Photo credit, mdjonline.com
In one of the nation’s top high school kickoff classics, several teams had impressive wins. Each year in Georgia, the Corky Kell Classic puts on a fantastic showcase of games that’s nearly unparalleled to any other in the country.
This year’s setup watched Buford, Collin Hill, Hoover, Walton, and Westlake come away with wins. The Buford Wolves, which seem to stay in the hunt annually for a state title, came from behind to take down an upstart North Cobb team, 35-27. Cobb led 14-0 at the half, but the Wolves scored 28 straight points to ice the game. The Hoover Buccaneers, an Alabama power, had one of the best showings among top matchups when it dismantled the Gwinnett Bulldogs, 38-14. The Buccaneers are the first out-of-state team to take part in the classic.
Hoover’s three-star quarterback Bennett Meredith carved up the Bulldogs’ defense for 333 yards and three touchdowns on 16-of-26 passing and rushed for a score. Top receiver Cotton Peters snagged seven balls for 137 yards and two scores.
Travis Hunter, the nation’s top player, had a hand in leading the No. 9 Collin Hill Eagles over Brookwood, 36-10 on Saturday. Hunter finished his evening with 13 catches, 232 yards, two touchdowns, threw for a score, and one interception. Battery mate and four-star quarterback Sam Horn passed for 402 yards on 31-of-44 attempts, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Jayvon Hatch recorded 11 tackles to lead the Eagles on defense, and Jaylen George had 2.5 sacks.
Georgia’s No. 4 Class 7A Walton served up a shocker by knocking No. 8 Lowndes, 34-28 in overtime. Sutton Smith’s three-yard touchdown run proved to be the difference.
Dual-threat quarterback RJ Johnson passed for 126 yards on 12-of-22 attempts while adding 63 ground yards on nine carries, as Westlake defeated Archer, 29-14
In other action around the country
No. 11 Bishop Gorman avenged last season’s loss to St. Louis by breaking open a tight contest and rolling to a 42-21 victory.
No. 15 Center Grove increased its winning streak to four games over Warren Central after its 38-14 victory this past weekend. The Indianapolis, Indiana class 6A defending state champion jumped out early to set the tone.
No. 23 Corner Canyon picked up where it left off by routing East, 42-7, and outscoring Farmington, 72-21 in its season opener.
In a tune-up shown down, the defending national champion IMG cemented its No. 2 national ranking by defeating No. 7 American Heritage, 35-15.
The No. 18 Servite Friars stayed on track when it roughed up Edison, 54-14 in its first action of the season. Because of Covid-19 awareness, the Friars postponed its first scheduled opponent, La Puente Bishop Amat.
No. 3 St. John Bosco Braves used a team effort to smother No. 24 Miami Central, 35-12. The Braves quickly shifted into mid-season form after scoring 15 first-quarter points and held a talented Central team to 12 points.
No. 21 St. Xavier trailed Lakota West, 14-10 at the half before scoring 21 unanswered second-half points, putting the game out of reach, 31-14.
No. 6 Grayson (Loganville, Ga) falls to the upset bug. Creekside held on for a 19-14 decision, shocking the defending 7A champions.