The 31st annual Corky Kell Classic unofficially signals the start of the 2022 high school football season in Georgia. This year’s edition spans four days (Aug. 17-20) and features 22 teams in action. Let’s take a quick look at each of the 11 matchups.
Kell vs. Cherokee Bluff (at Johns Creek)
The first game of the season features a revamped Kell coaching staff against a young Cherokee Bluff program that lost over 3,000 yards of combined offense in the offseason. The Bears’ young talent will need to step up in order to make this game competitive.
Parkview at Johns Creek
These teams are polar opposites in that Parkview returns a massive amount of production, while the Gladiators recently graduated one of their most talented senior classes ever. Parkview’s Mike Matthews and Jalyn Crawford form a lockdown secondary duo, which will be on display often.
North Atlanta vs. North Forsyth (at West Forsyth)
The 2022 Corky Kell Classic continues on Thursday, beginning with two squads that went 6-4 last season. Defense will take center stage in a potentially low-scoring thriller.
Archer at West Forsyth
Archer features a new offensive-minded head coach in Dante Williams. West Forsyth lost playmakers Keegan Stover and Oscar Delp in the offseason and will need to outscore a Tigers squad coming off a shocking 14-12 scrimmage loss to Peachtree Ridge.
Mt. Pisgah vs. Fellowship Christian (at Rome)
The 2022 Corky Kell Classic includes the series’ first-ever private school matchup, and it’s a possible mismatch. Fellowship Christian crushed the Patriots last season and might do so again behind a dual-threat offense and a physical defense.
Kennesaw Mountain vs. Cass (at Rome)
Remember the names Cayden Lee and Sacovie White. This pair of elite wide receivers will have their first moment under the spotlight this season for the Mustangs and Colonels, respectively.
Creekside at Rome
The first showdown between two recently dominant programs provides a classic offense versus defense battle. The Seminoles feature one of the state’s best front sevens, while the Rome offense thrived last season behind the production of Reece Fountain, Martel Hight, and Martavious Collins.
McEachern vs. North Gwinnett (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Four games make up the Saturday schedule of the 2022 Corky Kell Classic. The earliest one might be a defensive battle. It will feature North Gwinnett’s Kayden McDonald, who posted 58 TFLs and 19 sacks last season. Early-game scoring may ultimately decide the champion after four quarters.
Brookwood vs. Norcross (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
There is an overload of offensive talent in this game, including Brookwood QB Dylan Lonergan and Norcross pass catchers Nakai Poole, Zion Taylor, and Lawson Luckie. The contest could provide an offensive contrast to a likely defensive McEachern-North Gwinnett game.
Walton vs. Mill Creek (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
The nation’s best safety, Caleb Downs, will take the field for Mill Creek, but that won’t guarantee a victory for the Hawks. Walton has reloaded after a semifinals run last season and will look to extend its Corky Kell win streak to six.
Marietta vs. Grayson (at Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Grayson has no shortage of talent, while Marietta’s two best players from last season have graduated. The Blue Devils will have to play a near-perfect game on both sides of the ball to escape with a nightcap victory.
