Stockbridge, the 2023 Class 4A football runner-up and a recently crowned region champion that was on a nine-game winning streak, was forced to forfeit its nine victories Tuesday for using an ineligible player. GHSA executive director Tim Scott confirmed the penalty and told GHSF Daily that Stockbridge self-reported the violation.

Brookwood’s Brayden Tyson rushed for 299 yards in a victory over Norcross last week and now has 2,123, believed to be second-highest regular-season total ever in the GHSA’s highest classification. Other outstanding performances in Week 12 were turned in by Lee County QB Weston Bryan, Newton RB Zion Johnson and Warner Robins DB/WR Rasean Dinkins.

Carrollton, Milton, Marist and Savannah Christian completed undefeated regular seasons last week and stand No. 1 in the football rankings with a limited final week ahead. It’s more complicated in Class 2A, where two-loss Appling County moved to No. 1 from No. 9 after a 13-6 victory over previous No. 1 Pierce County, ending Pierce’s 19-game winning streak.

Brookwood has won five straight games and put itself in position to earn the No. 2 seed out of Region 7-6A tonight if the Broncos (6-3, 5-1) can beat Norcross (7-2, 5-1) in a road game. Brookwood is putting its fate and the ball in the hands of a sophomore running back, Brayden Tyson, who rushed for 290 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-36 victory over Duluth last week.

Region titles will be up for grabs in games across the state in Week 12, and one of those will match two No. 1-ranked teams fighting for the championship in Region 3-A Division I. Toombs County is No. 1 in Class A Division I, while Savannah Christian is the top-ranked team in the Class 3A-A private division.

Just two years ago, a St. Francis football player was running free toward the end zone late in a state semifinal, about to tie the game. A defender rallied to chase the player down and wrestle the ball away inside the 10-yard line. Tortured by four turnovers, St. Francis’ talented young team lost 24-20 to heavily favored Prince Avenue Christian. St. Francis was that close. Today, St. Francis football could not be further away.

Two-way players turned in some of the best efforts of Week 11, as Athens Academy WR/DB Keyon Standifer, Carver (Atlanta) WR/DB Terrious Favors and Chattooga RB/LB Zayden Cook led their teams to important region victories. Dutchtown QB Michael Johnson accounted for 488 yards and six touchdowns, and Shiloh’s Marlin Mathis topped 1,000 rushing yards for the season.

Marquis Westbrook’s first season coaching Peach County resulted in the Trojans’ first losing season in 37 years. In Westbrook’s second season, Peach is No. 1 again, its only loss to defending Class 4A champion Perry in August. Peach County moved ahead of previous No. 1 Sandy Creek, which lost to unranked Mary Persons 37-29 on Friday night.