The GHSA has announced 2026–2028 classifications. Fifty-eight schools appealed to the committee. Of these, 17 were approved and 38 were denied during appeal meetings on Monday in Thomaston.
Local schools, Jenkins, Islands, and Bryan County appealed to move down but were denied. Who won locally? Two Savannah-area programs, Savannah Christian and Johnson (Savannah), won their appeals to move down a class. Benedictine Military School appealed to play up from Class 4A to Class 5A, and that request was approved. These approved changes will take effect with the upcoming two-year cycle, covering the 2026–2028 school years. Schools now have one week to request a move into a different region in the same classification. The GHSA’s reclassification committee will hear those appeals on Nov. 17.
Here are the regions for the two-year cycle below, as per the GHSA.net website.
Class 7A (formerly 6A) – Region 1
This region saw no major changes—only a title adjustment.
Teams:
- Camden County
- Colquitt County
- Lowndes
- Richmond Hill
- Valdosta
Class 6A (formerly 5A) – Region 1
This region remains largely unchanged, with Evans High School relocating.
Teams:
- Bradwell Institute
- Brunswick
- Effingham County
- Glynn Academy
- Greenbrier
- Grovetown
- Lakeside (Evans)
- South Effingham
Class 5A – Region 1 (formerly 4A)
This region now includes several local schools, such as Benedictine, Jenkins, Groves, and New Hampstead, which frequently change divisions.
- Groves and Jenkins moved up from 3A.
- New Hampstead moved down to 4A.
Teams:
- Benedictine
- Evans
- Groves
- Jenkins
- Richmond Academy
- Statesboro
- Ware County
- Wayne County
Class 4A – Region 3
Local schools New Hampstead and Windsor Forest will now compete in this region.
Teams:
- Harlem
- Liberty County
- Long County
- New Hampstead
- Southeast Bulloch
- West Laurens
- Windsor Forest
Class 3A – Region 3
The new 3A Region 3 includes several Savannah-area programs.
Teams:
- Appling County
- Beach
- Brantley County
- Islands
- Johnson
- Pierce County
- Tattnall County
- Toombs County
Class 2A – Region 3
This region features ten schools, including several from the old 3A Region 3 lineup.
Some schools, such as Savannah Arts Academy, St. Vincent’s Academy, and Woodville-Tompkins, do not field varsity football teams but remain in the region for other sports.
Teams:
- Bryan County
- Calvary Day School
- Metter
- Savannah High
- Savannah Arts Academy (no varsity football)
- Savannah Christian
- Screven County
- St. Vincent’s Academy (no varsity football)
- Swainsboro
- Woodville-Tompkins (no varsity football)
Class A – Region 3
Two Savannah public schools—Savannah Classical and Savannah Early College—will be part of this region.
Teams:
- Claxton
- Emanuel County Institute
- McIntosh County Academy
- Montgomery County
- Portal
- Savannah Classical (no varsity football)
- Savannah Early College (no varsity football)
- Steam Academy (no varsity football)
- Treutlen
What’s Next
With the appeals process finished, schools now know their classifications for 2026–2028 and can begin forming region bylaws and athletic schedules for that cycle. The new setup aims to balance statewide competition.
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