Four Coastal Empire football programs have earned spots in the latest 2026 Georgia High School Football Composite Rankings from Rivals/On3, giving the area a strong presence among the state's Top 100 teams heading into the upcoming season.
Leading the way is Benedictine, which checks in at No. 13 in Georgia after advancing to the GHSA Class 4A State Championship Game last season.
The Cadets are joined by Richmond Hill (No. 52), Calvary Day (No. 65), and Jenkins (No. 89), giving the Prep Sports Report coverage area four programs ranked among the state's best before the first kickoff of 2026.
Richmond Hill's ranking becomes even more impressive when you consider the company the Wildcats keep.
Every team in Region 1-7A is ranked among Georgia's Top 100, making it arguably the toughest region in the state.
Lowndes checks in at No. 10, Valdosta is No. 12, Colquitt County is No. 15, Camden County is No. 47, and Richmond Hill is No. 52.
That means five of Georgia's Top 52 teams will battle it out in the last part of the regular season in Region 1-7A play.
The rankings, updated in June, combine data from Massey Ratings, MaxPreps, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated to create a statewide composite ranking of Georgia's top football programs.
The rankings also reflect the amount of Division I talent returning to the area this fall.
Benedictine features Virginia Tech commitment Stanley Smart Jr. and Purdue commitment Eron Mallard.
Richmond Hill returns Liberty University commitment Elias Grant, one of the top playmakers in Region 1-7A.
Calvary Day brings back one of the state's most talented groups of college prospects in Georgia Southern commitment M.J. Knight Jr., Appalachian State commitment Brexton Bell, Arkansas State commitment Kenneth Baker III, and Maryland commitment Emerson Lewis.
Jenkins enters the season with Delaware State commitment Ronnie Taylor and West Georgia commitment Alexander Harris.
With nationally ranked teams, multiple Division I commitments and several programs coming off successful 2025 seasons, the Coastal Empire once again appears poised to play a significant role in Georgia high school football this fall.
Photos courtesy of lensbyshaunce_
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Team physicians include Dr. Don Aaron (Bryan County), Dr. David Sedory (Benedictine, Bradwell Institute, Liberty County), Dr. David Palmer (Calvary Day, Richmond Hill, South Effingham), and Dr. Thomas Alexander (Savannah Country Day, St. Vincent’s Academy).
