Georgia high school football: Top teams, games, players and prospects ahead of 2020 season

The fourth week of the high school football season kicks off with six more states ready to get their seasons underway. Georgia is among those with teams taking the field beginning as early as Thursday. As things stand, the postseason is set to begin Nov. 20 with championship games scheduled for Dec. 28-30.

Georgia is one of 34 states planning to play football this fall. Sixteen others plus the District of Columbia have moved their respective seasons to 2021.

In Georgia, a total of 201 games are set to kick off Thursday through Saturday.

In advance of season openers, here's a look at what you need to know about Georgia football in 2020.

Top games


Top teams

1. Lowndes
2. Grayson
3. Parkview
4. Cedar Grove (Ellenwood)
5. Buford

Defending champions

AAAAAAA: Marietta
AAAAAA: Harrison (Kennesaw)
AAAAA: Buford
AAAA: Blessed Trinity (Roswell)
AAA: Cedar Grove
AA: Dublin
A Public: Irwin County (Ocilla)
A Private: Eagle's Landing Christian Academy (McDonough)
GAPPS 11-Man A: Griffin Christian (Griffin)
GAPPS 11-man AA: Community Christian (Stockbridge)
GAPPS 8-man A: Praise Academy (Powder Springs)
GAPPS 8-man AA: Peachtree Academy (Covington)
GISA 8-man: Westminster Schools of Augusta
GISA A: Thomas Jefferson Academy (Louisville)
GISA AA: Gatewood (Eatonton)
GISA AAA: John Milledge Academy (Milledgeville)

Top recruits
National ranking per 247Sports in parenthesis

1. Amarius Mims, T, Bleckley County (Cochran), (6)
2. Brock Vandagriff, QB, Prince Avenue Christian (Athens), (13)
3. Smael Mondon, LB, Paulding County (Dallas), (27)
4. Jacob Garcia, QB, Valdosta, (39)
5. Barrett Carter, LB, North Gwinnett (Suwanee), (45)

Returning stat leaders

Passing
Gunner Stockton, Rabun County (Tiger) | 239-334 (72%), 3,473 yds., 43 TD
J.C. French, Wesleyan (Norcross) | 205-312 (66%), 2,902 yds., 32 TD

Rushing
Amaad Foston, John Milledge Academy (Milledgeville) | 304 car., 2,772 yds., 46 TD
Omari Arnold, Brooks County | 206 car., 1,796 yds., 24 TD

Receiving
Daedae Reynolds, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville) | 88 rec., 1,534 yds., 14 TD
Jairus Mack, Clarke Central (Athens) | 73 rec., 1,250 yds., 18 TD