Last season, the writers and guests at AccessWDUN Sports correctly picked four out of eight region champions that involved northeast Georgia teams in the Georgia High School Association. Fellowship Christian (8-A Division 1), Gainesville (8-6A), Jefferson (8-5A), and North Oconee (8-4A) all captured titles in 2023.
We also nailed 26 of the 32 playoff teams in the eight northeast Georgia regions in the GHSA.
The 2024 campaign will certainly be different as the GHSA dropped down to just six classifications. However, despite the smaller number of overall classifications, there are now 10 new regions among six classifications housing area teams that should bring some exciting action this fall.
A 13-person panel, made up of media members from Blitz Sports Georgia, Friday Game Night, Gwinnett Daily Post, North Georgia SportsLink, WDUN AM/FM, White County News and WRWH AM/FM, cast their votes during the offseason for who they think will win the 10 area regions.
We will look at two regions each day this week, starting with Class A and finishing with Class 6A.
REGION 8-6A (old 8-7A)-- Defending champion: Mill Creek
This region essentially stayed intact as the entire old 8-7A moved down, and with the addition of Discovery, it now has a seven-team field.
And not much else will change either. Mill Creek won the region in 2023, edging out Buford after a thrilling game in Hoschton. Both teams bring back plenty of talent but both also will be looking to replace some key pieces.
Buford has All-AccessWDUN first teamers Jaden Perlotte (LB) and Kenyon River (LB) along with Bryce Perry-Wright and Nico Maggio on the line to anchor what will be a nasty defense. The offense will be breaking in some new pieces, especially at quarterback where Dayton Raiola and TJ Wilcox are still battling for the QB1 position.
Mill Creek does return senior quarterback Shane Throgmartin (1,945 yards, 22 TD) but the Hawks lost running back Cam Robinson (1,722 yards, 20 TD) and their top three receivers leaving a young inexperienced group overall. The defense also lost six but senior linebacker Luke Metz is one of the state’s best and will anchor what should still be a solid unit.
Collins Hill, which finished third last season, returns its top two rushers but the Eagles will have a new quarterback as Wilcox is now at Buford. Mountain View, who took fourth, is in much the same situation graduating its quarterback, top rusher, and top three receivers. Central Gwinnett could challenge for a playoff spot.
Dacula and Discovery are still in rebuilding mode combining for just two wins in 2023.
The AccessWDUN Sports poll tabbed Buford to reclaim the region title in a close vote, with Mill Creek picked second. Maxwell has Mill Creek winning the region so consider it a toss-up. And it should come down to those two teams’ showdown in Hoschton on Nov. 1 to close out the regular season.
Collins Hill could get an early jump on securing a playoff spot opening region play with back-to-back home games against Central Gwinnett (Sept. 20) and Mountain View (Sept. 27). The Eagles do get Mill Creek at home on Oct. 11 after a road game at Buford the week before.
- Previous region preview: Region 6-6A
