Drive for the GHSA State Title Preview: McEachern travels to Harrison

When they meet for the 26th time on the gridiron on Friday night, the McEachern Indians, led by head coach Kareem Reid, will travel less than seven miles away to take on the Harrison Hoyas, led by Luqman Salam, in a showdown of undefeated teams in Region 3-6A.

Friday’s matchup will be broadcast live on Atlanta News First (Channel 46) and the Peachtree Sports Network (cable and YouTube TV), and streamed live on the Atlanta News First app. From your home, download the free ANF+ app anywhere you stream — FireTV, AppleTV, Roku and YouTubeTV — simply by searching for “Atlanta News First” on those platforms. If you are on the go, you can download Atlanta News First for free in the app store on your Apple or Android device. You can also watch live here on the WANF – Special Events channel.

For the first time since 2019, the McEachern Indians have started the season 5-0 and have been explosive in every facet of the game thus far through five games this season. The Indians have outscored their opponents 181-37, and have their eyes set on the Harrison Hoyas and are looking to keep their winning-streak alive.

Reid enters his third season with McEachern as he has compiled a 18-10 record in his short time with the program. This is the most-talented team that Reid has been able to coach at McEachern as the Indians have started fast in 2025 with wins over Walton, North Cobb, Marietta, Campbell, and Paulding County including shutout victories over North Cobb and Paulding County.

Senior Calvin Pittman Jr. has been quarterbacking an explosive offense all season long as the Indians are averaging just over 36 points per game as he has thrown for 473 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 257 yards on the ground and two touchdowns as well, commanding the offense.

On the ground, senior running back Henry Pullen has been a monster for the Indians, recording 688 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the season, proving to be a true weapon in a loaded offense.

Through the air, freshman wideout Jacorey Shockley has emerged as a great playmaker for the Indians becoming their leading wideout in his first season of high school football. Shockley has recorded 176 yards and three scores so far this season. Senior wideout Nalin Scott has been out for the Indians due to injury and will be a game-time decision ahead of the game.

On the defense, the Hoyas will have their hands full as the Indians have one of the best front-sevens in the state. The combination of Darryl Rivers and Zakir Abdul-Salaam is one of the best combinations in the country.

One of the top players in the Class of 2028, Casey Barner, has been exceptional for the Indians this season as he has been playing both ways, making an impact in every facet for McEachern. Barner has scored a touchdown on offense, defense and special teams and is rated as a 5-star and a top-30 player in the Class of 2028.

On the opposing sideline, the Hoyas are 5-0 for the first time since 2023 as Salam enters his second season coaching the program. The Hoyas have been a scoring machine this season by scoring 200 points already this season, only letting up 79.

The Hoyas have taken down Kennesaw Mountain, Wheeler, North Paulding, Pebblebrook, and Campbell so far this season but now have their eyes set on handing McEachern its first loss of the season.

Sophomore quarterback Aiden Watson has had a tremendous start to the 2025 season as he has already thrown for 1,160 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air while adding three on the ground using his legs, accounting for 276 yards.  

The Hoyas have rushed for close to 1,000 yards this season and have five players on the roster that have already rushed for over 100 yards on the season including Watson, who is the leading rusher on the team.

Upperclassmen wideouts DJ Huggins and Donovan Martin has been the leading pass catcher for the Hoyas this season, combining for 847 yards and 10 touchdowns so far. Junior linebacker Olrick Johnson III leads the Hoyas in total tackles with 59, averaging just about 12 tackles per game and has totaled 12 sacks.

Senior linebacker Reece Bentley is second on the team with 49 total tackles as the Hoyas will have their hands full with a high-powered offense on the other side of the ball in McEachern.

This Friday, the action will start ahead of the Score Atlanta broadcast of the Harrison vs. McEachern matchup at 8 p.m. with the Georgia High School Countdown to Kickoff, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Atlanta News First (Channel 46) and the Peachtree Sports Network (cable and YouTube TV) and will be streaming on the Atlanta News First website/app. The pregame show, which will feature on-air talent Rusty Mansell, Brandon Adams and Kaylee Mansell will preview the upcoming matchup with each person picking their winning team, along with interviews from each participating head coach. After the clock hits zero, stay tuned after the game for the Georgia High School Postgame Show, which will be broadcast live from the Score Atlanta Studio, with Score Atlanta’s Craig Sager II and Landon Knight featured on the program. The postgame show will run from game’s end till midnight every Friday night, with a full breakdown of each game, call-in guests chiming in to voice their opinions, and updates from other top-tier games around the state. The postgame show, like the pregame show, will be broadcast live on Atlanta News First and the Peachtree Sports Network and streamed on Atlanta News First and the NFHS Network.