The Georgia high school football season has almost come to a close. In one week, state championship games for all classifications will take place inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Eight games remain before the offseason officially arrives. Following is a look at one key matchup to watch within each of those 2023 GHSA championship contests on December 11-13.
7A: Walton vs. Milton
Milton’s secondary must hold strong against Jeremy Hecklinski and a Walton passing game that averages over 260 yards per outing. Through the quarterfinals, Hecklinski passed for 42 touchdowns against just one interception. The Eagles allowed over 300 yards and 4 TDs through the air to Colquitt County one week ago.
6A: Thomas County Central vs. Woodward Academy
Defense is the name of the game between these two squads. The Yellow Jackets have rushed the ball effectively all season with Trey Brenton, but can they establish a consistent attack against a War Eagle front seven that has recovered 11 fumbles?
5A: Creekside vs. Coffee
Similar to the 6A final, this 2023 GHSA championship game is a matchup between two stingy defenses. The Creekside offense has stepped up this season, but the rushing game (which averages nearly 270 yards per outing) must contend with a Trojans defense that held both Bainbridge and Ware County to less than 100 yards on the ground.
4A: Stockbridge vs. Perry
The Panthers defense looked impenetrable in a second-round upset win over Bainbridge, but it has proven susceptible to the run in the past two games, against Starr’s Mill and Stephenson. Perry will face a tough task in limiting the impact of Stockbridge’s “Duke” Scott, a 2,000-yard rusher with 35 scores on the ground this season.
3A: Cedar Grove vs. Savannah Christian
This game may become a shootout. Both squads score rapidly, but in different manners. Keep an eye on the trenches, mainly when the Raiders take the field with their run-focused offense. They have the ability to burn clock in key situations, and the Saints’ defensive line must be aggressive to combat that.
2A: Pierce County vs. Rockmart
No team has scored more than 17 points on the Bears defense this season. Rockmart must do so in order to win the state championship, and those points could come in an unconventional manner. Short, designed passes could aid the Yellow Jackets against Pierce County’s corners, creating interesting matchups on the outside.
1A-DI: Prince Avenue Christian vs. Swainsboro
Wolverines QB Aaron Philo torched the Tiger defense for 477 yards and 6 touchdowns in last year’s state championship game. Swainsboro’s secondary will be put to the test once again versus a high-flying PACS offense.
1A-DII: Manchester vs. Bowdon
The Blue Devils earned a hard-fought one-point win over the Red Devils earlier this season. That same level of physicality will be on display in this 2023 GHSA championship matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A talented Manchester front seven led by Georgia commit Justus Terry will collide with Kyler McGrinn (nearly 4,000 yards total offense) and a seemingly unstoppable Bowdon rush attack.
