The Georgia High School Association announced Tuesday that each of its eight state football championship games will be played at Georgia State Stadium on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13-14, this year.
The state’s prep sports ruling body said recently it was considering such a move but a vote as not imminent.
GHSA executive director Robin Hines had expressed concern that the cost of renting Mercedes-Benz Stadium, reportedly $600,000, caused some participating schools to lose money. There were also other issues with the scheduled games of the two-year home of the Atlanta Falcons and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United.
Six of the eight games were “snowed out” in 2017 and had to be played at high school venues. Last year’s contests were moved to a Tuesday and Wednesday because of a weekend conflict with Atlanta United’s MLS final.
“We are excited to announce that the GHSA/Tommy Guillebeau Football State Championships will be held at Georgia State Stadium,” Hines stated in a release Tuesday. “Charlie Cobb at Georgia State University has been tremendously supportive in planning with the GHSA an event that will provide a first-class experience for our student-athletes and benefit our participating schools. We look forward to our partnership with Georgia State University.”
Exact game times at the former Turner Field will be announced later, but it is anticipated the usual schedule of four games on Friday and four on Saturday will be maintained.
“We thank Dr. Hines and the Georgia High School Association,” Georgia State athletic director Charlie Cobb said. “Georgia State is honored to host the eight GHSA state championships this December. It is exciting for us to know that the culminating point for high school football throughout the state is Georgia State Stadium.”
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22