Football Fridays in Georgia kicks off this week on GPB, and we’re ready for another great season. Here’s what to watch for.

Traditional Realignment on the Horizon

Realignment is set to be a big topic this fall as the GHSA begins planning for the 2025-27 seasons. The group voted down a competitive balance model, an idea that raised plenty of questions, so they will stick with a more traditional approach.

The season will again conclude with the Tommy Guillebeau Football State Championships at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. There will be eight state champions determined from Dec. 15-17. GPB-TV will carry all of the games live.

Crackdown on illegal, improperly worn equipment

This season, the National Federation of High Schools will hold players accountable for using prohibited items like jewelry, tinted visors, non-compliant eye shades, bands worn on the upper arm, neck or legs, and sweatbands or towels that do not meet the rules.

The crackdown also covers legal gear that is not worn the right way, such as pants that do not cover the knees, mouthguards not in place when the play starts, or shoulder pads not fully covered by a jersey.

Breaking the rules could mean anything from sitting out a play to getting hit with a delay of game or unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Buford’s new stadium

The Wolves will unveil their new $62 million Phillip Beard Stadium, named in honor of the longtime school board chairman and local sports advocate, on Thursday when they host Class 5A champion Milton in a nationally televised game. The stadium seats 10,000 and features 15 luxury boxes – which have been sold out. It includes a two-story fieldhouse with new locker rooms and a pedestrian bridge that connects to the school. GPB is scheduled to televise the Sept. 12 game against Douglas County.

Closing in on 800 wins

The Gainesville football team is nine wins shy of becoming only the third program in GHSA history to reach the 800-win milestone. The Red Elephants fielded their first football team in 1905 and the program has a record of 791-357-25. Only Valdosta (959 wins) and LaGrange (810 wins) have more victories than Gainesville.

Chadwick keeps chugging

Alan Chadwick warms up with players before the team's matchup against St. Pius X on October 11, 2024.

Alan Chadwick warms up with players before the team's matchup against St. Pius X on October 11, 2024.

Marist coach Alan Chadwick has been leading the War Eagles since 1985, and he’s still going strong. His career record is 445-81 with three state championships, and last year his team finished runner-up in Class 4A. In 30 of his seasons, Marist has won at least 10 games — and his “worst” year was 7-4.

Chadwick ranks second all-time in Georgia high school football wins, behind retired Lincoln County coach Larry Campbell’s 477. He’d need at least three more seasons to catch him.

And speaking of flag football …. In order to keep up with the growth of flag football, the GHSA has added an additional classification this season. There are more than 300 schools participating in flag football with competition in five classifications this season.