A look at some of Week 1 matchups for Class AAAA:
Kell vs. Carrollton, 9 a.m., Saturday (Georgia Dome): Carrollton missed the playoffs for the first time in 26 years last season. It's hard to imagine this talent- and tradition-rich program will be down for long. The Trojans will try to take a big step to proving their back in coach Ed Dudley's second season against Kell in the Saturday kickoff game at the Corky Kell Classic. Kell has won 27 consecutive regular-season games and beat Carrollton 20-7 in 2014.
Burke County vs. Statesboro, 8 p.m., Saturday (Erk Russell Classic): QB Caleeb Roberson to lead what could be an explosive offense for Burke County. Roberson rushed for 1,000-plus yards last season and will benefit from an offensive line that's expected to be a strength for coach Eric Parker's squad, which opens Saturday against Statesboro. Burke County sophomore lineman Austin Milner, who started as a freshman, is a player to watch.
Stephenson vs. Arabia Mountain, 8 p.m., Friday (Hallford Stadium): Arabia Mountain enters the season with explosive playmakers on the outside in receivers Marcus Gray (43 receptions, 660 yards, 9 TDs) and Malick Mbodj (33 receptions, 521 yards 8 TDs). But who will be throwing those stars the ball for coach Stanley Pritchett?
Eastern Christian Academy (Maryland) at Buford, 7:30 p.m., Friday: Juggernaut Buford, winner of 40 consecutive games and three consecutive state championships, lost a ton off of last year's squad, including a dozen or so high-level college-signees. Mic Roof, the son of Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Ted Rood, will start at quarterback for the Wolves.
Buford's defense recorded a shutout in last week's scrimmage against South Gwinnett.
Eastern Christian Academy went 3-9 last season. Here is feature from Bleacher Report on the school's efforts to help vulnerable kids: Inside the football factory that's saving kids from the streets.
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