We have nearly reached the end of what has been one of the most exciting seasons of high school football; now it gives us one more weekend of compelling matchups. The Georgia high school football state finals are set at Center Parc Stadium, home of the Georgia State University Panthers.
In Class 5A, the state championship will reveal if this is finally the one for head coach Jason Strickland and his Ware County Gators – that is, if the veteran coach can finally bring the Gators that elusive state title. On the opposite sideline, coach Marquis Westbrook and the Warner Robins Demons will try to play the role of spoiler as they aim for their third straight state title.
Every game has equally interesting plots just waiting to unfold, and the winners will be not just the teams that outscore their opponents, but the thousands of fans who get to watch or listen to these championship battles.
Get ready – the final weekend of games is upon us. And while this will be my final Pick-6 of the season, you can tune in to my live podcast, Extra Point!, on Monday at 5 p.m. at the ITG Next-Georgia Facebook page as I recap every state title game. Please join me to offer your opinions!
5A State Championship
Ware County vs. Warner Robins
Jason Strickland is trying to lead the Gators to their first-ever state championship. He and the Gators will try to reach the top of the mountain against a team that’s well-acquainted with the view from up there, the Warner Robins Demons. Under the leadership of Marquis Westbrook, the Demons have now made it to six straight state title games, with wins in the last two.
The Gators were the favorites to win it all last year, but they lost in the waning moments of the second round on a turnover, shattering their hopes and dreams of hoisting that state championship trophy for the first time in school history. Now here they are in the Georgia high school state finals, as close as they’ve been to a potential championship in a long time. Can this finally be the year for Ware County? Or will the experienced Demons make it three consecutive state titles for Westbrook?
Phil’s Pick: Warner Robins 27, Ware County 25
6A State Championship
Langston Hughes vs. Gainesville
Hughes is back for another shot at a state title after coming up a bit short – literally – last season. An attempt to win it on a last-play field goal attempt fell short, taking down the Panthers’ hopes for a state title with it.
Buford was last season’s opponent; this time it’s Gainesville. The Red Elephants are here for the first time in a decade, and first-year head coach Josh Niblett has the Red Kingdom believing. Gainesville’s undefeated season has caught many by surprise, starting with their improbable season-opening win over Marist. The Red Elephants haven’t looked back since that win over the Eagles, rolling through Region 8-6A and four playoff wins that included last week’s victory over Roswell.
Hughes is led by electric signal-caller Air Noland, who indeed likes to air it out every chance he gets. He leads an offense that is averaging more than 55 points per game. The Red Elephants have some great athletes of their own, including QB Baxter Wright and RB Naim Cheek. This will be a great game, with one team ultimately hoisting the championship trophy and the other only able to say, “Wait ’til next year.”
Phil’s Pick: Hughes 51, Gainesville 43
7A State Championship
Carrollton vs. Mill Creek
Ever since Buford made an earlier-than-expected exit from the 7A state playoffs after Round 1, many people figured these two teams were a potential matchup in the Georgia high school football state finals. Following the Trojans’ upset victory over Colquitt County at Moultrie’s Mack Tharpe Stadium, those folks are getting their just reward – it certainly seems these teams are truly the best two still playing right now in Georgia.
Carrollton, undefeated after their win over Colquitt County in last week’s 7A semifinal, now will now have to slay yet another 7A monster in Mill Creek. The Hawks are 13-1, with their only loss coming against the Buford Wolves in Week 7. Since then, they’ve reeled off six straight wins, including playoff victories against North Cobb and, last week, Westlake. It’s likely that just about every starter in this one will be playing on Saturdays following their graduation. This is gonna be a war.
Phil’s Pick: Mill Creek 39, Carrollton 35
2A State Championship
Thomson vs. Fitzgerald
The Purple Hurricanes of Tucker Pruitt will be going for their second straight state championship after waiting 72 seasons since their last state title. Fitzgerald will have to get by the Thomson Bulldogs, who, after losing their season opener against Burke County, have reeled off 13 wins in a row, including four playoff victories against Appling, South Atlanta, Tattnall County, and Cook.
Four of Thomson’s victories have been shutouts. Both teams win with their running attack, but by way of two different methods. The Bulldogs rely on their primary RB, Jontavious Curry, who averages an incredible 11.8 yards per carry. The senior is also a talented receiver out of the backfield (363 receiving yards, 2 TDs) and a dangerous kick returner (3 kickoffs returns for TDs). He has 22 total TDs on the season.
Fitzgerald, on the other hand, uses a host of different backs, with Sylon Davis, Ty Solomon, Drew Moore, Tyler Williams, Cam Jackson, Diondre Pasqual, and QB Sultan Cooper all taking turns gashing defensive lines. It will be interesting to see which attack works best and contributes to their team winning a championship.
Phil’s Pick: Fitzgerald 29, Thomson 18
3A State Championship
Cedar Grove vs. Sandy Creek
The Saints come marching into yet another Georgia state finals matchup, looking for their fifth championship in the past eight seasons. Their opponent should look familiar – it’s region foe Sandy Creek, who Cedar Grove defeated back in October in a game that had a lot of offense, with the Saints coming out on top 49-34.
Cedar Grove is 11-2, with their only losses coming to Class 7A powerhouses Mill Creek and Colquitt County. Their road through the playoffs included a 70-point performance against Hebron Christian, then a 30-0 shutout against a powerful Calvary Day offense that was averaging right at 48 points per game entering the quarterfinal game against the mighty Saints.
Sandy Creek also suffered just two losses, with an OT defeat to East Coweta their only other blemish. Both teams have playmakers on both sides of the ball. Cedar Grove boasts a defensive line of top recruits Adonijah Green, Chase Kerns, Everett Roussaw, and Kyle Moseley, while Sandy Creek counters with QB Geimere Latimer and top receiving target Kaleb Cost. Can the Patriots exact revenge on the Saints while capturing a state title, too?
Phil’s Pick: Cedar Grove 44, Sandy Creek 41
4A State Championship
Benedictine vs. Cedartown
Benedictine looks to repeat as Class 4A state champions with an offense led by junior QB Luke Kromenhoek, who stepped in for last year’s starter, Holden Geriner, who is now on campus at Auburn. The 6-foot, 4-inch signal caller, who had not played much prior to this season but was still offered by FSU in the offseason, has stepped in and looked like a seasoned veteran, throwing for over 2,400 yards and completing 68% of his passes with 24 TDs and just 3 INT. The two-sport star has also rushed for 500 yards and 7 TDs through the Cadets’ first 14 games.
Their opponent will be Cedartown, who is undefeated after a 28-20 win in last week’s 4A semifinals. The Bulldogs are looking for their first state championship in 60 years. Kickoff to crown the 2022 GHSA 4A state champion is 3:30 on Friday. Can head coach Danny Britt bring Benedictine a second straight state title?
Phil’s Pick: Benedictine 31, Cedartown 21
