Top 25 Georgia high school football rankings (10/3/2023)

Newton leapfrogs Grayson as the only move in the Top 10, while several 6A squads advance

Another week is in the books for high school football in the state of Georgia and there was little to no movement in the Top 10.

Newton leapfrogged Grayson for the No. 7 spot after a terrific fourth-quarter comeback, and everything else remains the same.

Class 6A had the biggest movement this week with several teams moving up several spots including Lee County, Douglas County, Thomas County Central and Houston County.

Here’s the complete breakdown of our SBLive Sports Georgia Power 25 high school football rankings.

1. Buford

(6-0)

The Wolves improved to 6-0 on the season last Friday night after shutting out Collins Hill 43-0 on the road. It was also Buford’s first Region 8-7A win of the season after going a perfect 5-0 in non-region play. At this point in the season, the Wolves are the clear favorite to win the Class 7A state championship.

2. Mill Creek

(6-0)

After going through the gauntlet of Cedar Grove and Parkview in back-to-back weeks, the Hawks were rewarded an easy game against Central Gwinnett, one they won with ease 47-7 last Friday night. They will now enter a bye and will have two weeks to plan for No. 1 Buford on Oct. 13.

3. Colquitt County

(6-0)

It’s starting to look more and more clear that the Packers will run the table and finish off the 2023 regular season undefeated at 10-0. They crushed Lincoln (Fl.) 56-16 last Friday night and will now gear up for their 4-game Region 1-7A slate where they shouldn’t have any problem with Richmond Hill, Lowndes, Valdosta and Camden County.

4. Walton

(5-0)

The Raiders had their first bad half of the season, and it came against an undefeated North Paulding squad that was looking to play upset. The Raiders led just 23-14 in the third quarter before pulling away to a 44-24 victory. The Raiders will now get North Cobb’s best shot this Friday night on the road.

5. Carrollton

(5-1)

The Trojans were off this past Friday night and will be back in action this Friday against East Coweta.

6. Parkview

(5-1)

After dropping their first game of the season to No. 2 Mill Creek, the Panthers got back in the win column after defeating an undefeated South Gwinnett team 34-20. The Panthers will now get a week off to prepare for Archer.

7. Newton

(6-0)

The Rams move up to No. 7 in this week’s rankings after pulling off a tremendous comeback against Grayson last Friday night. The Rams scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to stun Grayson 31-27, and are now 6-0 for the first time in program history. Next up for the Rams is Brookwood in two weeks.

8. Grayson

(4-1)

The Rams slip down one spot to No. 8 after blowing a huge fourth-quarter lead to Newton last Friday night. It appeared as if Grayson would run away with a statement victory over Newton, but it ended with a 31-27 loss at home. The loss puts more pressure on the Rams to beat Parkview to avoid a road playoff game in the first round of the Class 7A state playoffs.

9. Gainesville

(6-0)

The Red Elephants just aren’t going to lose in the regular season. They didn’t last and they’re not going to this year. They improved to 6-0 on the season after shutting out Lanier 35-0, and they will have no problem with Habersham Central in two weeks. The Red Elephants are the team to beat In Class 6A at this point in the season.

10. Westlake

(5-1)

The Lions were off this past Friday and will be back in action this Friday against Pebblebrook.

11. Langston Hughes

(4-2)

After getting upset by Douglas County, the Panthers took their frustrations out on Alexander last Friday night, beating them 56-0 to improve to 4-2 on the season. The Panthers will likely run the table this regular season and finish at 8-2, but they will need to earn it.

12. Cedar Grove

(2-4)

Despite not playing this past Friday night, the Saints move up one spot to No. 12 in this week’s rankings. Don’t put much stock in their 2-4 record. Three of their four losses have come against Top 10 teams, including Mill Creek, Colquitt County and Westlake. The Saints might not be quite as dominant as they were five years ago, but they’re still one of the state’s best.

13. Norcross

(5-1)

The Blue Devils move up one spot to No. 13 in this week’s rankings after beating Duluth 41-14 on the road last Friday night. The Blue Devils have very quietly put together another good season up until this point. Their only loss remains a 27-13 loss to No. 2 Mill Creek. Their two biggest games will be their last two against Peachtree Ridge and North Gwinnett to close out the regular season.

14. Lee County

(5-1)

We have been the highest on Lee County of anyone in the state of Georgia this season, and they proved their worth after beating Houston County on the road last Friday night 44-35. The Trojans’ only loss this season came at the hands of No. 3 Colquitt County, and their only remaining tough game will come against Thomas County Central later this season.

15. Douglas County

(6-0)

The Tigers move up a couple more spots this week to No. 15 after crushing New Manchester 50-0 last week. There was no letdown week after upsetting Hughes, and that says a lot about how legit this team is. They will now turn their attention to Paulding County in what should be another easy win.

16. Thomas County Central

(6-0)

The Yellow Jackets improved to 6-0 on the season last week after shutting out Veterans 50-0. Class 6A is every bit as loaded as Class 7A this season, and the Yellow Jackets are a big reason why. They move up to No. 16 in this week’s rankings and will have opportunities to move up further later in the regular season.

17. Benedictine

(6-0)

The Cadets are 6-0, but they have really started to flirt with some losses this season. We’re going to push them back to No. 17 in this week’s rankings after their narrow 39-31 win over New Hampstead last Friday night. The Cadets have to travel to a red-hot Burke County team this Friday night, and they could be on upset watch. 

18. Milton

(3-2)

The Eagles come in at No. 18 in this week’s rankings after having a bye last week. They will be back in action this Friday night at home against South Forsyth.

19. Houston County

(5-1)

Despite suffering their first loss of the season to Lee County, the Bears are up to No. 19 in this week’s rankings. The Bears are one of several teams in the hunt to compete for a Class 6A state title this season. Right now, we have the Bears ranked at No. 6 in Class 6A, which is proving to be a loaded classification.

20. Calvary Day

(6-0)

The Cavaliers are up to No. 20 in this week’s rankings after improving to 6-0 on the season last Friday night. They crushed Johnson-Savannah 56-0 and are likely going to cruise to a 10-0 record in the regular season.

21. Rome

(5-1)

The Wolves make their debut in the Power 25 this season, coming in at No. 21 after taking down Woodstock 59-7 last week. The Wolves are just another really good Class 6A team that is now 5-1 on the season. Their only loss was a 33-13 loss to No. 5 Carrollton.

22. Marist

(5-1)

The War Eagles improved to 5-1 on the season last Friday after taking down Dunwoody 45-7. Their only loss remains to No. 9 Gainesville in Week 1, and it was a game that the War Eagles were in. They’re up to No. 22 in this week’s rankings.

23. Roswell

(5-1)

The Hornets come in at No. 23 in this week’s rankings after defeating Blessed Trinity 29-19 last week. Their only loss is to Milton, but with MIlton’s struggles, it isn’t the best of losses. However, it was just one game and the Hornets have looked very good against everyone else.

24. Peachtree Ridge

(6-0)

Despite not playing a game last Friday, the Lions are in the Top 25 for the first time this season. They come in at No. 24 after starting off the season a perfect 6-0. They have yet to play great teams, but for now, it’s good enough to get them ranked for the first time this season.

25. North Oconee

(5-0)

Rounding out the Power 25 is North Oconee, who also makes its debut on the list. The Titans are 5-0 on the season after crushing North Hall 52-7 last Friday night. The Titans have been slept on a little bit this season, but not anymore.