October 27, 2025 — Region 3 in Class 6A is an all-Cobb region except for one team (Paulding County). This region has been the focus of many around the state this football season, and for good reason. It is no secret that the undefeated McEachern Indians—recent Team of the Week winner and ranked No. 5 in the classification—are expected to make a deep run in the postseason. The Indians have already secured the region championship and are scheduled to face Walton (for the second time this season) at home in the first round of the GHSA playoffs. 

Two weeks ago, the Indians traveled a short distance to Hillgrove for a much-anticipated matchup of unbeaten Top-10 teams. A 35-14 victory for McEachern put them in control of the region, and a 56-18 win over South Cobb on Friday guaranteed them the region championship. This set up a crucial meeting between Harrison and Hillgrove to determine second place. The Hoyas and the Hawks entered Friday's contest at 7-1, each having lost to McEachern. It was a cool and dry October evening in Powder Springs, with a temperature that felt just right for a game of this magnitude.

The action on the field did not disappoint. It was about as evenly matched as expected. The teams traded scores throughout the first three quarters, with Hillgrove up by a field goal heading into the final period. The Hoyas kicked a field goal of their own in the early minutes of the fourth quarter to level the score again at 17-17. A defensive touchdown regained the lead for the Hoyas, but a missed extra point kept the spread at 6 points, 23-17. The Hawks answered with a touchdown of their own, including a missed point-after attempt, to tie the game again, 23-23. 

Although it looked like the game was destined for overtime, the Hoya offense chewed up yards quickly on their next possession, capping the drive with a short rushing touchdown to retake the lead, 30-23. That score would remain until the final buzzer, giving the Hoyas a road win and a presumptive runner-up finish in the region. The Hoyas host Paulding County for their final game, and barring an upset by the Patriots, Harrison will also host a first-round playoff game on November 14.

Hillgrove travels to South Cobb for their final game of the regular season on Thursday, October 30. If the Hoyas beat Paulding County, the Hawks will finish third in the region and have to travel throughout their playoff schedule. 

Good luck to McEachern, Harrison, and Hillgrove as Region 3 winds down an exciting football schedule and gets ready for the postseason!