Georgia High School Playoffs: 10 must see games around the state

The Georgia high school football playoffs are about to get going this week. Things are taking place a week later than originally expected.

Hurricane Helene and the fire at BioLab in Conyers shook up the schedule around the state for some time. Things are back on track and this week is set to kick off the run to Atlanta.

Here are the 10 must-watch games of the first round of the playoffs.

10 Must-See Games in the first round of Georgia playoffs

1. Douglas County vs Mill Creek (6A) Massey Prediction: Mill Creek (58%)
2. Walton vs Valdosta (6A) Massey Prediction: Walton (55%)
3. Clarke Central vs Houston County (5A) Massey Prediction: Houston County (86%)
4. Cedartown vs Cambridge (4A) Massey Prediction: Cedartown (83%)
5. Greene County vs Irwin County (1A D2) Massey Prediction: Irwin County (95%)
6. Lincoln County vs Charlton County (1A D2) Massey Prediction: Lincoln County (85%)
7. Southwest Dekalb vs Benedictine (5A) Massey Prediction: Benedictine (93%)
8. Gordon Lee vs Elbert County (1A D1) Massey Prediction: Elbert County (90%)
9. Newton vs McEachern (6A) Massey Prediction: McEachern (64%)
10. North Cobb vs Camden County (6A) Massey Prediction: North Cobb (68%)

The Skinny

There is a lot of star power on display in a lot of these matchups.

Douglas County comes into the game one on this list with three power four wide receivers on their roster in James Johnson (USC commit), Aaron Gregory (2026 Texas A&M commit) and 2026 four-star Devin Carter.

Throw in big-time recruits Jordan Carter, DJ Bordeaux and Joshau Sam-Eppelle and the Douglas County roster draws envy. Mill Creek has Alabama commit Luke Metz, North Carolina commit Devin Anchrum and a fast-rising 2026 linebacker Duyon Forkpa.

Mill Creek is known for being well-coached and consistent in their approach. That is once again the case. That will be an interesting battle and a chess match between two of the state’s top coaches Johnny White and Josh Lovelady.

The quarterback match-up in Athens between Clarke Central and Houston County has a chance to make for a high-scoring affair. Clarke Central is led by Boise State commit Hezekiah Millender and four-star Memphis commit Antwaan Hill runs the Houston County attack.

Though Houston County is a four-seed, they are considered the favorite by the Massey Ratings. The region they hail from features two state champions from last season and the No. 1 ranked team in the state Lee County.

South vs North

Valdosta vs Walton and North Cobb vs Camden County feel like the same match. There are south Georgia teams coming north featuring Georgia commits. Camden County is home to five-star tight end Eyliss Williams and Valdosta features four-star athlete Todd Robinson. Both are the tips of the swords for their teams.

These games also feature a very different approach to the sport featuring teams from the metro Atlanta area and the southern parts of the state. Both games will be physical slugfests despite featuring being between a one-seed and a four-seed (Camden County vs North Cobb) and a two-seed and three-seed (Valdosta vs Walton).

Get your popcorn ready or gas up the car.