Defending state champion Thomas County Central will visit Hughes, the 2022 champion, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on this week’s edition of Football Fridays in Georgia.

Thomas County (11-1) beat Woodward Academy to win the Class 4A title last year. The Yellow Jackets lost only to No. 2-ranked Lee County, a setback which cost them thee Region 2 championship and forced them to go on the road for the third round.

Hughes (11-1) is the Region 3 champion. The Panthers won the Class 6A championship in 2023 by beating Gainesville in the championship. The team’s only loss this season came against non-conference rival Douglas County.

Thomas County Central beat Winder-Barrow (70-6) and Rome (35-7) in the first two rounds. Hughes beat Dunwoody (58-35) and Roswell (31-21) in the playoffs.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams.