ITG Next’s Phil Jones gives his score predictions for six of the top games being played in Week 12 of the 2026 Georgia high school football season.
Carver (Columbus) vs. Worth County
Friday, Nov. 6
I circled this as the biggest game for both teams way back during the preseason. Well, here it is, and while neither team has had quite the explosive season it hoped for, that doesn’t diminish the significance of this matchup.
Both teams got off to a slow start but have rebounded nicely to make this one of the best games of the week, as the Worth County Rams and Carver Tigers battle for the Region 1-3A championship.
Both teams can score, but as each has shown recently, they can also get into defensive battles. Worth County’s last game was a 7-3 win over the Sumter County Panthers, while Carver defeated those same Panthers from Americus, Georgia, 28-14.
Where will this one take us?
Phil’s Pick: Worth County 28, Carver-Columbus 21
Cairo vs. Bainbridge
Friday, Nov. 6
The Bainbridge Bearcats enter this game at 4-5 overall and 4-3 in Region 1-4A, looking to pull off an upset against the 8-1 Cairo Syrupmakers.
Cairo currently holds the No. 5 spot in the GHSA’s Class 4A postseason rankings and will be considered one of the favorites to make a deep run in the state playoffs.
The Bearcats are currently No. 29 in the Class 4A PSR and are in position to qualify for the postseason, but a win over Cairo would go a long way toward removing any doubts.
Phil’s Pick: Cairo 38, Bainbridge 14
Troup County vs. Peach County
Friday, Nov. 6
This game may draw the most interest of any contest in a week that features several big matchups.
The game features the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in ITG Next’s 2026 Georgia high school football Class 4A rankings, as the 9-0 Peach County Trojans of head coach Marquis Westbrook travel on Interstate 85 to LaGrange, Georgia, to take on the 9-0 Troup County Tigers of head coach Tanner Glisson.
Both teams are also undefeated in Region 2-4A with identical 6-0 records, making this a winner-take-all matchup for the region championship.
Expect to see both teams run the ball quite a bit with two of the state’s best running backs on display. Troup County features running back Javarris Warner, and Peach County has running back Ashton Barton in its backfield.
Both teams can put up a ton of points, and I don’t see this game being any exception.
Phil’s Pick: Peach County 35, Troup County 31
Appling County vs. Pierce County
Friday, Nov. 6
Can Appling County make it two in a row against another highly ranked opponent?
Last week Appling County head coach John David Sellers and his undefeated Pirates traveled to Toombs County for a matchup I featured as one of Week 11’s Pick 6 games.
The Pirates went into “The Pit” and came away with an 11-7 victory over the Toombs County Bulldogs, taking over the No. 1 spot in ITG Next’s 2026 Georgia high school football Class 3A rankings.
The Pierce County Bears are ranked No. 4 in Class 3A and enter this game with an 8-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in Region 3-3A.
Appling County has won the past four games in this series, including last year’s 31-14 victory over Pierce County.
Phil’s Pick: Appling County 19, Pierce County 13
Early County vs. Crisp County
Friday, Nov. 6
This game was originally scheduled to be the season opener for both teams but was postponed because of the many South Georgia thunderstorms in August that disrupted several Week 1 contests.
The Crisp County Cougars of head coach Justin Newman will be playing their third game in eight days after defeating the Kendrick Cherokees 55-0 on Oct. 30 and winning 15-14 against the Sumter County Panthers on Nov. 2 in another postponed game.
“Playing three games in eight days is not something you anticipate doing in a football season, but you do what you can,” Newman said.
Newman credited longtime trainer JP Hamilton for helping the players recover physically between games.
“Our main focus has been trying to focus on the recovery process for our players with ice baths, and our trainer, JP Hamilton, who is second to none in what he does, has really taken care of our players,” Newman said.
The Crisp County head coach also praised his players for keeping up with their classroom responsibilities despite the demanding schedule.
“Hats off to our guys for having to play these three games in eight days, and not only getting through it physically but scholastically as well with all three of those games on the road,” Newman said.
Crisp County is 6-3 overall and 2-2 in Region 1-3A. The Early County Bobcats are 4-5 overall.
Phil’s Pick: Crisp County 35, Early County 14
Ware County vs. Benedictine
Friday, Nov. 6
The Region 1-5A championship is on the line as Benedictine head coach Danny Britt takes his Cadets to Waycross, Georgia, to face the Ware County Gators.
Benedictine won last year’s matchup in a thrilling 3-point contest, defeating Ware County 30-27 on a fourth-quarter touchdown run by running back Stanley Smart Jr.
Benedictine will be seeking its 11th region championship under Britt, while Ware County last won a region title in 2022.
Benedictine is 8-1 overall and has won eight consecutive games since opening the season with a loss to Toombs County.
Ware County is 7-2 overall, but both teams enter this matchup undefeated in Region 1-5A with identical 6-0 records.
