With each season, there is an ultimate goal that goes beyond the numbers — to be a state champion, state playoff team, region champion, etc. However, there are always milestones that those programs and individuals eclipse along the way. Here are the notable milestones to watch for in 2026. We’ve ordered them by the rarity of each.

Jefferson – 16 Straight Playoff Trips

Every season since 2011, Jefferson has made the postseason. Going back to 1998, the Dragons only sat out in 1999 and 2010. Another trip this year – which is almost guaranteed – is 16 in a row. Coming off a State Runner-Up finish in BACK-to-BACK seasons, and bringing back one of the nation’s top recruits in Clemson commit Max Brown, the goal is so much bigger.

Rabun County – 15 Straight Playoff Trips

Rabun County now has 14 consecutive playoff appearances, and one more this season with second-year coach Rance Gillespie would make for 15. A school record, but these guys like other teams listed above are out for so much more than that. With an mostly new group of skill position guys, including at QB and RB, it’s not a given – but still likely with the talent and culture.

Paris Wilbanks – 70 Total TD, 5,000 Passing Yards

Paris Wilbanks of the Raiders comes into his senior year (third year overall) in control of the offense. He has a grand total of 48 TDs (36 passing, 12 rushing). It’s a big number to get to, but if he can reel off 22 scores this season, he’ll reach 70 for his career. That would put him at #16 in our BLITZ Legacy QB list. Should he go a little beyond that to 75, he’d be at #13 all-time. He’s also about 1,100 yards from 5,000 passing. Several others have reached that, but he’d join only 15 others in the BLITZ-era and area to do so.

Gaines Clark – 1,500 and 2,000 Receiving Yards

Gaines Clark was injury-riddled throughout a great chunk of his junior year. Now, he’s got one more go at it. He entered last season with 842 yard, and now has 1,185 in total. That said, 1,500 is the milestone that should be reachable, but with a monster final season, he could join elite company with 2,000 career yards. That would put him at #15 on the BLITZ Legacy WR list. He’s also just 498 receiving yards from matching Cooper Turner (White Co ’21), who has the most for the Warriors aside from Darius Cannon, who finished at Gainesville.

Cody McBrayer – 3,000 Total Yards

Dawson County’s RB1, Cody McBrayer, has had a solid career to date. He’ll have one more go at it, and sits at 2,219 total yards. Just under 800 more gets him to a great round number of 3,000 yards – something accomplished by only 20 others in the BLITZ-era and area.

Jay Feltus – 1,500 Receiving Yards

Like Clark (above), Habersham Central’s Jay Feltus is nearing 1,500 yards. He has 1,062 going into his senior season, and was the go-to option for the Raiders last year. As much as they sling the ball, it shouldn’t take too long to get there. He’d join the likes of Donovan Curry (’19), Jim Barnett (’18), the legend Tavarres King (’08), and school leader Zeke Whittington (’25) to clear that mark.

Towns County – 3 Straight Winning Seasons

This has never happened before for Towns County. Last year, the Indians made it back-to-back winning seasons, also a first. A 7-win season tied the high-mark for the program, and record-setting offenses and defenses were key. This might be a challenge, despite having Alex Baert back at RB after a mammoth year. The team has to replace a ton of starters.

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