Tag: Carrollton

ESPN channels to air 6 high school football games during kickoff event

ESPN will air six high school football games, including matchups with top-10 teams Bishop Gorman, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Bosco and Chaminade-Madonna.

As prep football gets back into full swing, the Worldwide Leader in Sports will bring back its ESPN High School Football Kickoff for the 15th year.

From Aug. 16-25, ESPN will feature six games featuring 28 players ranked in its top 300 for the classes of 2025 and 2026. According to the press release, eleven of these players have committed to Div. I college football programs.

Related: Watch high school football live this season on the NFHS Network

Though it’s just the first week of the season for many teams, this event will showcase some of the best matchups of the season, including two games between top 10 teams: Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) plays St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) goes up against Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.).

Below is the full schedule and the channels on which the game will appear. All times are Eastern Time. The rankings align with the USA TODAY High Sports Super 25 preseason rankings, released earlier this week.

Friday, Aug. 16

No. 12 Carrollton (Ga.) at Woodward Academy (College Park, Ga).

Game time: 8 p.m.

Channel: ESPN2

Thursday, Aug. 22

Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) at Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.)

Game time: 8 p.m.

Channel: ESPN2

Friday, Aug. 23

No. 10 Milton (Ga.) vs. No. 16 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)

Game time: 7 p.m.

Channel: ESPN

Saturday, Aug. 24

No. 3 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)

Game time: 4 p.m.

Channel: ESPN

No. 5 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) vs. No. 6 Chaminade-Madonna (Hollywood, Fla.)

Game time: 8 p.m.

Channel: ESPN2

Sunday, Aug. 25

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, (Ga.) at Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

Game time: 1 p.m.

Channel: ESPN

Gavin Owens, 2025 pro-style quarterback from Rabun Gap Nacoochee High, participates in drills from during Dabo Swinney High School Camp (USA TODAY Network)

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4-star CB Dorian Barney transfers to Georgia football power Carrollton

“Business is Business,” the Alabama commit noted on social media.

It’s been a busy few weeks for Dorian Barney.

First, the four-star cornerback committed to Alabama on May 19, choosing the Crimson Tide over top programs like Michigan, Texas, Tennessee, Oregon, and Georgia.

Though incredibly early, his commitment instantly adds a bit of recruiting-game heft to the 2026 class for the SEC power under new head coach Kalen DeBoer — who looked at Barney while at Washington.

“The whole staff wants me there and I feel comfortable,” Barney told On3.

“Why I chose them is because of the connections and the development,” he also shared. “They are developing players, they have developed them in the past and they will continue to do so in the upcoming years. Also, it is about the relationships that I have with all the coaches.”

That news, however, was only the beginning of the recent headlines for the top 10-rated CB.

Now, the Georgia product is switching things up ahead of his junior season, announcing via X (formerly Twitter) that he’s transferring from Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee, Ga.) to Carrollton (Ga.).

Business is business, indeed.

The Trojans program has been a juggernaut in the Peach State, winning seven state titles and 32 regionals. With highlight-reel athletes like quarterback Julian Lewis, the team hung around the USA TODAY Sports Super 25 all season in 2023, but a November loss to a tough Walton (Ga.) team knocked them out of the final ranking. The team finished at a respectable 11-3.

Barney’s addition instantly makes the 2024 roster one of the best overall in the country, which now has a secondary that features the new transfer alongside fellow ’26 class standout and five-star safety Zelus Hicks, and Antonio Cromartie Jr. (class of 2025).

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Red-hot Alabama nabs another 4-star recruit, rises to No. 5 nationally

Over the weekend, they got a commitment from Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom.

Don’t look now, but Alabama is back up among the elite recruiting programs for the class of 2024. After a slow start to the recruiting cycle, the Crimson Tide has risen fast in the national recruiting rankings over the last couple of weeks. Now they’re in the top-five teams in the nation.

Over the weekend, they got a commitment from another blue-chip recruit. This time it was Carrollton (Ga.) four-star tight end Caleb Odom.

Odom (6-foot-5, 215 pounds) had offers from 30 other programs, including Auburn, Florida, Miami and Texas A&M. Asked why he picked Alabama, Odom told Hayes Fawcett at On3 their history was a big factor.

“Honestly it was a place I saw myself being able to fit in at and being able to be developed easily. I built a great relationship with every coach on the staff, especially coach Cox. And the history of Bama is a big factor, the team is a dynasty and has a history of winning.”

Going by the 247Sports composite rankings, Odom is No. 4 among tight ends, No. 11 in the state of Georgia and No. 64 nationally in the class of 2024.

That makes 14 hard commits for Alabama’s class of 2024, which has risen to No. 5 in the nation.

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(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)

California: No. 1 St. John Bosco vs. No. 19 Serra

St. John Bosco (12-1)

To get here the Braves beat out the Monarchs in dramatic fashion last Friday night, winning 24-22 after holding off a late rally by Mater Dei. In the end, it was quality line play that won the day for Bosco. On defense, they stood tall in the red zone with several successful goal line stands. Their offensive line also played a key role in crunch time.

Serra (13-0)

Still undefeated on the season, Serra hasn’t really been challenged since back in Week 2, when they defeated De La Salle (Calif.) by a field goal. The Padres have beaten every team they’ve faced since by at least 12 points, including a 41-14 route of Archbishop Mitty (Calif.) last week.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

(PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT)

Florida: No. 4 Central vs. No. 13 American Heritage (12/16)

Central (13-0)

The Rockets began their 2022 campaign with a 20-14 win over IMG Academy (Fla.), getting their journey off on the right foot. That was about as tough as it’s gotten for Central this year. All together, they have beaten seven of their opponents by 30 points or more. Last week they took out Lakewood (Fla.) 39-21 to advance.

American Heritage (13-1)

(USA TODAY Network)

Texas: No. 8 Westlake vs. No. 10 North Shore

Westlake (14-0)

They have some strong competition for the title, but Westlake might be the most-dominant high school football team in the nation this year. Their season began with a 30-point blowout over Ridge Point (Texas) and they haven’t looked back. Along the way, they’ve posted several lopsided wins by scores of 73-7, 66-17, 70-0, 45-0, 70-10 and 58-10. They did it again last week against Brennan (Texas), winning 47-7 on the road.

North Shore (14-0)

While not quite as dominant as Westlake, the Mustangs are also undefeated on the season. They have done it by running up the score on their opponents. They have put up at least 38 points in 12 different games this season. Last week they put up 38 again vs. Atascocita (Texas) in a 31-point landslide.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

(Fiel)

Georgia: No. 20 Carrollton vs. No. 24 Mill Creek

Carrollton (14-0)

If you get to this point in the schedule and you still haven’t lose a game, you’re doing something right. The Trojans won their first game this year against Gadsden City (Ala.) 69-7, setting the tone for a dominant campaign. Carrollton boasts one of the top defenses in the country, holding eight opponents to 14 points or less. They beat Colquitt County (Ga.) on Friday, 35-27.

Mill Creek (13-1)

With the exception of a close call Week 1 against Walton (Ga.) and a 12-point loss to Buford (Ga.) in mid-October, Mill Creek has been rolling over their competition all year. They won their next two games by a combined score of 99-0 and have blown out every other opponent by at least 24 points. Last week they beat Milton (Ga.) 48-14.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

(USA TODAY Network)

Arizona: No. 18 Basha vs. Saguaro

Basha (11-1)

The only team that’s beaten Basha this season is Liberty (Ariz.), a 35-7 blowout back in early October. Since that point their defense has tightened up considerably, not allowing more than 25 points in a single game. It’s getting better with time, too. To get here Basha pitched a shut out against Chandler (Ariz.) in a 13-0 playoff win last weekend.

Saguaro (9-3)

The Sabercats had a shaky start to their 2022 season, losing their first game and three of their first five matchups overall. However, since then they have gone on a tear, winning seven straight games, including a one-point road victory over Liberty on Saturday, 43-42. That avenged a 26-17 loss to Liberty on September 30, which was the last time Saguaro lost a game.

Watch live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

All eyes on Georgia: Preview of Colquitt County vs. Carrollton

This week, we’ll be previewing a playoff showdown between two of the top teams in the state of Georgia.

Last week the most-exciting matchup on the high school football slate was a rematch between California powerhouses Mater Dei and St. John Bosco.

This week, we’ll be previewing a playoff showdown between two of the top teams in the state of Georgia.

Colquitt County (13-0) vs. Carrollton (13-0)

Colquitt County: Few teams around the nation have been as dominant as the Packers this season. Every single one of their 13 wins has been a blowout, with the closest margin of victory coming against Valdosta by 18 points last month. Their dominance has continued into the playoffs. First, they beat Pebblebrook by 40 points, followed by a three-touchdown margin over Harrison. Last week, they piled on North Gwinnett by a score of 52-17.

Player to watch: Senior running back Charlie Pace has averaged 103.1 rushing yards per game and scored 15 touchdowns.

Carrollton: Still undefeated at 13-0, the Trojans have also easily rolled over most of their opponents. The closest that any team has come to beating them was South Paulding, who lost 28-21 back in August. Westlake managed to get within nine points, but every game since has been a landslide. In the playoffs, they’ve beaten Lowndes by 24, Marietta by 33 and Walton by 25.

Player to watch: The Trojans are led by Freshman QB Julian Lewis, who’s thrown 41 touchdown passes to go with 10 interceptions.

Watch the game live or on-demand on the NFHS Network

Michigan State Football offers 2021 4-star LB Chief Borders

Michigan State has offered a 4-star outside linebacker from Carrollton, Georgia.

[jwplayer 7LCHev4s]

I thought about starting this story off with some type of joke playing on the name ‘Chief’ but to be honest I don’t know if anyone needs a strained pun on the Monday after the Fourth of July, so I’ll just get straight to it. On Monday, 4-star 2021 outside linebacker Chief Borders announced that he has received an offer to Michigan State.

Borders has a big disparity between his 247Sports recruiting ranking and his Composite Ranking. 247Sports has him as a 3-star prospect and the No. 58 ranked outside linebacker in his class. Their Composite Rankings have him as the No. 19 ranked outside linebacker and a 4-star prospect.

Borders currently plays for Carrollton High School in Georgia and has offers out from Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Oregon and more.

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