Hephzibah breaks 27-year wait for first region title

Hephzibah High School football players celebrated their first region championship last week after defeating Cross Creek 74-0. The victory ended a 27-year wait for a title that stands as the longest drought broken in Georgia High School Association history. The Rebels enter the final game of the season with an 8-1 overall record and a 5-0 mark in Region 4-3A.

The team, which finished 3-7 last season, plays Thomson in its final regular-season contest. Thomson holds a 3-5 overall record and a 2-2 mark in the region. Hephzibah had competed in 72 region schedules before securing a championship. No other school in the GHSA has ended a longer titleless stretch. The following list identifies the 25 schools that played the most region schedules before winning their first title.

Hephzibah (1995-2026) required 27 seasons. Lumpkin County (1996-2023) took 25 seasons. McDonough (1995-2007) and Pickens (1995-2018) each needed 45 seasons. Spencerville (1996-2022) and White County (1996-2025) both waited 45 seasons. Aquinas (1995-2013) and Rockdale County (1995-1999) each required 49 seasons.

Barnes County (1995-1998) and Central Hancock (1997-2020) both took 48 seasons. Gwinnett North (1996-2009) and County Sonora (1996-2021) each waited 47 seasons. Palatka (1996-2023) and Bryan County (1996-2023) both required 47 seasons. Fayette County (1995-2007) and Harris County (1995-2012) each took 45 seasons.

Riverwood (1997-2019) and Stockbridge (1996-2012) both needed 44 seasons. Black Creek County (1997-2021) and Webster (1997-2013) each required 43 seasons. County Jackson (1998-2025) and Baker (1994-1990) both took 42 seasons. County Swand (1996-2015) and County Pillng (1995-1992) each waited 40 seasons.

Creekore (1995-2002) and North Hall (1995-2004) both required 40 seasons. Todd Holcomb covers high school sports for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He rejoined the newsroom in 2025 and has worked with the outlet in various capacities since 1985. He also co-founded and edits Georgia High School Football Daily.