McEachern visits Kell to kickoff the second week of the Corky Kelly + Dave Hunter Classic in Georgia, as we begin week two of the high school football season.Refresh This Page for Latest Updates• Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.mPreviewWhat: McEachern at Kell in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter ClassicWhen: Wednesday, Aug. 19 - 7:30 p.m.Where: Kell High SchoolMcEachern vs. Kell: Georgia Powers Meet in Corky Kell ClassicTwo programs with deep ties to the Corky Kell Classic will take center stage Wednesday night when McEachern visits Kell in one of the marquee matchups of the event.Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Kell, following the Pebblebrook-Clarke Central matchup.For McEachern, the season opener provides an immediate test for a roster that underwent significant turnover. The Indians graduated 35 seniors from last year's team, leaving coach Kareem Reid with a 22-player senior class — his smallest since arriving at McEachern in 2023.There is still plenty of experience and talent at the top of the roster.McEachern Reloads With Returning Talent, TransfersJunior Casey Barner is among the players to watch for McEachern. A dynamic two-way threat, Barner can make plays with the ball in his hands offensively and brings a physical presence to the secondary.“He loves football, so it’s easy to coach a kid like him because he wants to be great,” Reid said. “He’s dynamic on offense with the football in his hand. On defense, he’s a contact guy.”McEachern also added several potential impact transfers, including senior quarterback Brenton James, junior receiver Zyon Robinson and senior linebacker Joakim Gouda.Gouda, however, is expected to miss Wednesday's opener while recovering from a sprained MCL.Reid believes an offseason trip to Greensboro, Georgia, helped bring together a roster featuring several new faces. Players spent four days together without their phones, an experience Reid said allowed them to build relationships away from football.Kell Faces New Challenge After Semifinal RunKell enters 2026 coming off an 11-3 season and a trip to the Class 4A state semifinals, but the Longhorns now make a significant jump following reclassification to Class 6A.They'll find out quickly how they stack up.Kell must replace several important pieces from last season, including quarterback Kaleb Narcisse. Junior Boston Pierce is expected to take over behind center.Another storyline is the status of senior running back Moonie Gipson, who suffered a broken ankle during Kell's 35-6 semifinal loss to Creekside last season.The Longhorns are Corky Kell Classic regulars, having participated in the event every year since 2010.Familiar Coaches Meet on Opposite SidelinesWednesday's matchup also comes with a personal connection.Kell coach Bobby May served as Reid's offensive coordinator at Westlake in 2018 and eventually succeeded him as the Lions' head coach.Now they'll meet as opponents in an event that also carries plenty of history for McEachern, one of the Corky Kell Classic's founding programs.“It’s always good to take on a quality opponent early in the year,” Reid said. “It’s always fun matching up against one of my former assistants.”For both teams, Wednesday offers exactly that — a quality opponent and an early opportunity to establish what their 2026 seasons might become.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow