Last week the GHSA released its annual list of every team’s schedule for the 2024 Georgia high school football season. While some programs have yet to fill out their slates, most have a firm idea of their non-region opponents, especially in Class 6A. Numerous matchups catch the eye of enthusiasts at first glance. Here are four non-region games to watch in Class 6A during the 2024 Georgia high school football season.
Benedictine at Buford – Aug. 23, 2024
Buford’s 2024 non-region slate is loaded with talented opponents like Milton, Douglas County, and Miami Norland (Florida), but their Friday night showdown with Class 4A Benedictine provides the most intrigue.
Recently, the Cadets have been wildly successful, winning two titles in the past three years and reaching the quarterfinals in every season but one since 2013. However, those winning ways have avoided Class 7A (now 6A) teams, and many yearn to see Benedictine’s high-flying offense compete against thebest Georgia high school football has to offer. Now, that opportunity arises.
Douglas County vs. Cedar Grove – Aug. 16, 2024
This year’s Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Classic schedule includes one of the most talent-filled matchups of the season with Douglas County versus Cedar Grove.
Douglas County burst on the scene last season with emerging stars in James Johnson, Aaron Gregory, and Jordan “Breeze” Carter, finishing the regular season undefeated and making a run to the state semifinals.
Cedar Grove reloads once again, this time with a new, soon-to-be-determined head coach. The Saints compete in Class 3A, but have proven to be on the Class 6A level with their past results. With the Tigers’ addition of prolific Alpharetta transfer quarterback DJ Bordeaux, this matchup could feature scoring in bunches.
Grayson at Thompson (Alabama) – Aug. 23, 2024
It’s no secret that Thompson ranks among Alabama’s best high school football teams each season. However, the Warriors’ last meeting with a Georgia opponent resulted in a 31-point blowout against Buford.
Thompson phenom quarterback Trent Seaborn, a sophomore, will face pressure from a stout Grayson defense led by Tyler Atkinson, who notched a whopping 197 tackles to accompany 25.0 TFLs and 10.5 sacks last season alone.
This likely low-scoring matchup may complement the several other “shootout-style” games that both states provide each Friday night.
Prince Avenue Christian at West Forsyth – Aug. 15, 2024
This matchup will certainly fly under the radar in a loaded Week 1 slate. It will also, however, answer one of Georgia’s most burning questions: Can PACS replicate their success against top-class competition?
The Wolverines from Bogart, Georgia, have won three of the past four state titles in the GHSA’s smallest class in dominant fashion. But can they score at will against now Class 6A competition?
PACS will face an interesting opponent in West Forsyth, who quietly posted an 8-3 record last season and will return nearly all skill positions on both sides of the ball in 2024. The Wolverines from Cumming, Georgia, based their success around defense, setting up a must-watch game against PACS’s explosive offense.
