You’d think once the final whistle blows at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the books are closed. But Georgia high school football is rarely that simple. This past December, we saw some of the most electric, high-stakes games in recent memory, but the drama didn’t stop when the teams headed back to the locker rooms. If you’ve been hunting for ghsa football playoffs scores, you probably know that some of those numbers on the scoreboard actually changed weeks after the fact.
Take Gainesville, for instance.
The Red Elephants had a hell of a run in Class 5A. They made it all the way to the title game, eventually falling to a powerhouse Thomas County Central team. But just a few days ago, on January 13, 2026, the GHSA dropped a bombshell: Gainesville had to vacate their runner-up finish. A brawl back in the semifinals against Brunswick High—which Gainesville originally won 37-6—resulted in some messy administrative fallout. It’s a wild reminder that in Georgia, the "final" score isn't always the final word.
The Big Winners: Deciphering the GHSA Football Playoffs Scores
If you missed the three-day marathon in Atlanta from December 15 to 17, you missed a clinic. Buford didn't just win a state title; they grabbed the national spotlight. Their 28-21 victory over Carrollton in the Class 6A final was a heavyweight fight that lived up to every ounce of the hype.
Tyriq "Ty Boogie" Green absolutely took over in the second half. Carrollton held a 7-0 lead at the half, but the Wolves are built differently. They ground it out, secured the win, and are now being celebrated as consensus national champions by basically every major poll, from USA Today to MaxPreps.
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Down in Class 5A, Thomas County Central put on a performance that honestly looked like a video game. Their 62-21 thrashing of Gainesville was headlined by Christian "Deuce" Lawrence. The kid didn't just play well; he set a GHSA championship record with 380 rushing yards. He found the end zone five times. It was a statement win for head coach Justin Rogers, marking his second title in four years.
A Breakdown of the Final Scoreboard
Looking for a quick rundown? Here’s how the hardware was handed out across the classifications during those chilly December nights:
- Class 6A: Buford 28, Carrollton 21
- Class 5A: Thomas County Central 62, Gainesville 21
- Class 4A: Creekside 42, Benedictine 39 (A total nail-biter where Creekside finished 15-0)
- Class 3A: Sandy Creek 27, Jefferson 7
- Class 2A: Carver-Columbus 24, Hapeville Charter 7
- Class A Division I: Worth County 17, Toombs County 13
- Class A Division II: Bowdon 35, Lincoln County 31
- Private (A-3A): Hebron Christian 28, Calvary Day 21
Why These Scores Tell a Deeper Story
It’s easy to just look at a number like 42-39 and think "offense." But Creekside’s win over Benedictine was a psychological roller coaster. Creekside jumped out to a 21-3 lead, and everyone thought the Cadets were cooked. Then Benedictine’s Stephen Cannon went nuclear, leading a comeback to take a 24-21 lead at the half.
Creekside eventually pulled it out, but it’s those swings that define Georgia football.
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Then you have Worth County in Class A Division I. They’ve been an offensive juggernaut all year with Lyndon Worthy at quarterback, but they actually found themselves down 10-0 against Toombs County. They had to scrap and claw for that 17-13 finish. It wasn't pretty, but it counts just the same.
In the Division II game, Bowdon's Josh Hopkins was a one-man wrecking crew with 333 total yards. However, the game was actually saved by a defensive play. Mike Patterson made a touchdown-saving tackle inside the 5-yard line with seconds left to preserve a 35-31 victory over Lincoln County. If he misses that tackle, the score—and the history books—look completely different.
The Flag Football Revolution
We can't talk about ghsa football playoffs scores without acknowledging the flag football side of the house. It’s growing fast, and the games at The Benz were just as intense.
- Division 1: Harris County 32, Washington County 0
- Division 2: Greenbrier 20, Jenkins 13
- Division 3: North Oconee 31, Whitewater 6
- Division 4: Blessed Trinity 21, Milton 20 (Double OT thriller!)
- Division 5: Pope 14, McEachern 13
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Even though we’re just a few weeks past the championships, the 2026 season is already taking shape. Coaching carousels are spinning. Grayson High just promoted defensive coordinator Greg Carswell to head coach after an impressive 12-1 run in 2025. Their only blemish? A 34-14 loss to Carrollton in the playoffs.
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Grayson has already announced they’ll be opening the 2026 season right back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against North Gwinnett. It’s likely going to be part of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic.
If you're a fan trying to stay on top of things, keep an eye on the GHSA's official bracket exports. They often update post-season data, especially when eligibility issues or disciplinary actions—like the Gainesville situation—force changes to the official record.
For those who want to watch the replays or dig into the box scores, the NFHS Network and GPB still host the full broadcasts. It’s worth a look just to see Christian Lawrence’s record-breaking run or that insane double-overtime flag football finish. Georgia high school football isn't just a sport; it's a 12-month-a-year conversation.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Verify Official Records: Check the GHSA.net "Past Champions" section in late January to see how the Gainesville vacation of the runner-up spot is officially recorded.
- Watch the Replays: Use the NFHS Network to study the defensive schemes Buford used to shut down Carrollton’s high-powered offense in the second half.
- Mark the Calendar: The 2026 season kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is already set for August—get your tickets early for the Grayson vs. North Gwinnett matchup.