Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews - McEachern

McEachern is built for success in the 2025 season. After two solid years of rebuilding under head coach Kareem Reid, the Indians look poised to make their first deep playoff run since 2019. The team has added young talent each year under Coach Reid and now appears ready to put that talent to use. 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.

Mascot: Indians

County: Cobb

Head Coach: Kareem Reid (2023-25)

Coach’s School Record: 13-10

Coach’s Overall Record: 58-27

2024 Record: 6-5

2024 Region Rank: 3rd

2024 Playoff Finish: First Round (L 29-30, Newton)

Overall School Record: 447-273-10

State Championships: N/A

Key Returning Offensive Starters: Nalin Scott (WR), Jayreon Campbell (RB), Amare Hartsfield (OT)

Key Returning Defensive Starters: Zakir Abdul-Salaam (EDGE), Kiyante Ingram (DB), Michai Rowe (LB)

Key Newcomers: Casey Barner (ATH), Darryl Rivers (EDGE), Jacorey Shockley (ATH), Nash Johnson (CB)

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 4-3

School Enrollment: 2,300

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 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 junior Amare Hartsfield, who returns as a starter. Hartsfield will help lead an offensive line known for its dominance, something that will be crucial if McEachern wants to compete for a championship.

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 highest-rated 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 Darryle 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 third-leading tackler from last season, will pair with Barner to form a tough group to throw against.

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