Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Team Previews - Douglass-Atl.

Douglass had a memorable Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic debut last year in its 18-3 win over LaGrange and became the first Atlanta Public School to celebrate a victory in the long history of the event. Leading the program is head coach Stanley Pritchett and he is returning with offensive coordinator Monty Sutton and defensive coordinator Bill Johnson by his side for a third-straight season. The Astros finished the season 8-4 and after a thrilling 14-13 win over Cairo in the first round of the playoffs they were defeated by eventual state champion Calhoun in the second round. The key for Douglass this season will be using its challenges early in the season to prepare them for Region 5—which houses rivals Cedar Grove and Stephenson.

Mascot: Astros

County: Atlanta Public Schools

Head Coach: Stanley Pritchett (2021-25)

Coach’s School Record: 18-26

Coach’s Overall Record: 83-95

2024 Record: 8-4

2024 Region Rank: 2nd (No. 11 seed)

2024 Playoff Finish: Second Round (L 38-14, Calhoun)

Overall School Record: 328-274-4

State Championships: N/A

Key Returning Offensive Starters: Damarien Parrott (WR), Ja’narious Barner (RB), Jaylenn Wiggins (FB), Joshua Tucker (OL)

Key Returning Defensive Starters: John Amofah Jr. (DT/DE), Prince Cooper (DE/OLB), Andreco Griggs (MLB), Caleb Roberson (SS)

Key Newcomers: Steven Atchison (OLB), Janarius Gooden (WR)

Returning Kickers: Bryant Jose (P/K)

Offensive Formation: Multiple Spread

Defensive Formation: 3-4

School Enrollment: 1,194

Offensively, Douglass lost a lot of experience from last year and that side of the ball will be a work in progress until the Astros can hit their stride. Most of the 18 seniors that graduated from last year were multi-year starters and were primarily on the offensive side of the ball. This has left an opportunity for a new group to make a name for themselves and coach Pritchett says that ‘togetherness’ is the most important mission statement for them.

“We just want to stay together," Pritchett said. "Our mission is together we will and we just want to be resilient. We know there are going to be some ups, but there are also going to be some downs along the way so our job is to stay together and focused and make sure we are prepared for our region and to be the region champions.”

When it comes to making plays, Janarius Gooden is an athlete that can step in at wide receiver and running back. On the defensive side of the ball, coach Pritchett is excited about Steven Atchison—who he credits as the leader of this year’s team. “Defensively I am excited about Steven Atchison and his opportunity this season,” said Pritchett. “He is an outside linebacker and safety and I think he is going to have an outstanding season for us. He is the leader for our team and I look forward to having him.”

“We lost 18 seniors and are pretty young with a very tough early part of the schedule with West Forsyth—a formidable opponent and a game that is going to be on the road so it is going to be a tough test going up against them and we also play Westlake after that and then Mays—which is a Class 4A school, so we are playing three higher classifications our first three games so we just want to make sure we compete and get ourselves ready for the region.”

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