DeKalb teams ‘ready up’ for upcoming season
The countdown to the 2026 Georgia high school football season is underway, and DeKalb County is once again entering the fall with championship aspirations across multiple programs. After a record 14 DeKalb County School District teams reached the GHSA state playoffs in 2025, several traditional powers are returning with high expectations, while emerging contenders are looking to build on last season’s momentum.
With experienced coaching staffs, standout returning talent, and a renewed sense of optimism throughout the county, the race for region titles and deep postseason runs could make the 2026 campaign one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Below is a short preview of every DeKalb high school with a football team:
Arabia Mountain Rams 4-AAAAA
Head coach: Dant’e Ferguson (new)
2024 record: 1-9 (0-7)
2025 record: 3-7 (2-5)
After a 3-7 season, the Rams are bringing in a new regime of coaches to try to steer the program back on track. New head coach Dant’e Ferguson inherits a program eager for a fresh start after having two consecutive losing seasons. Ferguson along with seniors Alex Chambliss II, Colin Mason, and Solomon Barnes seek to re-establish a winning culture built on discipline, physicality, and consistency.
Cedar Grove Saints 6-AAA
Head coach: Rich Freeman
2024 record: 3-7 (3-3)
2025 record: 5-6 (2-4)
The Saints appear to be headed back in the right direction under second-year head coach Rich Freeman, who has steadily guided Cedar Grove back into the playoff conversation. After showing gradual improvement in each of the past two seasons, the Saints enter 2026 looking to take the next step by competing for a region title and making a deeper postseason run.
Chamblee Bulldogs 4-AAAAAA
Head Coach: Robert Swank
2024 record: 2-9 (2-6)
2025 record: 4-7 (4-3)
After taking a step forward in 2025, Chamblee enters the 2026 season looking to build on the momentum under head coach Swank. The Bulldogs finished 4-6 last season but were competitive in region play and made it to the playoffs before falling to Roswell High School. With another year of experience and a roster eager to take the next step, Chamblee’s focus will be on turning close games into victories and earning a return to the GHSA state playoffs.
Clarkston Angoras 5-AAAA
Head coach: Tavis Jackson
2024 record 0-10 (0-8)
2025 record: 0-10 (0-8)
The Angoras have struggled in recent years, but the team will get another shot at improving this season. Tavis Jackson will be entering his second season as the Angoras’ head coach and will be tasked with finding an identity on the field as he relies on young returning talent.
Columbia Eagles 6-AA
Head coach: Greg Barnett
2024 record: 5-7 (4-0)
2025 record: 5-7 (4-0)
Coach Greg Barnett and the Eagles continue to show consistency throughout the years as they extended their streak to five playoff appearances since Barnett became the head coach. After falling to Burke County in the second round of the playoffs, the Eagles enter 2026 determined to take that next big leap toward a state title. With multiple veterans returning, led by quarterback Czar Daniels, the Eagles will seek to contend for another region championship and hope to make their deepest playoff run in the Barnett era.
Cross Keys Phoenix 5-AAAAA
Head coach: Eric Quarles
2024 record: 0-8 (0-0)
2025 record: 1-9 (0-0)
Cross Keys enters the 2026 season focused on continuing to build its young football program and establishing a foundation for long-term success. Although wins have been difficult to come by in recent seasons, the program finished last season the right way after winning their first game in five years. Cross Keys will aim to translate that progress into improved results on the field as it looks to take another step forward.
Decatur Bulldogs 4-AAAAAA
Head coach: William Felton
2024 record: 9-2 (6-1)
2025 record: 4-6 (4-3)
The Decatur Bulldogs took a step back last year as they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Coach William Felton and the Bulldogs enter the 2026 season determined to return to their winning ways and make a return to the state playoffs.
Druid Hills Red Devils 5-AAAAA
Head coach: David Roberson (new)
2024 record: 5-6 (3-5)
2024 record: 4-6 (3-5)
The Red Devils will aim to bounce back from their previous two years of losing records after hiring David Roberson as their new head coach. Roberson served as Riverdale High School’s head coach prior to his move to Druid Hills. Roberson will inherit a program looking to revert to its winning tradition after reaching the state playoffs six consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2021.
Dunwoody Wildcats 4-AAAAA
Head coach: Matthew Schmitz
2024 record: 4-7 (3-4)
2024 record: 5-6 (4-3)
Second-year head coach Matthew Schmitz and the Dunwoody Wildcats seek to build on last season’s success after reaching the state playoffs before falling to Gainesville in the opening round. Although Schmitz must replace much of the team’s core following a large graduating class, the Wildcats return senior quarterback Jack Quartararo to lead a young but promising roster. With one of DeKalb’s most experienced play callers on the sideline, Dunwoody hopes to take another step forward and make a deeper postseason run.
Lakeside Vikings – 4-AAAAAA
Head coach: Morris Starr
2024 record: 4-6 (3-4)
2025 record: 3-7 (1-6)
Lakeside is looking to bounce back from its last two seasons, in which they went 4-6 and 3-7, and hope to get back to their 2023 playing style when they went 8-2, one of the best seasons the Vikings had since 1996. Morris Starr will look to coach the team back in the right direction and will have some help with a multitude of players returning from last year, including quarterback Ayden Grubel and receiver Canon Davis, who led the team in receiving last year.
Lithonia Bulldogs 5-AAAAA
Head coach: Kevin Barnes
2024 record: 6-4 (4-4)
2025 record: 10-3 (6-2)
Last year, the Lithonia Bulldogs arguably had the best season in school history going 10-3 and making it to the state quarterfinals before falling to Creekside. Under coach Kevin Barnes, the Bulldogs have made leaps and bounds toward competing for a state championship, but this year, he and his staff will be tasked with replacing a heavy senior class from last year, including quarterback James Coggins, running back Albert Gooding, and defensive tackle Tico Crittendon.
Marist War Eagles 6-AAAAAA
Head coach: Alan Chadwick
2024 record: 14-1 (8-0)
2025 record: 12-2 (8-0)
The Marist War Eagles continue to be DeKalb’s most consistent program as coach Alan Chadwick inches closer to the title of winningest coach in Georgia history. The legendary skipper enters another season after leading Marist to back-to-back 12-plus-win campaigns, including a 14-1 run and Class 4A state runner-up finish in 2024, followed by a 12-2 record and another region championship in 2025. Chadwick has amassed more than 445 career victories, trailing only Larry Campbell on Georgia’s all-time wins list while maintaining the highest winning percentage among the state’s all-time coaching leaders. Expect Chadwick to continue the War Eagles’ tradition as they look to compete for another state title this year.
M.L. King Lions 4-AAAAA
Head coach: Joel Kight
2024 record: 4-7 (3-4)
2025 record: 10-2 (6-1)
Last year, the Lions had their best season since 2007, going 12-1 and making it to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs before falling to Walton High School. Coach Joel Kight and his team will look to improve off an historic season, seeking next steps toward competing for a state title. Knight will be tasked with replacing multiple seniors on the defensive and offensive side of the ball but will have senior quarterback Javion Dobbs returning to help steady the ship as the team works through its changes.
McNair Mustangs 6-AAA
Head coach: Markus Brown (new)
2023 record: 4-7 (2-4)
2025 record: 3-8 (2-4)
The Mustangs enter the season searching for a new identity under first-year head coach Markus Brown. In addition to establishing a new culture, Brown inherits a roster that must replace much of last season’s production following the graduations of quarterback Keyontae Phillips and several other key contributors. However, one familiar face returning is DeKalb’s leading receiver from 2025 Rashod Blalock, who provides a proven veteran presence and a reliable playmaker to help lead the offense through its transition.
Miller Grove Wolverines 6-AA
Head coach: Melvin Brown
2024 record: 5-6 (2-2)
2025 record: 9-3 (3-1)
Melvin Brown and the Wolverines had their best season since 2015, reaching a 9-3 record and making it to the second round of the playoffs before falling to Morgan County. Brown will be tasked with trying to replicate last season’s success but will have to depend on a new regime after the graduation of several key contributors, including DeKalb’s 2025 passing leader, Thomas Winston IV.
Redan Raiders 6-AA
Head coach: Ronald Lewis (new)
2024 record: 3-8 (1-3)
2025 record: 4-7 (2-2)
The Raiders have reached the playoffs in each of the past three seasons but are still searching for their first postseason breakthrough. To help them get there, Redan hired Ronald Lewis, the former offensive coordinator at Newton, as its new head coach. In his first season, Lewis will look to establisha new culture while keeping the Raiders’ playoff streak alive.
St. Pius Golden Lions 6-AAAAA
Head coach: Chad Garrison
2024 record: 7-4 (6-2)
2025 record: 6-4 (4-4)
St. Pius missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005 but will look to get back on track this year in a new region. On the bright side, coach Garrison and his staff will be returning multiple key pieces from last year but will still have to replace quarterback Dexter Mosley, who helped run the Golden Lions heavy-run offense.
Southwest DeKalb Panthers 5-AAAA
Head coach: Marion Bell
2023 record: 7-4 (6-2)
2024 record: 9-3 (7-1)
Southwest DeKalb has steadily climbed into state title contention under head coach Marion Bell, who enters his fourth season. The Panthers have fielded DeKalb County’s top offense in each of the past three years and appears poised to make another run. With much of last season’s core returning for their senior campaigns, this could be the year Southwest DeKalb breaks through. The group is led by quarterback Braylon Carter, who threw a county-best 25 touchdown passes last season, and wide receiver Jordan Christie, who ranked second in DeKalb County with 953 receiving yards.
Stephenson Jaguars 5-AAA
Head coach: Marcus Jelks
2024 record: 10-4 (5-1)
2025 record: 11-2 (5-1)
The Jaguars have established themselves as one of DeKalb County’s most consistent programs under head coach Marcus Jelks, but their next goal is clear: breaking through to compete for a state championship. They have the pieces to do it this season, returning the core of last year’s team led by senior running back Jayden Johnson, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards, quarterback Zabrian Boler, and five-star edge rusher K.J. Green. With experience, star power, and continuity on both sides of the ball, Stephenson appears poised to take the next step.
Stone Mountain Pirates 5-AAAA
Head coach: Robert Winn Jr. (new)
2024 record: 1-9 (0-0)
2025 record: 1-9 (0-1)
With former head coach Marlon Moore moving on, the Pirates have put their trust in new head coach Robert Winn Jr. to try and turn the program around. One thing coach Winn will have going for him is that most of the team will be returning from last year, including quarterback Braydon Surprisse, who will look to help lead the team in his senior year.
Towers Titans 6-AAA
Head coach: Henry Garrett
2024 record: 3-6 (1-5)
2024 record: 4-7 (1-5)
The Titans continued to show steady improvement under coach Garrett, finishing the season with a 4–7 record and earning their first GHSA state playoff appearance since 2016. While returning to the postseason marked a significant milestone for the program, the next step will be finding a way to advance beyond the first round. Fortunately for Towers, Garrett is expected to have the majority of his key contributors back next season, giving the Titans a strong foundation to continue building a winning culture and take another step forward.
Tucker Tigers 5-AAAAA
Head Coach: Wayne Jones
2024 record: 7-4 (6-2)
2024 record: 6-5 (5-3)
Riddled by injuries last season, the Tigers endured a down year by their standards but still extended their playoff streak before falling to Central in the first round. Now, coach Jones and his team will look to bounce back, and they have the talent to do it. With the majority of their young core returning—including quarterback and Boston College commit Jace German, along with standout receivers Izaiah Williams and Joziah Horne—the Tigers have the pieces in place to get back on track and contend for a deeper postseason run.
