Teams, coaches, family and media members convene for the 14th annual Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Luncheon

Football season is nearly here, and the first games of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will once again kick off the season for the entire country. Before we can get to the games, however, we must have the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Luncheon, presented by Sports Turf. The first of two days will be held at the Atlanta Marriott NW on August 4th, and Day Two will be held at the Rome Forum River Center on August 5th. All 22 tackle teams and the eight flag football teams will be in attendance, along with some of the five players who have made this year’s inaugural Mr. and Miss Georgia watch list.

The 22 tackle teams will be highlighted by some of the top programs in the state, new coaches, and high expectations. Among the Day One attendees is A-3A Private state finalist Prince Avenue. The Wolverines have made five straight title games, winning three. However, they bring a new head coach to the luncheon in Jon Richt. Their opponent in Game One will also be in attendance, led by one of the longest-tenured head coaches in the state. Callaway’s Pete Wiggins has been with the program for more than 20 seasons. Callaway has been one of the state’s most consistent programs, advancing past the first round for 13 straight seasons and making the second round or deeper in eight straight years before last season

Wednesday’s Game Two will feature high-end talent, with both teams boasting multiple FBS and Power Four players. South Paulding will be led by 4-star Florida offensive tackle commit Tyler Chukuyem. Standing at 6-foot-6, 290 pounds, he’s a high-upside tackle expected to anchor one side of the line of scrimmage. Across the field, Coach Bobby May brings perhaps his most talented roster yet, headlined by 4-star Tennessee linebacker commit Brayden Rouse, one of the most gifted players in the state.

Day Two teams will include a defending state champion, a region champion, and a 6A state quarterfinalist. The day’s first game will feature A-3A Private champion Hebron Christian and Region 6A champion North Atlanta. Hebron enters a new era just one season after winning its first state title, replacing legendary head coach Jonathan Gess with former Trinity Christian-Sharpsburg state champion head coach Kenny Dallas. North Atlanta, meanwhile, is coming off the best three-year stretch in school history, including its first-ever region title last year.

The final game on Thursday features host West Forsyth and Douglass-Atlanta. West Forsyth is coming off one of the best seasons in program history, making the quarterfinals, tied for their deepest playoff run. Douglass-Atlanta and Coach Stanley Pritchett have brought the program full circle. After three straight losing seasons from 2020-2022, they are coming off back-to-back winning seasons and their first playoff win since 2019.

Friday’s games begin with Therrell and Cedar Grove. Fifth-year Therrell head coach BJ Jamison will attend the luncheon. He has led the Panthers back to relevance after nearly 30 years of subpar football. The team is coming off its first-ever back-to-back playoff appearances and hopes to continue the momentum. Cedar Grove is under a first-year head coach for the second year in a row, this time with former Morehouse College head coach Rich Freeman, who aims to return the Saints to championship form after winning five titles between 2016 and 2023.

Both coaches for the first game in Rome, LaGrange’s Matt Napier and Cass’s Steven Gates, will also be in attendance. LaGrange is one of the most historic programs in the state, being second all-time in wins. 2024 was a step back towards title contention. The school made its first semi finals appearance since 2008. Cass, on the other hand, is an emerging power under Coach Gates. Last year was shaping up to be another breakout season before a key injury to quarterback Brodie McWhorter derailed their campaign.

The nightcap in Rome will feature Wolves head coach John Reid and Creekside’s Maurice Dixon. Rome heads into a pivotal season with state championship aspirations. On the other side, Creekside is again among the top contenders in 4A. The Seminoles reached the semifinals in 2022 and the finals in 2023 and will again be one of the favorites to win it all.

St. Pius and Dunwoody head coaches Chad Garrison and Matt Schmitz will also be in attendance. St. Pius is making its second appearance in the event and brings a more traditional offensive scheme that is rarely seen in 2025. Dunwoody is making its third appearance, but this time under new leadership with Schmitz at the helm. Both programs aim to make early statements this season against a DeKalb County Rival.

Saturday’s Game Two could be one of the most intriguing matchups of the event, and both coaches will appear at the luncheon. Brookwood begins a new chapter under first-year head coach Chad Nighbert. The team is loaded with talent, led by 2027 running back Brayden Tyson. Houston County enters Year Four of the Jeremy Edwards era. For the first time under his leadership, they’ll be searching for a new quarterback. However, their defense will be anchored by 4-star Georgia commit Jordan Smith.

Cobb County rivals Walton and McEachern will also be in attendance ahead of their clash. Walton will need to answer questions on offense, but Coach Daniel Brunner’s defense, led by FSU linebacker commit Noah Lavallee, should remain stout. On the other side, Coach Kareem Reid’s McEachern squad may be the most talented in years, led by a large senior class including 4-star wide receiver Nalin Scott.

Finally, in attendance for the closing game of the event will be Douglas County’s Johnny White and North Gwinnett’s Eric Godfree. Douglas County is coming off yet another semifinal appearance and returns a senior-laden roster poised for an even deeper run. Their headliner is 4-star wide receiver Aaron Gregory. North Gwinnett, though young, is loaded with talent and features multiple major recruits, most notably Georgia offensive line commit Zach Lewis.

In addition to the team presentations, five players who made the inaugural Mr. and Miss Georgia watch list will be honored. Some of the standout names for Mr. Georgia include Xavier Griffin, Brayden Rouse, and Aaron Gregory. The Miss Georgia watch list includes top talent as well and will shine a spotlight on the growth of flag football in the state.

Each of this year's Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic games will be televised live on the Peachtree Sports Network, and streamed digitally on the Atlanta News First app and the National Federation High School Network. Additionally, all four games on Saturday will be broadcast on Atlanta News First.

To purchase tickets to each game of this year's event, click here!

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