The Red Elephants cast aside any preconceived notions and all the drama that has ensued. Gainesville is back in the Benz, marking their second appearance since 2022, both under coach Josh Niblett. It’s their ninth all-time state championship game.
GAINESVILLE
The Red Elephants have played for a title nine times, and won just once – that incredible 2012 run with Deshaun Watson. There are some similarities with this team from that version 13 years ago. Both squads made it to the final game despite not even winning their region that year. Deshaun’s offense was good for a program-best 680 points (45.3/game), while this ’25 team has 588 coming in (42.0). It’s the highest-scoring Gainesville team since 2013, Deshaun’s senior year. The defense at 15.1 is truly special, though, and is a great deal stronger than the last two Gainesville teams that made it here. All told, there are 10 Power Four players with 3-star ratings or better. And like that 2012 Gainesville team, they play right after Jefferson, and have a QB committed to Clemson (Kharim Hughley).
NAME
RATING
POSITION
COMMITTED / SIGNED
Xavier Griffin (’26)
5*
LB
Alabama
Jamarion Matthews (’26)
4*
DL
Alabama
Ayden Cain (’26)
3*
DL
Duke
Kadin Fossung (’26)
3*
DE
Tulsa
Krew Moledor (’26)
3*
OL
Georgia Tech
Cameron James (’26)
3*
WR
Furman
Kharim Hughley (’27)
3*
QB
Clemson
Tyler Ford (’27)
3*
OT
–
Nigel Newkirk (’27)
3*
RB
–
THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL
Thomas County Central has been very successful when making the title game, going 5-2 all-time, including winning just two years ago in 2023. This Yellow Jackets team is loaded with talent, including 10 star-rated recruits, with most being sub Power 4 level but still extremely talented. Even their sophomore and freshman groups already have tons of big programs lining up for their services. The 746 points (53.3) is one of the best in GHSA history (3rd-most total points before playing this game). They’d need 46 in this game to hold the all-time record. The defense is unreal as well, holding opponents to 10.6 per game with four shutouts.
NAME
RATING
POSITION
COMMITTED / SIGNED
Jaydon Dunbar (’26)
3*
WR
Pitt
Cam Brooks (’26)
3*
DE
Florida State
Christian Lawrence (’26)
3*
RB
Wofford
Artem Korchagin (’26)
3*
OL
South Alabama
Deontavis Cooper (’26)
3*
OL
Tulane
Omari Stephenson (’26)
3*
LB
Kennesaw State
Eddie Guerra (’26)
3*
CB
Old Dominion
Jaylen Johnson (’26)
3*
QB
–
TreVon Pringle (’26)
3*
ATH
Jax State
Dannell Jester (’26)
–
S
Delaware
Jabari Watkins (’27)
4*
WR
Nebraska
BY THE NUMBERS
GAINESVILLE
- 12-2
- Region Standings: 7-AAAAA Runner-Up
- 42.0 OFFENSE AVG
- 15.1 DEFENSE AVG
- #1 State Ranking
SANDY CREEK
- 14-0
- Region Standings: 2-AAAAA Champions
- 53.3 OFFENSE AVG
- 10.6 DEFENSE AVG
- #2 State Ranking
OUR PREDICTION
We typically make a case for both. Let’s begin with the Red Elephants. Playing with a chip on their shoulder is a benefit – and they’ve been under the microscope even nationally over the past several weeks. Playing disciplined will also be crucial, and it really starts up front. The lines are where Gainesville truly shines with three Power 4 DL that can wreak havoc. The offense is great at the skill positions and up front. The only spot that could prove to be problematic would be the secondary on defense. But if Gainesville wins time of possession, we give them the win here. The Yellow Jackets have more pure, raw talent from top to bottom on the roster. That depth is going to be a difference-maker. There are not many holes here, but if they can get ahead by two possessions at any point, that would favor them to win this thing.
For Gainesville, we’ve caught the Red Elephants 14 times before, and they’ve gone 11-3 in those games. We were at the 2012 State Championship, and that remains their only win there.
DETAILS OF THE MATCHUP
TIME: 7:30 PM Kickoff
PLACE: Mercedes Benz Stadium / Atlanta, GA
LAST MEETING: N/A
ALL-TIME RECORD: N/A
RECORDS: #1 Gainesville Red Elephants (12-2) vs #2 Thomas County Central (14-0)
HEAD COACHES: Josh Niblett (45-8; 4 Seasons in GA; 171-26/4 Seasons in AL w/ 6x State Titles); Justin Rogers (123-25; 12 Seasons)
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING
There’s no history here, but that changes in the Benz!
TEAM LEADERS (2025 Stats)
*Stats accumulated by team-published data on Ga MaxPreps
GAINESVILLE
PASSING
Kharim Hughley – 2,467 yds, 33 TD, 7 INT, 63% completion
RUSHING
Nigel Newkirk – 1,474 yds, 19 TD, 7.8 YPC
Dwight Lewis – 1,097 yds, 11 TD, 8.6 YPC
Kharim Hughley – 279 yds, 7 TD, 5.3 YPC
RECEIVING
Philip Williams – 689 yds, 5 TD, 44 rec
Collin Porterfield – 382 yds, 5 TD, 26 rec
Cameron James – 358 yds, 8 TD, 26 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Xavier Griffin – 107 TKL, 13 TFL, 6 Sacks, 21 QBH
Darryn Williams – 96 TKL, 12 TFL, 6 INT
Jamarion Matthews – 73 TKL, 21 TFL, 10.5 Sacks
Kadin Fossung – 55 TKL, 17 TFL
THOMAS COUNTY CENTRAL
PASSING
Jaylen Johnson – 2,503 yds, 37 TD, 4 INT, 69% completion
RUSHING
Deuce Lawrence – 1,836 yds, 24 TD, 9.6 YPC
Jordan McNeil – 562 yds, 10 TD, 9.9 YPC
Jaylen Johnson – 280 yds, 5 TD, 4.3 YPC
RECEIVING
Jabari Watkins – 804 yds, 11 TD, 51 rec
Rodney Dunbar – 679 yds, 11 TD, 41 rec
DJ White – 394 yds, 6 TD, 18 rec
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Omari Stephenson – 67 TKL, 12 TFL, 3 Sacks, 1 INT
Jacoby Herring – 66 TKL, 12 TFL, 2 INT
Eugene Ware – 60 TKL, 12.5 TFL, 1 Sack
Cam Brooks – 24 TKL, 15.5 TFL, 11.5 Sacks, 40 QBH
