Corky Kell Classic matchups
Etowah vs. Starr’s Mill
When, where: 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Georgia Dome
Records, rankings: Etowah (9-2 in 2008) is No. 9 in Class AAAAA; Starr's Mill (3-7) is unranked in Class AAAA.
Last meeting: Etowah won 47-24 last season.
Three things to watch
● Starr’s Mill’s loss to Etowah last season set the tone for a 3-7 season, the Panthers’ first losing season since 2003 and only the third in school history.
● Etowah QB Braden Nolan will be stepping in for last year’s starter, James Harris, who has decided to concentrate on baseball.
● Etowah also must replace graduated RB Ryan Boykin, who rushed for 1,737 yards last season, including 277 against Starr’s Mill.
Brookwood vs. McEachern
When, where: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Georgia Dome
Records, rankings: Brookwood (6-5 in 2008) and McEachern (5-5) are both unranked in Class AAAAA.
Last meeting: Brookwood won 28-7 in 2002.
Three things to watch
● McEachern, a charter member of the Corky Kell Classic, has lost three consecutive games in the event.
● McEachern RB Rajaan Bennett, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, faces a Brookwood defense that allowed only 8.1 points per game in region play last year.
● Brookwood returns an experienced quarterback in junior Ben McLane. McEachern will be breaking in a new quarterback after losing last year’s starter, Daniel King.
Camden County vs. Grayson
When, where: 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Georgia Dome
Records, rankings: Camden County (15-0 in 2008) is No. 4 in Class AAAAA; Grayson (13-1) is No. 2.
Last meeting: Camden County won 22-7 in 2007.
Three things to watch
● Camden County returns just seven starters from last year’s state championship team. Fifteen of the Wildcats’ seniors have moved on to college football.
● Both teams are strong on the defensive line. Camden County returns DE Matt Jackson, who led the team in tackles and sacks last season; Grayson has DT Shawn Green (committed to Georgia Tech) and DE Joseph Champaign, who led Gwinnett County with 13 sacks.
● Camden County must find a way to stop Grayson RB Ean Pemberton, who rushed for 1,950 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.
Norcross vs. Walton
When, where: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Georgia Dome
Records, rankings: Norcross (8-4 in 2008) and Walton (9-2) are both unranked in Class AAAAA.
Last meeting: Norcross won 17-10 in 2006.
Three things to watch
● This will be the first game for Walton coach Rocky Hidalgo, the longtime assistant who was promoted to replace Ed Dudley, who left for Ware County.
● Norcross running backs Kendrix Huitt and Delino DeShields (a transfer from Woodward Academy) will be competing to replace D.J. Adams, who rushed for 1,584 yards last season.
● Both teams will be replacing their starting quarterback, leading rusher and leading receiver from last season.
Compiled by Chip Saye of Georgia High School Football Daily