Tag: georgia high school football

Walton takes on Brookwood: How to watch the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic matchup

Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the site of a good one on Saturday!

The final day of the 2024 Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic has a four-pack of solid games, with the opener creating as much intrigue as any Georgia high school football kick off.

Last season, Walton’s (Marietta, Ga.) dismantling of Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.) 63-15 added to an early storyline on the Raiders’ season, which would end with the team going 14-1 with several Super 25 upsets on the way to finishing tops in Georgia’s Class 7A Region 5.

The team lost the state final against Milton, and with that, a significant amount of senior talent.

But this year’s team under head coach Daniel Brunner has playmakers on both sides of the ball, including a defensive line that must be ready to stop Brookwood’s top-tier running game.

If the defense can hold its own, the offense has more than enough talent to create scoring drives. Led by quarterback Kaeden Gilstrap (Wofford commit), the Raiders have talent in the backfield as well as at tight end and out wide, with Jude Cascone—who has offers from Ohio State and Georgia—and class of 2027 standout Alexander Ward—who already has looks from top programs like Alabama—creating options for the attack.

For Brookwood, the game represents a chance not only to even the all-time series at six wins apiece but also to exact a little revenge from last year’s blowout that ended with a Walton school record for points.

As mentioned, the rushing attack is a game-changing nod to the Broncos, with 4-star talent Brayden Tyson (a stout 6-0, 235 pounds) headlining the backfield behind a sturdy offensive line.

If  Tyson is able to repeat his 2023 Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic output, then this could be the makings of an-time shocker at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. 

Which team will take it?

Fans who are looking to watch Walton take on Brookwood at the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic can live-stream the game on the NFHS Network.

Watch: Brookwood vs. Walton on the NFHS Network

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

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No. 21 Buford takes on No. 10 Milton: How to watch the Super 25 Georgia football matchup

Georgia high school football features a Super 25 Showdown this Friday night!

Georgia high school football kicks off across the state with plenty of notable matchups this week, but few more so than the gridiron action Friday night in Milton.

It’s an opening USA TODAY Sports Super 25 clash, with the No. 10 Eagles welcoming No. 21 Buford in a Peach State headliner.

Both teams are coming off impressive 2023 seasons.

Milton went 13-2 on the year, taking the Class AAAAAAA state title after going on a 10-game winning streak. The team is back in the top 10 in 2024, featuring a senior class that includes quarterback Luke Nickel (Miami Hurricanes commit) and top-tier talent in tight ends Ethan Barbour (Georgia Bulldogs commit) and Ryan Ghea (Auburn Tigers commit), plus wideout C.J. Wiley (Florida State commit).

The defense is just as strong, led by defensive back Tyler Redmond, who is headed to Tennessee in 2025, and Arkansas commit Caleb Bell holding things down on the defensive line.

On the other side of the field, Buford looks to build on a 2023 campaign that ended with the Wolves going 11-2. A late loss to Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) ended the team’s Class AAAAAAA Region 8 run, which adds to the storyline in 2024.

Of course, many will first be looking at what’s gone this season: QB Dylan Raiola and dual-threat KJ Bolden.

However, the No. 21-ranked team has plenty of firepower on offense heading into the year, with Clemson commit Brayden Jacobs at offensive tackle. He should help a running game that features Tennessee Volunteers commit Justin Baker while creating passing opportunities for Collins Hill transfer TJ Wilcox or Dayton Raiola to find wideout Jordan Allen (Louisville Cardinals commit) and Hayden Bradley (Ole Miss commit).

Like 2023, Buford’s defense is one of the best in the country. Led by 4-star USC commit Jadon Perlotte, Kansas commit Kenyon Rivera, and Auburn Tigers commit Devin Williams, the defense is the main staple to a Super 25 preseason nod and should make for an exciting battle with the Eagles offense.

How will it all play out? If the last time these two teams played in 2019 is any indication—when Buford won a tight one 26-23—look for an all-time Georgia High School football classic.

High school football fans in Georgia and around the nation who are looking to watch the Super 25 matchup can live-stream the game on the NFHS Network.

Watch: Buford vs. Milton

(USA TODAY)

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2024 Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic schedule: How to watch the Georgia high school football kickoff

The four-day schedule of games is another impressive slate, culminating on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons.

Georgia high school football kicks off this week across the state, with a significant focus spotlighting on the matchups at the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic.

The event has been an impressive showcase of Peach State football talent since 1992, which has included numerous powerhouse teams.

This year, the four-day schedule of games is another impressive slate. It culminates on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons, and features a Super 25 watch-list program plus top-tier athletes on both sides of the ball.

Ready for Georgia high school football?

Fans who are looking to watch the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic can live-stream the games on the NFHS Network.

Below is the complete schedule.

Watch Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic on the NFHS Network

Prince Avenue’s Christian Garrett (55) celebrates after sacking Athens Academy’s Hampton Johnson (7) during a GHSA high school football game in Bogart, Ga. in 2023. (USA TODAY)

Wednesday, Aug. 14 at Kell High School

4:30 p.m. ET: Douglass (Atlanta) vs. LaGrange

7:30 p.m. ET: North Atlanta vs. Kell

Thursday, Aug. 15 at West Forsyth High School

4:30 p.m. ET: South Paulding vs. Dunwoody

7:30 p.m. ET: Prince Avenue Christian vs. West Forsyth

Friday, Aug. 16 at Hebron Christian High School

4:30 p.m. ET: Therrell vs. Hebron Christian

Friday, Aug. 16 at Rome’s Barron Stadium

7:30 p.m. ET: Callaway vs. Cass

Saturday, Aug. 17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

10:00 a.m. ET: Walton vs. Brookwood

1:00 p.m. ET: Alpharetta vs. Houston County

4:00 p.m. ET: McEachern vs. North Gwinnett

7:00 p.m. ET: Douglas County vs. Cedar Grove

(Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)

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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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Georgia high school football player saves 2 people in fiery car crash

Cayman Reynolds of Sonoraville High School helped save two people stuck in wreckage after a car crash in which both vehicles were on fire.

A high school football player in Georgia jumped into action to help save two people in a wreckage while on his way to school in January, earning him recognition from the sheriff’s office.

Cayman Reynolds was on his way to Sonoraville High School (Ga.) when he came to a stop at a crash in which two cars were on fire and one was overturned. He told the local Fox 5 station that he pulled out his phone to have evidence to show his teacher while he was late when he noticed a group of people around the car trying to save a person trapped inside. (short video clip on Fox 5).

Reynolds said he pulled the door off the car and grabbed the legs of the person, who was jammed under the steering wheel. “His quad was torn in half, he’s jammed under the steering wheel, so I had to pull him out,” he said.

The group succeeded in getting the first man out of the car. They then rushed to the other vehicle, where a man was stuck in the seatbelt, trying to evacuate before the flames worsened.

“I see a wrench; his toolbox fell out. I broke a window, cleared the glass, but I was too big to get in the back window, so I asked the smaller lady, who was about 4-feet-11-inches, to squeeze in there and untie his seat belt and I said, ‘I’ll pull him out,'” Reynolds said to Fox 5.

The group saved the person. Reynolds then went to class.

According to the student, he usually takes a different route to school than this one. “I don’t know why at the last second I did, but God put it in my heart,” he said. That decision to change his route helped save the day.

Gordon County Sheriff Mitch Ralston awarded the group of people who helped — Reynolds, Sammie Roper, Lamar Turner, and Howard Pack — with a Citizen Service Award and certificates that noted they were “instrumental in saving lives” and for “displaying the highest qualities of courage and good citizenship.”

No. 15 Colquitt County vs. Valdosta: How to watch the Georgia high school football matchup

It’s a top Georgia high school football battle this Friday!

A huge Georgia high school football matchup awaits this Friday as No. 15 Colquitt County welcomes Valdosta.

For Colquitt County, the 2023 season has been a consistent rise among the top teams, with the Packers putting up nearly 470 points on offense while allowing just over 170.

The 8-0 team presents a tough set of challenges for any opponent, beginning with QB Neko Fann, who is now the program’s all-time touchdown pass leader. The weapons at his disposal include four-star wideout and recent Miami Hurricanes commit Ny Carr, class of 2025 back Ramsey Dennis, who was pivotal in last week’s tough win over Lowndes (Ga.), and Florida State commit Landen Thomas.

From the other side of the ball, the Packers stout defense features a talented bunch that includes Duke commit Tyshon Reed Jr. and senior corner Nick Pace.

For Valdosta, the game represents a chance to turn the tables on the 2022 matchup that ended in a 24-6 defeat.

The Wildcats come into the game 7-2, showcasing an offensive attack that has racked up nearly 300 points and a defense that has only surrendered 157. It’s been a steady rise climb since the team dropped its season opener to No. 13-ranked Washington (Massillon, Ohio), with the only other blemish on the record coming from a solid McEachern team on the road in late September.

Led by junior quarterback Todd Robinson, the offense has been a balanced threat for the opposition, although still a young group with playmaking talent like class of 2027 back Deron Foster. Robinson, who put up more than 1,000 yards through the air and 569 on the ground as a sophomore, now gets a second crack at the Packers with more experience under center.

But make no mistake; the Wildcats’ defense is the focal point, with 4-star Colorado Buffaloes commit Eric Brantley leading the way.

If the team is going to get its first win over Colquitt County since 2019, that side of the ball must dominate.

High school football fans around the nation who are looking to watch the Class 7A Georgia high school football matchup can live stream the game on the NFHS Network.

Watch: Colquitt County vs. Valdosta

Valdosta’s Mark McCoggie breaks up a pass intended for Massillon’s Braylyn Toles in the first half at Massillon against Valdosta Georgia at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium Friday, August 18, 2023.

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GHSA to permit NIL for high school athletes

Georgia high school football and other sports will now allow athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness.

Georgia high school football will look different after the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) approved a measure to allow athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness.

GHSA is following the NCAA, which now permits college student athletes to make money via name, image, and likeness.

The current high school football environment will likely change with more players transferring to larger schools or better high school football programs in order to make some money while they are in high school.

The Georgia Bulldogs continue to rely on signing elite in-state high school talent to compete at the highest level of college football. Name, image, and likeness has been a game changer for college football.

Another notable change to GHSA is that there will be six classes instead of seven. There will no longer be a 7A. Georgia is the country’s 30th state to allow name, image, and likeness at the high school level.

Five-star Georgia Bulldogs quarterback commit Dylan Raiola, who plays for Buford High School, would be able to make a significant amount of money at the high school level.

HS football coach in Georgia punches player, gets arrested for battery

The coach was removed from the sidelines and taken into custody by an APS police officer.

A high school football coach in Atlanta was arrested on Saturday for punching a player during the first quarter of a game between Benjamin E. Mays (Ga.) and Douglas County (Ga.).

Atlanta Public Schools spokesman Seth Coleman released the following statement on the incident, per Talgat Almanov and Joshua Skinner at Atlanta News First.

“A lay coach for Mays High School, who is not a classroom instructor, is in police custody after an incident that occurred on the sideline during the school’s game this afternoon against Douglas County High School… The lay coach will be charged with simple battery and face administrative charges from the district.”

The coach was removed from the sidelines and taken into custody by an APS police officer. Mays wound up losing the game to Douglas County, 48-42.

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TikTok challenge gets Georgia HS matchup canceled for second-straight year

A high school football matchup between two teams in Georgia has ended in bizarre fashion for the second straight year.

A high school football matchup between two teams in Georgia has ended in bizarre fashion for the second straight year.

On Friday night, Benedictine was facing Jenkins and leading comfortably by a score of 42-0. However, multiple disruptions in the crowd caused officials to cancel the game at halftime, according to a report by WJCL in Savannah.

Apparently, there was no real threat, but the disruption was caused by a TikTok challenge meant to make it seem like there was a chaotic incident going on. Officials called off the game out of caution.

What’s truly weird is that this same matchup ended in roughly the exact same way when these teams met last season.

According to Mike Swanson at Sports Illustrated, last year’s game was canceled just before halftime, with Benedictine leading 45-0. That cancelation came after there was an altercation (a real one) in the stands.

“It was an eerily similar result to last year’s Benedictine-Jenkins game, when an altercation in the Jenkins stands led to a panic, causing spectators to rush out of the bleachers, Savannah Now reported after last year’s game. Benedictine was leading 45-0 with 2:10 remaining in the first half when the game got called early last year.”

Benedictine was declared the winner, starting their season 1-0. They have won two 4A state championships in a row.

Live-Stream High School Football:

NFHS Network

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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