August 5, 2026 — The 2026-27 school year brings major changes to Georgia high school athletics, including new GHSA classifications, region alignments, and a revamped playoff system.
Cobb's Director of Athletics, Don Baker, recently discussed what the changes will mean for Cobb Schools and student-athletes.
"The region changes happen every two years; we're used to that. However, the new playoff system will take some adjustment. It is designed to create more competitive playoff brackets and reward teams for playing strong schedules," Baker explained. "Region championships remain important, though. Region winners receive automatic playoff berths and are guaranteed a home playoff game."
GHSA's new system will also change how teams qualify and are seeded for postseason competition in bracketed sports. The formula will consider a team's winning percentage, its opponents' winning percentages, and its opponents' opponents' winning percentages.
"I think you're going to have teams in the playoff tournament that really belong there," Baker continued, adding that the new format could benefit programs at every level by encouraging competitive scheduling and helping developing programs build toward postseason success.
It also emphasizes in-state scheduling. Games against GHSA member schools carry a 1.0 value, while games against non-GHSA schools carry a 0.9 value. Non-GHSA opponents can account for no more than 20% of a school's schedule.
"I think it will allow teams to build for the future. Programs will be able to play other similar programs and rebuild one step at a time. That's a slow burn, not a quick fix. This will enable teams to experience measured success as they work their way into a more competitive program. I think that's a good thing," Baker concluded about the new system.
The return of Class 7A is another noticeable change. Cobb schools will compete across several classifications, with Sprayberry and Allatoona in separate Class 5A regions; Osborne and South Cobb in Class 6A Region 5; and Kell, Lassiter, and Pope in Class 6A Region 6. In Class 7A, North Cobb, Walton, and Wheeler will compete in Region 5, while Region 3 features the most Cobb schools, claiming six of the seven schools: Campbell, Harrison, Hillgrove, Kennesaw Mountain, McEachern, and Pebblebrook.
Looking ahead to football
Cobb's football season will get an early start this year, highlighted by the Corky Kell Classic. Walton will represent Cobb County at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Aug. 13 against Roswell. The following week, Kell High School will host two Corky Kell Classic games featuring Kell vs. McEachern, and Pebblebrook vs. Clarke Central on August 19.
The Corky Kell Classic has grown from a two-game event in 1992 into a major multi-day showcase that draws national attention and provides student-athletes with valuable exposure to college coaches and recruiters.
Cobb athletes dominated in 2025-26
Cobb Athletics is coming off another successful year, with more than 40 state championships across team and individual competitions, and a record number of college signees. More than 13,000 student-athletes participated, earning an overall 3.73 GPA! In addition, the District had two athletes named as State Gatorade Players of the Year, Pope won the GADA Director's Cup for both Boys and Girls in Class 5A, and Walton won it for the 6A Girls! See the graphic below for even more impressive wins for Cobb in 2025-26.
Local support for Cobb athletics
As the new athletic year begins, Don Baker encourages the community to support local student-athletes by attending games and purchasing sports passes at their local schools.
"Get out there and support these kids," Baker said. "Sports in Cobb is always a high-quality product."
With new classifications, new regions, and a new playoff format, the 2026-27 school year promises to be another exciting season for Cobb County athletics. Show your own local high school how much you appreciate the time, work, and dedication it takes to be an athlete in Cobb Schools!
