High School Sports

The Dragons are coming off a run to the Class 5A semifinals. However, gone is dynamic two-way player Sammy Brown.

The Panthers lost three games in overtime and missed out on the playoffs by one game in Korey Mobbs’ first season in Hoschton in 2023. Expect them to be right in the middle of the playoff hunt in 2024.

Habersham Central advanced to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020. The Raiders return the bulk of their playmakers in 2024 and could be poised to challenge for a Region 8-5A title.

After winning 26 games the past two seasons with a slew of experienced playmakers on offense, Gainesville's focus this summer has been finding key pieces on a unit where no starters return among the key skilled positions.

Flowery Branch will be in rebuild mode after graduating nearly its entire starting 22 from a year ago, not to mention some key transfers out of the program. The challenges will be vast for a Falcons program that has only missed the playoffs four times since 2005.

East Jackson posted its first outright winning season since 2009 last year. And the Eagles return the bulk of what was a young team in 2023.

The Vikings in 2024 could be one of the more intriguing teams to keep an eye on. But continuing to improve a defense that allowed 38.9 points/game in 2023 may hold the real key.

East Forsyth is under new management as Dustin Canon takes over for the retired Brian Allison, who led the Broncos to their first-ever playoff appearance in 2023.

After winning a region title in 2022, the Tigers slipped to their worst record since 2014 last season and missed out on the playoffs for the first time in Sid Maxwell’s nine seasons in Dawsonville.

The Tigers are among a handful of teams in Class A Division 1 that are serious state title contenders. And why not? They return four along the offensive line and both Jaiden Daniels and Tysean Wiggins.