Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Round 1 of the 2025 Georgia high school football playoffs.
Mill Creek vs. Colquitt County
This is one of the best Round 1 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 postseason, you would have likely guessed that it would be in the quarterfinals or maybe even a semifinals matchup, but here are two of the state’s blue bloods facing off in the opening round.
The Mill Creek Hawks of head coach Josh Lovelady are 7-3 and coming off a 35-3 loss against Buford two weeks ago in the game that decided the Region 8-7A top seed.
The Colquitt County Packers are the No. 3 seed from Region 1-6A, although they defeated region champ Valdosta in the regular season. A three-way tiebreaker made Colquitt County the odd team out and will force the Pack of head coach 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 head coach Eric Godfree’s Bulldogs. You can say that makes the two teams pretty well matched, which I do think is the case.
Phil’s Pick: Colquitt County 30, Mill Creek 21
Sequoyah vs. Coffee
Here’s one of my Round 1 upset picks. In this Class 5A matchup involving the No. 4 seed Coffee Trojans from Region 2-5A visiting the No. 1 seed Sequoyah Chiefs from Region 6-5A, I’m going with the Trojans from Douglas, Georgia.
This isn’t a shot at the top-seeded Chiefs as much as it is a nod to the No. 4 seed Trojans, the region they play in, and the level of competition they have faced this season. The scoreboard hasn’t necessarily reflected it, but Coffee has been playing better since the season started. If that could roll over into the playoffs, look for a possible upset in this one.
Phil’s Pick: Coffee 38, Sequoyah 28
Warner Robins vs. Eastside
The Warner Robins 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 overall.
But give head coach 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 head into the playoffs on a three-game winning streak.
The Eastside Eagles are 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 North Oconee on a blocked extra point in the fourth quarter.
For Warner Robins to pull this off, the Demons will have to figure out a way to get through the tough Eagles’ defense.
Phil’s Pick: Warner Robins 28, Eastside 14
LaGrange vs. North Clayton
In this Class 3A matchup, No. 18 seed North Clayton heads to No. 15 seed LaGrange in what should be one of the better opening-round matchups in this year’s 2025 state playoffs.
North Clayton is led by four-star, dual-threat quarterback Justin Murphy, a junior who has led North Clayton to its first playoff berth since 2016 and best regular season finish since 2010.
Murphy will try to lead his Eagles to an upset win against the LaGrange Grangers from Region 2-3A, who have a pretty good QB of their own in senior Dylan Barber.
LaGrange’s two losses in the regular season came against Sandy Creek and Georgia football rival Troup County.
Can Murphy step it up and lead North Clayton to the upset win at Callaway Stadium?
Phil’s Pick: LaGrange 33, North Clayton 21
Flowery Branch vs. Ware County
At first glance, this looks like a Ware County victory all the way. However, Flowery Branch is actually the higher-seeded team as the No. 2 seed from Region 8-4A. Ware County is the No. 3 seed from Region 1-4A, finishing behind Benedictine and Warner Robins.
Ware County may be considered by most observers as the favorite, but traveling from South Georgia to the northeastern 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.
This one could get interesting.
Phil’s Pick: Ware County 31, Flowery Branch 21
Grayson vs. Norcross
This is another Round 1 Class 6A game that will make you look twice. The defending Class 6A state champion Grayson Rams won their Region 4-6A, and as the No. 1 seed will host the Norcross Blue Devils, the No. 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-Nacoochee) and Thompson, Alabama.
It was just recently that these two teams would be meeting in the quarterfinals or maybe the semifinals of the playoffs. However, 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 toward 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 Round 1.
