
Carver sophomore running back Joquavious Marks helped lead the Panthers to their first region championship in 10 years this season.
The regular season still has one week remaining, but it has already been a historic one for Atlanta Public Schools! Two schools clinched region champions on Friday night while four others secured spots in the Georgia High School Association state playoffs, which will begin the weekend of Nov. 10. Here’s a recap:
Carver
The Panthers clinched their first region championship in resounding fashion Friday night, destroying Lithia Springs (Douglas County) 61-6. It is the first region title for Carver since the 2007 season. The Panthers will be the No. 1 seed from Region 6-AAAAA, and will host a first-round state playoff game most likely against one of three DeKalb County teams from Region 5-AAAAA: Columbia, Lithonia or Miller Grove.
Mays
Mays clinched its second consecutive Region 5-AAAAAA championship by pulling away from Alexander in the second half of Friday’s game, 34-24. The Raiders will host the No. 4 seed from Region 6-AAAAAA – either Creekview or Sequoyah, both from Cherokee County – in the first round of the state playoffs.
B.E.S.T. Academy
The Eagles finished the regular season with a heartbreaking loss to South Atlanta, 35-34, in double overtime Friday night. However, they finished second in Region 6-AA and will host a first round playoff game, most likely against one of four teams from Region 5-AA: Lamar County, Temple of Carroll County, or Jordan or Spencer, both of Columbus-Muskogee County.
Douglass
The Astros will be the No. 3 seed from Region 6-AA and will face the No. 2 seed from Region 5-AA, most likely Callaway of Troup County.
Maynard Jackson
The Jaguars clinched the No. 2 seed in Region 6-AAAAA, behind Carver, and will host a state playoff game for the first time in school history. They will face the No. 3 seed from Region 5-AAAAA, which will most likely be one of four teams from DeKalb County: Columbia, Lithonia, Miller Grove or Southwest DeKalb.
South Atlanta
The Hornets earned a berth in the state playoffs for the first time since 1994 with their 35-34 win in double overtime over B.E.S.T. Academy. As the No. 4 seed from Region 6-AA, they will face Region 5-AA champion Heard County in the first round of the state playoffs. Ironically, South Atlanta lost to Heard County in the first game of the season, 42-16.