After several exciting weeks of playoff football in the state of Georgia, state championship week is finally upon us.

On paper, the matchups are outstanding. The roster features two teams ranked in the top 10 nationally: Class 5A Milton and Class 6A Carrollton. It features two undefeated teams in Marist and North Oconee competing in the Class 4A state championship. And there’s also a rematch from earlier in the season between Hebron Christian and Prince Avenue Christian for the private state championship.

Below are our predictions for each classification.

Grayson (13-1) vs. Carrollton (14-0)

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that this is the matchup for the Class AAAAAA state championship game. Carrollton was the top-ranked team in 6A all season, and Grayson wasn’t too far behind.

The Rams had a much more favorable path to the title game after lining up on the left side of the bracket. The Trojans had to beat Buford, one of the other tournament favorites, in the semifinals to reach the title game.

On paper, the Trojans are favored in this game. They may not be the strongest in the trenches, but JuJu Lewis is the best quarterback in the state and the weapons surrounding him are very good as well.

The Rams also have plenty of weapons. Quarterback Travis Burgess has improved over the course of the season and the Rams have gotten great production out of their young running backs. Alex Sanchez was also one of the most underrated wide receivers in the state.

No team could keep up with the Trojans for four quarters. Will Grayson be the first team to do so this season?

Forecast: Carrollton 30, Grayson 20

Langston Hughes (13-1) vs. Milton (14-0)

Given that the groups have fallen this season, this is another clash that is not at all surprising. Milton was the top-ranked team in the state all season and Langston Hughes was comfortably ranked in the top three in Class AAAAA.

Many thought a semifinal game between Milton and Lee County would be viewed as the real 5A state championship game, where both teams had performed well this season. But don’t sleep on the Panthers, who have only lost one game this season.

What has made the Eagles so impressive this season is their ability to step up when needed. They are the only team in the state to have done this and that is why they are ranked the same as them nationally.

Most years the Panthers are likely to be the favorite. They have been one of the most consistent teams in the state over the last few years and have a title under their belt. But that will be an extremely difficult task against Milton.

Forecast: Milton 38, Langston Hughes 24

Marist (14-0) vs. North Oconee (14-0)

For the first time this season, Marist of North Oconee will walk off the football field as a loser.

The War Eagles and Titans will battle for the Class AAAA state championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and it will be a battle of the undefeated. Both teams go into the duel with a score of 14:0 and both looked dominant.

The War Eagles entered the tournament as favorites, but this game is a bad decision. Both teams are very well trained and don’t make many mistakes. Experience-wise, the War Eagles have the edge, but from a sports standpoint, the Titans might have that edge.

This has the potential to be the best game ever.

Forecast: North Oconee 31, Marist 28

Jefferson (11-3) vs. Calhoun (11-3)

The Class AAA state championship game will feature Jefferson and Calhoun.

The Dragons entered the playoffs as the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament and did everything they could to reach the finals. The Yellow Jackets entered the game as the No. 6 overall seed and didn’t have much trouble winning their matches.

On offense, the Dragons are led by quarterback Gavin Markey, who is also their best rushing threat. He managed just under 1,600 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground and will be the key player the Yellow Jackets want to stop.

The Yellow Jackets have a great offense of their own and had to defeat Peach County, the No. 3 overall seed in the tournament, to reach the finals.

It’s been a while since both teams won a title. Calhoun last won in 2017 and Jefferson last won in 2012. Both teams have been knocking on the door since their last win, and one of them will finally break through with another next Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz.

Jefferson defeated Calhoun in 2012 to win the first championship in program history. Can they beat them again?

Forecast: Jefferson 28, Calhoun 24

Burke County (13-1) vs. Carver-Columbus (13-1)

It shouldn’t surprise anyone that the Carver-Columbus Tigers are playing for a Class AA state championship this season.

With a record of 14-1 this season, they were the class of the field. And the team they are playing against is not a problem. The Burke County Bears started the race as one of the tournament favorites and looked confident on their way to the finals.

The Tigers will be the favorites in this match. They haven’t won a state title since 2007, but have been knocking on the door for several years. The Bears won’t admit defeat, but they still have a lot of work to do at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Forecast: Carver-Columbus 35, Burke County 21

Northeast (12-2) vs. Toombs County (12-1)

What don’t you like about the Toombs County Bulldogs? They were the top-ranked team in Class A Division I all season and looked dominant.

Georgia State signee TJ Stanley had a great season as the Bulldogs’ quarterback, throwing for 2,315 yards and 530 rushing yards. In total, he recorded 41 touchdowns – 30 passing and 11 rushing yards.

Their opponent for the Class A Division 1 state title is Northeast, one of the best running teams in the state of Georgia. The Raiders have rushed for 4,137 yards and 52 touchdowns this season, and senior running back Nick Woodford is responsible for more than half of them. He passed for 2,494 yards and 37 touchdowns.

The Raiders will try to slow down Stanley and the Bulldogs will try to slow down Woodford. If either team can do that, they have a good chance of winning this football game.

Forecast: Toombs County 48, Northeast 40

Brooks County (10-4) vs. Bowdon (12-2)

Surprise, surprise. The Bowdon Red Devils are back in the Class A Division II state championship game for the third straight year.

They looked just as good as they did the last two seasons. They avenged their regular-season loss to Manchester in the state championship game last year and almost had a chance to do it again this year until Brooks County squandered their chance.

Brooks County defeated Manchester 17-14 in overtime in the semifinals, putting the Trojans in the state championship game for the first time since 2021.

These two teams have not faced each other in the playoffs in recent years. This will be the first time they play since 2013, a game the Trojans won. But this will be a very different Red Devils team than their last game.

They are aiming for three straight state titles and will be favorites to win.

Forecast: Bowdon 28, Brooks County 21

Hebron Christian (12-2) vs. Prince Avenue Christian (10-3)

Who doesn’t love a rematch in a state championship game?

That’s what we get in the Thai year of the All-Private classification, and it’s two teams that were competing for a regional championship just a few weeks ago.

Prince Avenue Christian, which has dominated in all classifications in recent years, will face Hebron Christian next Wednesday, a team playing for its first state championship in program history. In their first meeting, the Wolverines defeated the Lions 34-31.

Both teams are extremely talented. The Lions have one of the best running games in the state and their offense has improved this season thanks to a much better passing attack with Thomas Stallworth running the show.

The Wolverines may be without starting quarterback Jake Bobo, who was injured in the semifinal game. But substitute Ben Musser is no slouch. Like the Lions, they also play football very well. So far this season they have passed for over 3,000 yards and 46 touchdowns.

Will the Lions find a way to get past the Wolverines in the rematch, or will the Wolverines be the ones to add another state championship trophy to their trophy case?

Forecast: Hebron Christian 30, Prince Avenue 27