ITG Next broadcaster Phil Jones gives his score predictions for the top six games being played in Week 1 of the 2026 Georgia high school football season.
Thomas County Central vs. Colquitt County
Friday, Aug. 21 | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
One of the most anticipated games to start the season features two of the most successful and traditional South Georgia high school football programs battling under the lights at the Jackets Nest when the Colquitt County Packers and Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets meet.
Both teams looked impressive in their respective scrimmage games, with Colquitt County traveling to Houston County last week and TCC defeating Cairo two weeks ago.
Colquitt County head coach Sean Calhoun has proven he’s not afraid to have his team tested right off the bat, as he proved last year with the Pack opening up with Benedictine at home.
For the Yellow Jackets, this will be the toughest season opener since 2021, when TCC played at Florida High in Tallahassee and lost by 20 points. But this game will be at home, where the Jackets are almost unbeatable. Will they remain that way on Friday night?
It would not surprise me if the Packers win. In that season-opening game last year against the Cadets, Colquitt County found a way to beat the favored Benedictine team on a last-second field goal. Can the Pack make it two in a row?
I think this will be close, but that TCC home-field advantage might be the difference.
Phil’s Pick: Thomas County Central 38, Colquitt County 35
Brunswick vs. Camden County
Friday, Aug. 21 | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
This game features new head coaches debuting with their new teams.
Head coach Tucker Pruitt will be leading the Camden County Wildcats against Brunswick and new Pirates head coach Byron Slack.
Pruitt was hired to lead the Wildcats of Kingsland after a season at Appling County. Slack arrived in the Golden Isles after leading the Cook Hornets for the past four seasons.
Each coach is known as a top mind in his respective area of the game, with Slack being one of the best defensive coaches around and Pruitt being known for his offensive ingenuity.
They say defense wins football games. Will that be the case in this one?
Phil’s Pick: Camden County 28, Brunswick 14
Parkview vs. Coffee
Friday, Aug. 21 | Kickoff: 5 p.m. | Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic
Another Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic matchup will pit South Georgia against North Georgia as the Coffee Trojans take on the Parkview Panthers on Friday afternoon at Georgia State University’s Center Parc Stadium.
This will be the first of two games in this year’s Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic that match teams against each other for the first time in the history of the schools. The game between Coffee and Parkview will be the first ever in the long, storied history of these two schools and is the season opener for both.
Despite both head coaches and both programs having enjoyed a lot of winning, Parkview and Coffee are coming off disappointing seasons in 2025. This is year two for Panthers head coach Adam Clack, whose Parkview team finished 4-6 last season. Coffee head coach Mike Coe is coming off a 2025 season that saw the Trojans struggle to a 4-7 finish.
Clack has done a lot in a brief time since taking over at Parkview, and Coe is two years removed from leading Coffee to the program’s first ever state title.
You’ll see two of the best in the business matching wits on opposite sidelines in this one.
Phil’s Pick: Coffee 28, Parkview 21
Houston County vs. West Forsyth
Friday, Aug. 21 | Kickoff: 8 p.m. | Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic
Another first-time matchup in the history of the two participants pits the West Forsyth Wolverines against the Houston County Bears in the final game of a triple-header at Center Parc Stadium.
Both teams are coming off successful 2025 seasons as Houston County finished 10-2, including a 4-1 finish in the tough Region 2-5A (now Region 2-6A) right behind 2025 state champion Thomas County Central.
The Bears of head coach Jeremy Edwards will feature returning starter Ryan Maxwell at quarterback. Maxwell will have a couple of offensive standouts with him, including ITG Next top 10 tight end Joshua Pettigrew as one of his top targets in the passing game and ITG Next top 10 running back Austin Stinson lining up in the backfield.
West Forsyth also won 10 games last season, finishing 10-3 while also winning Region 6-6A (now Region 6-7A) with a 6-1 mark.
The Wolverines lost several playmakers from last season but will have running back Logan Hawkins back on offense.
Phil’s Pick: Houston County 37, West Forsyth 15
Buford vs. Gainesville
Saturday, Aug. 22 | Kickoff: 5 p.m.
Gainesville will take the field with new head coach Santavious Bryant after former head coach Josh Niblett stepped away after four seasons with the Red Elephants.
Bryant returns to Gainesville, where he actually served as an assistant under Niblett before leaving to take the head coaching job at Grayson. Bryant led Grayson to success, winning a state championship in 2024 and finishing with a 37-5 overall record over three seasons with the Rams.
He will attempt to do the same as Gainesville’s head coach, and his first test will be a tough one as he leads the team into Buford to take on the defending state and national champion Wolves.
Head coach Bryant Appling’s Buford team was able to hold off another tough season-opening challenger last year as the Wolves beat Milton 20-13 in the debut of their new home, Phillip Beard Stadium.
Can Buford hold off another Week 1 challenger in Gainesville?
Phil’s Pick: Buford 30, Gainesville 28
Douglas County vs. Newton
Saturday, Aug. 22 | Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
This matchup features two teams loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball, especially the Newton Rams on offense and the Douglas County Tigers on defense.
Newton features ITG Next top 10 running back Kevin Hartsfield along with another top running back in sophomore Karter Lumpkin.
Douglas County will counter with quarterbacks Trey Byrd and Cameron Anderson, who will likely share playing time running the offense in this game. The Tigers also feature two standout safeties in Adryan Cole and Kennedy Green.
Watch out for the Rams. They could turn out to be a big-time contender in Class 7A this season, but can they get past Douglas County and keep head coach Johnny White from getting his 100th career victory?
