The number of potential repeat state champions in Georgia high school football has dwindled to just four after defending title holders – Thomson, Ware County, and Langston Hughes – all fell last Friday night.
Thomson, the Class 2A defending champion, lost to Toombs County in a 41-30 shootout. The Thomson Bulldogs started strong with an early touchdown but then allowed 27 consecutive points through the next quarter. That proved to be their downfall as the margin ballooned for the other Bulldogs, Toombs County, in the second half.
The 41 points allowed is the most for Thomson since 2020, and the 11-point margin of loss is its most since the 2021 quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Toombs County’s impressive season lives on. The Bulldogs have notched victories over two Top-3 teams in the past six weeks; now they will face a stiff Rockmart defense in the quarterfinals.
The loss for Ware County was not so swift. The Gators defense, which had held firm for most of the season, did so again against a resurgent Warner Robins team for the majority of the game. Victory appeared assured after a late go-ahead score, but the Demons still had a minute left to enter field goal range.
Former Jones County quarterback and Miami commit Judd Anderson led Warner Robins down the field to secure the win, capped off by a 42-yard field goal by Alberto Medina. Revenge was served for a Demons squad that suffered a state championship game defeat to these Gators last season.
In one of the most highlighted games of the season, defending 6A state champion Langston Hughes traveled to Rome, a team the Panthers routed in the semifinals last year. That favor was returned by the Wolves this time around.
A lackluster offensive performance by Hughes resulted in a 28-0 deficit by the end of the first quarter. From there, the Rome defense protected its lead well. Hughes could only manage two touchdowns in the second half, while the Wolves tacked on a pair of their own to win 42-14. That sets up a marquee matchup against top-ranked Thomas County Central this Friday night at Barron Stadium.
One other defending titleholder, Sandy Creek, has already been eliminated. The Patriots fell in the first round to Monroe Area, which advanced to the quarterfinals after pulling away from four-seed Gilmer. That leaves just four remaining Georgia high school defending state champions: Prince Avenue Christian (1A-DI), Bowdon (1A-DII), Benedictine (4A), and Mill Creek (7A).
Both the Wolverines and the Red Devils suffered scares this past weekend, but late victories kept their repeat hopes alive. Benedictine will face the classification’s best defense, North Oconee, this Friday, and Mill Creek will host a Cinderella Camden County squad that has rolled through the first two rounds with its unique Wing-T offense.
Which of these four remaining defending state champions will survive the Georgia high school quarterfinals round? And will any of them strike gold once again?
