Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic Releases 2026 Matchups

Annual Georgia high school football showcase announces games for 35th edition

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The 35th annual Corky Kell & Dave Hunter High School Football Classic has announced the matchups for the 2026 edition of the event, which will take place from August 12-21 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The showcase will feature some of the top high school teams in Georgia, including nationally ranked Grayson taking on North Gwinnett.

Why it matters

The Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic is one of the premier high school football events in the Southeast, drawing top teams and players from across Georgia. The announcement of the 2026 matchups generates excitement for the upcoming season and gives fans a chance to plan for the marquee games.

The details

The 2026 Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic will feature 11 games over 10 days, kicking off on August 12 with Lanier vs. South Gwinnett and the highly anticipated matchup between No. 23 nationally ranked Grayson and No. 6 Georgia team North Gwinnett. Other notable games include Cambridge vs. Brookwood, Kell vs. McEachern, and Blessed Trinity Catholic vs. Decatur.

  • The 35th annual Corky Kell & Dave Hunter High School Football Classic will take place from August 12-21, 2026.
  • The opening game between Lanier and South Gwinnett is scheduled for 5 p.m. on August 12.
  • The marquee matchup between Grayson and North Gwinnett will kick off at 8 p.m. on August 12.

The players

Grayson Rams

The Grayson Rams are the No. 23 nationally ranked high school football team and finished the 2025 season as the No. 5 team in Georgia.

North Gwinnett Bulldogs

The North Gwinnett Bulldogs are the No. 6 ranked high school football team in Georgia according to the Massey Rankings.

IJ Rosenberg

The Executive Director and President of Score Atlanta, the organization that runs the Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic.

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What they’re saying

“The 35th year will be a special one for us. We are going to bring back some of the great players that played over the years in the Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic including a group that played in the NFL or is currently playing in the NFL. We are also adding a music component with some of the top high school bands in Georgia that I feel the fans will really enjoy.”

— IJ Rosenberg, Executive Director and President, Score Atlanta (SCORE Atlanta)

What’s next

Fans can stay up to date on scores and results from the 2026 Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic by following the Rivals High School Scoreboard, which provides real-time updates and final scores from high school football games across Georgia.

The takeaway

The Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic continues to be one of the premier high school football events in the Southeast, showcasing some of the top teams and players in Georgia. The 2026 edition promises to be another exciting showcase of the state's gridiron talent.