PRZGA Class 5A Preview, Part II

*Use code "jackson30" for 30% off your PRZ subscription*   Moving on to Class 5A, we dive into regions 5-8 to predict how things will shake out in 2026. Continuity at QB and highly productive RBs will tell the story of this region in 2026.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 5</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Southwest DeKalb   2. Tucker   3. Lithonia   4. Mays   5. Jackson   6. Druid Hills   7. Banneker   8. Druid Hills   Preseason Accolades   Preseason Offensive POTY: '27 Southwest DeKalb WR [player_tooltip player_id='900459' first='Jordan' last='Christie']   Preseason Defensive POTY: '28 Southwest DeKalb DB Myson Perry   Preseason LOTY: '27 Tucker OL [player_tooltip player_id='1660829' first='Jajuan' last='Graham']   Summary   I expect this to be a tight region at the top between Southwest DeKalb and Tucker, who happen to be two of the top three returning teams from this region a year ago. Southwest DeKalb has a strong nucleus of players. '27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='2208102' first='Braylon' last='Carter'] was productive last year and is a dynamic athlete. '27 WR [player_tooltip player_id='900459' first='Jordan' last='Christie'] is a gamebreaker and happens to be one of the premier receivers in GA. He is my region player of the year on offense. On defense, '28 Myron Perry is the center for SWD, and my pick to win defensive POTY in this region. He had six INTs and three forced fumbles as a sophomore. Tucker finished 6-5 last year and returns most of its production from a year ago. '27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='662078' first='Jace' last='German'], a Boston College commit, is the building block on offense. He is a dynamic player in his own right, but is surrounded by a plethora of weapons. '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1896770' first='Thaddeous' last='Tillman'] rushed for over 1K yards last year. Each of the top four receivers from a year ago return, headlined by '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2113155' first='Jayden' last='Joyner']. '27 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1660829' first='Jajuan' last='Graham'] is an anchor up front, and my preseason LOTY pick. Tucker was almost entirely junior and sophomore led on defense a year ago and returns the likes of '27 LB Jamare Tolliver, '27 LB Izaiah Williams, '28 LB Maverick Armour, and '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='622406' first='Tyaire' last='Byrd']. Last year, SWD beat Tucker 40-35, and the region could go either way in 2026.   Lithonia won 10 games last year, but will have to replace several of their top producers from a year ago, including the region POTY and region DPOTY. '28 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1589353' first='Anthony' last='Flournoy'], '27 ATH Aymani Myco, '28 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1199981' first='Jamonei' last='Edwards'], and dynamic '29 DB's [player_tooltip player_id='1454060' first='Timothy' last='Behling'] and LeLand Walker gift Lithonia a solid enough core to bounce back and be competitive once again.   Mays was a playoff team a year ago and returns a solid core of talent. '27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='2005545' first='Jaquavious' last='Hill'] was an all-region player a year ago who flipped around and played some defense. '27 TE Zaire Meadows, '27 OL Michael Hollie Jr, '27 LB Montavious Jones Jr, and '27 DB Gerald Hunter were all first-team all-region players a year ago.   Jackson won 7 games a year ago. They return '28 QB Marcus Gray and '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2236568' first='Jaylen' last='Tate'], one of the more productive and experienced QB-RB batteries in this region. The path back to 7 wins will be tougher this year, but I would say they exceeded expectations from a year ago, so this is familiar territory.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 6</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Marist   2. Blessed Trinity   3. Cambridge   4. Sprayberry   5. Centennial   6. St Pius X   7. Chattahoochee   *Northview will play a non-region schedule in 2026*   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '27 Cambridge RB [player_tooltip player_id='1855228' first='Brooks' last='Malone']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Blessed Trinity EDGE DJ Jacobs   Preseason LOTY: '27 Blessed Trinity DL [player_tooltip player_id='950840' first='Dawson' last='Jacobs']   Summary   Marist defeated BT 28-10 last year in the second round of the playoffs, making this matchup all the more intriguing as they headline what should be an extremely close race for the region in 2026.   Marist is coming off a 12-win season a year ago and will have to replace several productive seniors, but they have had no issue turning over talent in the past, as they have won at least 10 games in a season for 6 consecutive years, winning the region in each of those six years. '28 OL [player_tooltip player_id='2107945' first='Cooper' last='Martenson'] returns as an all-region player from a year ago, and he has emerged as a noteworthy prospect. '27 DB Engin McCarthy had 3 INTs as a junior. '27 K Tyler Baradel is a weapon and committed to Wake Forest. Marist is one of the best teams in the history of Georgia high school football, and I won't be the one to pick against them during this run.   However, BT has the firepower to surpass their win total from a year ago and win this region. They are headlined by the return of prolific 2027 EDGE rusher DJ Jacobs, committed to Ohio State. '28 [player_tooltip player_id='950840' first='Dawson' last='Jacobs'] is an elite force on the DL as well. They partner up with the likes of '27 DB Will Chastain, '27 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1889665' first='Bishop' last='Dameron'], and '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2116050' first='Noah' last='Willis'] to form one of the deepest defenses in the entire state. '28 QB [player_tooltip player_id='986383' first='Ty' last='Page'] returns and looks to take another step. I expect '28 RB MJ Craft to double his production from a year ago and emerge as the feature back for BT. It's a gauntlet of a schedule again that features Milton out of region, but I expect BT to push past their win total from last year.   Cambridge loses their starter at QB and their elite stable of WRs from a year ago, but they have exceeded expectations for two years in a row under Tyler Jones, which gives me confidence they can do it again. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1229425' first='Marcus' last='Turk'] has waited his turn and is set to take over at QB. '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1855228' first='Brooks' last='Malone'] is the most productive returning offensive player in the region and will be the engine offensively. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2168290' first='Will' last='Powell'] and '27 [player_tooltip player_id='2238556' first='Blake' last='Higdon'] are a solid combo on the LOS. '29 DL [player_tooltip player_id='2089889' first='KJ' last='Biermann'] is a breakout candidate after receiving all-region honors as a freshman.   Sprayberry suffers losses to their highly productive starter at QB, blue-chippers at WR and DB, and their top rusher from a year ago. It is yet to see how they will replace their production on offense, but there is a core of defensive players that can help steady the ship. '27 DB DJ Mailey, '27 LB Reyzon Backman, and '27 LB Saiky Minnifield are a few of those to watch.   St. Pius X will have a challenging schedule to navigate in 2026, but they return several all-region players, including '27 John Taylor, '27 DB Aidan Brown, and '27 DB Nathaniel Hildreth. '27 RB Aiden Francois has a chance to emerge as the go-to threat in this option attack. Chattahoochee won just 2 games a year ago, but they do pack a punch with '27 ATH Chris Henry, one of the best playmakers in this region.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 7</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. Cartersville   2. Cass   3. Villa Rica   4. Dalton   5. Allatoona   6. Cedartown   7. Woodland   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '28 Dalton QB [player_tooltip player_id='969646' first='Caine' last='Woods']   Preseason DPOTY: '27 Cartersville LB [player_tooltip player_id='378967' first='Cole' last='Crawford']   Preseason LOTY: '27 Cartersville DL [player_tooltip player_id='378384' first='Elijah' last='Peeks']   Summary   Cartersville won 12 consecutive games in 2025 until their loss to Kell in the playoffs. In 2026, they are the overwhelming favorite to win this region yet again. Gone are their leaders from the offense a year ago, but the group ready to step up will be prolific as well. '28 [player_tooltip player_id='951325' first='Brayden' last='Doss'] transfers in at QB and is one of the most dynamic players at the position in the state. He pairs up with breakout candidates at RB in '29 [player_tooltip player_id='1399386' first='CJ' last='McClendon'] and '29 Tyon Coe to form what should be a potent run game. '28 WR [player_tooltip player_id='232500' first='Madoxx' last='Davis'] is one of the most elite WRs in the entire country and will be penciled in as the go-to threat this fall. Defensively, they return 6 of their top 7 tacklers from last year, including youngsters in '28 [player_tooltip player_id='206566' first='Kaiden' last='Kent'], '28 [player_tooltip player_id='952146' first='Cooper' last='Melvin'], and '29 [player_tooltip player_id='1398488' first='Athens' last='Davenport']. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='378967' first='Cole' last='Crawford'] and '27 Grayson Warmack are productive players up the middle for Cartersville, and they're stacked behind a stout defensive line that consists of '27 Georgia State commit [player_tooltip player_id='378384' first='Elijah' last='Peeks'] and '27 Grayson Villar. Even with the losses, this team might actually be more dynamic on offense, and I expect them to be a favorite in every game they play this fall.   Cass went 8-2 a year ago but will have to nurse the loss of a four-year starter at QB. Thankfully, they return my pick for OPOTY in '28 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1588905' first='Kalil' last='Charles'], who rushed for over 1500 yards last year. '27 WR [player_tooltip player_id='2206460' first='Jahlil' last='Abdullah-Kortey'] is a difference-maker at receiver and a clear FBS WR prospect. Whoever emerges at QBs will have major weapons to seek confidence and trust in. Defensively, all-region talent returns in the form of '27 DB Tyson Beauford and '27 DB Demarcus Belander. '29 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1749941' first='Noah' last='Rogers'] is dynamic and is the returning player to watch at QB here.   Who will emerge next between Villa Rica and Dalton will have major playoff implications. Villa Rica returns their starter at QB in '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1698138' first='Matthew' last='Eubanks'] and his battery mate in '27 RB [player_tooltip player_id='2058718' first='Emmanuel' last='Ajayi']. They must replace their leading receiver, but '27 Kyeth Howard is a breakout candidate. '29 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1622576' first='Tamaj' last='Beasley'] was a first-team all-region player on defense a year ago, and he returns as a candidate to receive eventual D1 attention. They will have to nurse the loss of several productive players on the defensive front, including their previous region's DPOTY. Dalton sees the light at the end of the tunnel of their recent rebuild. '28 QB [player_tooltip player_id='969646' first='Caine' last='Woods'] is the most productive player in this region, and he returns a stable of high-profile receivers in '27 Kamdyn London, '28 Havyn Searles, and '27 MTSU TE commit [player_tooltip player_id='2120868' first='Ayden' last='Ashlock']. 4/5 leading tacklers return from last year, and all were sophomores (!). '28 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2134726' first='Franck' last='Atangana'] is emerging as a clear P4 DB prospect and burned a PR of 10.4 (!) in the 100M. Dalton overcame an 0-5 start last year by rattling off 3 region wins and sneaking into the playoffs. The program momentum has been building, and they have the stable of playmakers to outperform last year and make my 2026 Redemption List.   Allatoona welcomes new HC Paul Carter (fmr Carrollton assistant), and he gets veterans in the right places. '27 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1258733' first='Frank' last='Young'] and '27 WR Rhys Rooney return. '27 LB Michael Odinjor is back and was highly productive a year ago. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1686386' first='Tyler' last='Duckworth'] is underrated and a personal favorite of mine. Keep an eye out for '28 RB [player_tooltip player_id='1203643' first='Solomon' last='James'] over at Woodland.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 8</h2>   Projected Order of Finish   1. North Oconee   2. Jefferson   3. Flowery Branch   4. Winder Barrow   5. Madison County   6. East Forsyth   7. Johnson   Preseason Accolades   Preseason OPOTY: '29 Jefferson RB CJ Hays   Preseason DPOTY: '28 Winder-Barrow DB [player_tooltip player_id='1589339' first='Giovanni' last='Tuggle'] & '27 Jefferson LB [player_tooltip player_id='1214548' first='Max' last='Brown']   Preseason LOTY: '27 Flowery Branch DL [player_tooltip player_id='1924691' first='Eli' last='Poole']   Summary   North Oconee beat Jefferson 35-0 in the regular season, but Jefferson returns a productive core and will form one of the tightest region races in the state with North Oconee.   North Oconee has to replace a multi-year starter on defense and several D1-P4 players all over the field. Regardless, this team has the talent to backfill and replace with equal talent. '28 Brooks Benton and '29 [player_tooltip player_id='2134760' first='Junior' last='Wynn'] are two internal options at QB to monitor here. '27 RB Joby McKinnon received all-region accolades last year, and '27 WR Braxton Goolsby offers a reliable slot option. '29 TE [player_tooltip player_id='2131869' first='Eli' last='Fincher'] has emerged as a P4 prospect and is a breakout candidate. '27 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='1695813' first='Kelvin' last='Millington'] and '27 ATH Nick Pollock are both P4 prospects and could get some run on offense as well. Defensively, the duo of Millington and '27 [player_tooltip player_id='897125' first='Brennan' last='Drummond'] is one of the best in the state. '27 Landon Williams will play both ways and was an all-region player a year ago. The pieces are here, and I am eager to see how everything fits together.   Jefferson was a state runner-up from a year ago and returns the key impact players from that team. '29 RB CJ Hays is a giant and rushed for nearly 1,000 yards as a freshman. '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1214548' first='Max' last='Brown'] rushed for around 500 and is an impact player on defense. He is a blue-chip prospect and the heart of this team. '27 LB David Berardinelli and '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2078101' first='Eli' last='Primm'] both finished with triple-digit tackles a year ago. '27 DB [player_tooltip player_id='2065981' first='Jacob' last='Berardinelli'] and '27 Michigan State commit [player_tooltip player_id='2216500' first='Cordaro' last='Parham'] are a talented duo on the back end of this defense. Jefferson fell to North Oconee 35-0 last year, but the gap has closed this offseason, and I think Jefferson has a very real shot to win the region.   Flowery Branch was a surprise team a year ago, rattling off 7 wins. They return my preseason LOTY pick in '27 [player_tooltip player_id='1924691' first='Eli' last='Poole']. '28 LB [player_tooltip player_id='1869220' first='Ryland' last='Garrison'] is highly productive and is stacked right behind Poole. '27 ATH [player_tooltip player_id='378070' first='Tyler' last='Robinson'] was productive on both sides of the ball and flashes impressive ball skills. Flowery Branch has to replace key contributors on offense, but returns a solid core. Winder-Barrow must replace their leader on offense, but returns '27 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1609543' first='London' last='Munoz'] and elite '28 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1589339' first='Giovanni' last='Tuggle'], gifting them two of the best players in this region, regardless of position. '28 OL Jaxson Lee was an all-region player a year ago and a breakout candidate.   Keep an eye on '27 East Forsyth RB [player_tooltip player_id='886358' first='Brooks' last='Smallwood']. He is one of the best players in Northeast GA that nobody is talking about.

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