The third annual Brent Key/Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic 7-on-7 was a success which saw teams from all over the southeast come and participate to showcase their elite talent and skills. Since its inception in 2014, the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic 7-on-7 has grown tenfold from Roswell Area Park to a collaboration with the great Georgia Tech Institute of Technology, which has been hosting the event for the past three years.
One of the best moments of the event in 2025 was the commemoration of Dave Hunter, who was recognized by Georgia Tech’s offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner. Hunter has been one of the pioneers in the expansion of the Corky Kell event, being played in the home of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 7 on 7 addition, expanding to the sport of basketball, and the 34th year of the event, which will take place in August. Hunter is a Brookwood legend and one of the best high school coaches to come through Georgia. Faulkner addressed Hunter in an announcement during 7 on 7.
“You are one of the best to ever do it in the state, and we can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for all these kids and coaches, and all the organizations across Georgia high school football. On behalf of Georgia Tech, we want to present you with the game ball from Coach Key. We can’t thank you enough,” said Faulkner.
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dave Hunter and everything he has done for high school football in the state of Georgia!
This could not be possible without you!@scoreatlanta pic.twitter.com/VrbBpXTey0
— Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic (@CorkyKell) June 19, 2025
The action began on June 10th at Georgia Tech with notable teams in attendance, including Cedar Grove, Southwest DeKalb, Carver-Atlanta, Woodward Academy, Prince Avenue, South Gwinnett, Mill Creek, North Atlanta, Newton and Walton.
On day one of action, the Newton Rams stole the show as they swept Paulding County, Cedar Grove, Mill Creek, and Walton in pool play to earn the top seed. It wouldn’t stop there as the Rams finished the day undefeated and clinched the title. 2026 QB Deron Benson was a star throughout the day and guided the Rams with his elite decision-making and accuracy in tight windows. The Newton athletes were also special on both sides of the ball, including Omarion Wallace, who is an emerging two-way star for the Rams. Heading into 2025, Newton is loaded at running back in Kevin Hartsfield, who will be a known name in the state in the coming years, Wallace, who we mentioned earlier, and wide receiver Jaqwan Carr are notable players to watch this season.
On day two, the Collins Hill Eagles finished 7-1 and secured the title, only having one loss in pool play to Coffee. Collins Hill secured the No. 1 overall seed and defeated Rabun Gap 26-8, North Murray 27-17, South Paulding 31-6 and Lanier 16-14. Here is what Coach Swick had to say after winning the 7 on 7 title.
“It was a long day, always is,” said Collins Hill head coach Drew Swick after taking home the championship. “The kids did a really good job with hydrating and getting ready for the day, and we came in after having won Tennessee last week, and we talked about being perfect in everything we do, and the kids were really, really good. From that first game, we stumbled, but from there on out we locked in. I’m very proud of our offense, our defense and the parents that came out and supported us.”
The Eagles took a big step forward under head coach Drew Swick, winning 11 games a season ago and upsetting Grayson Week 1 in 2024. Each year Swick has been at the helm, Collins Hill has taken a step forward. Heading into 2025, the Eagles will be loaded again and will be led by their strong defensive front of Duece Geralds and Katrell Webb who is one of the best duos in the state. The tandem combined for 59 tackles for loss and 26 sacks in 2024. On offense, players to watch will be QB Makyree Cross and ATH Jamel Tuff.
On day three, the Kell Longhorns put the whole state on notice after winning back-to-back titles in the Brent Key Corky Kell + Dave Hunter 7 on 7 Classic. Just the day before, they captured a title at UGA. En route to being two-time champs, Kell defeated Seckinger 42-0, Norcross 37-2, Milton 17-11, and Clay-Chalkville 22-5. It was a dominant showing for the Longhorns. Heading into 2025, Kell has a state championship roster filled with guys all over the field, including four-star Brayden Rouse, four-star Jowell Combay, three-star Jalen Williams, three-star Tony Forney Jr, three-star Nathan Aygemang, and three-star Quinterrious “Moonie” Gipson. Head coach Bobby May probably has one of the best rosters in his tenure with the Longhorns. Kell will open up action in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on
On day four, a familiar contender won a title in the North Gwinnett Bulldogs, who dominated tournament play. After securing the No.1 overall seed, the Bulldogs had a bye week. North Gwinnett used it to their advantage and defeated Creekview 38-8 in the quarterfinals, Commerce 37-9 in the semifinals, and Hughes 27-23 in the finals. The Bulldogs defense which has been a staple in head coach Eric Godfree’s era was on full display in the tournament.
“Defensively, we play really well as a whole unit,” said Godfree. “I think those guys communicate very well. There are times when we’ve got a breakdown out there and the opponents are scoring and getting open, but that is all a part of the learning process. And when we are playing together and communicating well, we are pretty tough on the defensive side of the ball.”
North Gwinnett will be a formidable team in 2025 led on defense by four-star Jake Godfree who is one of the best linebackers in the nation. Offensively, QB Elam Rahman will be one to watch as he competes for a starting role and looks to be the lead guy for North Gwinnett.
You can catch the Bulldogs in action in a highly anticipated matchup against Douglas County on Peachtree Sports Network and Atlanta News First on Saturday, August 16th.
Day 5 saw the dawn of a new era for the Marietta Blue Devils with head coach Cameron Duke at the helm. Marietta made an improbable run to the title in the tournament starting out as a No. 10 seed. The Blue Devils defeated Wagner-Salem (NC) 27-8, Carver-Columbus 31-19, Whitewater 20-9, and Troup County 19-12 in the title game. Coach Duke talked about winning the 7 on 7 title.
“It’s a testament to this senior class for buying in since I got here,” said Duke, who arrived at Marietta in February. “We were 2-2 in pool play, and there was an opportunity where they could have hung it up, but they didn’t. They just kept battling, and I know these guys love each other, and we are going to continue to try to preach that and build a true family. Today was great competition, and to see them compete and celebrate with each other really made me proud, and I know it made Marietta proud as well.”
The Blue Devils are coming off of a 2-8 season in 2024 and lost longtime head coach Richard Morgan, who stepped down and then departed for Niceville High School (FL). Marietta turned the page in February and hired Duke in February from Edgewater High School in Florida. It hasn’t taken long for Duke to make an impact with his new team.
Key players to watch in 2025 for Marietta will be quarterback Jayden Whiteside, who has improved this offseason as a signal caller. The Blue Devils also have veteran playmakers who are consistent in senior Elijah Green and Brody Archie.
Day 6 saw the Roswell Hornets take it all, and the emergence of a young star in high school football here in Georgia. Senior QB Trey Smith was phenomenal throughout the 7 on ,7 showcasing his touch, deep ball accuracy, and fast processing. Roswell began tourney play as an No. 8 seed. En route to the title, the Hornets defeated Therrell 28-15, Greater Atlanta Christian 26-25, Parkview 31-10, and Kennesaw Mountain 28-21 in the championship. For the second consecutive year, Roswell defeated Parkview in the tournament with its explosive offense. When you watched Roswell play, the leadership from Smith was apparent and his teammates rallied around him.
“We have guys that have been through the fire. We’ve got a senior quarterback who’s been through the fire. We’ve got some skilled kids that have been through the fire. We challenged them today. We said, ‘You got hit in the mouth early, how are you going to respond?’ I think we did a great job of rallying together and playing for one another,” said head coach Jonathan Thompson.
In 2025, Roswell will be led by Thompson, who was the former offensive coordinator for Lee County, one of the highest-scoring teams in the state a season ago. He brings his offensive savvy to a team that is loaded with playmakers in Willis Campbell, Nick Daniels, and Sean Smith. Despite playing in a tough region that includes Milton and Gainesville, Roswell could be a sleeper.
Although 7-on-7 is not real football, it is a good glimpse into who could be players to watch in the high school football season and teams that could be on the rise to make some noise. Every year, the Corky Kell+ Dave Hunter Classic 7-on-7 expands and adds another wrinkle to enhance and make the event better. Led by the the innovative Score Atlanta president and co-founder I.J. Rosenberg, the best is yet to come and you can expect the event to be even better in 2026.
To view each of the elimination brackets from the six days of competition, click here!
Loading ...
