PHOTOS: Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic kicks off Georgia high school football

Sports

PHOTOS: Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic kicks off Georgia high school football

High school football returns to Georgia with the earliest start in its history. Lanier faced South Gwinnett in the first game Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Lanier wide receiver Ben Vanden Bos (0) is tackled by South Gwinnett safety Marrius Smiler (18) in the second half of the Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett quarterback CJ Peoples (7) is tackled by Lanier defensive back Dameon Billie Jr. (12) in the first half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett quarterback CJ Peoples (7) attempts a pass during the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett running back Jamarcus Petite (2) reacts after a first down in the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier head coach Tyler Maloof and South Gwinnett head coach Bryan Lamar shake hands after the opening game of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. South Gwinnett won 29-3. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

A South Gwinnett player waves a flag during the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett players react after a play during the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett wide receiver Princeton Ford (10) tackles Lanier running back Mikey Morring (5) during the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett head coach Bryan Lamar reacts after a play during the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett Princeton Ford (10) tackles Lanier running back Mikey Morring (5) in the second half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett quarterback CJ Peoples (7) attempts a pass in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett wide receiver Cohl Hendon (4) grabs the ball for a touchdown in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett safety Nuriel Junious (7), left, celebrates after his touchdown during the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett safety Nuriel Junious (7), right, reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett safety Nuriel Junious (7) recovers a fumble for a touchdown in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier defensive back Amari Tucker (3) flies over South Gwinnett running back Jamarcus Petite (2) after a tackle in the first half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier defensive back Amari Tucker (3) flies over South Gwinnett running back Jamarcus Petite (2) after a tackle in the first half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier defensive back Isaiah Marshall (6) is unable to make a catch under pressure from South Gwinnett center back Hashir Evans (21) during the first half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett linebacker Jay Medlock (10) celebrates with teammate Ty’rell Jolly (97) after a play in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett wide receiver Cohl Hendon (4) secures the ball after scoring a touchdown in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett safety Alex Fitzpatrick (6) rejects the ball of Lanier wide receiver Ben Vanden Bos (0) during the first half against South Gwinnett of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett quarterback CJ Peoples (7) looks for South Gwinnett wide receiver Cohl Hendon (4) for a touchdown in the first half against Lanier at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett running back Thomas Morris (5) is stopped by Lanier linebacker Aidan Balles (23) during the first half of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier head coach Tyler Maloof and South Gwinnett head coach Bryan Lamar walk away from an interview before their game at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett and Lanier players are warming up for the first game of the 2026 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett head coach Bryan Lamar hugs his former coach, Keith Maloof, before the game against Lanier High School in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier players gather on the field before their game against South Gwinnett in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier head coach Tyler Maloof smiles with the referees before the game against South Gwinnett in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier head coach Tyler Maloof and South Gwinnett head coach Bryan Lamar are seen in an interview before their game at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

A Lanier High School player is seen in midfield before the game against South Gwinnett at the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett players work on a drill before the game against Lanier High School in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett players work on a drill before the game against Lanier High School in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Lanier High School players are warming up before the game against South Gwinnett in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

South Gwinnett head coach Bryan Lamar speaks with his former coach, Keith Maloof, before the game against Lanier High School in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Lanier wide receiver Ben Vanden Bos (0) is tackled by South Gwinnett safety Marrius Smiler (18) in the second half of the Corky Kell Dave Hunter Classic on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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