Day two of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic Luncheon, held at the Rome Forum River Center, highlighted the three great match ups that will be played on Friday, Aug 16 at Rome’s Barron Stadium. For the fourth time, the City of Rome hosted the luncheon, and it will be the fifth time they have hosted a game for the event.
The luncheon kicked off by highlighting the first game of the day between Hebron Christian and Therrell, the only one of the three to be played at Hebron Christian School in Dacula at 2 PM. Both teams are coming off some of the most successful seasons in their histories. Therrell is coming off a 9-2 season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2002, marking back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1995 and 1996. They were represented by fourth-year head coach BJ Jamison and running back Ahmad Bridges, who was the team’s leading rusher last season. They will be facing off with the Lions of Hebron Christian, who have become a mainstay in the playoffs, making the playoffs in eight-straight years. Led by six-time state championship coach Jonathan Gess, the Lions will look to take the next step towards championship contention. They were represented by wide receiver and Duke-commit Gerritt Kemp, who was the team’s leading receiver last year and will have a major role in a revamped offense.
The first game of the day to be played in Rome was up next, as the Cass and Callaway’s 5 PM matchup was highlighted. Cass is coming off its best two-year stretch in school history, making the quarterfinals last year for the first time since 1983 and achieving back-to-back playoff wins for the first time ever. The team was represented by fifth-year coach Steve Gates, along with a handful of high-end players, including star junior quarterback and West Virginia-commit Brodie McWhorter. The Colonels’ opponent, Callaway, will not be an easy challenge. The Cavaliers have become one of the titans of 2A, making the playoffs in 18 straight seasons, winning at least one playoff game in 12 straight seasons, making the quarterfinals or better in eight straight seasons. Callaway is led by coach Pete Wiggins, in his 20th season with the Cavaliers. Wiggins has accumulated a record of 178-58, one of the best in the state over that time. The team was represented by a group of great players, most notably defensive back Kavius Leonard, who currently holds offers from both Army and Navy.
The nightcap will be one of the biggest games of the week, with the hosting Rome Wolves facing off against defending 5A runner-up Creekside at 8 PM. Rome is coming off another high-end season under head coach John Reid, going 11-2 and making the quarterfinals for the fifth time under Reid’s leadership. They were represented by some of their high-end players, including star linebacker Jaedon Harmon. Harmon is a senior 4-star linebacker committed to play for the University of Alabama. Creekside will be no easy opponent for Rome. The Seminoles have won at least one playoff game in six straight seasons and have made the quarterfinals or better in three straight. Head coach Maurice Dixon has turned the Seminole program around. After going 0-10 in his first season, the team has lost only 20 games in the six following seasons. The team was once again represented by some of the elite players they have produced in recent years, most notably senior 3-star wide receiver Dylan Vickerson, who has 27 offers, from schools like UNC, Tennessee, and Missouri.
For coverage of the event from other news outlets see below.
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