2026 Georgia High School Football Rankings: All Classifications

Top 15 Georgia High School Football Teams Across All Classifications

Updated 9/1/2026

The 2026 season has begun with several unpredictable outcomes in the first two weeks that have changed the look of ITG Next’s 2026 all-classification top 15 Georgia high school football rankings.

The top four teams have gotten off to a strong start. Buford and TCC are once again our top two ranked programs, followed by Carrollton at No. 3, then comes head coach Eric Godfree and his Bulldogs from North Gwinnett at No. 4.

From there is where things begin to change.

Roswell and Milton, who were previously ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, both lost last week. That opened the door for Lee County to move into the top five this week after head coach Dean Fabrizio’s team defeated nationally ranked Miami Carol City 23-20.

McEachern traveled to South Florida last week where they took part in the Broward County Classic Showcase.

The Indians played host team West Broward and fought their way to a 20-13 win. McEachern jumped out to an early two-score lead, only to have the Bobcats battle back and make a game of it. In the end, however, McEachern defeated West Broward 20-13 to improve to 2-0.

Newton makes its debut this week after back-to-back impressive wins over Douglas County and Roswell. The Rams enter the top 15 rankings at No. 11.

Sandy Creek continues to impress with yet another big win. After opening the season with an upset win over Grayson, the Patriots pulled off another stunner, this time a 21-0 shutout over Douglas County. Because of that, the Patriots are once again among this week’s biggest movers, climbing four spots to No. 7. Houston County was off but remains in our rankings, as does Coffee. Toombs County rounds out the rankings, remaining at No. 15 for the second straight week.

Here are ITG Next’s 2026 Georgia high school football all-classification top 15 rankings.

1. Buford (7A)
2. Thomas County Central (6A)
3. Carrollton (7A)
4. North Gwinnett (7A)
5. Lee County (6A) +2
6. McEachern (7A) +2
7. Sandy Creek (4A) +4
8. Milton (6A) -2
9. Lowndes (7A)
10. Valdosta (7A)
11. Newton (7A) NR
12. Roswell (6A) -7
13. Coffee (6A)
14. Houston County (6A) -2
15. Toombs County (3A)

Out: Creekside (6A)

Updated 8/25/2026

ITG Next’s updated 2026 all-classification top 15 Georgia high school football rankings sees a few changes from last week, but not many within the top 10.

Buford remains in the top spot, but with TCC looking as dominant as anyone in the state, the Yellow Jackets could have an argument for the top team in the state.

Of course, there are several teams in Class 7A that are closing the talent gap on Buford. Carrollton put up a heckuva fight against the Wolves last season in the state championship, and they are looking just as talented so far, but there’s still a long way to go.

Roswell, McEachern, and North Gwinnett all came away with impressive early wins, and with challenging opponents coming up for the Hornets, Indians, and Bulldogs, all three will be making a run at the top of Class 7A. Speaking of McEachern, the Indians have jumped up three spots to No. 8 this week.

Winnersville rivals Valdosta and Lowndes round out the top 10 after each won their opening matchup last week.

Sandy Creek pulled off a huge win over Class 7A Grayson last week, and because of that the Patriots are this week’s biggest movers, climbing four spots to No. 11. Houston County, Coffee, and Toombs County all earned a spot in this week’s top 15 by defeating larger schools last week. That includes Houston County’s win over Class 7A West Forsyth, Coffee’s win over Class 7A Parkview, and Toombs County’s win over Benedictine.

Falling out of this week’s top 15 poll are Gainesville and Grayson.

Here are the rest of ITG Next’s 2026 Georgia high school football all-classification top 15 rankings.

1. Buford (7A)
2. Thomas County Central (6A)
3. Carrollton (7A)
4. North Gwinnett (7A)
5. Roswell (7A)
6. Milton (6A)
7. Lee County (6A)
8. McEachern (7A) +3
9. Lowndes (7A)
10. Valdosta (7A)
11. Sandy Creek (4A) +4
12. Houston County (6A) NR
13. Coffee (6A) NR
14. Creekside (6A)
15. Toombs County (3A) NR

Out: Gainesville (6A), Benedictine (5A), Carver-Columbus (3A)

Preseason – Updated 8/16/2026

ITG Next’s 2026 preseason rankings for each individual classification have been released, but here is the all-classification top 15.

The regular season has just gotten underway with the first four games of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, and already we have a bit of a shocker with Grayson’s 15-point loss to North Gwinnett. It really wasn’t that close, but will that loss inspire the Rams as they move on with the rest of their season? I think it will. That doesn’t take away from the Bulldogs’ impressive performance, which included a 37-0 lead heading into the third quarter.

Other contests so far involving ranked teams included Roswell defeating Walton.

You’ll likely notice a few tweaks since we first released our top 10 preseason rankings for each individual classification. Grayson, which was the No. 4 ranked team in Class 7A, does not make the all-classification top 15 poll and will likely fall in the next top 10 ranking for Class 7A.

I think the No. 1 spot is a tie between the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets and the Buford Wolves. These two teams are the best football programs in GHSA football in my opinion, but because of the state and national championship from last year, I’ll give Buford the nod for the top spot. However, I’ll be watching TCC very closely as I consider which team belongs in the top spot as we move forward through this early part of the 2026 season.

Here are the rest of the 2026 Georgia high school football all-classification top 15 rankings.

1. Buford (7A)
2. Thomas County Central (6A)
3. Carrollton (7A)
4. North Gwinnett (7A)
5. Roswell (6A)
6. Milton (6A)
7. Lee County (6A)
8. Gainesville (6A)
9. Lowndes (7A)
10. Valdosta (7A)
11. McEachern (7A)
12. Benedictine (5A)
13. Carver-Columbus (3A)
14. Creekside (6A)
15. Sandy Creek (4A)