High school football rankings: Thomas County Central finishes No. 1 in final MaxPreps Georgia Top 25

The high school football season in Georgia came to a close last week with the crowning of eight more state champions. Thomas County Central (Thomasville) was among the winners, beating Woodward Academy for the AAAAAA state championship at the Atlanta Falcon's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That victory helped propel the Yellow Jackets to the No. 1 ranking in the final MaxPreps Georgia Top 25.

Thomas County Central sophomore Jaylen Johnson completed six of eight passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns while running for an additional 105 yards and two scores in the 49-28 win over the War Eagles. The win allowed the Yellow Jackets to claim their first state football championship since winning the AAA title in 1997 and grab their sixth football championship overall.

Trey Brenton added 154 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the championship slugfest. Thomas County Central won all 15 games in 2023, outscoring its opposition 610-144.

Milton comes in at No. 2 and junior quarterback Luke Nickel completed 19 of 25 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown and scored once running the football to lead the Eagles to the AAAAAAA state championship. His touchdown pass went to Marc Essley II who reeled in six aerials for 85 yards in the title game.

Colquitt County (Norman Park) checks in at No. 3 after narrowly falling 39-37 to No. 2 Milton in the third round of the state playoffs.

Read on for a complete look at the final MaxPreps Georgia Top 25.

AAAAAAA - Milton

AAAAAA - Thomas County Central (Thomasville)

AAAAA - Coffee (Douglas)

AAAA - Perry

AAA - Cedar Grove (Ellenwood)

AA - Pierce County (Blackshear)

A Division I - Prince Avenue Christian (Athens)

A Division II - Bowdon