2026 GHSA State Playoffs: 1A-I Preview

START DATE: APRIL 24

The 2026 GHSA State Playoffs kick off on Wednesday. Playoff baseball in Georgia is some of the best baseball in the entire country and we are lucky enough to get to cover it. We have covered the state of Georgia from as south as Lowndes to as north as Gordon Lee and everything in between. Our staff has watched nearly 300 baseball games this year and can’t wait to cover playoff baseball.

To kick off the season we highlighted over 100 teams in our “Team Preview” articles if you want to check out any of those before the playoffs they can be found HERE

If you missed anything from the season we have you covered with our weekly scout blogs with hundreds of players mentioned with notes and video that can be found HERE

We also released our Power 25 rankings and Classification Rankings weekly. Be sure to check out the final update of the regular season HERE

We are going to keep things rolling today with a 1A-I GHSA State Playoff Preview.

Top 5 Seeds: Gordon Lee, Bremen, Elbert County, Worth County and Social Circle

Final Four Sleepers: Washington County, Pepperell, Model

The round of 32 boasts some major match ups that are likely to be 3 game series. Here are a few that we are keeping our eyes on.

Washington County @ Banks County

This is one of the biggest first round matchups across all the divisions and a rematch of a second round playoff series from a year ago.

We were able to get eyes on Washington County back at Georgia Dugout club against quality competition. Fast forward to now where they slot in as the 20th seed and draw a familiar opponent in Banks County as the two squared off in a playoff series last season. It all starts at the top with Auburn commit and two-way Ty Mobley who provides a formidable workhorse and imposing presence atop the rotation with tons of pitchability. Along with boasting immense strength at the dish with real impact in the barrel as a significant source of power in the heart of the order. All-region production comes from a trio of upperclassmen including Mack May, Trey Cannida, and Colton Brown as May yields two-way value as a staple in the rotation behind Mobley. 2028 OF Rylan Jenkins is an uber-athletic table-setter with a potent blend of hit and speed with budding power to tap into. As well offering a premium glove and captaining the outfield defense in centerfield. Junior Clark Trussell is a name to note that can be an impact bat in the middle while providing quality innings on the bump. Other names that strengthen the depth of the lineup are 2027 Justice Lester and a pair of sophomores including Will Tatum and Liam Beck. This is a club that is coming off an Elite Eight run a year ago and returns the pieces to surpass that mark heading into playoffs.

We have yet gotten out to see Banks County this year, however we saw them a couple of times last season and return pieces to make a run. Western Carolina commit, Gaven Sears holds immense impact in the barrel and game power regularly shows up as he can flip a game with one swing. Junior Judd Schmakel is a versatile piece for the Leopards coaching staff and is a tone-setter near the top of the lineup as he boasts a strong feel to hit. All-state production comes from senior SS/RHP Owen Miller who will bring pivotal experience to both the lineup and the pitching staff as the ace. 2028 RHP/2B Gatlin Green is one we will need to check in on soon who has made real strides in his game and could be the x-factor for Banks County. Warren Leftwich and Brady Hill are a pair of experienced upperclassmen that strengthen the depth of the lineup.2028 Macade Huff is another name to note who holds two-way impact for this ballclub. This lineup on paper is one of the toughest in all of the 1A-1 class and if the pieces on the mound can come together this will be a deep playoff bound squad.

Bleckley County vs Heard County

Bleckley County solidified themselves in the top 5 of the 1A-I standings early on in the year and never looked back. We got a couple looks at them throughout the spring, and impressed each time out. They are upperclass heavy with Walker Boatwright leading the rotation. They have guys that make an impact on both sides in Jay Johnson and Noah Woodard. Brody Fleming is a key piece in the infield and in the line up. Heard County found their way into the top 10 as well a couple times throughout the year. They hit some tough opponents down the road in Bremen, Pepperell, Darlington and Model. All of which have a chance to make some news in this classification. Heard County has an athletic line up led by Brody Cofield at the top of the order then they have a big arm in Gunner Copeland that could get them a game 1 win.

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