The final day of the 2024 Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic has a four-pack of solid games, with the opener creating as much intrigue as any Georgia high school football kick off.
Last season, Walton’s (Marietta, Ga.) dismantling of Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.) 63-15 added to an early storyline on the Raiders’ season, which would end with the team going 14-1 with several Super 25 upsets on the way to finishing tops in Georgia’s Class 7A Region 5.
The team lost the state final against Milton, and with that, a significant amount of senior talent.
But this year’s team under head coach Daniel Brunner has playmakers on both sides of the ball, including a defensive line that must be ready to stop Brookwood’s top-tier running game.
If the defense can hold its own, the offense has more than enough talent to create scoring drives. Led by quarterback Kaeden Gilstrap (Wofford commit), the Raiders have talent in the backfield as well as at tight end and out wide, with Jude Cascone—who has offers from Ohio State and Georgia—and class of 2027 standout Alexander Ward—who already has looks from top programs like Alabama—creating options for the attack.
For Brookwood, the game represents a chance not only to even the all-time series at six wins apiece but also to exact a little revenge from last year’s blowout that ended with a Walton school record for points.
As mentioned, the rushing attack is a game-changing nod to the Broncos, with 4-star talent Brayden Tyson (a stout 6-0, 235 pounds) headlining the backfield behind a sturdy offensive line.
If Tyson is able to repeat his 2023 Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic output, then this could be the makings of an-time shocker at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Which team will take it?
Fans who are looking to watch Walton take on Brookwood at the Corky Kell and Dave Hunter Classic can live-stream the game on the NFHS Network.
Watch: Brookwood vs. Walton on the NFHS Network
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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