GHSA reclassification: The 45 football teams that moved down

Schools moving down

Forty-five football-playing schools are playing down in classification from the previous cycle. This list accounts for the Georgia High School Association’s renaming of the classes. GHSA classes are now 7A through A instead of 6A through A Division II.

For example, Tift County is still in Class 6A, but 6A is now the second-highest class, not the highest. These 45 are getting needed relief. They averaged just 3.1 victories in 2025.

There are some good teams here, too, such as Westside of Augusta (10-2 last season) and Sprayberry (9-2).

Explore10 storylines to watch as 2026 GHSA football season approaches

Class 6A

Alpharetta
Chapel Hill
Grovetown
Heritage (Conyers)
Meadowcreek
Mountain View
Osborne
South Cobb
Tift County

Class 5A

Arabia Mountain
Banneker
Chattahoochee
Dutchtown
Evans
Lithia Springs
Sprayberry
Statesboro
Villa Rica
Winder-Barrow

ExploreWinningest football programs this decade by each GHSA classification

Class 4A

Clarkston
Hampton
McDonough
New Hampstead
North Springs
Southeast Whitfield
Woodland (Stockbridge)

Class 3A

Beach
Cedar Grove
Cross Creek
Hephzibah
Islands
Johnson (Savannah)
LaFayette
Lumpkin County
Westside (Augusta)

Explore6A vs. 7A: Which GHSA class is tougher? Coaches on both sides weigh in.

Class 2A

Cook
Glenn Hills
Josey
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe
Laney
Washington
B.E.S.T. Academy

Class 3A-A Private

Eagle’s Landing Christian
Pace Academy
Westminster

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43 football teams that have moved up in class, including two 2025 champs

We list all 43 teams playing in a higher class. The list accounts for the GHSA’s renaming of the classes to 7A through A instead of 6A through A Division II.

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