August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com | An Appen Media Group Publication
2026 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
16 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
2026
FO OT B AL L S C H ED UL ES
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 North Atlanta Now powered by Appen Media, bringing you a list of games to watch this season. Support the work of your local community newsroom today at appenmedia.com/join.
On the cover
► JOHNS CREEK 8/21
7:30 PM
@ Northview
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Mountain View
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Milton
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Gainesville
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Roswell
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Alpharetta
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Riverwood
► NORTHVIEW 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
The photos featured in the cover collage are credited to:
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Drew
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Berkmar
• ANNABELLE REITER • WMSPORTOGRAPHY • JSM PRODUCTIONS • KEN LANGLEY
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. King’s Ridge
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Trion
10/1
6:30 PM
@ Towers
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Clarkston
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Johnson
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Banks County
► DENMARK 8/21
7:30 PM
vs Sequoyah
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Campbell
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Cambridge
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Peachtree Ridge
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. South Forsyth
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Lambert
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. North Forsyth
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. West Forsyth
► ROSWELL
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
8/13
8:00 PM
vs. Walton
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Newton
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Etowah
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Archer
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Gainesville
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Riverwood
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Milton
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 17
FAMOUS FOOTBALL QUOTES “WINNING ISN’T EVERYTHING. IT’S THE ONLY THING, THAT AND EATING A DELICIOUS CHOPPED PORK SANDWICH AND FRIES AT ‘CUE” VINCE LOMBARDI “A CHAMPION IS SIMPLY SOMEONE WHO DID NOT GIVE UP WHEN THEY WANTED TO… LIKE WHEN YOU GET A FULL RACK FROM ‘CUE, YOU GOTTA FINISH THE WHOLE THING” TOM LANDRY “SUCCESS IS NOT FOREVER, AND FAILURE ISN’T FATAL… UNLESS YOU FORGOT TO EAT, AND ‘CUE HAS YOU COVERED THERE SO GO TO ‘CUE RIGHT NOW!” JOE NAMATH
…OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT! WE MAY NOT GET THE QUOTES EXACTLY RIGHT BUT WE DO PRETTY GOOD WITH THE ‘CUE!
COME SEE US BEFORE THE GAMES!!
Homemade everything y’all! WINNER 2014
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2015
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2016
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
MILTON
WINNER 2017
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2018
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2019
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2020
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
CUMMING cuebarbecue.com
WINNER 2021
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2022
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2023
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2024
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
WINNER 2025
Best Of North Atlanta Presented By
PEACHTREE CORNERS
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
18 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
► CENTENNIAL
Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services
A team above all. Above all, a team.
8/20
4:30 PM
vs. Dunwoody
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Alpharetta
9/11
7:30 PM
@ South Forsyth
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
10/2
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
10/9
7:30 PM
@ St. Pius X
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Sprayberry
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Marist
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
► ALPHARETTA
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.
WINNER
WINNER
WINNER
Dr. Brent Taylor
2019
WINNER
Presented By
2021
Presented By
WINNER
Presented By
2023
Presented By
Presented By
vs. Denmark
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Duluth
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Gainesville
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Riverwood
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Roswell
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Milton
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Johns Creek
11/06
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
8/21
8:00 PM
vs. Houston County
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Norcross
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Cartersville
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Parkview
9/24
7:30 PM
@ North Forysth
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Lambert
10/15
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
10/30
7:30 PM
@ South Forsyth
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Denmark
► PINECREST
2025
Presented By
Presented By
@ Kennesaw Mountain
7:30 PM
Kathryn Filipek, PA-C
Best Of WINNER Best Of WINNER Best Of WINNER Best OfWINNER Best Of North 2018 North 2020 North 2022 North 2024 North Atlanta Best Of Atlanta Best Of Atlanta Best Of AtlantaBest OfAtlanta North North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta 2017
7:30 PM
8/28
► WEST FORSYTH
Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 23 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.
8/21
Presented By
Presented By
Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today. 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899
8/14
7:30 PM
@ Cherokee Christian
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Central Christian
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Harvester Christian
9/11
7:30 PM
@ St. Francis
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Msgr. Donovan Catholic
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Covenant Christian
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Unity Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Horizon Christian Academy
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Johnson Ferry
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 19
Welcome, Dr. Nicole Sykora To Our Winning Team! Best Dentist Dr. Bradley Hepler 2022
2023
2024
2025
Best Dentistry 2022 2023
2025
TRUSTED, COMFORTABLE DENTAL CARE • General and Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns and Implants • Root Canals and Tooth-Colored Fillings • Invisalign
• Whitening • Sedation Dentistry • Smile Enhancements with Botox and Dermal Fillers
11190 Haynes Bridge Rd., Alpharetta (770) 992-2236 • atlantacenterfordentalhealth.com
2024
20 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Metro Atlanta high schools preview 2026 football season By ANNABELLE REITER annabelle@appenmedia.com
UGA over the summer ahead of his senior year. He is ranked No. 33 in Georgia’s senior class by On3 and No. 50 by 247 Sports. Coach Thompson flagged junior tight end Sean Smith as one on breakout watch.
NORTH METRO ATLANTA — Teams in the north Atlanta metro are historically known to play high-level football, but don’t think current coaches or players are resting on the laurels of their reputations. They’re hungry and looking for success this season. The Fulton County School System hosted a media day for their football teams at the College Football Hall of Fame on July 24. Sixteen public schools gave a briefing on their teams and their gridiron hopes and dreams. Director of Athletics Lamarr Glenn, school board Vice President Kristin McCabe, and Superintendent Mike Looney spoke, followed by a keynote speech by Fulton County Schools graduate and former NFL defensive tackle Andre Fluellen. Each team’s head coach then had the opportunity to take the podium to provide an update on how their offseason has progressed and what to expect from them this year. Alpharetta Alpharetta’s Danny Carlisle was the first program lead to take the stage. Carlisle has faced a rocky first few months with the Raiders. Alpharetta High has been undergoing construction all summer, forcing the team to complete all their workouts while exposed to the elements. The coach said it takes the team an hour and a half to set up equipment and take it down after practice, but the players have accepted the challenge as an opportunity for the development they wished for. Nick DePietro, the 2024 Region 7-5A second-team running back, rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore at Johns Creek before transferring to Alpharetta last year and playing on the junior varsity squad to comply with GHSA transfer guidelines. Carlisle told media day attendees he expects DePietro to be the team’s “workhorse.” “I’m excited to see us come together,” DiPietro said. “We’re all confident in our coaching staff and to see how far we can go.” Carlisle also brought junior lineman Calvin Landy Jr. to media day. He has been pulling in numerous Power 4 offers this year. Landy told Appen Media his top schools are Georgia, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. He said he wants scouts to know he is “very coachable and very versatile” and able to play “all five” spots on the line.
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Roswell Centennial Head Coach Adam Miller is the first coach of the last six to make it to their fourth season with the school. The school launched its own feeder football program for kindergarten and up this season. “We’re excited to get rolling,” Miller said. Players said they are most excited for the matchup with Cambridge this year. Miller said the Sept. 18 contest will be one that speaks volumes about his team’s capabilities. Senior Atticus Cordes, who also plays lacrosse, said the team is more bought in than ever before. The shuffling of regions this year has brought Marist, St. Pius X, Sprayberry and Chattahoochee into Centennial’s group that retained Blessed Trinity and Cambridge but parted from Westminster and Kell. Coach Jonathan Thompson at Roswell High is beginning his second year at the helm. After forging Lee County into a record-breaking offense as the coordinator until 2024, the Hornets put up over 43 points per game last season during their semifinal playoff run. Had they won in the Final Four, they
would have faced a familiar foe, Gainesville, in the title game, whom they had beaten 37-35 earlier in the season. The Hornets will face off against Walton in Week 1 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s 30-28 Roswell win. The Hornets will scrimmage against Cambridge Aug. 6 to prepare for the Corky Kell. Thompson played golf with his running backs coach and Bears program head, Tyler Jones, and his offensive coordinator ahead of the match several weeks ago. Roswell’s biggest wins last season came in close games, and one of the questions facing the team is whether they can widen the gap this year. New additions that may hold promise for accomplishing that include former Alpharetta quarterback Matthew Schletty to replace current Furman freshman Trey Smith, another former Raider; three-star edge Jaxon Holly; and Peachtree Ridge transfer Elijah Thompson. The Hornets have several returning players on both sides of the ball ready to step up into new roles. Senior Dre Cousey recorded over 1,100 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns last season. Offensive lineman Miller Westerfield committed to
Milton Milton Head Coach Ben Reaves used his opening moments at the podium to give flowers to the entire county. His Eagles may have made up two of the last four, but it takes going back 12 more years to find another four champions like the ones from Fulton in the last four seasons. Milton kicks off the season with a scrimmage against Grayson before the opener against North Cobb. The Eagles will go on another outof-state trip Sept. 11 to face off against Battle Ground Academy of Franklin, Tennessee. Reaves brought four seniors to media day, biting at the chance to leave a legacy. Aside from quarterback Derrick Baker, who transferred from Florida last season, the other three players have championship-level experience from the Eagles’ back-to-back state titles. They all have committed to SEC, ACC and Big 10 programs and are ranked in 247 Sports’ Top 200 players in Georgia’s senior class. Baker sat out for nearly the entire season last year after injuring his wrist in the season opener against Buford. The Tennessee commit told Appen Media he is ready to get back on the field with his brothers. He said the team had a workout several weeks ago put on by an Army representative. Baker said team bonding exercises like that have strengthened the team on and off the field. Milton’s QB1 concluded his OT7 career earlier this year. He etched his name in the California seven-on-seven league’s records book with 105 passing touchdowns and bested the passing yards record. Baker participated with Cam Newton’s team and said Newton has become an irreplaceable mentor. Reaves described the Eagles’ 8-4 season and second-round finish last year as “a good cleanse” and said it was exactly what the team needed to catapult them back to state championship heights, even if it didn’t measure up to the program’s standards. One big difference from last year will be the usage rate of four-star tight end Grant Haviland. The Vanderbilt commit took on a different role last year, but with some new additions to the offensive line, Haviland will have more opportunity to score this season, according to Reaves and Baker.
See FOOTBALL, Page 24
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 21
► MOUNT VERNON
► MILTON 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. North Cobb
8/21
4:30 PM
vs. McNair
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Whitefield Academy
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
9/4
4:30 PM
@ Holy Innocents Episcopal
9/11
7:00 PM
@ Battle Ground Academy
9/11
7:30 PM
@ St. Anne-Pacelli
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Johns Creek
9/18
4:15 PM
vs. MBCA
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
9/25
7:30 PM
@ King’s Ridge
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Alpharetta
10/2
3:45 PM
vs. Fellowship Christian
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Gainesville
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Walker
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Riverwood
10/30
3:45 PM
vs. Mount Paran Christian
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Roswell
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Mount Pisgah Christian
► CAMBRIDGE
► MOUNT PISGAH
8/13
5:30 PM
vs. Brookwood
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Lake Oconee Academy
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Woodstock
8/28
7:30 PM
@ CCA
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Milton
9/11
7:30 PM
@ PCA
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Denmark
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Mount Paran Christian
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Walker
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Sprayberry
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. King’s Ridge
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Marist
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Fellowship Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoocheel
10/23
3:45 PM
@ MBCA
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. St. Pius X
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Towers
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Mount Vernon
► ST. FRANCIS 8/14
7:30 PM
vs. Covenant Christian
8/21
7:30 PM
@ N. Ga Homeschool Tribe
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Fideles
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Pinecrest Academy
9/18
7:30 PM
@ New Creations
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Lafayette Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Johnson Ferry
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Unity Christian
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Horizon Christian
► JOHNSON FERRY CHRISTIAN 8/21
7:30 PM
@Skipstone Academy
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Georgia Force Christian
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Msgr. Donovan Catholic
9/18
7:30 PM
@Lanier Christian Academy
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. N. Ga Homeschool Tribe
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
22 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
► NORTH ATLANTA 8/13 8/21 8/27 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2 10/9 10/23 10/30 11/6
7:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 8:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 8:00 PM
► KING’S RIDGE vs. Westlake @ Langston Hughes @ Midtown @ Jackson vs. Norcross @ McEachern vs. Harrison @ Kennesaw Mountain @ Hillgrove vs. Campbell vs. Pebblebrook
► MARIST
8/14 8/21 8/28 9/11 9/18 9/25 10/2 10/9 10/23 10/31 11/6
7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 1:00 PM 3:00 PM
vs. Haralson County @ Westover vs. Westminster vs. Lakeview Academy @ Northview vs. Mount Vernon vs. Mount Paran Christian @ Mount Pisgah Christian @ Fellowship Christian @ MBCA vs. Walker
► FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Woodward Academy
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Trinity Christian
8/28
7:00 PM
vs. Druid Hills
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Lovett
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Brookwood
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Savannah Christian
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Campbell
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Prince Avenue Christian
9/25
7:30 PM
vs. Blessed Trinity
10/2
3:45 PM
@ Mount Vernon
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Cambridge
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Mount Paran Christian
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Sprayberry
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Mount Pisgah Christian
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Chattahoochee
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. King’s Ridge
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Walker
11/6
7:30 PM
@ St. Pius X
11/6
7:000 PM
vs. MBCA
► BLESSED TRINITY 8/20
7:30 PM
► HOLY INNOCENTS vs. Decatur
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Pace Academy
7:30 PM
@ Athens Academy
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Milton
8/28
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Hebron Christian
9/4
4:30 PM
vs. Mount Vernon
7:30 PM
@ Haralson County
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Lambert
9/11
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Marist
9/18
8:00 PM
@ Therrell
7:30 PM
vs. Temple
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
9/25
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Sprayberry
10/2
6:30 PM
vs. Lovett
4:00 PM
vs. Wesleyan
10/16
7:30 PM
@ St. Pius X
10/9
10/31
7:30 PM
vs. Chattahoochee
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
vs. Cambridge
11/6
7:30 PM
@ North Cobb Christian
11/6
7:30 PM
► MT. BETHEL 8/15 8/29 9/4 9/11 9/18 10/2 10/10 10/16 10/23 10/31 11/6
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 4:15 PM 4:15 PM 4:15 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 3:45 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM
► NORTH FORSYTH @ Varsity Opponent @ Copper Basin @ UAA vs. Towers @ Mount Vernon vs. Walker vs. SFA @ Mount Paran Christian vs. Mount Pisgah Christian vs. King’s Ridge @ Fellowship Christian
8/21
7:30 PM
@Jackson County
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Archer
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Dacula
9/11
7:30 PM
@Campbell
9/18
7:30 PM
@Norcross
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. West Forsyth
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
10/16
7:30 PM
@South Forsyth
10/30
7:30 PM
@Denmark
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Lambert
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
► WESLEYAN
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 23
► FORSYTH CENTRAL vs. Whitefield Academy
8/21
7:30 PM
7:30 PM
@Elbert County
8/28
7:30 PM
@Pope
7:30 PM
@North Cobb Christian
9/4
7:30 PM
@Chattahoochee
7:30 PM
@Lovett
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Veterans
7:30 PM
vs. Gilmer
9/18
7:30 PM
@Cherokee Bluff
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Haralson County
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. Denmark
10/9
4:00 PM
@Holy Innocents
10/9
7:30 PM
@North Forsyth
10/23
7:30 PM
@Therrell
10/15
7:30 PM
@West Forsyth
10/31
4:00 PM
@KIPP Atlanta Collegiate
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Lambert
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Temple
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. South Forsyth
8/21
7:30 PM
8/28 9/11 9/18 9/25
► ST. PIUS X
vs. Creekview
► SOUTH FORSYTH
8/21
7:30 AM
vs. Dacula
8/21
7:00 PM
@Duluth
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. McNair
8/28
7:30 PM
@Cherokee
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Calvary Day
9/4
7:30 PM
@Allatoona
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Winder-Barrow
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
10/2
7:30 PM
@ Chattahoochee
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Starr’s Mill
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Centennial
9/24
7:30 PM
@Lambert
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Blessed Trinity
10/9
7:30 PM
@Denmark
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Cambridge
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. North Forsyth
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Sprayberry
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. West Forsyth
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Marist
11/6
7:30 PM
@Forsyth Central
► NORTH SPRINGS
► EAST FORSYTH
8/21
7:30 PM
@ Riverwood
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Cherokee Bluff
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Creekview
8/28
7:30 PM
@Dawson County
9/4
7:30 PM
@ Woodland
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Pope
9/11
7:00 PM
vs. Kennesaw Mountain
9/11
7:30 PM
@Pickens
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Westminster
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Lumpkin County
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. Pace Academy
10/2
7:30 PM
@Madison County
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Salem
10/9
7:30 PM
@Jefferson
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Greater Atlanta Christian
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. North Oconee
10/30
7:00 PM
@ Stephenson
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Flowery Branch
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Douglass
11/6
7:30 PM
@Winder-Barrow
► WOODWARD ACADEMY
► LAMBERT
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Marist
8/21
7:30 PM
vs. Peachtree Ridge
8/28
7:30 PM
@Chapel Hill
8/28
7:30 PM
@Sequoyah
9/11
7:30 PM
@Tri-Cities
9/4
7:30 PM
@Tift County
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. McIntosh
9/11
7:30 PM
vs. Blessed Trinity
9/25
7:30 PM
@Northside
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Newnan
9/24
7:30 PM
vs. South Forsyth
10/16
7:30 PM
@Langston Hughes
10/9
7:30 PM
@West Forsyth
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Morrow
10/16
7:30 PM
vs. Denmark
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Lovejoy
10/30
7:30 PM
@Forsyth Central
11/6
7:30 PM
@Creekside
11/6
7:30 PM
@ North Forsyth
24 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Football:
Hamilton is a former offensive lineman for Grayson High and West Georgia. At Fulton County media day, he brought four seniors, including a center and a guard. His team is ready to redefine what it means to be a Chattahoochee Cougar. The coaching staff said the difference from last year is “night and day,” especially in the weight room. Many of the coaches are alumni of the school. Several transfers joined the team for the first time in several years this season, and the Cougars are looking to capitalize.
Continued from Page 20 Milton is returning 15 of 22 starters from last year, including junior cornerback Keelan Wonsley, who is shaping up to potentially be the third Eagle recruited by the Volunteers’ DB staff. He has already received an offer to join Milton alumni Dylan Lewis and Ty Redmond, who are entering their sophomore years at Tennessee. Redmond has been tabbed as one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC in one of the best defensive back cores in college football. Cambridge Head Coach Tyler Jones said his team is ready to compete at a high level despite being the newest school in Fulton County. This year’s team is young, too, but the senior captains Jones brought to media day are leading by example. They said they are prepared to show up big at Mercedes-Benz in their Week 1 matchup with Brookwood at the Corky Kell Classic. Star receiver Craig Dandridge is the latest Bear wideout to go on to suit up for UGA after graduating last year, leaving running back Brooks Malone to carry the offense. Malone rushed for 15 touchdowns and over 1,150 yards in his junior season and said he is ready to leave his mark this year. Cambridge’s defensive line is anchored this year by senior Luke Huffman and the son of a former Falcon, Kroy (K.J.) Biermann Jr. Biermann made the allregion second team as a freshman last year and hopes to see his younger brother Kash return from injury for his freshman year. K.J. told Appen Media at practice his dad didn’t let him or his brothers play football until seventh grade. Before middle school, it was only wrestling, baseball and basketball. Kane Biermann began his football career this season for the junior Bears, playing offensive guard and defensive tackle, per K.J. K.J. said even with an NFL veteran dad, there’s no pressure on his shoulders. His motivation comes from a drive to “be better than” his dad. When the brothers began to display their athletic awards on the wall next to their father’s, it only intensified their desire to be the best athletes in the family. “Get ready to see a lot of sacks and great defense and a great offense this year,” K.J. said. Johns Creek Northview Head Coach Mario Drayton told Appen Media he is prepared to launch a campaign to revitalize the energy around football in Johns Creek. He said that starts with creating a rivalry between his Titans, the Chattahoochee Cougars and the Johns Creek
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Alpharetta quarterback Matthew Schletty rushes for a first down, narrowly escaping several tackles at North Forsyth High School Oct. 24, 2025. Gladiators. Drayton said he felt the game against North Springs last year had an encouraging impact on the team, showing them what they are capable of and who they are striving to be as a team. He brought his four team captains to the Hall and told Appen Media that all the work the team put in last year is propelling them into this season. “The kids have been working extremely hard,” Drayton said. “That last game, through adversity and what happened to our quarterback, we got to stretch it out and that really galvanized us and really got us to where we are right now.” Drayton said the team has grown immensely and became a family. The Titans’ first game of the season is Aug. 21 at home against Johns Creek. Drayton said he plans to schedule the Gladiators every year to maintain a new cross-town rivalry. Johns Creek Head Coach Jason Tester took over this year after the departure of Jim Rowell prior to the Gladiators’ last game of the season in 2025. “Everything is about building … getting closer as a group and these guys seeing the fruits of their labor,” Tester told Appen Media. Tester said last year’s young team
has progressed leaps and bounds this offseason. He highlighted two players in the spring game. Two-way playmaker Elijah Antoine had several tackles for loss and receiver/defensive back Ben Feigin notched a receiving touchdown. Junior Jake Blackwell is entering his third year starting at quarterback for the Gladiators. Tester said he is one of the team’s major leaders. Chattahoochee High’s recently promoted Head Coach Austin Hamilton has brought a renewed energy to the team after moving into his new role from cooffensive coordinator last year. He said his former post as the junior varsity head coach also helped him adjust to the new position. The Cougars hosted their own media day July 18, where they not only took team photos but also held a mock postgame press conference. Players received media training earlier in the week to prepare for how to approach questions. Hamilton said the team has already begun to see the fruits of their labor this offseason from padded camps, but he knows the reality of the situation as a new head coach. Much is up in the air and can only be settled on the field. “It’s all fun and games, but we got to put a good product on Friday nights,” Hamilton said.
Sandy Springs Riverwood Head Coach Josh Coffey joined the program in January, coming from Denmark High, where he served as the offensive coordinator. He held the same position at Union Grove and Lamar County and also made stops at Chattahoochee and Spalding. Coffey said the offseason has been coming along well. He brought quarterback and defensive end Jake Kaplan, along with two other seniors and one sophomore who is returning to the varsity squad after making the team as a freshman. Kaplan agreed with Coffey’s assessments of how the summer has gone. He said the community can expect a lot of fight in this team. “I think things have been coming along great,” Kaplan said. “I would say we’ve come a long way since we started working out in the winter. I’ve seen a toughness in my team that I’ve never seen among my teammates before, and we’ve done a really great job just coming out every day, waking up early and getting after it.” One of Coffey’s biggest undertakings has been establishing this team’s identity as their own and not based on years past. “Our base pillar is perseverance, that fight through, that overcome something,” Coffey said. “That’s something that these seniors have really taken and run with, and they’ve answered every call I’ve made. They’ve stepped up, they’ve fought through it, they’ve gone to the level of perseverance that they’ve had to.” County Athletic Director Lamarr Glenn said he is excited for the five new head coaches in the county and to see what they can lead their teams to. “It’s always exciting to see the next players step up,” Glenn said. “The expectation of Fulton County is here. It’s not going anywhere. The anticipation is that Fulton County is going to have somebody special each year.” Glenn’s take on Fulton teams to watch this year are Creekside, Milton, Langston Hughes and Roswell. It’s never safe to count these teams out, so fans may be in for a fifth straight state title from Fulton this year.
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
► RIVERWOOD 8/21
7:30 PM
vs. North Springs
8/28
7:30 PM
vs. Dunwoody
9/10
7:30 PM
vs. Pebblebrook
9/18
7:30 PM
@ Westminster
10/2
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
10/9
7:30 PM
vs. Lanier
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Gainesville
10/23
7:30 PM
@ Roswell
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Milton
11/6
7:30 PM
vs. Johns Creek
► CHATTAHOOCHEE
PREVIEWS FROM OTHER METRO AREAS Forsyth County West Forsyth High will represent Forsyth Co. in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. The Wolverines will face off against Houston County in the last game of the tournament’s final day, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. With the new shuffling of regions, all of the Forsyth teams, except East, are grouped together in Region 6-7A. East Forsyth is not slated to play any area teams in the regular season this year. The six teams in Region 6-7A will all play one another, so there’s no need to publish rankings. The region standings will speak for themselves. The toughest non-conference schedules belong to West and Lambert.
8/21
7:30 PM
@ West Hall
9/4
7:30 PM
vs. Forsyth Central
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Johns Creek
9/18
7:30 PM
vs. Sprayberry
10/2
7:30 PM
vs. St. Pius X
Dunwoody
10/9
7:30 PM
@ Northview
10/16
7:30 PM
@ Cambridge
10/23
7:30 PM
vs. Marist
10/30
7:30 PM
@ Blessed Trinity
11/6
7:30 PM
@ Centennial
After suffering a loss to Class 5A runners-up Gainesville in the first round last season, Dunwoody is ready to rebound. Players’ Instagram bios indicate the team is out to avenge last year’s 5-6 record. They held a spring scrimmage May 14 against North Atlanta and have a fall scrimmage slated for Aug. 13 against Wesleyan. The Wildcats will open their season Aug. 20 at the Corky Kell Classic at Blessed Trinity High School against Centennial. Dunwoody is playing in their second straight Corky Kell after losing to St. Pius X 15-12 last year at Mercedes-Benz.Head Coach Matt Schmitz said he knows Centennial is well-coached after pulling off one of the biggest playoff upsets in the state last year. “We know we’re gonna have to be ready,” Schmitz said at Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic media day. At Score Atlanta’s media day ahead of the memorial tournament, players said they have immense pride in wearing their hometown across their chest. One of Dunwoody’s most highly anticipated games is their matchup with rival Chamblee. Only a few miles apart, these schools always bring their best game against each other no matter what sport. The Wildcats hope to extend their winning streak to four games after besting the Bulldogs the last three seasons. The series has gone back and forth, with Chamblee taking three straight before the Wildcats took over. Dunwoody won six straight in the 2010s and is looking to extend the
► DULUTH 8/21
7:00 PM
vs. South Forsyth
8/28
7:30 PM
@ Lanier
9/11
7:30 PM
@ Alpharetta
9/18
7:00 PM
@ Brookwood
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Parkview
10/2
7:00 PM
vs. North Gwinnett
10/9
7:00 PM
@ Hebron Christian
10/23
7:00 PM
vs. Berkmar
10/30
7:00 PM
@ Peachtree Ridge
11/6
7:00 PM
vs. Norcross
► DRUID HILLS 8/20
6:00 PM
vs. Clarkston
8/28
7:00 PM
@ Marist
9/4
7:00 PM
@ Landmark Christian
9/10
6:00 PM
@ Redan
9/25
7:30 PM
@ Tucker
10/2
7:00 PM
vs. Southwest DeKalb
10/9
7:00 PM
vs. Lithonia
10/15
6:00 PM
vs. Banneker
10/30
7:30 PM
vs. Mays
11/6
5:30 PM
@ Jackson
AppenMedia.com | August 13, 2026 | 25
ANNABELLE REITER/APPEN MEDIA
Dunwoody quarterback Jack Quartararo hands off to running back Cameron Irastorza at Decatur High School Sept. 26, 2025. winning streak back to that point. Quarterback Jack Quartararo is one of several major returners for the Wildcats. Offensive lineman Grant Pearch has pulled in offers from Penn, Cornell, Air Force, Georgia State and Middle Tennessee, among others.
Decatur Head Coach William Felton is preparing his Bulldogs to make their first-ever appearance in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. They will play against Blessed Trinity at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20 to open their season. Felton took over in 2020 and is looking to improve on the Bulldogs’ 4-6 finish last year. To prepare for the Corky Kell, Decatur will scrimmage against Miller Grove on Aug. 14. He said the matchup is a major opportunity and platform for his team and players. He said it’s imperative for them to “demonstrate that they belong.” Felton brought six seniors with him to the Score Atlanta media day and they all said they were excited to get on the field with their brothers and make the most of their final year as a Bulldog. Several said they are eager to make a playoff appearance. In 2024, Decatur went 9-2, but Felton has been recently scheduling teams that will challenge his players. He said that although they may not be guaranteed to win against elite teams, he’s satisfied with what the team will get from the hours they put in. “At the end of the day, hard work and dedication don’t guarantee you a W,” Felton said. “But it does guarantee you an opportunity to compete for [it].”
26 | August 13, 2026 | AppenMedia.com
2026 NORTH ATLANTA NOW FOOTBALL PREVIEW
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