Two No. 1 teams defeated, four teams reach the semifinals for the first time

North Cobb Christian (11-1) was the brightest star of the night as the Class 3A-A private school traveled 275 miles to the coast and defeated top-ranked Savannah Christian 30-27. Savannah Christian, led by consensus No. 1 recruit in the state Elijah Griffin, went 10-0.

North Cobb Christian began playing college football in 2007 but did not play in a full regional schedule until 2016. The Eagles have reached at least one playoff round six in the last seven seasons and will face Prince Avenue in the semifinals for the first time next week against Christian, a reigning 2023 champion.

Calhoun’s 38-28 victory over No. 1 Peach County in Class 3A was a little less surprising because Calhoun is a three-time former state champion this century. The Yellow Jackets have now beaten seven No. 1-ranked teams during that span, most recently beating Cartersville in 2022.

The final four in Class 6A will be No. 1 Carrollton, No. 2 Buford, No. 4 Douglas County and No. 5 Grayson.

Carrollton defeated Hillgrove 46-6 but only led 6-0 in the second quarter when Lewis, an AJC 11 pick committed to Colorado, left the game with an injury. Dylan Bishop played the rest of the game in Lewis’ place. Lewis’ status for next week’s semifinal game at No. 2 Buford is uncertain.

Buford defeated North Gwinnett 43-7, while Grayson defeated Collins Hill 38-14 in key games in Gwinnett County. Grayson will play at home next week against Douglas County, a 20-14 win over West Forsyth.

In Class 5A, No. 1 Milton advanced along with No. 2 Lee County, No. 4 Hughes and No. 7 Coffee. Milton defeated Houston County 56-14. Hughes defeated Thomas County Central, last year’s Class 6A champion, 28-12.

No. 1 Marist defeated Cambridge 40-14 in Class 4A. No. 3 North Oconee defeated No. 4 Cartersville 28-26 in the only divisional game between two undefeated teams. No. 4 Blessed Trinity and No. 10 Creekside also came through.

In Class 3A, Calhoun’s fellow eighth-seeded semifinalists are unranked Stephenson (first appearance since 2005), unranked LaGrange (first since 2008) and No. 3 Jefferson.

Carver-Columbus, the No. 1 team in Class 2A, defeated defending champion Pierce County 44-7. Also victorious in 2A were No. 3 Burke County, No. 4 Appling County and No. 8 Rockmart.

Class A Division I will have No. 1 Toombs, No. 5 Northeast, No. 2 Dublin and No. 9 Fitzgerald.

The Division II semifinals are No. 1 Manchester, No. 2 Bowdon, No. 3 Irwin County and No. 4 Brooks County.

Private Survivors 3A-A are No. 2 Prince Avenue, No. 3 Hebron, No. 5 Fellowship Christian and No. 7 North Cobb Christian.