The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets will face off against the Woodward Academy War Eagles in the Georgia AAAAAA state championship game. Both teams have strong offenses, but it is expected to be a defensive battle with both teams boasting top three defenses in the league. Central's defense will have to contend with Woodward's passing game, led by quarterbacks Griffin Marshall and Landon Walker. Central's best strategy is to shut down Woodward's top receiver, Ben Grice, and force them to rely on their running game. On the other side of the ball, Woodward's defense has been strong, but has shown vulnerabilities in the playoffs against the pass. Central's quarterback, Jaylen Johnson, has the potential to exploit those weaknesses with his strong passing game. The kicking game could also play a crucial role in the outcome of the game. The state championship game will take place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Why It Matters

The matchup between Thomas County Central and Woodward Academy in the state championship game holds high stakes for both teams. This game will determine the champion of Georgia AAAAAA and is the culmination of their successful seasons.

By the Numbers
  • Thomas County Central: 14 straight wins, 4,296 yards of offense, 602 total tackles, 561 total points
  • Woodward Academy: First championship game appearance since 1980
  • Central's defense: Number one in points allowed per game in 6A
  • Woodward's defense: 11.3 points allowed per game
  • Griffin Marshall (War Eagles): Over 1,100 passing yards, 13 touchdowns
  • Landon Walker (War Eagles): Over 1,100 passing yards, 13 touchdowns
  • Ben Grice (War Eagles): Averages 59.6 receiving yards per game, ten touchdowns
  • Jaylen Johnson (Yellow Jackets): Over 2,000 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions
State of Play
  • The Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets and the Woodward Academy War Eagles will face off in the Georgia AAAAAA state championship game
  • Both teams have strong defenses, with Central's defense ranking number one in points allowed per game in 6A and Woodward's defense allowing just 11.3 points per game
  • Central's defense will need to contain Woodward's passing game and shut down their top receiver, Ben Grice
  • Woodward's defense has shown vulnerabilities against the pass in the playoffs, which could be exploited by Central's strong passing game led by Jaylen Johnson
  • The kicking game could play a crucial role in the outcome of the game, with both teams having excellent kickers
Bottom Line

The state championship game between Thomas County Central and Woodward Academy will be a highly anticipated matchup, with both teams looking to claim the title. It will be a battle of strong defenses and potent offenses, with the outcome likely to be determined by which team can make key defensive stops and capitalize on offensive opportunities.