Corky Kell + Dave Hunter luncheon kicks off Atlanta area high school football season

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Atlanta area high school football returns this week with the 34th annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, a four-day, 11-game slate stacked with monster matchups.

Before stepping on the gridiron, players and coaches came together Monday, Aug. 4 to break bread and preview the excitement.

“Georgia’s the best, I think, in high school football…the best state,” said North Gwinnett senior Zach Lewis. “Every team pretty much has a dude committed somewhere in [a Power Four conference]. It’s pretty crazy to think about but it’s awesome I think,” he continued.

North Gwinnett will meet Douglas County for the first time in game 11 of the annual classic set for Saturday, Aug. 16 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium – a unique season-opener for the pair of 6A powerhouse programs.

“That’s been our mantra all season, to start at the Benz and finish at the Benz,” said Douglas County head coach Johnny White.

Douglas County enters 2025-26 with plenty of leftover production from a 11-3 season last year.

““We have a group of young men who have been together for two or three years,” White continued. “This is definitely the most together group I’ve ever coached at Douglas County,” he finished.

All games will be broadcast on The Peachtree Sports Network and streaming live here: click here.

Aug. 13 — At Kell High School

4:30 p.m. – Prince Avenue Christian vs. Callaway

8 p.m. – South Paulding vs. Kell

Aug. 14 — At West Forsyth High School

4:30 p.m. – Hebron Christian vs. North Atlanta

8 p.m. – Douglass vs. West Forsyth

Aug. 15 — At Buck Godfrey Stadium in Decatur

2 p.m. – Therrell vs. Cedar Grove

Aug. 15 — At Barron Stadium in Rome

5 p.m. – LaGrange vs. Cass

8 p.m. – Creekside vs. Rome

Aug. 16 — At Mercedes-Benz Stadium

10 a.m. – St. Pius vs. Dunwoody

1 p.m. – Brookwood vs. Houston County

4 p.m. – McEachern vs. Walton

7 p.m. – Douglas County vs. North Gwinnett

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