Georgia Class 5A state championship: How to watch No. 20 Thomas County Central vs. Gainesville

The Georgia High School Association (FHSAA) football state championships continue tomorrow night on Day 3 in downtown Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the nationally ranked No. 20 Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets will face off against Gainesville Red Elephants in what will be the final game of the week. Which one comes out as Georgia’s best high school football team out of Class 5A when it’s all said and done? We preview the seventh and final GHSA state championship game as the two teams clash in a battle of Georgia Class 5A giants.

How to Watch Thomas County Central vs. Gainesville in Georgia 5A state championship game

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 17
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.
TV Channel: NFHS Network

Thomas County Central Players to Watch

RB Christian Lawrence: It starts and ends for Thomas County Central with the Wake Forest signee out of the backfield. Lawrence this season has carried the rock 191 times for 1,836 yards and found the endzone 24 times.

EDGE Cam Brooks: The Florida State signee will need to create havoc coming off the edge for the Yellow Jackets if they want to come away with the victory on Wednesday night. Brooks has tallied 15.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks this season.

WR Jabari Watkins: Watkins, a Nebraska commitment, has been the go-to-wide receiver for Thomas County Central this season. The junior has caught 51 passes for 804 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

OL Deontavis Cooper: Leading the way for Lawrence and crew up on the line of scrimmage offensively is the 6-foot-3, 295-pound guard. Cooper, a Tulane, has to help the Yellow Jackets control the trenches if they want to come away with the win.

Gainesville Players to Watch

QB Kharim Hughley: The 2027 four-star quarterback has been terrific all season long for the Red Elephants and will look to cap his junior campaign with a state title. Hughley has thrown for 2,344 yards and 32 touchdowns this season.

LB Xavier Griffin: The first of two Alabama signees we mention on this list is the five-star linebacker for Gainesville. Griffin has been the heart of soul of the defense, racking up a team-high 96 total tackles, 12 for loss, four sacks, a fumble recovery and has picked off a pass.

RB Nigel Newkirk: Another junior to watch out for on the offensive side of the ball is the three-star running back. Newkirk has been superb for coach Niblett, rushing for 1,496 yards on 181 carries and scoring 19 times.

EDGE Jamarion Matthews: The Alabama signee will be a handle to deal with for Thomas County Central coming off the edge for the Red Elephants. Matthews has totaled 58 tackles, 21 for loss and 10 sacks.

Where to Watch the Georgia Class 5A state championship on livestream:

You can watch the Gainesville Red Elephants take on the Thomas County Central Yellow Jackets starting at 7:30 p.m. ET, Wednesday night on NFHS Network.

How to Follow Georgia High School Football

For Georgia high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Peach State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Georgia.