ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - In his Corky Kell Classic coaching debut, first-year Carlton J. Kell high school football head coach Drew Connell delivered.
It wasn’t always pretty. And it wasn’t always easy. But, the Longhorns, desperate to prove they’re more than a worthy adversary for any Georgia high school football team they face, made a statement.
The Carlton J. Kell High School football team began the game with the football, taking a kickoff that began a little shaky for a nearly 80-yard return.
A few plays later, the Gladiators’ offense sputtered in the red zone and weren’t able to capitalize on prime scoring position. A blocked field goal from the 10-yard line gave Cherokee Bluff the ball back one play later.
As Cherokee Bluff began to chew up yards with a mix of runs and passes, the Gladiators’ defense punched the ball lose, recovered the fumble and marched it into the end zone for the touchdown.
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The Corky Kell football team led 7-0 midway through the first quarter.
The Cherokee Bluff football team added a field goal late in the first quarter. The Gladiators pulled off another impressive return on special teams in what looked like from 50 yards.
A few plays later, senior receiver TJ Murray scored a touchdown to give the Gladiators a 13-3 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Cherokee Bluff fumbled and the Gladiators recovered near the 30-yard line.
The Kell high school football team took a 13-10 halftime lead and turned it into a 38-23 victory.
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Junior quarterback Bryce Clavon completed 14-for-24 passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Seven of the passes fell into the hands of Peyton Zachary for 109 yards with a touchdown.
The Corky Kell Luncheon held on Aug. 8 celebrated the return of high school football at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest. Attendees of the annual kickoff luncheon geared up for the historic 31st annual classic that features an 11-game lineup.
2022 Corky Kell Classic Schedule
August 17 at Johns Creek
5:30 p.m. Kell vs. Cherokee Bluff
8:30 p.m. Johns Creek vs. Parkview
August 18 at West Forsyth
5:30 p.m. North Atlanta vs. North Forsyth
8:30 p.m. West Forsyth vs. Archer
August 19 at Rome
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2:30 p.m. Fellowship Christian vs. Mt. Pisgah
5:30 p.m. Cass vs. Kennesaw Mountain
8:30 p.m. Rome vs. Creekside
August 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
10 a.m. McEachern vs. North Gwinnett
1 p.m. Brookwood vs. Norcross
4 p.m. Walton vs. Mill Creek
7 p.m. Marietta vs. Grayson
For more metro Atlanta high school football coverage, check out SCORE Atlanta. http://www.scoreatl.com/
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