Another season of Georgia high school football is in the books. The 2023 GHSA state championship games, played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time since 2018, brought endless entertainment. Here’s a look at the eight title games, ranked in terms of the excitement each brought.
8. Woodward Academy vs. Thomas County Central (6A)
The 2023 GHSA state championship games produced two 49-28 outcomes. In this one, the Yellow Jackets controlled the game from their opening possession. They built a 28-0 late into the first half and never relinquished, routing the War Eagles by 21 points. Since 2018, only last season’s Langston Hughes squad has managed to score more on Woodward Academy’s defense.
7. Cedar Grove vs. Savannah Christian (3A)
Each offense quickly scored two touchdowns, but key stops by the Cedar Grove defense ballooned the Saints’ lead to 28 by the end of the third quarter. Quarterback EJ Colson, a UCF commit, passed for 259 yards and 4 touchdowns as the Saints rolled to a 49-28 victory.
6. Prince Avenue Christian vs. Swainsboro (1A-DI)
Much like they did in last year’s title matchup between these teams – Prince Avenue Christian won that one 52-34 – the Wolverines notched a shootout victory, winning 49-32. A 98-yard pick-6 by Georgia commit Demello Jones prevented a first-half blowout, but Prince Avenue was able to pull away in the final quarter. In the process, quarterback Aaron Philo set the state record for career passing yards, breaking the previous mark held by Trevor Lawrence.
5. Coffee vs. Creekside (5A)
Once again, Coffee’s defense stood tall, this time holding Creekside (41 PPG) to just 14 points to seal an undefeated season. Aided by timely offensive playcalling and RB Fred Brown’s 183 rushing yards, the Trojans suffocated the Seminoles in earning a 17-point win.
4. Stockbridge vs. Perry (4A)
The Panthers took a three-point lead into the half. They built on it in the final two quarters with sustained drives, keeping the Tigers’ explosive rushing attack off the field. A fourth-down stop early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as Perry held off Stockbridge, 38-27.
3. Bowdon vs. Manchester (1A-DII)
Bowdon avenged an early-season loss to Manchester with excellent defense in the second half, holding the Blue Devils to one score. On that touchdown, a 15-yard penalty made the extra point try 35 yards, and Manchester chose to run a fake and go for two. It proved unsuccessful, and the Red Devils edged out the Blue Devils, 28-27.
2. Walton vs. Milton (7A)
A talent-rich nightcap saw a 31-21 upset of the state’s top-ranked team, Walton. A swarming Milton defense forced three Jeremy Hecklinski interceptions, including the title-clinching pick-6. The Raiders built a seven-point cushion at the half, but a fumble and two interceptions on consecutive drives handed the Eagles 17 points and the eventual margin of victory.
1. Pierce County vs. Rockmart (2A)
Undoubtedly, this 2023 matchup ranks as one of the best games in GHSA state championship history. The teams traded touchdowns throughout four quarters, sending the game to multiple overtimes. In the third extra period, Rockmart’s go-ahead field goal was answered with a game-winning rushing touchdown by quarterback Caden McGatha, earning the Bears a thrilling 48-45 title victory. McGatha added 126 passing yards and 2 touchdowns to his impressive 258 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns on 53 carries.
