ITG Next’s Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 8 of the 2026 Georgia high school football season.
Douglas County vs. Carrollton
Friday, Oct. 9 | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Many Georgia high school football observers feel the Carrollton Trojans may be the toughest team in the state from top to bottom. They have a tremendous offense led by running back Zach Watts and quarterback CJ Cypher.
Cypher, a sophomore, has thrown for 1,946 yards through Carrollton’s first six games with 26 touchdowns. Watts leads the team in rushing with 523 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Running back Nick Archer isn’t too far behind, with the sophomore rushing for 456 yards and six touchdowns. The team’s leading receiver is Darrell McFadden, also a sophomore.
Those sophomore offensive standouts are a big reason Carrollton looks like it may be the year head coach Joey King wins his first state championship with the Trojans.
The Douglas County Tigers are 3-2 after rallying for three straight wins following an 0-2 start to the 2026 season. Head coach Johnny White’s Tigers have played a challenging schedule, with losses to Newton and Sandy Creek to start the year, followed by wins over Douglass, Carver-Columbus, and Rome. Douglas County most recently shut out Rome 24-0.
Can Douglas County make it four in a row and shock the Georgia high school football world with an upset of Carrollton?
Phil’s Pick: Carrollton 45, Douglas County 14
Lowndes vs. Camden County
Friday, Oct. 9 | Kickoff: 8:00 p.m.
It’s the region opener for these two Region 1-7A rivals as Lowndes head coach Adam Carter’s Vikings host the Camden County Wildcats from Kingsland, Georgia.
Head coach Tucker Pruitt is in his first year at Camden County after being hired to lead the Wildcats this offseason.
Camden County is 4-2 with losses to Benedictine and Ed White. Lowndes is undefeated at 6-0 with its most recent game a 44-0 shutout win over Winter Haven.
Both teams are currently sitting inside the top 25 of the GHSA’s Class 7A postseason rankings heading into this matchup. Camden County is ranked at No. 21, and Lowndes is ranked at No. 9.
That’s good enough to make the playoffs, but each team has its sights set on the bigger prize: winning the region.
This will likely be Lowndes’ toughest test yet of the 2026 season.
Phil’s Pick: Lowndes 35, Camden County 28
Fitzgerald vs. Thomasville
Thursday, Oct. 8 | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
This game is a battle of Region 1-2A rivals with the 5-1 Fitzgerald Purple Hurricane hosting the 5-1 Thomasville Bulldogs.
Thomasville head coach Jonathan DeLay’s Bulldogs have been one of the surprise teams of the 2026 season. They lost their season opener to a tough Cairo squad 36-14 but have since rebounded to win five straight games behind the strong play of quarterback Christian Hayes.
Hayes, a senior, can hurt teams with his legs as well as his arm, averaging more than 100 rushing yards per game to lead the team in that category.
Fitzgerald has been equally tough under second-year head coach Wes Tankersley, who has also guided his team to a 5-1 record.
Fitzgerald lost its leading rusher two weeks ago, but the Purple Hurricane traditionally has plenty of options in the backfield.
This matchup could come down to defense and Fitzgerald’s ability to slow down the Thomasville offense.
Phil’s Pick: Thomasville 28, Fitzgerald 21
Norcross vs. Peachtree Ridge
Friday, Oct. 9 | Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Peachtree Ridge head coach Matt Helmerich has his Lions at 6-0 and ranked No. 10 in ITG Next’s 2026 Georgia high school football Class 7A top 10 rankings.
Peachtree Ridge is led by quarterback Zain Belfield, who has thrown for more than 650 yards this season. Leading wide receiver Braxton Palmer has been hampered by injuries and could be unavailable for this game.
Peachtree Ridge wide receiver Langston Abernathy has taken on a bigger role, and the team captain made an impact in the Lions’ 33-30 win over Greenville earlier this season, pulling down the winning catch with 52 seconds remaining.
It’s not just the offense that has carried Peachtree Ridge to its undefeated mark. The defense has been lights out, led by linebacker RJ Parks, linebacker Brayden Paramore, and safety Declan Delaporte.
Norcross is attempting to find a path back to the Blue Devils’ winning ways of old and enters the matchup at 3-3. Can the Blue Devils make it 4-3?
Phil’s Pick: Peachtree Ridge 30, Norcross 19
Sumter County vs. Crisp County
Friday, Oct. 9 | Kickoff: 5:30 p.m.
When the season started with the Crisp County Cougars staring at a new region filled with opponents such as Carver-Columbus, Worth County, and Sumter County, who is this week’s opponent, you could understand if head coach Justin Newman felt a little concern.
After all, the second-year head coach had lost starting quarterback Hagan Slimp, who was ITG Next’s 2025 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and top wide receiver DeShaun Fedd.
Newman has found the answer to any offensive concerns with a strong running attack led by running back LJ Brown and solid play from the defense. Crisp County enters the matchup at 4-1, matching its win total from all of last season.
Sumter County has had a tougher start under head coach Will Rogers. He has spent the past three seasons rebuilding the program and will look to have the Panthers ready for this rivalry matchup.
This matchup is part of the rivalry known as the Battle of the Flint.
Kickoff has been moved to 5:30 p.m. on Friday because of the possibility of inclement weather.
Phil’s Pick: Crisp County 34, Sumter County 12
Richmond Hill vs. Colquitt County
Friday, Oct. 9 | Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Richmond Hill head coach Matt LeZotte’s Wildcats are one big win away from proving they should be considered among the favorites to win Region 1-7A. If you think I’m crazy and aren’t taking me seriously, then you haven’t been paying attention to what’s happening in Bryan County and on the campus of Richmond Hill High School.
A new stadium and new facilities reflect the positive changes taking place at the home of the Wildcats, who are 5-1, with their only loss coming by 1 point to East Coweta two weeks ago.
Of course, Colquitt County is always a team that will challenge for the region title and more. Head coach Sean Calhoun seems to know just how to get his team prepared for big games like this, and that should be the case by the time kickoff rolls around.
