PRZGA Class 3A Mega Preview, Part I

*Use code "jackson30" for 30% off your PRZ subscription*   The further down we go in GA, the harder it is to hammer down how exactly these regions will finish in 2026. Still, I give it a crack here, diving into what you can expect from 3A regions that consist of several state championship contenders.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 1</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Carver, Columbus   2. Worth County   3. Sumter County   4. Crisp County   5. Kendrick   6. Jordan   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Worth County QB [player_tooltip player_id='1096362' first='Lyndon' last='Worthy']   Preseason DPOTY: '28 LB Carver LB Jaedan Taylor   Preseason LOTY: '27 Carver OL [player_tooltip player_id='1648870' first='Terrance' last='Warren'] III   Summary   What a region we have here. Carver and Worth County are both state championship winners from last year, and they're dropped in a region with Sumter County, which missed out on a state championship appearance with razor-thin margins.   Carver Columbus has had a practically unblemished run over the last two years, winning 30 of their last 31 games and claiming back-to-back state championships. '29 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1431716' first='Sebastian' last='Heard'] held it down last year as a freshman and kicked off his HS career in grand fashion. They'll have to replace 2 1,000-yard rushers and their top 2 receivers from a year ago. '28 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1922899' first='TJ' last='Woodson'] and '29 WR Marte Sears flashed in 2025 and are breakout candidates to track out wide. '29 Martez Huff is someone to watch at RB. Whoever emerges at RB will get to run behind an OL anchored by '27 NC State OL commit [player_tooltip player_id='1648870' first='Terrance' last='Warren'] III. Defensively, Carver returns their top 2 tacklers from a year ago, headlined by reigning region DPOTY in '28 LB Jaedan Taylor. '27 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2005547' first='Daijon' last='Daniels'] also had triple digits in TOT. '28 DL [player_tooltip player_id='266456' first='Kingston' last='Brown'] is the anchor on the defensive front. Even with losses to skill players, Carver is built strong on both lines of scrimmage and returns a now-veteran at QB. They are on a truly unprecedented run, and shouldn't slow down this fall.   Worth County went 3-27 from 2017-2019 and capped off a massive turnaround last year with a 15-0 state championship run. '27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1096362' first='Lyndon' last='Worthy'] is entering his fourth year as a starter and will exit Worth County as arguably the most accomplished player in school history. Worthy gets back his go-to receiver in '27 Ja'Quaveon Nelson, who was an all-region receiver a year ago. Gone are the four preceding leading receivers behind Nelson, and 2 1K yard rushers, so there are plenty of spots for newcomers to emerge. This Worth County defense was perhaps underrated a year ago, pitching 5 (!) shutouts. The returning defenders are headlined by '28 EDGE Malik Muhammed. '27 DB Malik Matthews was productive against the ball last year, finishing with 2 INTs and 8 PBUs. '27 LB Daylon Smith was also an all-region player on defense a year ago. This team was a perfect storm last year, but the schedule heats up, and they must replace playmakers across the board. Thankfully, they are backed by what could be the most prolific player in the school's history in [player_tooltip player_id='1096362' first='Lyndon' last='Worthy'], a better starting place than most teams.   Sumter County lost by 1 to Carver last year and didn't lose again until an OT loss in the semifinals to Hapeville Charter. This team was as close as it gets to a state championship without actually appearing in the game. They will have to replace a co-POTY at QB, but return 7 all-region players from 2025. '27 WR Jacques Dice was an all-region player at receiver a year ago. '27 OL Jordan Minter and '28 OL [player_tooltip player_id='2123422' first='Ayden' last='Arnett'] will anchor a strong front. '27 DL JaMicquel Solomon is a stout, strong, mountain of a player to watch on the defensive front. There's some unknown here, but what isn't unknown is that this team is on the hunt again after a 12-win season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 2</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Northeast   2. Callaway   3. Lamar County   4. Jackson   5. Pike County   6. Southwest   7. Central Macon   8. Rutland   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '29 Northeast QB [player_tooltip player_id='1780140' first='Jordan' last='Wiggins']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Lamar County DL [player_tooltip player_id='2176886' first='Bryson' last='Johnson']   Preseason LOTY: '27 Pike County OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1797123' first='Johnson' last='Anderson']   Summary   Northeast capped off a 12-win season in 2024 with a 10-win season in 2025. Freshman QB [player_tooltip player_id='1780140' first='Jordan' last='Wiggins'] stepped in seamlessly at QB and walked away from last year as not only the region player of the year, but as one of the top 2029 QB recruits in Georgia. Returning alongside Wiggins is leading rusher '28 [player_tooltip player_id='1648895' first='Kortnei' last='Williams'], who doubles as an all-state DB. He rushed for over 6 YPC. The top two leading receivers return, including '28 [player_tooltip player_id='2173668' first='Scottavian' last='Thomas'], who holds FBS offers. '27 Tavares Tinsley is the veteran rising senior of the group and had just shy of 600 receiving yards in 2025. The returning DB group is what sets the tone for this defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1648895' first='Kortnei' last='Williams'] had 9 (!) INTs on the year, followed by '27 [player_tooltip player_id='828900' first='Keiland' last='Miley'] who had 5 of his own. '29 Jalen Center had 3 INTs as a freshman, as did '28 Maurice Wilson. '27 DL Harold Simms is a D1 prospect and is the returning leading in the front seven for Northeast. They will have to replace their top 3 leading tacklers from last year, but the DB group is one of the best in the state, and they have a difference-maker on the defensive front. They are my pick to win this region. Northeast has never won a state championship, but if there is a first-time winner this year in GA, Northeast should be viewed as a strong candidate.   Callaway snapped their streak of 10+ win seasons in 2022, and while they have yet to get back to that number, they have continued their winning ways and should be viewed as a contender in this region. They say goodbye to dynamic '26 QB Blake Harrington, as well as 2025 region co-POTY Tyrone Fitten and DPOTY Xae Anderson. '27 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1797156' first='Kaiden' last='James'] has played since his freshman year. He is a bona fide FBS prospect and will play all over the field for Callaway.'27 RB Christian Kennedy was an all-region player last year and will run behind an OL with all-region [player_tooltip player_id='2106785' first='Kamar' last='Simon'] and Tevin Mackfield. '28 QB Adrian Williams is expected to take over at QB and is a breakout candidate. '28 JD Strong, who holds D1 offers, is the prospect to watch here on defense.   Lamar County loses a lot of production on offense, but will lean on its defense this fall, especially '27 DL [player_tooltip player_id='2176886' first='Bryson' last='Johnson'], my pick for region DPOTY. Also returning on defense are '27 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1693762' first='Josiah' last='Chambers'] and '27 LB AJ Vereen, who received first-team all-region honors last year.'29 DB Armoni Reid had a productive fall as a freshman and also received all-region honors in 2025. Lamar County is making the jump all the way up from 1A, but they are doing so with what should be a stout, disruptive defense.   Keep a close eye on Jackson. They were a playoff team a year ago despite only winning 4 games. '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1635971' first='Danarri' last='Brown'] quietly rushed for over 1,000 yards and returns alongside other young, rising playmakers on both sides of the ball. Pike County has an intriguing core of talent between '27 Jacksonville State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1797123' first='Johnson' last='Anderson'], my region LOTY. '29 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1773504' first='Keylan' last='Yates'] is an intriguing youngster. It feels like one of these teams will bounce back, which will be an underrated storyline out of this region.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 3</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Toombs County   2. Appling County   3. Pierce County   4. Beach   5. Tattnall County   6. Johnson, Savannah   7. Brantley County   8. Islands   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Pierce County RB Jae'Veon Williams   Preseason DPOTY: '28 Toombs County DB/ATH [player_tooltip player_id='2086190' first='Nick' last='Carroll']   Preseason LOTY: '28 Toombs County DL [player_tooltip player_id='1938160' first='Jamarcus' last='Johnson']   Summary   Toombs County broke through in 2023 with 11 wins and has been a machine ever since, winning 37 games, a state title, and a state title runner-up in a 3-year span. '28 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1896442' first='Joseph' last='Owens'] filled in seamlessly for a departing FBS signee at QB, actually boosting the numbers at that position. They will have to replace a near 2K-yard rusher this fall, but '27 Georgia State [player_tooltip player_id='2104583' first='Don' last='Mincey'], who will go both ways, should step in just fine. 2 of the top 3 leading receivers are back, including P4 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2086190' first='Nick' last='Carroll'], who doubles as my DPOTY. '27 WR Brandon Stevens broke 500 yards last year, and will also play both ways. Watch closely for '29 WR [player_tooltip player_id='2266652' first='Blake' last='Gaffney'], who holds P4 offers. It's an embarrassment of riches on defense, headed by the aforementioned Justin Powell. '28 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1938160' first='Jamarcus' last='Johnson'] is a P4 commit and my pick for region LOTY. '27 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1660182' first='Alex' last='Scott'] is electric when chasing the ball, and he is committed to Auburn. '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2209723' first='Deon' last='Moore'], '27 LB Slade McDonald, and '27 DL Hayden Bullard are more all-region players on this side of the ball. Toombs County is loaded with future CFB talent that will play on both sides of the ball, and they should be viewed as one of the favorites to win another state championship.   Appling County and Pierce County will battle it out again for second place. Appling County won this matchup 31-14 last year and is my pick to finish runner-up in 2026. '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2043990' first='Jaiden' last='Knight'] is back after a highly productive season where he was named his previous region's POTY. The passing game was on the back burner last year, but they get back two junior receivers in [player_tooltip player_id='618148' first='Rett' last='Thomas'] and Tylis Harrell. '28 [player_tooltip player_id='1154022' first='Harrison' last='Hickox'] got his feet wet on varsity last fall and should take another step forward this fall. Appling County has Toombs County on October 30th and Pierce County on November 6th, back-to-back games that will help close the book on this region in 2026.   Pierce County is headlined by '27 RB Jae'veon Williams, who was named region OPOTY in 3-2A last year. His return will take the pressure off a returner at QB. 6 all-region performers return from last year, including '27 TE LeLand Williams, '27 OL Logan Spivey, '27 DB Chance Williams, '28 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2002755' first='Dylan' last='Johnson'], '27 OL Trent Kennedy, and '28 DB Kendric Benton. No team in this region has won more than Pierce County in the last decade. If they handle business, that November 6th game against Appling County will have major implications.   Should anybody emerge outside of the top 3, watch out for Beach. '27 QB Jayvion Williams returns after flashing serious playmaking ability as a junior. Also back is his leading rusher in '27 Jordan Newton. From 2019 to 2023, Beach was one of the worst programs in the state, but back-to-back 5-5 seasons have Beach in unprecedented territory and trending in the right direction. They will be tested hard out of the gate in 2026, drawing the top 3 teams in this region in 3/4 games to start region play.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 4</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Burke County   2. Thompson   3. Westside, Augusta   4. Hephzibah   5. Washington County   6. Butler   7. Cross Creek   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Hephzibah RB [player_tooltip player_id='1584780' first='Reante' last='Byrd']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Hephzibah DB/ATH Dextavion Reese   Preseason LOTY: '27 Thompson OL Jayden Hunt   Summary   Burke County has knocked on the door of a state championship for two years now, falling in the state title game in 2024 and reaching the semifinals last year. They are on the heels of two consecutive 11+ win seasons and should carry that momentum over yet again. QB Sean Vandiver exits after acting as the leading rusher last year. Also departing is their leading receiver from last year in Rashad Carter, but '27 William Joyner is back and actually led the team in receptions and TDs in 2025. '27 Landen Wright rushed for 550 yards while averaging over 8 YPC as a junior, and he added an extra 211 yards as a receiver. '28 ATH Quay Morris was thrown into the fire last year at QB deep into the playoffs and could be the player to watch here at signal caller. Morris also doubled as an all-region player at DB. Each of the top two returners from last year was a sophomore, including the aforementioned Morris and '28 EDGE [player_tooltip player_id='2147772' first='Sheldon' last='Cunningham']. Cunningham led the way with 7.5 sacks. Morris led the way with 3 INTs in the secondary. Plenty of impact players from last year's semifinal team return, and they surely have a chip on their shoulder.   Thomson has done nothing but win over the last decade, with just 1 losing season sprinkled into the last 10 years. They'll have to replace their QB, leading rusher, and top two leading receivers from 2025. '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='378432' first='Noah' last='Merriweather'] was productive in his own right last year, rushing for 562 while averaging over 7 YPC. '27 Zay Brinson also averaged over 7 YPC and added another 367 yards and 10 TDs on the ground. Brinson is also the leading returning receiver. Those two can shoulder the playmaking ability of this offense and run behind an OL anchored by '27 Jayden Hunt, my preseason pick for region LOTY. '27 DE [player_tooltip player_id='2064980' first='Ladaian' last='Williams'] is a headliner on defense and received first-team all-region honors in 2025. '28 LB [player_tooltip player_id='2237680' first='Kammeron' last='Hogan'] is underrated and returns as the leading tackler on this defense. Even with losses to top playmakers, I don't expect Thomson to skip a beat, but they will be tested out of the gate with non-region matchups against PACS, Richmond Academy, Warren County, and Newton.   Westside, Augusta went 9-1 in a higher classification than Burke County and Thomson last year and are a threat to win this division in 2026. Westside will have to replace their QB and engine on offense, Tamari Curry, who rushed for over 2000 yards in 2025. Fortunately, they return their leader at receiver in '28 [player_tooltip player_id='1155349' first='Elliot' last='Jackson'], who had over 600 yards receiving and received all-region honors. '27 RB Kingston Hughes had 23 carries last year and is a breakout candidate this fall. '28 OL Omari Walker is an anchor up front and was a first-team all-region pick in 2025. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2087332' first='Leonell' last='Armour'] is the returning difference-maker on defense, finishing last year with over 100 TOT and adding 17 TFLs. His production as a pass rusher should balloon, as Westside will have to replace 4 different players with at least 9 sacks from last year. Westside gets younger, but is built to hold up in this region and should be a playoff team once again.   Hephzibah went 3-7 last year, but I am very excited about this year's team, and spoiler alert, they will be on my 2026 preseason redemption list. They return my preseason pick for region OPOTY and DPOTY in '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1584780' first='Reante' last='Byrd'] and '27 Rutgers DB commit Dextavion Reese. '27 DL [player_tooltip player_id='2168287' first='Keith' last='Dunn'] is a productive, physical player up front who is committed to Georgia Southern. Also returning are '27 TE Roosevelt Habersham, '27 DB Chris Kohn, 28 TE Trust Mack, and '29 OL Tyler McGahee. This team might lack the depth of the squads in front of them, but they return arguably the most talented core of players, and with a year under their belt, I don't think it's a stretch to say this team can find 5 wins in 2026.   Washington County rounds out the list of teams I would consider playoff contenders in this region. They welcome new HC Jay Ware, who will have 5 all-region players to work with from last year. '28 TE [player_tooltip player_id='2110890' first='Jordan' last='Edwards'], '28 DL Desan Brown, and '28 OL Eyan Adams all received all-region honors and are back in the trenches for Washington County. I am a big fan of '28 DB Aiden Brown. '27 Xzaira Miller is the reigning ST POTY in his region. The schedule is tough, but there is talent to hang around the 5-win mark from last year.

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