Top 10 Georgia High School Football Teams in Class 1A
Preseason – Updated 6/22/2026
Here are ITG Next’s 2026 Georgia high school football preseason rankings for Class 1A.
Class 1A will look much different in 2026 as the GHSA has eliminated the Division I and Division II split and will now have just a single Class 1A.
The Class 1A-Division I teams from last year will move up to Class 2A (or higher) this season, while the majority of the Class 1A-Division II teams will remain in Class 1A.
Defending Class 1A-Division I state champion Worth County will move to Class 3A, while Class 1A-Division II champ Bowdon will stay in Class 1A this year.
Bowdon won its fourth consecutive state title last year, but winning a fifth could be a tall order this year for the Red Devils.
Rich Fendley left his position as head coach to take the same post at Rockmart. Arguably the state’s top all-around player, Kaiden Prothro is off to UGA, leaving a major void in the Bowdon program. He is one of 17 seniors not returning, along with starting quarterback Joshua Hopkins. But don’t count the Red Devils out. They’ll still make another run at it.
The team Bowdon defeated in the title game, Lincoln County, will likely be right back in the mix with a dependable running game that uses lots of fresh backs. Leading rusher Kelby Glaze has graduated, but Jonathan Norman and Aiden Jones lead a group of returning underclassmen who will take the reins this season.
Early County graduated its leading rusher from last season in Devonis Lee and quarterback Evan Grist, but watch for some rising playmakers coming back to pick up the slack for the Bobcats this season. Athlete Kayden Kendrix is a player to watch this year. The junior is a speedster who can hurt defenses in multiple ways. Another name you’ll be hearing this year is senior Kobe Lingo. Watch for him to pair up with returning head-hunter Chandler Means on defense.
ECI loses top rusher Tyler Foreman and quarterback Jackson Kennedy but will have offensive weapons Chase Johnson, Davis Johnson and AB Marsh back in 2026.
Washington-Wilkes will be a team to keep an eye on this year, as the Tigers return most of their weapons on offense, including quarterback Mayson Mingle, along with top defenders in juniors Ayden Young and Calvin Wynn Jr. As a freshman, Mingle threw for 1,740 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for almost 600 yards with 10 touchdowns.
Johnson County will be looking to build off last year’s 11-win season as the Trojans return leading rusher and scorer junior Jeremiah Scott. Leading defender Jeremiah Taylor is also back. Taylor rushed for 300 yards with six touchdowns last year.
Macon County will be returning most of its starting roster from a year ago, which could make the Bulldogs from Montezuma a program to watch in 2026. Top rusher Jakeyveon Parker is back, along with top receiver Ja’Marion Stewart. The two accounted for 30 touchdowns last year.
The Bulldogs will return most of their defense, including the entire defensive backfield from last year’s 5-win team.
Seminole County enjoyed an 8-2 season last year, and with senior quarterback Ellis Denham returning to run the offense, the Indians are hoping to make a deep run in Class 1A this year. Denham passed for 1,401 yards with 17 touchdowns and just one interception all season, completing 70% of his passes. The Indians will miss all-around playmaker Kamauri Johnson and linebacker Zakari Henderson on defense.
Schley County will be looking to build momentum off last year’s 7-5 season as the Wildcats return leading rusher Jeremiah Johnson and top defender Jayden Figueroa.
- Clinch County
- Lincoln County
- Bowdon
- Early County
- Macon County
- Johnson County
- ECI
- Washington-Wilkes
- Seminole County
- Schley County
