The 34th annual GeorgiaConstructionCareers. com Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will kickoff the 2025 GHSA High School Football Season with a four-day, 11-game lineup that is jam-packed with championship contenders and formatted with a non-stop slate of intriguing matchups and firsttime clashes. Day 1 on Wednesday, Aug. 13 will start the classic at Kell High School with a doubleheader that opens with a first-ever meeting between Prince Avenue Christian and Callaway High School at 4:00 p.m. This will be the first-ever game for new Wolverines head coach Jon Richt—who stepped in for Greg Vandagriff this offseason. As for Callaway, head coach Pete Wiggins enters his 21st season leading the Cavs and is closing in on the 200-win career milestone with an exceptional record of 187-61 since taking over in 2005. In the nightcap, South Paulding will take on host Kell in the school’s first meeting since 2011. South Paulding enters Year 3 under head coach Maurice Allen and the Spartans will deploy a massive offensive line to protect senior quarterback Kade Wigginton against a Kell defense that head coach Bobby May
and his staff believes is the most talented unit that the school has had in May’s tenure.
West Forsyth will host Day 2 of the Classic on Thursday, Aug. 14 and is set to feature a pair of first-ever matchups. In the opening game, defending Class A-3A Private state champion Hebron Christian will be led by new head coach Kenny Dallas against the North Atlanta Warriors. This will be the first time in Hebron Christian’s history that the school will face a team that plays in Georgia’s highest classification and the Warriors are coming off the first region title in school history this past season under their head coach Jamie Aull. Thursday’s double-header concludes with Douglass-Atlanta and host West Forsyth in the program’s first-ever meeting. Douglass defeated LaGrange 18-3 last season in its first-ever Corky Kell appearance, but will be tasked with facing a West Forsyth team this year that is bursting with confidence after making a run to last year’s Class 6A quarterfinals and a capacity crowd at ‘The Den’ will provide the Wolverines with a forceful home field edge.
ALL IN
Three games are on the slate for Day 3 to kickoff the first Friday of the 2025 season. The action begins at 2:00 p.m. live from Buck Godfrey Stadium to showcase Therrell against Cedar Grove. This is the first-ever meeting between the teams. Therrell has an opportunity to reach three-straight playoffs for the first time in program history this season under fifth-year head coach B.J. Jamison and Cedar Grove is determined to bounce back from last year’s 3-7 finish under new head coach Rich Freeman—who is joining the Saints from his most recent stint at Morehouse College. After the conclusion of the Panthers and Saints, Rome’s Barron Stadium will deliver a double-dose of matchups starting with LaGrange vs. Cass and concluding with the host Wolves and Creekside Seminoles. LaGrange is 2-0 all-time versus Cass, but the team’s have not faced since 2003 and this will be just the second-time that Rome and Creekside have played with Rome winning the last matchup 16-6 in 2022.
RISE AND SHINE
The 2025 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic concludes with four incredible matchups at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 16. This four-game lineup is split with two first-time matchups and the two most familiar matchups of this year’s Corky Kell. At 10:00 a.m., rivals St. Pius and
Dunwoody will meet for the 11th time in their history. Dunwoody produced a 24-7 win over South Paulding in last year’s Corky Kell and St. Pius will be making its debut in the event, but the Golden Lions are 7-3 all-time against the Wildcats. Additionally, former offensive coordinator Matthew Schmitz has stepped in as Dunwoody’s new head coach—replacing Mike Nash who left for Chattahoochee County after 10 years as the Wildcats’ head coach. Following St. Pius and Dunwoody will be the first-ever meeting between Brookwood and Houston County at 1:00 p.m. and the 10th all-time meeting between McEachern and Walton at 4:00 p.m. Brookwood will be led by head coach Chad Nighbert—who was promoted after serving as an interim head coach during the Broncos’ 7-4 campaign last season. As for Houston County, head coach Jeremy Edwards replaces four-year starter AJ Hill at quarterback, but the Bears will continue to run a hightempo offense and Edwards believes this year’s roster is the most talented he has had since taking over in 2022. The final matchup on Saturday and Game 11 of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic is the first-ever meeting between Douglas County and North Gwinnett. These two Class 6A powerhouses are loaded in all three phases of the game and this is considered one of the best head-to-head matchups in the history of the Corky Kell Classic with many considering it a toss-up. North Gwinnett is coming off a 12-1 season in 2024 and Douglas County is returning the majority of its production from last year’s 11-3 team that reached the school’s second-straight semifinal.
The Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines and Callaway Cavaliers will kickoff the 34th-annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Kell High School with a 4:30 p.m. game on Aug. 13 live on the Peachtree Sports Network. Both the Wolverines and Cavaliers are making their second alltime appearances in the Classic after last year saw Prince Avenue face West Forsyth and Callaway match up against Cass. This will be the first-ever matchup between these two teams.
Prince Avenue enters this season with a different but familiar face at the helm as offensive coordinator Jon Richt was promoted to head coach after the resignation of legendary head coach Greg Vandagriff, who won three state titles with the Wolverines (2020, 2022-23). Richt, who is the son of former Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt, spent the last five seasons as the Wolverines’ offensive coordinator. The Wolverines look to continue their dominance as they have appeared in five-consecutive state championship games, and have not missed the playoffs since 2009.
CALLAWAY CAVALIERS
BY WILL THOROGOOD
PRINCE AVENUE WOLVERINES VS. VS.
S. PAULDING SPARTANS KELL LONGHORNS
BY WILL THOROGOOD
Callaway goes into its 21st season under head coach Pete Wiggins looking to get back on track following a down year that saw the Cavaliers exit the Class 2A playoffs in the second round after eight-straight seasons of making it to at least the quarterfinal round. That eight-season streak included a state championship in 2020. This season will be their second in Region 2-2A as they attempt to tally their fourth-consecutive region title and seventh in the last 10 years. The Cavaliers also look to record their 11th-straight season with at least nine wins.
The Wolverines offense returns the majority
TheSouth Paulding Spartans and the Kell Longhorns will conclude the first day of the 2025 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic with an 8 p.m. kickoff at Kell High School, Aug. 13 on the Peachtree Sports Network. The Spartans are making their second all-time appearance in the Classic while the Longhorns are making their 16th appearance. Last year, South Paulding went up against Dunwoody and Kell faced off against North Atlanta.
South Paulding goes into its third season under Maurice Allen, and the team is looking to improve this season after recording three wins in each of the last two seasons. Last season marked the end of their playoff appearance streak as the Spartans missed the postseason for the first time since 2020. This season will be their second year in Region 5-5A.
Kell enters its fourth season under Bobby May and aims to build off of their second round appearance last year. The Longhorns took a small step back as they recorded seven wins after having two-straight seasons of nine or more wins. The team looks to make consecutive appearances in the second round of the playoffs or farther for the first time since 2018-19.
The Spartans offense returns a vital pieces from last year’s group, led by quarterback Kade Wigginton. In 2024, Wigginton totaled 900 yards on 53 completions and threw 11 touchdown passes. The run game for South Paulding has a tough challenge this season as somebody has to take over the role that Albert McCoy played for their offense. McCoy in his final season rushed for 1,486 yards on 217 carries and scored 12 rushing touchdowns, averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
of last year’s weapons as junior quarterback Ben Musser looks forward to his second season as the starter. Last season saw him take a big stride, throwing for 1,472 yards on 125 completions while adding 15 touchdowns to his stats. Along with Musser is dynamic running back Andrew Beard who rushed for 1,937 yards on 222 carries while scoring 21 touchdowns. The receiving group has multiple weapons that consist of Hudson Hill, CJ Dockery, and Brice Williamson. In 2024, Hill totaled 508 yards on 47 receptions and caught five touchdowns, Dockery recorded 525 yards on 32 receptions while scoring nine touchdowns, and Williamson collected 375 yards on 29 receptions and scored six touchdowns. The only key player that Prince Avenue’s receiving room lost after last season was Thornton Hester who hauled in 36 passes for 455 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Callaway will run it back with senior dualthreat quarterback Blake Harrington who totaled 1,694 yards on 85 completions along with 23 touchdown passes. On the ground, he ran for 931 yards on 130 carries and scored nine touchdowns. The Cavaliers run game has a big hole to fill after the graduation of running back Tyren Buggs who had 18 rushing touchdowns and ran for over 1,000 yards last season. The receiver room will consist of Jeremiah Dunn and Kaiden James leading the way for Callaway.
The Wolverines offensive line currently includes Garrett Holt, Noah Christian, Aaron Head, Gabe Prince and Alex Head. They are stepping up after the departures of Jake Atha and Caleb Chandler. Atha currently plays at the University of West Georgia while Chandler is at Anderson University.
The receiving room has a pair of important players returning for the 2025 season in Isaiah Ford and Kole Weisman. Both of them are looking for this year to be a breakout season. Ford recorded 283 yards on 23 receptions along with catching five touchdown passes, leading the team in that stat. Weisman tallied 123 yards on 10 receptions along with three touchdown receptions. South Paulding took a big blow in the receiving corps with the loss of top target Matthew Patchin. Patchin totaled 724 yards on 29 receptions, adding to that with four touchdown catches. Ford and Weisman will have a big role this season as they are now the leaders of the receiving room. Kell returns a good chunk of its 2024 offensive weapons, starting with quarterback Kaleb Narcisse who threw for 2,168 yards on 151 completions along with 22 touchdown passes. Along with Narcisse’s dual-threat ability, which produced 427 rushing yards on 74 carries with six touchdowns, Moonie Gipson dominated in the run game for the Longhorns with 1,683 yards on 237 carries and 17 touchdowns; he also caught 16 passes for 222 yards while scoring four touchdowns. Additionally, the receiving room is boosted by Brayden Rouse who caught 26 passes for 382 yards and scored eight touchdowns. Kell lost two big receivers, Trenton Wanjogu and Jaden George to graduation, and it appears Rouse and Gipson will have an even bigger role in the receiver room this year. Wanjogu recorded 32 receptions with 563 yards and scored four touchdowns. He committed to play football at East Tennessee University. George recorded 32 receptions along with 581 yards and three touchdowns.
The protection up front was outstanding overall last year as Prince Avenue averaged 243.8 rushing yards and 195.9 passing yards per game.
The Cavaliers offensive line has Tyrone Fitten, Josiah Garrett, Leland Crowe, Elijah Rowe, Ethan Hand and Kamar Simon returning for this season. The departures on their offensive line are Curt Willis, Brandon Sellers, Keoni Hollins, Lason Blackmon, Sean Cameron, Dontarion Carter, Jaden Spratling and De’Various Ewing.
Prince Avenue’s defense looks to continue dominating despite the loss of multiple major playmakers. The defensive line returns largely intact with the exception of Christian Garrett (now at Georgia Tech) who had 90 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six sacks last year. Noah Christian, Harrison Alverson, and Kaden Monteiro will be leading the charge on the defensive line for the Wolverines. Baxter Carbine IV and Colin Durning will lead the linebackers after big performances last year. The secondary will involve Solomon Garland, Fields Kirkland, and Brooks David who all look to have breakout performances this season.
Callaway’s defense is led by linebacker Xavious Anderson, who put up 125 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks along with two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2024. The defensive line has a playmaker in Tyrone Fitten who dominates at locking down the opposing team’s run game. James, Dunn, Jeffery Ellis, Tray Terry, Travon Reeves, and Jacob Tigner will have to step up in the secondary after the departure of Valdosta State-signee Kavius Leonard. Leonard had nine pass breakups and an interception in his senior season.
He now plays with the Chattanooga Mocs. South Paulding’s offensive line returns four key players from last year’s squad. Tyler Chukuyem is one of those names as he excelled while starting at the right tackle position, earning offers from Florida, Ole Miss, and Minnesota. He decided to commit to the Gators last month following an official visit there on June 13. Jayce Sanker, Will Anderton, and Clayton Dixon are other names to look out for on the Spartans. Sanker has offers from Charlotte, Kennesaw State, and Georgia State. Anderton and Dixon look to continue their dominant protection to collect offers during this season.
Kell has Chase Lewandowski, Caleb Wise, Casey McDougall, and David Ornelas returning up front to protect Wigginton. Lewandowski has offers from Georgia State and Eastern Kentucky.
The Spartans defensive line consists of Tyrone Pitts, Levi Russell, and Jayden Smith, who was named all-region for Region 5-5A in his sophomore season for South Paulding. The linebacker group for the Spartans is Joakim Gouda, JD Swann, Lucas Hayes and Brayden Park. Rounding out the secondary is Dejon Goins and Joziah James.
On the Longhorn side, Alex Jean, Collin Davis, Darian Edmond, Arnold Montana, Gabe Pimiento, James Perez and Jaelyn Smith will be on the front line. The linebackers will be Michael Domanik, Rouse, Bryce Shelton, Jaziah OwensMassey, and Jacob Carroll. Stepping up in the Kell secondary will be Cooper Kanuch, Tony Forney Jr, Martin Yancey, Robert Tyson, Kamoni Adams, and Kamdon Molineaux in 2025.
LI0NS
VS.
N. ATLANTA WARRIORS
BY WESLEY POWELL
ASTROS
The first game of Day 2 of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic features Hebron Christian and North Atlanta. Hebron is coming off its 2024 Class A-3A Private state championship win over Prince Avenue Christian. The Lions lost head coach Jonathan Gess in the offseason after going 27-10 in three years leading the Lions. Kenny Dallas now replaces Gess, making the move from Trinity Christian where he won a state title in 2021. If the Lions are to defeat a 6A power like North Atlanta, they need to come together as a team and rally around coach Dallas.
The Lions will have a new starting quarterback in 2025, likely being Grayson transfer Michael Kyles Jr. The 2027 signal caller will have big shoes to fill following the graduation of Thomas Stallworth. Kyles will have the help of returning 1,000-yard receiver Jarvis Mathurin, as the Georgia Southern-commit is one of the top returning players in the private classification. They also return their leading tackler from 2024 in Max Steve (126 total tackles).
The Lions will have to deal with a few key losses to their defense, including three Power 4 commits. However, the returning guys that the Lions bring back are more than capable of holding it down. One key player for the Lions will be Fred Moses. The rising sophomore had five sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season.
So how will a Class 2A private school defeat a 6A school? It will be a hard task for Hebron, but the Lions won’t shy away from the challenge. Hebron will have to make quarter-
Theprimetime Thursday night matchup will be an absolute thriller as host West Forsyth takes on Douglass-Atlanta in what is sure to be an exciting game.
West Forsyth is coming off its best season since 2020 after going 9-4 on the season. Head coach Dave Svehla is entering his sixth season leading the Wolverines, and is 35-23 through his tenure with one region championship with the team in 2020. He has made the playoffs all but one season with West Forsyth, including two quarterfinals appearances.
As a No. 3 seed last season in 6A, not much was expected outside of the West Forsyth locker room other than maybe a first-round win for West Forsyth, but the Wolverines had other plans. West Forsyth went on a dominant run to the quarterfinals and defeated Brookwood 2410 in the first round, Archer 45-28 in the second round, and played a close six-point game versus Douglas County in the quarterfinals.
West Forsyth gets a major boost in returning starting quarterback Max Walraven. However, 1,000-yard rusher Foster Orris graduated, leaving a hole behind that needs to be filled. Senior Andrew Davis will be the key to the defense. The star linebacker tallied 120 total tackles as a junior, second most on the team. Overall, despite losing some key players to its roster, West Forsyth returns enough playmakers that it will pose a threat to every team it faces.
back Weston Goodman uncomfortable, as the sophomore quarterback will be starting in his first-ever varsity game and will look to set the tone early. The Lions’ playmakers will have to show up as well. North Atlanta sophomore corner Bryce Willingham already holds multiple Power 4 offers and it will be hard to throw the ball in his direction. The critical task Hebron will have to achieve is protecting Kyles in the pocket as he settles into the varsity starting role and establishes his level of comfortability leading the offense.
North Atlanta is coming off its first region championship in the school’s history. The Warriors went 9-2 last season and lost 43-27 in the first round of the 6A playoffs to Peachtree Ridge. Head coach Jamie Aull is entering into his sixth season at the helm with a 35-17 record in those five previous seasons and is coming off back-toback nine-win seasons.
North Atlanta lost both its starting quarterback and running back from 2024. However, the Warriors have filled those positions well and look to get back to another great season. Goodman transferred in from Blessed Trinity and continuously impressed during North Atlanta’s spring game. Like Hebron, North Atlanta returns its receiving yards leader from last season in Josh McCullough. The 2026 wideout caught 22 passes for 392 yards last year.
One key defensive loss for North Atlanta is defensive end Chase Linton. The 2025 grad was a force on the defensive line and is now at UGA.
Although North Atlanta lost a few other players, for the most part the Warriors are returning a lot of players who had significant roles last season on the defensive side of the ball.
Playing against Hebron will be no easy task. Hebron is a defending state champion with a lot of returning players. The Warriors will have to respond well if they want to start off the 2025 season right. One thing they will have to do is limit Mathurin, as the speedy receiver can get up in a second so shutting him down will be crucial. Also, they cannot let senior running back Devon Caldwell get going. Like Mathurin, Caldwell can take over a game, and with a new starting quarterback he will likely get a heavy workload. Finally, the Warriors can not struggle late. Specifically in their loss to Kell, it was a back-and-forth game, tied 15-15 in the third quarter, but North Atlanta was unable to pull out the win going on to lose 29-15. Overall, North Atlanta was pretty good in close games last season, going 3-0 in one possession games. The Warriors have a strong team that is more than capable of being able to handle late-game situations. One thing is for sure, North Atlanta is ready for whatever Hebron throws at them.
Both teams have the weapons to take this matchup, and this could end up being one of the closer games of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. This game will undoubtedly be one of the premier wins of the season for whichever team comes out on top and the game is set to kick off right after school gets out at 4:30 p.m.
BY WESLEY POWELL
If West Forsyth is to start off on the right foot in 2025, the Wolverines cannot look down
on a 3A opponent. Douglass relied heavily on its run game last season, and does not expect that to change in 2025. If West Forsyth is to defeat the Astros, it has to limit its rushing attack through senior quarterback John Wilson and the replacement for transfer sophomore running back Ja’Narious Barner who left for Douglas County. Stopping the two will not be easy, but it will be necessary. Additionally, West Forsyth will need to attack the Astros’ weakened secondary. The loss of Casey Barner (transferred) and Jontae Gilbert (now at UGA) will be tough for the Astros, so attacking through the air could be key. The Wolverines will look to find a replacement for Orris, and may have a solution with Davis, who will be taking more reps at running back this season after recording 17 carries for 205 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Stanley Pritchett has completely turned the Douglass Astros around. The team won one game in his first season in 2021, and zero the year before he arrived. Last season, the team won eight games and made the second round of the playoffs just four years into his tenure.
As mentioned above, the Astros are dealing with the loss of Casey Barner, who was one of the top freshmen in the entire country and was seen as the future of the program, leaving Douglass looking to replace his two-way ability.
Douglass is a run heavy team, however, the Astros do return starting quarterback John Wilson. He threw for 10 touchdowns last season and ran for another nine, making him difficult to stop.
If he can get going in this game, he could give Douglass the lift it is looking for to come out on top. On the other side of the ball, although the secondary took some losses, Douglass is getting its tackle and sack leader from 2024, Andreco Griggs, back for his senior season. Another 2028 athlete who will make an impact on the defensive (and offensive) side of the ball is Damarien Parrott. Parrott primarily plays receiver, but with the hit to the secondary, expect him to take more reps at defensive back. He was the only other underclassman besides Barner to record a pick last season.
Defeating a school in a higher classification is always difficult. However, with the squad returning for Douglass, it might just get it done under the Thursday night lights. For one, it will have to get its running game going. If its running game can get going, it opens up the game in multiple ways and makes the matchup that much more difficult for West Forsyth. Also, the Astros secondary, which features a lot of youth and players who were not starters last season, will need to grow up fast if the Astros want to stay in the game. Finally, Douglass will have to embrace the role of the underdog. As good as Douglass is, a 3A school will almost always be an underdog versus a 6A school. If Douglass starts off hot, this matchup could prove to be one of the most thrilling games at the start of the season. This matchup will take place during the 8 p.m. nightcap of Thursday’s Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic lineup, with hopes of sending fans home after watching a heated battle.
Therrell and Cedar Grove will meet in the first game of the Friday slate of the Corky Kell at Buck Godfrey Stadium in Southwest DeKalb County. Both teams are making their second appearance in the event and are looking for their first wins. Though both teams are extremely close to each other and have more than 50 years of history a piece, it will be the first ever meeting between the two historic programs.
Cedar Grove is coming off its worst season since going winless in the 2003 season. Following the season, the program parted ways with coach Roderick Moore after only one year at the helm. They then hired Rich Freeman, an extremely experienced head coach who led Morehouse College from 2006-2022. Freeman brings the experience needed to lead the program but will have to reinstate a winning culture within the team.
CEDAR GROVE SAINTS
BY HAYDEN GILBERT
L AGRANGE GRANGERS
THERRELL PANTHERS VS. CASS COLONELS
BY HAYDEN GILBERT
The Saints’ offense showed flashes last season, scoring more than 20 points per game. That included two important region games against North Clayton and Riverdale, where they scored 52 and 44 points, respectively. In region play, they scored 25 or more points in all but one of their games. That one game was against one of the top teams in the region, Douglass-Atlanta. One of the more notable offensive players on the team is someone many will overlook, offensive tackle Dexttre Mincey. Standing at 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Mincey is the prototypical offensive guard. He anchors the Saints’ offensive line with his violent blocking.
The team’s defense was the side of the ball
LaGrange and Cass will meet for the first time since 2003, and for only the second time ever, in the second game on Friday of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. LaGrange is coming off a semifinal appearance and has even higher aspirations this season. Cass, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season after losing 4-star quarterback Brodie McWhorter early in the year due to injury.
LaGrange returns the vast majority of its 2024 team. That group entered last season very inexperienced, but that inexperience has now matured into one of the most senior-laden and experienced teams in the state. The Grangers are now hungry for a run at the school’s first state title in 22 years.
The LaGrange offense will be led by returning starting quarterback Dylan Barber. After a few tough weeks to start the season, Barber came into his own down the stretch, playing a key role in the Grangers’ resurgence in the regular season and playoff run to the semifinals. The offense also returns 3-star Georgia State commit Jardon Stringer, an X receiver who creates mismatches with his 6-foot-2 frame. Stringer is poised to take a step forward this season and could become a name to know statewide. On the offensive line, LaGrange brings back a productive trio in Carson Shattuck, Freddie Vaughn, and Yazirick Dorsey, all of whom will be critical in giving Barber time to operate and opening holes in the running game. While the Grangers return most of their offense, they will be without running back Malachi Render-Fannin. The heartbeat of the offense for the last two seasons, Render-
that took the biggest step back in 2024. In region play, the 2023 team gave up just seven points per game. In 2024, that number ballooned to 26.5 points per game, and they allowed 35 or more points three times. However, the team has some great players to turn to. Defensive end DeSean Hendrix is coming off a strong season. Standing at 6-3, 210 pounds, he has the frame colleges look for in outside linebackers. In the secondary, sophomore DeRico Welch is a massive 6-foot-5 safety who had a great spring. His ability to play deep and read a quarterback’s eyes will be extremely valuable in the coming season.
Therrell is coming off its best three-year stretch since 1995–1996. Coach BJ Jamison has turned the program around, delivering winning seasons in 2022 and 2023, the first back-to-back winning seasons since 1995 and 1996. The team, however, had a tough 2024, going 3–8 and the first ever back to back playoff appearances in the schools nearly seventy years of playing football. That record is a bit misleading, though, all of the team’s losses came against playoff teams, including its opener against A–3A Private champions Hebron Christian and 2A champions Carver-Columbus.
The team’s offense will need to improve in 2025. The 2023 season saw the Panthers score the second-most points in school history, averaging 29.9 PPG. Last season, however, they averaged just nine points per game. Still, they return some major pieces, most notably All-Region honorable mention running back Antwon Young. Blocking for him will be what should be a strong
Fannin will be tough to replace, but the team believes it has players ready to fill that role without missing a beat.
Defensively, the Grangers are ready to contend once again. On the line of scrimmage, returning standouts Nehemiah McLaughlin and Braylon Smith were both disruptive forces last season and nothing should change heading into 2024. At linebacker, Cornelius Brown and West Georgia commit Noah Outland will be hardhitting, versatile playmakers. The only question mark on defense lies in the secondary. With the graduation of Kayden Sutton and Jay Mitchell, some of LaGrange’s younger defensive backs will need to step up early to compete in game one.
Cass is coming off a frustrating 2024 campaign. Following a historic 2023 season that saw the Colonels reach the quarterfinals, expectations were high. Through five games, everything seemed on track, the team was 4-1 and looked like a title contender. But an injury to star quarterback Brodie McWhorter derailed any hopes of another deep playoff run. Still, Cass managed to salvage the season, winning three of its final four regular-season games and qualifying for the playoffs for a fourth straight year, the longest streak in school history.
The Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will mark McWhorter’s long-anticipated return. The 4-star Mississippi State commit is one of the top quarterbacks in the state, and the team looks entirely different with him under center. With McWhorter, the Colonels averaged 39 points per game; without him, that number dropped to only 19.3 including being held to seven points or fewer
offensive line led by Rodney Brown.
The defensive side of the ball should once again be the strength of the team. Therrell’s defense gave up 20 points or fewer six times last season, which was the main reason they won three games and made the playoffs. The defense will be led by first-team All-Region defensive back Carmello Lofton, a long and versatile defender. The front seven should once again be a strength, with three players who made All-Region second team returning. The two returning linebackers, Boston Carr and Deandre Bell, defend well against the run and pass but do it very differently. Carr is a more traditional run-stopper who also plays well in coverage, while Bell excels as a pass rusher. On the defensive line, Justin Glee is back after a strong 2024 season.
The two teams will face off in a very important game. Both will be looking to get the season off on the right foot. While a loss won’t end either team’s season, a win could set them on track for a rebound year. The major battles will take place at the lines of scrimmage. This early in the season, with two teams that may struggle to throw the ball, whichever team can impose its will in the trenches may have the edge. Predicting who will have the advantage is tough. Cedar Grove may return better top-end talent, but Therrell returns more experience on both lines. The running back position will also be a major factor. While Cedar Grove will need to break in a new starter, Young is a seasoned veteran. Overall, it should be a close and highly contested game.
three times. He’ll be joined by his cousin Bear McWhorter, a 4-star Michigan commit and one of the most dominant linemen in Georgia. Bear will help keep the pocket clean and anchor an offensive line that will be critical for Cass’s success. The team does lose the majority of its skill position players from a year ago. One notable returner is senior tight end Chase Tatum. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he’s a mismatch for most defenders and will need to step into a larger role in the passing game especially early in the season.
Defensively, Cass is in somewhat of a rebuilding phase. The Colonels lose key defensive linemen Sergio Ochoa and Malik Henry to graduation and also lose star defensive back Izak Koep, who transferred to Prince Avenue Christian during the offseason. Cass will rely on a younger core to fill those gaps in 2025 but some of whom will be expected to make major impacts early and often.
This matchup will likely come down to which team is more prepared and more cohesive out of the gate. LaGrange enters with the advantage in that area, boasting a veteran, upperclassmen-led roster that has weathered the storm of adversity before. While Cass may have the two most talented players on the field, the rest of the roster is young and full of new starters who will need to adjust quickly. This game also features two experienced, high-level quarterbacks. For Cass to win, McWhorter must already have developed chemistry with his new receiving corps. If not, it could be a long night for the Colonels. While Barber just needs to do more of what he did to end last season.
VS. ROME WOLVES CREEKSIDE SEMINOLES
BY HAYDEN GILBERT
Traditionalpowers Rome and Creekside will face off for the first time since 2022 and for only the second time ever. Both teams enter 2025 with sky-high expectations. Rome is looking to once again compete for the 5A state title, with a chance at the school’s first championship since 2017. Creekside returns much of its 2024 team that made the semifinals and should be just as strong this year as it chases the program’s second state title, and first since 2013.
Rome enters its matchup with Creekside the way it enters most seasons: well-coached, disciplined, and hungry for success. In 2025, the Wolves will be one of the most complete teams they’ve had in some time. With the team posting productive players at nearly every position on the field.
The Wolves’ offense will be led by junior quarterback Aidan McPherson, who returns after a strong first season as a starter in 2024. He helped the offense average 39 points per game last year, including five games where the team scored 49 or more. The wide receiver position may be the biggest difference for this year’s Rome team. While the Wolves have consistently produced elite players at most positions, wide receiver hasn’t typically been one of their deepest positions groups, but this year is different. The Wolves have two high-end pass catchers. The best true WR to come through the program in years is Jeremy Winston, a 6-foot-2, true X receiver. He excels at being physical and is a high end jump-ball threat. Though he is also a high end athlete that can take any pass for a touchdown.
Another important target will also be Darnell
Collins while more known as a defensive back, is a dangerous receiver as well. Standing at 6-4, he is another jumbo-sized weapon that’s difficult for defenses to contain. While Rome returns a lot on offense, they will need to replace 2024 All-State running back Chance Arthur, who graduated last season. He leaves behind big shoes to fill, but the Wolves have a strong tradition of producing talented backs.
The traditional strength of John Reid coached Rome teams is defense, though it will be more of a question mark heading into 2025. Despite being elite for years, giving up more than 20 points per game only once since 2016, the Wolves will be replacing much of last year’s unit. They will now be anchored by Darnell Collins with him being the best player on that side of the ball this season. The defense’s most notable loss is AJC 5A Defensive Player of the Year and current Tennessee Volunteer Jaedon Harmon. That said, Rome has rebuilt before and never missed a beat, so expectations remain high on that side of the ball.
Creekside enters year nine under Maurice Dixon, and the program has never looked better. The Seminoles are coming off their third semifinal appearance in the last four seasons and are once again one of the top contenders in 4A.
The Seminoles’ offense returns most of its 2024 production and looks to build on a strong campaign. Most importantly, they bring back AllState quarterback Cayden Benson. Last season, Benson rushed for over 1,000 yards and threw for over 2,300, combining for 42 total touchdowns. In the receiver room, while they lose star wideout
and current Western Kentucky Hilltopper Dylan Vickerson, they return the explosive tandem of Eric Paul Jr. and Damien Henderson. Both are among the most dangerous receivers in the state when given space and are projected slot receivers at the next level. Creekside also returns two All-State linemen, Kaleb Noel and Jayvon Perry, who should give Benson time to operate.
Creekside’s defense should once again be a strength, led by two extremely productive players. On the defensive line, the Seminoles return All-State standout Cassius Burch, who as a sophomore was already dominating older competition. In the secondary, 3-star DB Sean Williams, perhaps the most talented player on the roster, returns and will serve as a shut-down corner once again.
This game may come down to which team’s passing game is better equipped to challenge the opposing defense. While both teams have talent across the board, their most experienced players are at quarterback and wide receiver. On the other side, both secondaries are full of high-end defensive backs, which will make things difficult for both quarterbacks. A key question will be how Rome handles Cayden Benson’s rushing ability. Last season, Creekside often used Benson’s legs to force safeties down into the box, creating more one-on-one opportunities for its receivers. If the Wolves can contain Benson with just their front seven, it could limit Creekside’s big-play potential. If not, the Seminoles may be able to hit on explosive plays, something that’s been rare against Rome’s defenses in recent years.
VS. ST. PIUS X GOLDEN LIONS DUNWOODY WILDCATS
With a 25-21 record in four seasons running the St. Pius X football team, Chad Garrison and the Golden Lions look to extend their streak of making the postseason to 20 years in Garrison’s fifth season with the program. Following a 7-4 season last year where they started out the season 6-1, the Golden Lions lost in the first round of the playoffs to Perry and finished fourth in the region behind Marist, Southwest DeKalb and Tucker. St. Pius X has taken a self-evaluation approach to this offseason and coach Garrison has seen the team bond together and make significant progress after a tough start.
“This offseason has been a process,” said Garrison. “I’d say we started off a little rocky in the spring, but now we have really started to come together.”
The Golden Lions had 12 players selected to All-Region Teams as voted on by the coaches at the conclusion of last season, and will only have three returning to the roster this season after graduating the other nine. Rising junior and fullback John Taylor is back for another season in the Golden Lions run-heavy offense following a first-team All-Region Region 5-4A selection in 2024. Taylor is a bruiser of a running back as he is used not only in the short yardage situations, but is a valuable run and pass blocker for St. Pius when they need him to be. Junior punter Stevie Maloof returns to the Golden Lions proving a reliable option in the special teams department for St. Pius. Junior running back Dexter Mosley is another name that the Golden Lions return in their backfield as Mosley who recently picked up
HOUSTON COUNTY BEARS VS. BROOKWOOD BRONCOS
BY NAJEH WILKINS
Inthe second game on Saturday at MercedesBenz Stadium, it will be the first-ever matchup between two contenders in their respective classifications as Brookwood takes on Houston County.
Brookwood finished 7-4 and 6-1 in Region 7-6A before losing to West Forsyth in the first round under former head coach Philip Jones. It is the dawn of a new era for the Broncos as former defensive coordinator Chad Nighbert takes over as head coach for the first time in his career to lead the Broncos.
Houston County went 8-5 and advanced to the quarterfinals in 2024 during the third year under head coach Jeremy Edwards. The Bears were led by Memphis-signee Antwann Hill, who helped lead the Bears to a first-round upset over the favored and No. 1-ranked Clarke Central. With his elite production from a season ago, leading to becoming Houston County’s all-time passing leader and then graduating, the biggest question will be who steps in to fill the signal caller role and lead the offense in 2025.
It could be Grey Dunlap who emerges as the starter or a young signal caller who impressed coaches throughout the offseason. This quarterback battle went through an acclimation period and could go all the way up to the first game of the season.
Defensively, Houston County is led by Westen Ard who is a tackle machine and the unquestioned leader of the defense for the Bears. Ard led the Bears with 123 tackles and nine sacks last season. He’s known for his physicality, tenacity, and sheer grit. The Bears also have 4-star safety
an Arkansas-Pine Bluff offer in June. “Dexter was a backup quarterback for us, but we felt like he was best used for us as a running back last season,” explained Garrison. “Now, he stepped into the leadership role as a quarterback and is doing a great job there and we are excited about what he gives us in both the run game and pass game. We are still going to be a run-dominant team, but we have been working really hard on the passing game and we want to be able to pass the ball when we want to and not when we have to.”
For the first time in the football program’s history, the Golden Lions will be kicking off their season at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic in Mercedes-Benz Stadium when they will face Dunwoody. In the history of the series, St. Pius has a 7-3 advantage in the 10 previous meetings. The Golden Lions had won four-straight head-tohead meetings with St. Pius until the most recent showdown in 2023 that Dunwoody won 21-0. In total, six of the 10 meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less and no two opponents in this year’s Corky Kell lineup have faced more times than these two rivals that are located just eight miles apart from one another.
Head coach Michael Nash had coached at Dunwoody from 2015 until taking the Chattahoochee County job last season which cleared the way for the promotion of Matthew Schmitz to the head coaching spot. Schmitz coached under Nash, serving as his defensive coordinator for the past three seasons and wants to advance the Wildcats to the program’s third-straight playoff
Jordan Smith (Georgia commit), who will man the back end of the defense. Smith finished with 85 tackles, seven pass deflections, and two interceptions last season.
Brookwood will have a new quarterback at the helm in Gary Chatman, who takes over for CJ Franklin, who graduated last season. The Broncos will have a good amount of playmakers at their disposal in 2025, led by star running back Brayden Tyson, running back Bryce Green, wide receiver Manny Scott, ATH Deyron Groce, and more.
Let’s take a deep dive into some key matchups.
When you think of Brookwood, you envision elite running back Tyson toting the rock 30 or more times in a game. It’s not just the Tyson show, however. Brookwood has a nice stable of running backs. Green will be a name to know here, who transferred in this past offseason and has established himself as a No. 2 back. Groce will be in the rotation as well, giving the backs a breather when needed in the game. This will only help Tyson, who rushed for 2,123 yards and 23 touchdowns a year ago.
For the Bears, that is when Ard (leading tackler) and Jase Jordan come into play. There is no question they are physical linebackers who like to hit, but you have to stay disciplined against Brookwood and be able to get No. 24 on the ground for four quarters. Now with several running backs that can play at a high level, Tyson will be fresh in key moments of the game. While their defensive line is underrated, they have the front to create pressure and make negative plays. They’ll have to do the same and stifle
appearance for the first time since 1994. Since winning the program’s only state championship in 1993, the Wildcats have only been to the playoffs eight times with 2008’s quarterfinals appearance as the most-recent season with multiple playoff victories and one season prior to the team’s last playoff victory in the first round in the 2009 Class 3A bracket.
Schmitz enters a head coaching job looking to replace nearly 90% of the offense from last season, which was one of the best in school history. The heart of that team was senior quarterback Matt Pearch, who was 244-of-384 passing for 2,890 yards and 31 touchdowns. Also gone are his two favorite targets – Porter Allison and Danny Boden – who combined for 22 touchdown receptions.
However, the offensive line will be a strength and built around Grant Pearch, Luke Mitchell and Jace Gonzalez-Rubio. The line will clear holes for running back Cam Irastorza, who saw playing time as a junior last season.
“Cam is that physical and downhill running back that I love to have,” said coach Schmitz. “He is not afraid to lower his shoulder and be physical with the football and I can’t wait to see what he does this season.”
The defensive side of the ball is arguably the deepest for the Wildcats. Returning are defensive linemen Rhett Hesprich and Cole Camp, flanked by defensive end Darius Hall. Linebackers Jake Greenfield and Drew Gust will be backed by defensive back Chase Casey and strong safety Declan Gallagher.
the Broncos rushing attack to stay competitive. Houston County has a number of playmakers on the outside that can burn you, starting with their running back, Austin Stinson, who is not just a running back but a great pass catcher out of the backfield. Just when you’re trying to slow him down, the Bears can bring in their punishing fullback/h-back Kenneth Hammonds to get those hard-nosed yards.
On the outside, they are led by wide receiver and Duke-commit Kavon Conciauro, who is massive at 6-3 and 200 pounds and finished with 25 catches for 316 yards and four touchdowns last season. An underrated player who makes a lot of plays is MJ Mathis, who finished with 64 catches, 1,025 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2024. Mathis is a threat whenever he touches the ball to take it for a score.
Brookwood has one of the best secondaries in the state, led by Kris Brunson (Louisville commit), Zyaire Conaway, Sean King, Damyon Pearson (Western Kentucky commit), Tyson Boothe, and their star safety Julian Elzey. The Broncos do a great job of effectively communicating before the snap and not getting confused by the looks they are seeing. The defensive backs are led by Coach Raw, who has been developing defensive backs at an elite level for Brookwood.
Both teams have aspirations of making it to the state championship game in 2025, and have elite rosters on both sides of the ball. It will be a great early test for Houston County and Brookwood to see where they measure up among the elite at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
BY CRAIG SAGER II
WALTON RAIDERS
VS. MCEACHERN INDIANS
BY CRAIG SAGER
TheWalton Raiders head into the 2025 season with a brand new group of playmakers. Coming off the first-time in head coach Daniel Brunner’s tenure that the Raiders were unable to advance past the first round of the playoffs, new leadership has been tasked with returning the Raiders into championship contention. The most notable storyline entering the summer is the quarterback competition. A pair of promising 2028 prospects, Pierson Degala and Christion Peacock have battled it out to see who earns the starting job and leads the offense into the new season. Looking to spark a turnaround, Walton has brought in new offensive coordinator Levi Brown, who aims to revitalize a unit that struggled throughout 2024.
In the backfield, Noriega Thompson is expected to lead the way. He returns after rushing for 566 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. However, the passing game is more uncertain. Walton loses its top two receivers from last season and returns just 505 of the team’s 1,994 total receiving yards. That said, there is still talent at the skill positions. Max McRaney, a 6-foot-3 wideout, is the leading returning receiver after catching 23 passes for 246 yards last season. Jude Cascone, the team’s top tight end, is healthy after missing time with injury and will be a reliable target. He still managed 214 yards and a touchdown last year. One of the most intriguing additions is CJ Jordan, a 6-foot-7 former backup quarterback who has transitioned to tight end.
On defense, Walton will be anchored by standout linebacker Noah Lavallee, the team’s most highly-touted senior recruit and a Florida State commit. Lavallee totaled 124 tackles and
N. GWINNETT BULLDOGS VS.
DOUGLAS COUNTY TIGERS
BY MAX WOLBORSKY
Widely
known as two powerhouses in Class 6A, the Douglas County Tigers and the North Gwinnett Bulldogs will line up against each other for the first time in both programs’ histories in the nightcap of the 2025 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
With 35 total years of head coaching experience across five different schools heading into this season, North Gwinnett head coach Eric Godfree and Douglas County head coach Johnny White have never faced off against one another.
North Gwinnett has a storied history of being featured in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic as the Bulldogs will be making their 16th appearance in the high school football kickoff event. The Bulldogs have recorded an 8-7 record in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic and are coming off a victory last season in the game when they defeated McEachern 39-17.
Douglas County made its first appearance in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic a season ago when they handled Cedar Grove with ease, 427, as plenty of the offensive fire power from last year’s team returns in 2025.
The North Gwinnett Bulldogs are coming off of a tremendous 12-1 season where they made the quarterfinals for the first time since 2022. The Bulldogs held a 12-game winning streak, including victories over Denmark and Newton in the postseason before losing to Buford in the quarterfinals. The program took home its 10th region title last season in Region 7-6A.
On the other sideline, the Douglas County Tigers are coming off of an 11-3 season, making a semifinals appearance for the second season in a
eight tackles for loss last season. In the secondary, MJ Burnett is a name to know. The 6-foot-3 defensive back has seen his recruitment explode this offseason, and for good reason. He made 47 tackles and tallied seven pass deflections in 2024, and he’s expected to take on an even larger role this season.
McEachern is built for success in the 2025 season after two solid years of rebuilding under head coach Kareem Reid. With a strong mix of elite underclassmen and battle-hardened seniors and juniors, the Indians are well-positioned to take the next step. The young players represent both the present and the future of the program and are expected to make a major impact this coming season.
“We have had a great summer. This is year three so this is kind of the year where everything is kind of the way I want it now,” said coach Reid. “We have some continuity on the staff and haven’t really lost anyone so I’m excited to see us perform.”
The Indians’ offense will be led for the third year by 3-star running back and Indiana-commit Jayreon Campbell. Campbell is coming off a 1,000 all-purpose yard, 19-touchdown season in 2024. Another major skill position player returning is Nalin Scott, a 4-star Nebraska commit. Scott is coming off a season in which he caught 29 passes for 541 yards and two touchdowns. Most importantly, they return quarterback Calvin Pittman. Pittman started multiple games toward the end of the season and finished with 883 passing yards on 112 attempts, throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. He also adds a major element to the
row. The Tigers have turned in back-to-back double-digit win seasons as the loaded Douglas County roster looks to get over the semifinals hump.
The Tigers will have their dynamic receiving duo back this season as a pair of top-20 players in the state of Georgia in the Class of 2026 are ready to leave their final mark on Georgia high school football. Texas A&M-commit Aaron Gregory and Florida State-commit Devin Carter bring the juice to a high-powered receiving corps. Gregory and Carter combined for 1,583 yards and 14 touchdowns on 94 receptions that created one of the most lethal passing attacks in the state. Gregory and Carter are widely regarded as the top wideout pairing in the state as they look to capitalize off of a stellar 2024 season in the final game of this year’s Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic.
Douglas County has a new signal-caller under center as Michael Johnson enters his first season with the Tigers. After throwing for 2,700 yards and 24 touchdowns in his junior season with Dutchtown, Johnson is gearing up for his first season with the Tigers and competing in Georgia’s largest classification in Class 6A. In the backfield with him, senior running back Zamarcus Lindley leads the rushing attack for the Tigers as he looks to prove why he is one of the most underrated running backs in the state. Lindley is coming off of a 1,224-yard season when he scored 14 touchdowns for the Tigers.
On defense, Douglas County is loaded with new and returning talent that will cause fits for opposing offenses. Defensive end and Texas A&Mcommit Jordan Carter leads a stout defense along
run game, rushing for 511 yards on 54 attempts and scoring an additional four touchdowns. The offensive line will once again be in good hands, anchored by a plethora of reliable options to create a safe pocket and holes for the run game.
The most intriguing players for the Indians this season will be a pair of underclassmen athletes. Sophomore transfer Casey Barner, who played last season at Douglass-Atlanta, is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2028 and holds offers from many of the top programs in the country. It will be interesting to see how he is used this season and whether he plays both ways. Another exciting young player to watch is 2029 athlete Jacorey Shockley. Shockley is one of the top freshman recruits in the country and already holds four Power Four offers, including one from Michigan. How, and how much, he is used will be something to watch closely.
The defense will be anchored by a pair of high-end defensive linemen. The team’s highestrated returning player is Zakir Abdul-Salaam, ranked as high as a 4-star by Rivals, who has shown flashes of being a game-wrecking lineman. Lining up next to him will be Pebblebrook transfer Darryl Rivers, a 3-star recruit who plays as an interior defensive lineman. Tennessee is currently considered the favorite in his recruitment. Together, they form a duo that many teams will struggle to stop. Behind them is the team’s leading returning tackler, Michai Rowe, who had 68 total tackles last year. In the secondary, defensive back Kiyante Ingram, the team’s thirdleading tackler from last season, will pair with Barner to form a tough group to throw against.
with returners Richard Dyce and Jamar Owens. The Tigers brought in reinforcements on defense as a pair of 4-star safeties in KJ Green and Adryan Cole joined a talented secondary.
For North Gwinnett, the Bulldogs are led by a new starting quarterback for the first time in three seasons as Elam Rahman looks to lead the Bulldogs. Kalil Mazone and Stephen Brown return to lead the rushing attack after the departure of Tommy Lafayette to Penn. Mazone totaled 269 yards on 72 carries last year and found the end zone twice, returning as the Bulldogs’ leading rusher.
Braylon Jackson returns as the team leading receiver in 2025 after finishing second on the team in receiving touchdowns a season ago hauling in four scores. Jackson also totaled 211 yards on 18 receptions through the air. While North Gwinnett had plenty of talent graduate over the summer including Erik Ronning and Nicholas Bookman, young receivers will have to step into bigger roles this season.
On defense, it’s more of the same for North Gwinnett as they look to replace the production from the seniors a year ago including Malekhi Weedon, Cole Funderburk, CJ Hollinquest and Braxton Kyle. High-profile Class of 2027 linebacker Jake Godfree is coming off of a terrific 2024 season as a sophomore when he accumulated 129 tackles and 19 tackles for loss, earning major college offers in the process. Ethan Robinson and Connor Coxwell will also be a huge part of the defensive unit this season as they look to bring the Bulldogs back to Mercedes-Benz later in the season for the state championship.
II
PRINCE AVE. CHR. WOLVERINES
HEAD COACH
JON RICHT
CALLAWAY CAVALIERS
HEAD COACH PETE WIGGINS
SOUTH PAULDING SPARTANS
HEAD COACH MAURICE ALLEN
KELL LONGHORNS
HEAD COACH BOBBY MAY
Smith WR/DB 9
Kaden West WR/DB 10
Josiah Garrett OL/DL 12
Skylar Melton OL/DL 12
Tyrone Fitten OL/DL 12 55 Hudson Norris OL/DL 11
Steward DB 12
Jaleel Shakir LB/P 12
Collin Edwards WR 12
Rajon Heisser QB 10
Ethan Moore WR 9
Braden Park LB 11
Rylee Phillips QB/WR 10
Amontay Allen RB/DB 11
Hayden Howe TE/LB 10
Micah Wagner DB 10
Sean Boyd DB 12 24 Braylon Daniel RB 11 25 Kaden Mitchell DB 10 27 Melech Yehudah RB 11
