The 35th annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic will once again signal the start of Georgia’s high school football season this August, continuing a legacy deeply connected to Cobb Schools and the coach whose name has become synonymous with the event.
Carlton J. “Corky” Kell moved to Marietta in 1965 to coach at the newly opened Wheeler High School. As Wheeler’s head football coach from 1970–78, Kell led the Wildcats to a 77-25-1 record, never posting a losing season, and was named Georgia’s Football Coach of the Year four times. But Kell’s greatest impact was measured beyond wins and losses.
“The unique thing about my dad,” said his son, retired superior court judge Tain Kell, “is if you were in a conversation with him, whether you’d known him for ten years or ten minutes, you were the only person in the world to him. So, he became a major mentor, father figure, and an integral part of so many young people’s lives.”
Kell later became Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District, where he mentored coaches and helped shape athletics throughout the county.
His vision for a premier high school football showcase began after coaching an All-Star game in 1975. Kell wanted more student-athletes to experience the excitement of competing on a major stage. When the Georgia Dome was being built, Kell and fellow coach and athletic director Dave Hunter saw an opportunity to make that vision a reality.
The first Georgia Prep Classic was held at the Georgia Dome in 1992, with McEachern representing Cobb Schools in the inaugural event. After Kell’s health declined, he asked Hunter to keep the event going. In 1994, the event was renamed the Corky Kell Classic in his honor.
Kell died in 1995 at age 57, but his vision continued to grow. In 2023, the event became the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic in recognition of Hunter’s contributions.
Cobb Schools remains at the heart of the Classic. McEachern is one of just two schools to have participated in every edition. Kell High School, named in honor of the legendary coach, has competed every year since its first appearance in 2010 and began hosting Classic games in 2023.
“Every year, kids get offered scholarships and opportunities they may not have received had they not been part of Corky Kell,” said Don Baker, Cobb Schools Director of Athletics. “If it gives one kid an opportunity they wouldn’t have had before, it’s worth it. We’re really proud and honored to be a part of it.”
As the Classic enters its 35th year, each kickoff continues Kell’s original mission: creating unforgettable opportunities for young athletes and leaving a lasting impact far beyond the football field.
