian vs. Hebron Christian (Class 1A-3A Private)
The Private state title game will be a rematch as the Hebron Christian Lions take on the Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines for the second time in 2024. In their regular season matchup, the Wolverines defeated the Lions in a close 34-31 game.
While Prince Avenue and head coach Greg Vandagriff will be playing in their fifth consecutive Georgia high school football state championship game, this will be the first finals appearance for Hebron Christian and head coach Johnathan Gess.
Prince Avenue punched the ticket to another shot at a title after blanking North Cobb Christian 43-0 last week in the semifinals. North Cobb Christian made headlines after pulling off one of the biggest upsets of the 2024 GHSA playoffs by beating top-ranked Savannah Christian in the quarterfinals.
Hebron Christian advanced to the state title game after defeating Fellowship Christian 24-17 in their semifinals match last week.
