We are Home
Georgia

Georgia Coaches Divided Over Football Playoff Format

A new survey shows most public school coaches want private teams to compete in separate playoff brackets.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Secondary Education

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a high school football player in motion, rendered in navy blue and gold brushstrokes.
A new AJC Varsity survey highlights the ongoing dispute among Georgia high school coaches over integrating private and public schools in state playoffs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should private and public high school sports teams compete in the same state playoff championships?

An October 2026 AJC Varsity survey of Georgia high school football coaches reveals deep divides over state playoff structures. While a majority of surveyed public school coaches prefer separating private and public teams in postseason competition, most private school coaches favor integration.

Why it matters

The debate centers on whether private school enrollment boundaries create an unfair competitive advantage for teams compared to public school districts. This ongoing friction influences how the Georgia High School Association organizes state championships for students and their families.

A survey of 192 public school coaches found that 47.4% support private-only playoffs for all teams, while 34.4% prefer the current model. Currently, the GHSA separates private schools in classes 2A through 4A, while those in 5A and 6A compete in integrated brackets.

The players

Georgia High School Association

The state body responsible for governing interscholastic sports and establishing championship structures for Georgia schools.

Marist

A private high school that has achieved success in athletics and earned state titles since 2019.

Blessed Trinity

A private school known for its competitive athletic programs and state championship appearances.

Benedictine

A private educational institution recognized for its football program and recent state championship victories.

The details

The disagreement stems from differences in how schools recruit students, as private institutions operate under enrollment boundaries that differ from public school attendance zones. Public school coaches frequently cite these selection differences as a primary reason for favoring separate championship paths. Private schools like Marist, Blessed Trinity, and Benedictine have secured multiple state titles since 2019, intensifying the discussion over playoff equity.

Timeline

  1. 2012: The GHSA first implemented private-only playoffs for Class A.

  2. 2019: Private schools began winning state titles at a higher rate.

  3. 2024: The GHSA expanded the private-only playoff structure to additional classes.

  4. October 2026: AJC Varsity conducted the coaching survey.

The Home Front

The debate over playoff structures follows a decade of evolving GHSA policies aimed at balancing competition between private and public institutions. As the state reconfigures class designations, families continue to weigh the impact of these changes on school pride and student athlete opportunities.

Families with student-athletes should monitor GHSA announcements regarding future classification cycles and potential shifts in playoff formats. Understanding how your school is categorized in classes 2A through 6A can help you better anticipate postseason travel and tournament logistics.

The takeaway

The tension between public and private school athletic models remains a central topic for Georgia families engaged in local sports. Parents can track official updates through the Georgia High School Association website to stay informed about potential championship changes.

Further reading

Explore more perspectives on the landscape of Secondary Education in Georgia.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Live Poll

Should private and public high school sports teams compete in the same state playoff championships?