Football Fridays in Georgia

We bring you a fast, friendly tour of the 2025 Georgia high school football playoffs with the GPB All-Stars. GHSF Daily's Todd Holcomb, 13WMAZ’s Cecily Stoute and Sami Kostas, ITG Next’s Phil Jones, and GPB’s Matt Stewart break down Valdosta’s region title, Hoschton’s marquee Colquitt County–Mill Creek matchup, dark horses, and first-round games worth the drive. You get where to go, who to watch, and why the new power-ranking era matters.

It’s Halloween week on the Football Fridays in Georgia podcast, and the playoff picture is pure chaos. Jon and Niki talk with Carrollton’s Joey King, Lowndes’ Adam Carter, and Douglas County’s Johnny White about rivalries, leadership, and keeping focus through late-season pressure. From the Winnersville Classic to Region 7-6A math, it’s a jam-packed episode of Georgia high school football stories and laughter.

On this episode, Jon and Niki break down the biggest region-title races of the year with North Gwinnett’s Eric Godfrey, Norcross’s Corey Richardson, and Thomas County Central’s Justin Rogers. From 150-career wins to a first-year coach continuing a Gwinnett dynasty to the deafening “vuvuzela” culture of South Georgia football, this episode captures the passion of playoff-season Fridays. Hear insights, strategy, and community stories from the state’s top programs.

We sit down with GHSA Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott to break down the new Postseason Ranking System and what it means for every team fighting for a playoff position. Then we turn to the Battle of Macland Road, where unbeaten Hillgrove and McEachern square off under the lights, with insights from both head coaches. If you’re looking for clear answers on GHSA playoffs and the week’s biggest matchups, this is the episode for you.

Milton head coach Ben Reaves shares how mindfulness, yoga, and a homegrown feeder pipeline fuel the Eagles as they host Gainesville on senior night. Gainesville head coach Josh Niblett explains the Red Elephants’ week‑to‑week standard, while Houston County’s Jeremy Edwards breaks down the Bears’ best start and bye‑week plan before a brutal stretch. Plus, region storylines from South Georgia and a quick nod to Marist legend Alan Chadwick reaching 450 wins.

We’ll talk Benedectine head coach Danny Britt, who led his Cadets to a victory against Ware over the weekend. Jared Hughes, flag football coach at Rome, will tell us what it’s like to create a new sports program from scratch. Finally, Collins Hill head coach Drew Swick talks about his plans to lead a tough defense against Buford this weekend. Plus: flag football season starts today!

We take you inside a packed week of Georgia high school football. Valdosta head coach Shelton Felton details a 5–0 start and the realities of Region 1-6A road trips, while Langston-Hughes head coach Andrico Hines and Newnan’s Chip Walker preview a high-scoring showdown. You get upsets, player spotlights, and a full look at the GPB Game of the Week.

We preview North Cobb at North Paulding with head coaches Shane Queen and Don Stark, dig into Colquitt County coach Sean Calhoun’s whirlwind week with games on Friday, Tuesday, and Friday, and revisit a packed night at Buford’s Philip Beard Stadium. You get notes on Douglas County, a web game check on Benedictine at Westminster, and Sequoyah star Will Rajecki's seven-touchdown performance.

This week, Douglas County visits nationally ranked Buford at The Beard, plus a look at Sprayberry at Sequoyah. Coaches Johnny White and Bryant Appling share how they build trust, manage distractions, and outwork the moment. Rabun County’s Rance Gillespie takes you home to Tiger for a program built on place, people, and pride.

In this episode of the Football Fridays in Georgia podcast, you explore two of the state’s most legendary high school football rivalries: Calhoun vs. Cartersville and Thomasville vs. Thomas County Central. Coaches share what makes these matchups unforgettable, from the history and tradition to the pride each community brings to Friday night lights. Tune in to discover why Georgia high school football rivalries are among the fiercest in the nation.

This week on the Football Fridays in Georgia podcast, you will hear the stories behind one of the state’s most passionate rivalries as Warner Robins and Northside prepare for battle. Coaches, players, and fans share what this matchup means to their schools and community. The episode also highlights standout performances, first wins, and the moments that make high school football unforgettable across Georgia.

The Football Fridays in Georgia podcast welcomes GHSA Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott for his annual visit to kick off the season. He joins Jon and Hannah to discuss reclassification, the new transfer eligibility rules, the rapid growth of girls' flag football, and how NIL is shaping high school sports in Georgia.

This episode features conversations with four standout Georgia high school football coaches about the drive, discipline, and community pride that fuel their teams. Ware County’s Jason Strickland, Appling County’s Tucker Pruitt, Fitzgerald’s Wes Tankersley, and Irwin County’s Larry Harold share how they build a winning culture, inspire their players on and off the field, and preview their big match-ups this week.

This special All-Star episode of the Football Fridays in Georgia podcast previews the high school football season just five weeks out. Jon and Hannah are joined by top journalists from across the state to break down major coaching changes, rising programs, and key regional storylines. The episode also explores broader issues like GHSA reclassification and what it means for teams statewide.

This episode of the Football Fridays in Georgia Podcast spotlights the explosive growth of girls' flag football across the state, from new high school teams to emerging college scholarships. Coaches from Pope and Southeast Bulloch share how their programs are setting the standard and reshaping perceptions of the sport.

GPB's Make That Kid an Offer is a segment featured during the Football Fridays in Georgia halftime show that highlights under-the-radar Georgia high school football players who excel on the field and in the classroom but may be overlooked in college recruiting, aiming to boost their visibility and help them secure scholarship offers. This podcast episode highlights just a few of the student-athletes who have signed scholarships after being featured on MTKAO.

The Georgia high school football coaching landscape has seen significant shifts. In this episode, Jon and Hannah talk with three of the biggest names on the move. New Northside Warner Robins coach Boone Williams, Dalton's Chris Prewett, and Prince Avenue Christian's Jon Richt discuss their transitions, challenges, and visions for their storied programs.

This episode highlights the 2025 GHSA Basketball Championships and features interviews with coaches Chaz Clark of Butler, George Brown of Savannah High, and Kassie Scott of Cherokee Bluff. Clark discusses his team's victory and what it means to the Butler community, Brown talks about the challenges of playing a familiar opponent in the championship game, and Scott shares her experience as a head coach with a husband who is also a head coach.

National Signing Day has evolved, but its impact remains profound for athletes and coaches alike. Jon and Hannah break down the shift from the traditional signing day to the early signing period, with insights from high school and college coaches navigating the recruiting process. The episode also features the inspiring story of Brookwood kicker Caitlyn Soroka and the challenges she faced while navigating the college football recruitment process.

In the final Football Fridays in Georgia Podcast episode of the season, Jon Nelson is joined by the FFIG All-Stars to break down all 12 GHSA State Championship games. Four flag football championships, eight tackle football championships, and one final 2024 episode.