With May approaching quickly, spring football practice is arriving just as fast across Northeast Georgia.

Buford, Jefferson and Gainesville advanced to the state finals last season. Buford won the Class 6A state championship.

Buford, Jefferson and Gainesville advanced to the state finals last season. Buford won the Class 6A state championship.

The majority of area high school programs will begin workouts next week, but several teams are getting an early jump this week.

Buford, Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, Habersham Central, Jackson County, North Forsyth, and White County open practice on Wednesday, while Gainesville, East Forsyth, and Lumpkin County begin on Thursday.

Last season, 13 area teams across all classifications reached the state playoffs, with four programs winning region championships: Buford Wolves (Region 8-6A), Jackson County Panthers (Region 8-5A), Jefferson Dragons (Region 8-3A) and North Hall Trojans (Region 6-3A). Buford also captured the Class 6A state championship, while Gainesville and Jefferson finished as state runners-up. North Hall advanced to the second round, while Jackson County and Rabun County Wildcats reached the quarterfinals.

Over the next three weeks, spring practice gives coaches their first opportunity to evaluate rosters, develop depth, and begin replacing key seniors who have graduated. Below are some of the needs of last year's playoff teams.

NOTE: In 2026, classifications and regions will look a bit different, as the Georgia High School Association voted to expand back to 7 classifications, eliminating the divisional split in Class A. 

Class 7A

Buford, the defending Class 6A state champion and national powerhouse, faces one of the area’s biggest reloads after losing 14 starters. The Wolves must address openings at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, both lines, linebacker and throughout the secondary.

North Forsyth, which made the playoffs last season, returns several key pieces from last year's team, including Tate Lamb and Noah Bourque at quarterback, two of the top four receivers, but will be looking for someone to pick up the load at running back. On defense, several leading tacklers return.

Class 6A

Jackson County enters the offseason in solid shape after a quarterfinal run in Class 5A, though replacing quarterback RJ Knapp III and rebuilding portions of the offensive and defensive fronts will be priorities.

Gainesville begins a new era under head coach Santavious Bryant after reaching the Class 5A state championship game. The Red Elephants return quarterback Kharim Hughley and running back Nigel Newkirk, but questions remain on both lines and at tight end. Transfer Dawson Gray from North Hall could help fill that role.

Habersham Central, a playoff qualifier last season, returns 14 starters, including quarterback Paris Wilbanks. The Raiders’ biggest task will be replacing leading rusher Donnie Warren.

Class 5A

Jefferson, which played for the Class 3A title for the second straight year, must identify a new starting quarterback while also filling spots at fullback, receiver, defensive end, cornerback and safety.

Flowery Branch posted its first winning season since 2021 and took Ware County to the limit in the first round of the playoffs last season. However, the Falcons have a lot of question marks on both sides of the ball due to graduation, including who will replace starting QB Brett Sturm, leading rusher Griffin Harper and receiver Tre Shields.

East Forsyth, which made the playoffs last season, enters spring looking for a lot, including a new quarterback, three offensive line spots, most of the receiving corps, and several spots on all levels of the defense.

Class 4A

North Hall lost significant production, but the Trojans return one of the classification’s top passers in Alex Schlieman, along with standout receiver Cole Cable. New contributors will be needed at tight end, running back, both lines, linebacker and defensive back.

Cherokee Bluff returns several experienced players on both sides of the ball, but the biggest spring storyline may be quarterback. CJ Payne enters workouts as an early contender for the starting job.

Class 3A

Lumpkin County was hit hardest by graduation on the defensive side of the ball. The Indians have just two starters back and will be looking to fill the entire defensive line. On offense, they have six starters returning, but will be replacing running back Nolan Matthews, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns last season, as well as quarterback Mason Hester.

Class 2A

Rabun County has major holes to fill after the graduation of quarterback Ty Truelove and top running back Reid Giles. The Wildcats also must reload on the line of scrimmage, in the secondary and at wide receiver.

Spring Games Announced So Far

May 14

• Jackson County at East Forsyth
• Lanier Christian at Johnson
• North Forsyth at Mountain View

May 15

• Social Circle at Commerce
• Lumpkin County at East Hall
• Franklin County at Habersham Central
• West Hall at Johns Creek
• White County at Rabun County