Semifinal previews: Classes 6A and 5A
Class 6A
North Gwinnett (12-1) at Carrollton (13-0)
Seeding: North Gwinnett is the No. 1 seed from Region 7. Carrollton is the No. 1 seed from Region 2.
Rankings: North Gwinnett is ranked No. 8. Carrollton is ranked No. 3.
Last week: North Gwinnett beat West Forsyth 25-15. North Gwinnett broke a 15-15 tie on Eric Godfree's 4-yard run from the wildcat formation with 6:23 left, and West Forsyth never got another first down. Elam Rahman was 11-of-16 passing for 233 yards and a touchdown. Braylon Jackson had five receptions for 164 yards. Wilson Taylor returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Carrollton beat Grayson 34-14. Carrollton trailed 14-0 in the second quarter, scored the game's final 34 points and ended Grayson's 26-game winning streak. Cam Wood rushed for 173 yards (fifth straight game over 100) and scored three touchdowns.
Last meeting/series: This is the teams' first meeting.
Playoff history: This is North Gwinnett's first semifinal appearance since 2019. North Gwinnett is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 7A in 2017. North Gwinnett is 3-1 all-time in semifinals. This is Carrollton's second straight semifinal appearance. Carrollton is trying to reach the finals for the second season in a row and was the 2024 runner-up. Carrollton is 15-11 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: North Gwinnett's average score is 39-10 against the 18th-hardest schedule in Class 6A. Carrollton's average score is 48-13 against the 11th-hardest schedule in Class 6A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Carrollton 33, North Gwinnett 14
Buford (13-0) at Valdosta (12-1)
Seeding: Buford is the No. 1 seed from Region 8. Valdosta is the No. 1 seed from Region 1.
Rankings: Buford is ranked No. 2. Valdosta is ranked No. 5.
Last week: Buford beat Douglas County 30-15. Buford led 9-7 entering the fourth quarter and scored three unanswered touchdowns, one on Dylan McCoy's 75-yard run. McCoy rushed for 123 yards. Andrew Ivanciuc kicked field goals of 48, 43 and 39 yards. Valdosta beat Walton 45-42. Walton got within final margin by returning a blocked punt 51 yards for a touchdown with 13 seconds left but failed to recover an onside kick. Marquis Fennell rushed 187 yards (third straight game over 150), caught seven passes for 57 yards and scored three touchdowns, giving him 11 in the playoffs. Tyrieke Wade passed for 211 yards and three touchdowns. Valdosta led 457-424 in total yards.
Last meeting/series: Buford won 45-26 in the 2020 semifinals. Buford leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is Buford's second straight semifinal appearance. Buford is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 6A in 2021. Buford is 21-5 all-time in semifinals. This is Valdosta's first semifinal appearance since 2020. Valdosta is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 6A in 2016. Valdosta is 28-3 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: Buford's average score is 46-10 against the 14th-hardest schedule in Class 6A. Valdosta's average score is 45-18 against the 21st-hardest schedule in Class 6A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Buford 31, Valdosta 17
Class 5A
Roswell (12-1) at Thomas County Central (13-0)
Seeding: Roswell is the No. 1 seed from Region 7. Thomas County Central is the No. 1 seed from Region 2.
Rankings: Roswell is ranked No. 3. Thomas County Central is ranked No. 2.
Last week: Roswell beat Sequoyah 42-35. Roswell ran out the final 4:50 after Sequoyah got within 42-35. Wills Campbell had five receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns. Those were the only passes Roswell completed on the way to 593 total yards. Trey Smith passed for 230 yards and rushed for 161 yards. Nick Peal rushed for 106 yards. Thomas County Central beat Woodward Academy 49-19. Thomas County Central trailed 19-7 in the second quarter, scoring only on a kickoff return, then scored five unanswered touchdowns. Jaylen Johnson passed for 188 yards. Deuce Lawrence rushed for 129 yards.
Last meeting/series: Roswell won 42-34 in the 2022 quarterfinals. Roswell leads the series 1-0.
Playoff history: This is Roswell's first semifinal appearance since 2022. Roswell is trying to reach the finals for the first time since 2016. Roswell is 6-2 all-time in semifinals. This is Thomas County Central's first semifinal appearance since 2023. Thomas County Central is trying to reach the finals for the first time since winning Class 6A in 2023. Thomas County Central is 7-5 all-time in semifinals.
Score vs. schedule: Roswell's average score is 44-22 against the 12th-hardest schedule in Class 5A. Thomas County Central's average score is 54-9 against the 14th-hardest schedule in Class 5A.
Maxwell Ratings' projection: Thomas County Central 34, Roswell 27
Rome (11-2) vs. Gainesville (10-2)/Hughes (12-0) winner
Rome defeated Jackson County 31-17 last week, but the GHSA is expected to postpone both Class 5A semifinal games Monday until the quarterfinals are complete. Gainesville (10-2) and Hughes (12-0) are the teams in the unplayed quarterfinal. The GHSA on Wednesday postponed it until a court hearing can resolve the eligibility of 34 Gainesville players who were suspended because of their role in a Nov. 21 altercation in the second round. A judge issued a temporary restraining order, preventing the GHSA from enforcing the suspensions. The GHSA has appealed. It is unlikely the semifinals will be played this week.