2026 Georgia High School Football Rankings: All Classifications

Top 15 Georgia High School Football Teams Across All Classifications

Updated 9/22/2026

Week 5 brings the Georgia high school football season to the halfway point with few changes in the order of ITG Next’s 2026 all-classification top 15 rankings.

Top-ranked Buford remains the No. 1 team after its road victory at Grayson in a game filled with players we’ll be watching play on Saturdays in the near future. Despite falling behind 10-0 after one quarter, the Wolves’ defense stepped up and allowed just one field goal the rest of the way en route to a 10-point victory 23-13 over the Rams to remain undefeated.

Thomas County Central defeated Brooks County 69-0 last week to remain one spot behind Buford in the all-classification poll.

All other teams in the top 15 either won or were idle as they prepare for Week 6 of the season. For most teams, that means the beginning of region play.

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

Updated 9/16/2026

Week 4 brought a few surprises across all classifications, but overall, there weren’t really any results that upset the order of ITG Next’s 2026 all-classification Top 15 Georgia high school football rankings.

Every one of our ranked programs that played last week won, including top-ranked Buford. The Wolves defeated Miami Central at home to remain atop the poll.

Thomas County Central defeated Lithonia 35-7 and remains in the No. 2 spot.

The Carrollton Trojans and North Gwinnett Bulldogs enjoyed impressive wins last week. 

The Trojans took down 2025 Class 2A state finalist Hapeville Charter 63-7.

North Gwinnett head coach Eric Godfree’s Bulldogs routed a Mill Creek team that, despite being off to a slow start in 2026, is still one of the top large-school programs in the state. There are many observers around the state who think Godfree’s team could make a claim as the top team in the state. Of course, they have a lot of good company in Class 7A, so that may not be settled until we reach the playoffs at season’s end.

The Sandy Creek Patriots and Lee County Trojans flexed their muscles this past week. The Patriots scored a 51-0 shutout over an unranked Fayette County team. The Trojans went to one of the toughest venues in Georgia high school football and defeated the Colquitt County Packers 48-30.

Blessed Trinity is the top Class 5A team, and the Titans remain undefeated after defeating the Lambert Longhorns 55-33. Lambert had gone to South Georgia and handed Tift County its first loss of the season 21-7, but head coach Ed Dudley’s Titans proved to be a bit too tough.

Newton is out to prove it is a team to be taken seriously as it continues to impress behind perhaps the best running back in the state, Kevin Hartsfield. The Rams have a slew of talent across the roster, including two-way standout Braylon Miller, who scored as a receiver, defensive back, and punt returner in the Rams’ 70-14 win over Warner Robins.

Lowndes and Valdosta remain undefeated as they continue to roll through their non-region schedules. Both teams are preparing for Region 1-7A play, which will include a matchup against each other in the Winnersville Classic on Oct. 30. That game could determine the region champion and a top seed in the Class 7A state playoffs.

Roswell enjoyed a week off as the Hornets prepare for an undefeated Archer squad coming into Ray Manus Field this week.

Milton looks more comfortable as it improves to 3-1 on the season with a 42-21 win over Battle Ground Academy in Tennessee. Milton quarterback Derrick Baker threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more to lead the Eagles.

Coffee and Creekside, which played for the 2023 Class 5A state championship, remain teams to watch in Class 6A, and a sturdy Toombs County team rounds out the final spot in the poll.

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) 
6. Sandy Creek (4A)
7. Blessed Trinity (5A)
8. Newton (7A)
9. Lowndes (7A)
10. Valdosta (7A)
11. Coffee (6A)
12. Roswell (6A)
13. Milton (6A)
14. Creekside (6A)
15. Toombs County (3A)

Updated 9/9/2026

Week 3 of the 2026 Georgia high school football season provided us with yet more surprises. Although ITG Next’s 2026 all-classification top 15 Georgia high school football rankings were not dramatically affected, ITG Next’s Georgia rankings by classification saw 24 ranked teams lose last week.

In the top 15, only one team lost last week, with No. 6 McEachern upset at home by unranked Marietta.

Top-ranked Buford and No. 3 Carrollton were among a contingent of four Georgia programs that traveled out of state to take on nationally ranked programs from Louisiana, Illinois, North Carolina, and New Jersey.

Boford, Carrollton, and Creekside were victorious, while Gainesville lost.

The top five from last week remains unchanged with Buford and Thomas County Central as the top two ranked programs, followed by Carrollton at No. 3, then head coach Eric Godfree and his Bulldogs from North Gwinnett at No. 4. Lee County pulled off a dramatic late come-from-behind win to avoid a major upset at the hands of unranked Sequoyah last week and remains in the top five.

Roswell bounced back after suffering a tough loss two weeks ago at home with an impressive road win at Etowah.

Sandy Creek was off. 

The Blessed Trinity Titans continued to impress with a win over defending two-time Private state champion Hebron Christian. The Titans are ranked No. 7 this week.

Newton is the big mover in the updated poll, advancing three spots to climb into the top 10 at No. 8.

Creekside moves back into the top 15 with its first win of the season coming against St. Joseph Regional of New Jersey. The win sees head coach Maurice Dixon’s team landing at No. 14 in the rankings while pulling the Seminoles even at 1-1 on the year.

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)
6. Sandy Creek (4A) +1
7. Blessed Trinity (5A) NR
8. Newton (7A) +3
9. Milton (6A) -1
10. Valdosta (7A)
11. Lowndes (7A) -2
12. Roswell (6A)
13. Coffee (6A)
14. Creekside (6A) NR
15. Toombs County (3A)

Out: McEachern (7A), Houston County (6A)

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)