The 24th Annual MetroPCS Corky Kell Classic returns to the Georgia Dome for five of its seven games on Saturday after Sandy Creek and Creekview and Archer and North Paulding open the event with a Friday night double-header at McEachern’s Cantrell Stadium. Carrollton and Kell kickoff Saturday at 9:00 AM in a rematch of last year’s 20-7 Kell victory. In the 11:45 AM slot, Mill Creek will face Brookwood, which will introduce its new head coach Phillip Jones. Norcross and Valdosta square off for the first time in school history at 2:45 and defending Class AAAAAA state champion Colquitt County takes on North Gwinnett at 5:45. The final game is a rematch of last year’s Class AAAAAA semis with star-studded McEachern and Tucker.
BIGGER THAN EVER…
From its inception in 1992, the Corky Kell Classic has grown into the biggest high school kickoff event in the country and the quality continues to match the quantity. The 14 teams have combined for a 263-90-1 record over the past two seasons, but often these teams collide later in the season. Last year for example, Norcross played a total of five Corky Kell opponents. The Blue Devils beat Tucker 32-29 in overtime of the Corky Kell Classic and then beat Brookwood (21-10) and North Gwinnett (17-10) before falling to Mill Creek (30-0) and Archer (38-20). Colquitt County defeated Mill Creek 31-14 in Corky Kell last year, but had to faceoff with Valdosta (48-20) in the regular season before getting past McEachern (57-20) in the semifinals and Archer in the state championship (28-24).
TOP TALENT…
In addition to winning traditions and championship pedigrees between the participating programs it is an annual ritual of putting some of the top prospects in the state and country on the field together. This year’s Corky Kell Classic will once again crowd the sidelines with college coaches and attract viewers from across the country. Two of the most college-ready receivers in the nation will attract a lot of attention this year. North Gwinnett’s Josh Imatorbhebhe is committed to USC and was able to record 59 receptions for 1,071 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 10 games during his junior season. Archer’s Kyle Davis carries an explosive 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame and caught 67 passes for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns last season. McEachern features UGA-commit Bailey Hockman, who leads a group of quarterbacks that excelled in last year’s Corky Kell. North Paulding’s Kyle Banks threw for four touchdowns while rushing for another last year and Colquitt County’s Chase Parrish completed 20-of-29 passes for 256 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive line, McEachern’s 6-foot-5, 318-pounder, Julian Rochester is committed to Georgia and earned first-team All-State honors with 25 tackles for loss and 116 total tackles last year. Archer’s E.J. Price is another massive prospect that will power the Tigers in the trenches at 6-foot-6, 320 pounds.
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