2024 Georgia (Week 0)
The first week of the 2024 season has come and gone. After a one-year hiatus going to North Dakota, my season opened once again in Georgia at the Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Classic.
The Corky Kell-Dave Hunter Classic has lasted since 1992. A huge event for Georgia and the Atlanta metro area, it was four days of football spread out over Northern Georgia.
As in the past, I planned to drive down for the games. Though this time my daughter wouldn’t be with me. With school starting too soon, she wasn’t able to make the trip.
On Tuesday morning, I headed out from home. I took a back route from Youngstown along Mahoning Avenue and passed by Jackson-Milton High School. Seeing that their new stadium is ready for this season. As well as passing by their old stadium in town. I do intend to see a game there again sometime in the future.
I then traveled south along OH225 to US62 and took that into Canton. I had intended to follow US30 west to I-71, but instead decided to go south to Dover and stop at Lee’s Original Chicken.
From there, I stopped in Newcomerstown to take US36 west to OH16 to Newark. And south and west along I-70. After stopping in Columbus I continued traveling southwest along I-71 into Kentucky. Detouring briefly around an accident near Kings Island. After a brief stop in Walton, Kentucky, I was back south along I-75 toward Lexington. Eventually calling it a night in Corbin
Staying at the same Super 8 as I had on previous trips. Years ago I left my laptop here, and they held it for several days without incident as I made the trip back past the hotel. Call it loyalty, but I will stay here when in the area going forward. Plus, it’s just a nice hotel.
In the morning, it was a long drive into Knoxville via another accident detour near Clinton, and the first gas stop at Weigel’s, which was just $2.699. The best price on the trip. A couple hours later it was into Georgia and only a few hours away from the first games of the season.
Continuing I-75 south from Chattanooga, traffic was smooth until getting off the exit near Marietta. Following a few backroads east to Kell High School.
#1 – LaGrange v. Atlanta Douglass
Parking at the stadium was easy, and the weather was nice. School had just finished letting out before arrival. And going through media was a breeze. It was sunny, but temperate for Georgia in August. The stadium at Kell was setup for an event. With many food trucks and booths located around the grounds outside the field. The field itself sitting north/south had no track. Making the stands sit somewhat closer to the field. Though the visitor side had quite a wide expanse beyond the fence before the stands.
The crowd was small, but expected, as LaGrange was from quite far away for a Wednesday afternoon. Their opponent, Frederick Douglass from Atlanta brought a decent crowd themselves.
The season started with a field goal. A funny stereotype of Georgia High School Football being that field goals are much more common there than almost any other state that I have seen games. A mix of weather and the great field conditions, even on grass, give Georgian high schools an advantage to develop a kicking game.
The first half ended with Douglass up 18-3 and that was the final score as the fourth quarter ground effortlessly through two scoreless frames.
After the game, I went up into the stands to sit. The field was still incredibly hot, and I was already contemplating the next nine-games I had planned. So, I started the next game in the stands.
#2 – Kell v. North Atlanta
The host Kell Longhorns, in Texas inspired uniforms, colors, and nickname, had a small but lively crowd. While North Atlanta’s side was plentiful though not packed. Kell went up 15-7 before North Atlanta tied it. But that’s as close as they’d get. In the second half I was down on the field and Kell scored two more touchdowns late in the game to win by a closer than it felt, 29-15 score.
After the game, with the quick finish, I rushed out of the stadium to Walmart to do some shopping so that I wouldn’t need to stop Thursday afternoon before the West Forsyth games. Picked up some food for the room.
After that it was a less than quick trip through Krystal for a sack of sliders and over to the LaQuinta. A hotel I had booked just because there was a deal for bonus points. It was $10 more than the previously booked room. But the bonus points more than made up for it.
On Thursday afternoon, I stopped at an Amazon Locker to pick up an order. I had forgotten a rain hood for my camera, as well as wanted two extra batteries as I only had three for two cameras. It was inside a Ross’s, and unlike others that use a scanner from your phone, you needed the Amazon app to activate the doors to open remotely.
After that, it was back to Walmart, this time to pick up a toothbrush, and some other non-food related items on my way to West Forsyth. From Roswell, it was a quick drive north along US19 to the school. A few miles northwest of the highway. Taking the ‘back entrance’ to the school is much easier and puts you by the media entrance. While most fans enter from the north and that smaller lot fills up faster.
#3 – Dunwoody v. South Paulding
Getting into the stadium was a breeze as usual. My third time here. Going down the long concrete steps from the top of the stadium down to field level. The weather was quite warm, but the humidity was moderate. And with a light breeze was quite comfortable. Though it still felt like Georgia.
The two teams were new for me. Dunwoody is from north of the Atlanta loop. While South Paulding is from Douglasville. Southwest of the city. The game was pretty good though generally unremarkable. Dunwoody won with a steady offensive performance, racking up several scoring chances, and converting them into three touchdowns and a field goal. To South Paulding’s lone score. Making it 24-7.
#4 – West Forsyth v. Prince Avenue Christian
The next game was the big game. A battle of Wolverines between the West Forsyth and Prince Avenue Christian squads. At Wolverine Stadium. Prince Avenue Christian came out dressed like University of Michigan, while West Forsyth forewent their usual navy and gold uniforms for much snazzier Green and Gold uniforms.
The game was pretty good as Prince Avenue Christian got a quick lead and held it throughout a strange first half. Neither team could convert a PAT via kick. But field goals were made. Giving PAC a 20-12 halftime lead.
West Forsyth would tie it, and like the Kell game, would be as close as they’d get. PAC would score two more times. A 35-20 lead, before giving up another score. West Forsyth had one last chance and faced a 4th and 14 in their own territory. But opted to punt and attempt to hold on defense with a full compliment of time outs. However that strategy failed as Prince Avenue achieved a first down. Allowing them to run out the clock, winning 35-28.
It was a quick drive back to the hotel. And plans to get over to Hebron Christian by 2pm the next day. However that would change.
Leaving in the afternoon, I had planned to stop at a Staples or Office Depot to laminate my press pass for the Corky Kell. It was simple cardstock and the sweat and general wear and tear was creasing it and risk ruining the lanyard hole at the top. But running late with heavy traffic, I rushed east along GA140 to I-85. Then north to GA316/University Parkway that turns into US29. Cutting through some wooded areas near Dacula High School, arriving at Hebron Christian Academy. A school I had driven by before when attending games at Dacula.
Only to realize there was no game taking place in less than half an hour. The scoreboard was off, there were no ticket takers, and the parking lot bare. And that’s when the hunt was on to find out what happened to the game.
Having not paid attention to the updates, Rome, who played that night at home, had been involved in a bus accident that sent many of their players to the hospital. Given the circumstances, they cancelled their opener. Which, for television, moved the Cass-Callaway game back a few hours. And moved the Hebron Christian-Therrell game from 2pm to 430pm for television. However, this would make a night game anywhere difficult to achieve.
There was some discussion on whether to pass up the afternoon game and just cover a night game. Or, potentially, just cover the afternoon game. So, I drove back through Lawrenceville to an Office Depot and got the media pass laminated. As well as redid and laminated my primary pass. And stopped at a gas station where I found Mexican Sprite in the glass bottles. And bought two for just under $6.
With finding out media access to Gwinnett County Schools was only in advance, and only through district-wide approved outlets, the decision to stick with the afternoon game and do the best to find a night game somewhere nearby. Hopefully the afternoon game could finish in time but the 430pm start was problematic with television.
On the way back to the school was a quick stop by Dacula High School, where I had seen a doubleheader back in 2021.
#5 – Hebron Christian v. Atlanta Therrell
An afternoon game in Georgia is always problematic. But the weather was good. At 92F, the humidity was modest with a strong wind from the west. Along with some intermittent clouds. The game wasn’t projected to be close. And it wasn’t. But it took a while to get there.
The first half struggled through a Therrell teams keeping a grasp on the football basics. Bad snaps, false starts, and delay of games. While Hebron Christian could have taken a huge lead into the half but struggled themselves to move the ball offensively. With a few stops near the goal line, their 21-0 lead reached 48-0 by the end of the third. And started the running clock in the fourth. But the nearly hour long third quarter after a glacial first half, put the end of the game right near 7:30pm. And a tough trek to quickly make it to another game.
I had called ahead a couple schools, one of the closest being Mountain West in Lawrenceville. Again not being allowed on the field, but were allowed by the AD when we arrived. I got there after kickoff, and parked over a curb into the grass with a few other trucks. Much closer to the field than the rest of the parking lot would allow sticking to asphalt.
Sitting in the stands, I didn’t intend to take many photos. And only brought my zoom lens camera in with me.
#6 – Mountain View v. Hillgrove
The first half went well. With the visiting Hawks of Hillgrove going up 17-14. Near halftime, the weather forecasts were not looking good. So, I made my way up to the upper concourse to stand under the risers. And that worked as the bands performed and then the rains started. After their performance finished, the game was officially suspended and the stadium was cleared. Which meant a mad dash to vehicles while getting drenched with a driving rain.
Sitting in my truck, I drove back down into the paved lot as most everyone had left. Contemplating whether to leave, or to sit and wait to see if the game would be resumed. I had no intention of leaving if the game would be finished.
Hillgrove was from over an hour away. From Powder Springs. Near McEachern. And unlike games elsewhere in Gwinnett County, this one wasn’t being called early. So, sitting in the truck listening to a DJ play songs over the stadium PA and the occasional lightning strike restarting the third minute clock.
Before finally, it was announced the game would be restarting just after 11pm. An entire second half still to play. With a light rain and no desire to use the recently purchased rainhood for my camera, I just went in to watch the end of the game. Sitting at the top of the stands and enjoying the cool, but wet, night. It was barely 68F when the game restarted.
Hillgrove added a field goal and a touchdown to Mountain View’s lone TD. But Mountain View would score once more, taking a lead and holding it late into the game, 28-26. And then the Hawks would score one more late, to go up 34-28 with under two minutes left. With a light rain, I headed down the stands to the ground level, and stood by the fenced sideline to watch as Mountain View moved the ball down field. A sack would end of the game as the clock couldn’t be stopped. Hillgrove 34, Mountain View 28.
With the game ending at 1230am, it was nearly an hour west to the hotel. I had to forego doing the photographs from the day. Needing to get ready early for the Saturday quadrupleheader at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. As well as checking out of the hotel in the morning.
The morning went well. Clearing out the hotel room. I put some left over food in the cooler with ice. And figured I’d see how it would last in the 90F temps in the truck. And heading south along US19 to downtown Atlanta and driving by Bobby Dodd Stadium to the dome.
I had purchased parking at the Home Depot Backyard, a grass lot to the north of the stadium. It was $17.95 online. On arrival, they weren’t scanning passes. In fact, they had no ability to know who had purchased parking. And instead were letting fans park for free. Though most wouldn’t have known that parking was going to be free so only those that had pre-paid got in anyways.
#7 – Brookwood v. Walton
I had seen both of these teams previously. The third time to see Walton and second time to see Brookwood. Brookwood had a female kicker who had two early missed field goals. But that wasn’t the Broncos issues. They struggled while Walton had picked up a comfortable lead. And winning, 30-21.
The first game, I sat in the stands. It was a long night and I had already chosen to just do two games on the field Saturday. The second and fourth games. So, for an early lunch went and got the Barbacoa Nachos. They were decent, but the cheese was rather bland and there wasn’t much flavor to the barbacoa. What was lacking to the Brisket Nachos in Texas was some type of sauce aside from cheese. Though with Barbacoa, I’m not sure what would have improved it. The $2 drinks, with free refills, were well worth the cost.
After the half hour intermission the second game was already nearly an hour delayed. Set to kickoff at 1pm, it started just before 2pm.
#8 – Houston County v. Alpharetta
This was my third time on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. And I was hoping for a good game. I did not get a good game. It was a let down as Alpharetta seemed out of place. Houston County–pronounced House-ton–just obliterated the Alpharetta Raiders making their first Corky Kell appearance. Winning, 57-10.
After the game, it was back upstairs. Loading up on free refills with my cup. And another nacho order. This time for North Gwinnett and McEachern–pronounced Mick-Each-Urn.
#9 – North Gwinnett v. McEachern
I had seen both of these teams previously. North Gwinnett once in 2021, and McEachern in 2021 and 2022. This was another dud of a game. North Gwinnett’s victory wasn’t much in doubt despite the close score. It ended nearly an hour after the fourth game was slated to start. Making for a very long day.
With the late start, it was back on the field for one last game on the weekend. A matchup that others in the stands were talking up with intrigue, a 6A taking on a 2A squad. But it wasn’t looking like a great matchup once it started.
#10 – Cedar Grove v. Douglas County
I had seen Cedar Grove in a state championship game. While this was my first time seeing Douglas. My twelfth new team this week. Douglas County went up 14-0 early. And continued to pull away through the third quarter. Setting up a running clock in the fourth quarter. Yet still the game trudged on slowly. Before finally ending at 1120pm. With Douglas County’s only blemish a late TD by Cedar Grove when the game was already beyond doubt, 42-7.
After the game, it was a quick drive north while trying to find a place to stay for the night. Erring on the side of caution to get out of Georgia and the very high hotel taxes. Chattanooga had usually had cheap rooms. And I booked a stay at the Super 8 near the airport. After checking in, the room did not have air conditioning. It smelled horrible in addition to the musty, humid air that lingered in the room. I got a refund, and then searched for another room. Going from $77 there to $90 at the Travelodge next door. At a last minute near 2am, I did get a free night toward next week’s trip. But it was a long delayed evening. Again, no photos done. Just a quick shower and sleep before checkout at 11am.
On the way home, I stopped at David’s Steak House in Corbin. A place I had intended to stop at on the way south had traffic worked out better. Instead, I had Sunday afternoon supper. Only $13.69 with just water was all-you-can-eat steak, ribs, fried and baked chicken, as well as deserts, a salad bar, and some of the best bread pudding you’ll find.
The only two gas stops on the way home were in Acme Mill, Tennessee for $2.749 and in Groveport, Ohio at Sheetz for $3.299. Getting home by 11pm.
ECONOMICS
For the weekend was ten games over four days. Twelve new teams and three new stadiums. Leaving me with 498 stadiums for high school football games.
The total cost was $511.05. Hotels cost $199.54 while food costs were a close second with $198.58. Gas was only $58.81. Tickets & Miscellaneous was $17.95 while Miscellaneous expenses were $36.17. A total of exactly 1,700 miles driven from home back to home.
Gas was well below cost, though hotels should have been until the Saturday night disaster that was the Super 8. Even with the refund, the $90 room upped my costs. Food was fairly cheap with stops at Walmart and Saturday at the stadium being the largest costs. Miscellaneous included a gift for my daughter and some non-game expenses from Walmart. Such as socks. T&M is game expenses, and the only cost was the unneeded $17.95 for parking.
All-in-all, only $511.05 for six days away from home and ten football games.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
2024 Statistics
10 Games
20 Teams
5 Stadiums
1 State
12 New Teams
3 New Stadiums
1,581 different teams
498 different stadiums
1,470 total games
NEXT WEEK
Another trip south in on the horizon. Wednesday will start the trip with a stop in Columbus for the Columbus Crew’s Leagues Cup Semifinal with Philadelphia. And Thursday in Clinton, Tennessee at Anderson County’s game against Powell. Friday will be the J Allen Builders Bowl at Warren East. Whose blue Jim Ross Field will be my 500th stadium. And Saturday will be the Eminence Alumni Bowl. A total of five high school football games.
For photos from this game, and others this weekend, click HERE.
For photos from previous weeks and seasons, visit http://www.flickr.com/sykotyk/sets/