Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Round 1 of the 2025 Georgia high school football playoffs.
Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 1 of the 2025 Georgia High School Football Playoffs
It’s playoff time, and Phil will be bringing you six of the top games in each week of the Georgia High School playoffs, starting with the first round this week.
Colquitt at Mill Creek
This is one of the best first round playoff matchups in the state, regardless of classification. If I had told you before the season that these two teams would be facing each other in the post season, you would have likely guessed that it would be in the quarterfinals, or maybe even a semifinal matchup. But, here are two of the state’s blue blood’s facing off in the opening round.
The Hawks of Josh Lovelady are 7-3, and are coming off a 35-3 loss against Buford two weeks ago in the game that decided the Region 8-7A top seed.
Colquitt is the #3 seed from Region 1-6A, although they defeated region champ Valdosta in the regular season. A 3-way tie breaker made Colquitt the odd team out, and will force the Pack of Sean Calhoun to do some serious traveling this week.
It’s worth noting that the common opponent between the two teams was North Gwinnett, and both the Hawks and Pack lost 21-7 to Eric Godfree’s Bulldogs.
So, you can say that makes the two teams pretty well matched, which I do think is the case.
Phil’s Pick: Colquitt 30 Mill Creek 21
Coffee at Sequoyah
Ok, here’s one of my first round upset picks.
In this Class 5A matchup involving the #4 seed Coffee High Trojans from Region 2-5A visiting the #1 seed Sequoyah Chiefs from Region 6-5A, I’m going with the Trojans from Douglas.
This isn’t a shot at the top seeded Chiefs as much as it is a nod to the #4 seed Coffee Trojans and the region they play in and the level of competition they have faced this season.
The scoreboard hasn’t necessarily reflected it, but the Trojans have been playing better since the season started, and if that could roll over into the playoffs, look for a possible upset in this one.
Phil’s Pick: Coffee 38 Sequoyah 28
Eastside at Warner Robins
The Demons looked like they
Had hit rock bottom in games 6 and 7 when they lost to Wayne County 32-10 and then Benedictine 61-0 to fall to 3-4.
But, give Shane Sams and his team credit. They rallied for wins against New Hampstead, Ware County, and against Perry to end the season 6-4 and into the playoffs on a 3-game winning streak.
Eastside is also 6-4 and finished 4-2 in Region 8-4A. They allowed the second-fewest points of any of the other region teams, trailing only North Oconee. Speaking of the defending state champions, Eastside lost 14-13 to the Titans on a blocked extra point in the 4th quarter.
If Warner Robins pulls this off, they’ll have to figure out a way to get through the tough Eagles defense.
Phil’s Pick: Warner Robins 28 Eastside 14
North Clayton at LaGrange
In this Class 3A matchup,
#18 seed North Clayton heads to #15 seed LaGrange in what should be one of the better opening round matchups in this years 2025 state playoffs.
North Clayton is led by 4-Star standout junior quarterback Justin Murphy, who has led North Clayton to their first playoff berth since 2016, and the best regular season finish since 2010.
The dual threat QB will try to lead his Eagles to an upset win against the Grangers from Region 2-3A, who have a pretty good QB of their own in senior Dylan Barber.
LaGrange’s two losses came against Sandy Creek and Georgia football rival Troup County.
Can Justin Murphy step it up and lead North Clayton to the upset win at Callaway Stadium?
Phil’s Pick: LaGrange 33 North Clayton 21
Ware County at Flowery Branch
At first glance, this looks like a Ware County victory all the way.
However, Flowery Branch is actually the higher seeded team as the #2 seed from Region 8-4A. Ware is the #3 seed from Region 1-4A, finishing behind Benedictine and Warner Robins..
Ware may be considered by most observers as the favorite, but traveling from South Georgia to the northeast part of the state can be an equalizer of sorts.
Ware County had a good season, losing a tough contest to Benedictine, then in an upset against Warner Robins.
If there was an upset waiting to happen, this game is it. Ware County will be looking at over 500 miles round trip, with a total drive time of about 10 hours.
Could get interesting.
Phil’s Pick: Ware County 31 Flowery Branch 21
Norcross at Grayson
In another first round class 6A first round game that will make you look twice, Grayson will host Norcross.
The defending Class 6A state champion Grayson Rams won their Region 4-6A, and as the #1 seed will host Norcross, the #4 seed from Region 7- 6A.
It’s no surprise that the Rams are the top seed. They have looked quite dangerous this season as they staved off early season challenges against top ranked teams from North Carolina (Rabun Gap Nacochee) and Thompson Al.
It was just recently that these two teams would be meeting in the quarterfinals, or maybe the semi finals of the playoffs.
But as the Rams have soared, the Blue Devils have taken a step back, barely making the playoffs this season.
Look for the Rams to soar in their first step towards another trip to the Georgia football state finals.
Phil’s Pick: Grayson 42 Norcross 14
That’s our 2025 Georgia High School Football Playoff Predictions for Week 1
