Johns Creek Herald Football Section 2025 by Appen Media Group

Insist on the BEST

Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care.

He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables.

Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 22 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology.

Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULES 2025

High school football around the region kicks off in earnest this month, renewing a fall tradition that has bred heart-stopping action and long-standing rivalries. Enjoy this special section from Appen Media and the Johns Creek Herald, bringing you a list of games to watch this season. Support the work of your local community newsroom today at appenmedia.com/join.

► JOHNS CREEK

On the cover

Johns Creek High School football players shake hands with members of the Johns Creek Veterans Association before the kick-off of the Veterans Memorial Cup August 2024 at The Fortress, Centennial High School’s stadium.

Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today.

8/22 7:30 PM vs. Cambridge 8/29 7:30 PM vs. Centennial 9/5 7:30 PM @ Kennesaw Mountain 9/12 7:30 PM vs. Prince Avenue Christian 9/26 7:30 PM @ Gainesville 10/3 7:30 PM vs. Roswell 10/9 7:30 PM @ Lanier 10/17 7:30 PM vs. Seckinger 10/24 7:30 PM vs. Milton 10/31 7:30 PM @ Chattahoochee

► NORTHVIEW

7:30

vs. West Hall

7:30 PM @ Lassiter

7:30

7:30 PM vs. Southwest DeKalb 10/31 7:30 PM vs. North Springs

Dr. Brent Taylor

Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

► CAMBRIDGE

How area teams, players stack up in the charts

By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com

NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Reign -

ing 5A champions, the Milton Eagles, come in at No. 15 nationally in Sports Illustrated’s preseason rankings. Milton has a consensus ranking of No. 3 of all teams in Georgia.

Headlined by two four-star juniors, quarterback Derrick Baker and tight end Grant Haviland, the Eagles have continued to elevate and add transfers from Alpharetta, Chattahoochee, North Springs, Eagles Landing and Cedar Grove. Out-ofstate transfers this season include Baker from south Florida, running back Bentley Hickman from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and receiver Isaiah McQueen from Lexington, Kentucky. Roswell is hovering in the top 20 in Georgia depending on the source. MaxPreps ranks the Hornets No. 21, Rivals at No. 19 and Sports Illustrated at No. 16.

Eliminated last season in the second round by the eventual runners up Langston Hughes, the Hornets

graduated several major contributors but returned other pillars. Returning starting quarterback Trey Smith committed over the summer to Furman University. Receiver Wills Campbell committed to Cornell. Senior running back Nick Peal will round out the Hornets offense.

Blessed Trinity is ranked No. 15 in Georgia by Sports Illustrated and No. 17 by MaxPreps. Edge DJ Jacobs is nationally ranked by 247sports as the No. 3 player in the class of 2027.

Defensive lineman Lucas SmallsAllen is the No. 80 player in the class of 2026 in Georgia. Smalls-Allen is committed to Kansas University. Cornerback TJ Umenyiora is No. 84. He is committed to Michigan State.

Cambridge wide receiver Craig Dandridge is ranked by 247sports as the No. 33 player in the class of 2026 in Georgia. Dandridge is committed to UGA.

Denmark cornerback Kamden Jennings is ranked by 247sports as the No. 63 player in the Georgia class of 2026. Jennings has committed to James Madison University.

► CENTENNIAL

8/15 7:30 PM vs. Pope 8/22 7:30 PM @ Johns Creek 8/29 7:30 PM @ Creekview 9/5 7:30 PM vs. Denmark 9/12 7:30 PM @ Calhoun 9/26 7:30 PM vs. East Coweta 10/3 7:30 PM @ Westminster 10/10 7:30 PM vs. Centennial 10/24 7:30 PM @ Kell 10/31 7:30 PM vs. Blessed Trinity 8/15 7:30 PM @ Riverwood 8/22 7:30 PM vs. Duluth 8/29 7:30 PM @ Johns Creek 9/5 7:30 PM @ Discovery 9/12 7:30 PM vs. Chattahoochee 9/26 7:30 PM vs. Chapel Hill 10/10 7:30 PM @ Cambridge 10/17 7:30 PM vs. Kell 10/24 7:30 PM @

► DRUID HILLS

►

DULUTH

8/15 7:00 PM vs. Dacula 8/22 7:30 PM @ Centennial 8/29 7:30 PM @ Shiloh 9/12 7:30 PM vs. Norcross 9/19 7:00 PM vs. Meadowcreek 9/26 7:00 PM @ Peachtree Ridge 10/3 7:30 PM vs. Berkmar 10/17 7:00 PM @ Parkview 10/24 7:30 PM vs. Brookwood 10/30 7:30 PM @ North Gwinnett

PAUL WARD PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY Alpharetta hunts down Lambert in an October win at home.

Cougars community ready team for season

By DANNY CARLISLE

Head Coach, Chattahoochee Football

As we kick off the 2025 football season, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the parents, sponsors, and fans who continue to support Chattahoochee Football. I am now in my third season as head coach and I’ve never been more proud of the growth and energy emerging within this program.

This summer, our athletes put in the work. From competitive 7-on-7 matchups to football camps across the region, they’ve sharpened their skills and embraced the Hooch Way. Leaders are emerging on this team—players stepping up, holding each other accountable, and setting the tone for what it means to represent Chattahoochee Football, to play with Pride, play with Respect and to play with Integrity.

We’ve also expanded our focus beyond the field. With guidance from Christian Guerra of Impact Sport Psych, our players are building mental toughness, while Xperience More Nutrition is teaching them how to fuel and condition their bodies for peak performance.

This year, we are excited to introduce our Freshman team alongside our JV and Varsity teams —we are building a program ready to compete with grit, pride and competitive excellence. As we take the field this fall, I want you to know that you are part of what makes Hooch Football special. When the lights come on and the players run out, it’s not just about football—it’s about pride in our school, our town, and our future. Paws Up!

► CHATTAHOOCHEE

8/15 7:30 PM @ Apalachee

8/22 7:30 PM @ Riverwood

8/29 7:30 PM vs. Discovery

9/12 7:30 PM @ Centennial

9/19 7:30 PM vs. Milton

9/26 7:30 PM vs. Lanier

10/10 7:30 PM @ Roswell

10/17 7:30 PM @ Gainesville

10/24 7:30 PM @ Seckinger

10/31 7:30 PM vs. Johns Creek

► EAST FORSYTH

8/15 7:30 PM @ Forsyth Central

8/22 7:30 PM vs. Dawson County

8/29 7:30 PM vs. Winder-Barrow

9/5 7:30 PM @ Chestatee

9/19 7:30 PM @ North Oconee

9/25 7:30 PM vs. Flowery Branch

10/3 7:30 PM @ Cedar Shoals

10/10 7:30 PM vs. Walnut Grove

10/17 7:30 PM vs. Eastside

10/31 7:30 PM @ Madison County

► FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN

8/15 7:30 PM vs. Bowdon

8/22 7:30 PM @ Hebron Christian

9/5 7:30 PM vs. Osborne 9/12 7:30 PM @ Savannah Christian

9/19 7:30 PM @Kings Ridge

9/26 7:30 PM vs. Mount Vernon

10/10 7:30 PM @ Mt. Pisgah Christian 10/24 7:30 PM vs. Wesleyan

10/31 7:30 PM Region Crossover Game (Opponent TBD)

FIDELES CHRISTIAN

7:00 PM vs. Horizon Christian 7:30 PM @ Hearts

CARLISLE

APPEN MEDIA FILE PHOTO

Georgia State commit DJ Avery (No. 3) celebrates with the Cougars after a touchdown against Gainesville in 2024. Chattahoochee showed up big for a competitive matchup against a powerhouse program in the Red Elephants.

ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA

The Roswell Hornets celebrate after Shamar Vick’s fumble recovery and touchdown Oct. 11 against the Chattahoochee Cougars. The play put six points on the scoreboard before Roswell’s offense took the field for the first time, reflecting the team’s dominant win over Chattahoochee, final score 63-7.

► ALPHARETTA

8/22 7:30 PM @ Kell

8/29 7:30 PM vs. Milton

9/5 7:30 PM vs. Cedar Grove

9/12 7:30 PM @ Denmark

9/19 7:30 PM vs. Forsyth Central

9/26 7:30 PM @ North Atlanta

10/3 7:30 PM @ South Forsyth

10/10 7:30 PM vs. Lambert

10/24 7:30 PM @ North Forsyth

10/31 7:30 PM vs. West Forsyth

PAUL

PHOTOGRAPHY/COURTESY

North Springs holds onto the ball in an August 2024 scrimmage against South Forsyth.

► BLESSED TRINITY

8/15 7:30 PM vs. Tri-Cities

8/22 7:30 PM vs. Holy Innocents

8/29 7:30 PM vs. Prince Avenue Christian 9/12 7:30 PM @ Milton

9/19 7:30 PM vs. Hebron Christian

9/26 7:30 PM @ Savannah Christian

10/3 7:30 PM vs. Kell

10/17 7:30 PM @ Westminster 10/24 7:30 PM vs. Centennial 10/31 7:30 PM @ Cambridge

► HOLY INNOCENTS

8/15 5:00 PM vs. North Springs 8/22 7:30 PM @ Blessed Trinity

8/29 7:30 PM @ Morrow 9/4 7:30 PM vs. Allatoona

9/19 7:30 PM vs. Therrell

9/26 7:30 PM @ Lovett

6:30 PM

7:00 PM

► JOHNSON FERRY CHRISTIAN

WARD

► KING’S RIDGE

8/15 7:30 PM vs. The King’s Academy

8/22 7:30 PM vs. Lanier Christian

8/29 7:30 PM vs. Heritage Christian

9/5 7:30 PM @ Walker

9/19 7:30 PM vs. Fellowship Christian

9/26 7:30 PM @ Flint River Academy

10/3 7:30 PM vs. Mt. Pisgah Christian

10/10 7:30 PM @ Wesleyan

10/24 3:45 PM @ Mount Vernon

10/31 7:30 PM @ TBD - Crossover game

► LAMBERT

8/15 7:30 PM @ Mill Creek

8/22 7:30 PM vs. Walton

9/5 7:30 PM @ Cherokee

9/12 7:30 PM vs. West Forsyth

9/18 7:30 PM @ North Forsyth

10/3 7:30 PM vs. North Atlanta

10/10 7:30 PM @ Alpharetta

10/16 7:30 PM vs. Forsyth Central 10/24 7:30 PM vs. Denmark

10/31 7:30 PM @ South Forsyth

► MARIST

8/15 7:30 PM @ Jefferson

8/29 7:30 PM vs. Woodward Academy

9/12 7:30 PM @ Northview

9/19 7:00 PM @ Druid Hills

9/26 7:00 PM @ Southwest DeKalb

10/3 7:30 PM vs. North Springs

10/10 7:30 PM vs. St. Pius X 10/17 7:30 PM vs. Clarkston

10/24 7:30 PM vs. Lithonia

10/31 7:00 PM @ Tucker

► MILTON

8/14 7:30 PM @ Buford

8/22 7:30 PM @ The First Academy (FL)

8/29 7:30 PM @ Alpharetta

9/12 7:30 PM vs. Blessed Trinity

9/19 7:30 PM @ Chattahoochee

9/26 7:30 PM vs. Seckinger

10/3 7:30 PM vs. Lanier

10/10 7:30 PM vs. Gainesville

10/24 7:30 PM @ Johns Creek

10/31 7:30 PM @ Roswell

The

Eagles celebrate their second straight state

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec. 17. They took down No. 2 seed Langston Hughes, holding them scoreless in the second half for a final score of 35-56.

ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA

Milton

title

► MOUNT VERNON

8/15 4:30 PM vs. Darlington

8/22 4:30 PM vs. Whitefield Academy

8/29 7:30 PM @ Brookstone School

9/12 5:30 PM @ B.E.S.T Academy

9/19 4:15 PM vs. Mt. Pisgah Christian

9/26 7:30 PM @ Fellowship Christian

10/3 4:00 PM vs. Wesleyan

10/10 7:30 PM @ Greenville

10/24 3:45 PM vs. Kings Ridge 10/31 7:30 PM TBD Region Crossover

► MOUNT PISGAH

8/15 7:30 PM vs. Haralson County 8/22 7:30 PM @ Mt. Paran Christian

8/29 7:30 PM vs. B.E.S.T Academy

9/5 7:30 PM vs. Providence Christian 9/19 4:15 PM @ Mount Vernon 9/26 7:00 PM vs. Wesleyan

10/3 7:30 PM @ Kings Ridge

10/10 7:30 PM vs. Fellowship Christian 10/17 7:30 PM @ Lanier Christian 10/31 7:30 PM @ Region Crossover TBD

► NORTH SPRINGS

8/15 5:00 PM @ Holy Innocents

8/29 7:30 PM @ Woodstock 9/5 7:30 PM vs. Druid Hills

9/12 7:00 PM @ Southwest DeKalb

9/19 7:30 PM vs. Clarkston

9/26 7:30 PM vs. St. Pius X 10/3 7:30 PM @ Marist

10/10 7:30 PM vs. Lithonia 10/17 7:30 PM Tucker 10/31 7:30 PM Northview

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

7:30 PM @ St. Francis 7:30 PM @ Community 5:00 PM vs. Lafayette 5:00 PM vs. Unity 5:00 PM vs. Pinecrest 5:00 PM vs. Johnson Ferry Christian 7:00 PM @ Fideles

KEN

HORIZON