In 2024, No. 1 Grayson meets No. 7 Collins Hill in the season opener—a rematch that carries extra sting. Last season, the Eagles nipped the Rams 20–19 in Week 1 before Grayson delivered playoff payback 38–14 en route to the 6A crown.

Nationally, the Rams are slotted No. 4 in HSFA’s rankings, underscoring their championship ceiling. That status will be stress-tested again in Week 2.

Week 2 Showdown: Grayson vs. Rabun Gap-Nacoochee

Grayson’s second act is a heavyweight tilt with No. 4 Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, ranked No. 32 nationally. The Eagles open with a gauntlet: four HSFA 300 opponents in their first five games. A statement win here could reshape the top tier of the state—and the national board.

Spotlight Game: Buford’s $62M Debut vs. Milton

No. 2 Buford christens its $62 million home next weekend against No. 3 Milton, winners of the last two seasons’ 7A and 5A titles. The Eagles edged the Wolves 13–10 in last year’s opener; expect another chess match between elite staffs with championship pedigrees.

Other Early Contenders to Watch

Douglas County vs. North Gwinnett

No. 5 Douglas County (a 6A semifinalist) draws No. 6 North Gwinnett in the Corky Kell + Dave Snyder Classic—a top-10 collision that doubles as a credibility test for both defenses.

Lee County, Langston Hughes & Carrollton

No. 8 Lee County returns after a lone setback in last year’s semifinals to Milton. No. 9 Langston Hughes, the 5A runner-up, could open 2–0 to set up a marquee Sept. 5 showdown with Douglas County (DC won 21–14 last year). No. 10 Carrollton, last season’s 6A runner-up, enters a new era at quarterback, with reports suggesting head coach Joey King may deploy a two-QB look early.

Georgia HSFA Top 25 (Preseason 2024)

Rankings are produced by HSFA’s proprietary algorithm and include prior results, roster strength, and schedule difficulty.