East Cobb high school football

East Cobb football update: Walton, Kell roll in rivalry games

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After falling behind in the first quarter, Walton took control of an East Cobb rivalry game with Pope Friday night at Raider Valley.Walton all-sports champion

The Greyhounds led 7-0, but Walton got three touchdowns from KD Stokes and two more from Julian Bumper to prevail 33-10.

For the Raiders (2-1), the win was an encouraging recovery after they lost to Collins Hill last week on the last play of the game. Walton is off next week, then will play at North Gwinnett on Sept. 20.

Pope also is 2-1 and will begin region play next week against Centennial.

In the other East Cobb rivalry game Friday, the visiting team came away with the win, as Kell blanked Lassiter 27-0. Corbin LaFrance threw two touchdowns to Jamal Hill.

The Longhorns, who are ranked No. 8 in Class 5A, improved to 3-0 on the season. They begin region play with a bang next week at No. 9 Rome, which crushed North Clayton 63-6.

Lassiter, which is 0-3, will be off next week. The Trojans have scored only six points on the season, a field goal in each of their first two games.

Sprayberry has put together a two-game winning streak after rolling over South Cobb 48-20. It was homecoming for the Yellow Jackets (2-1), who got two touchdowns from Damarion Owens.

The Jackets will have a week off next week, then start their region slate against Harrison, ranked No. 5 in Class 6A, and which is 4-0 on the season.

Wheeler returned home after last week’s loss to Sprayberry, but Shiloh jumped all over the Wildcats early enroute to a 39-8 win.

Shiloh led 27-0 as Wheeler fell to 1-2. The Wildcats are off next week, then will play Lassiter on Sept. 20.

 

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East Cobb football update: Pope, Sprayberry gain first wins

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Pope and Sprayberry got their first wins on Friday night in East Cobb rivalry contests in the second week of the high school football season.Sprayberry football, East Cobb football

The Yellow Jackets got off to a tough start in an opening loss to South Forsyth last week, and was facing Wheeler, which they hadn’t beaten since 2007.

But Sprayberry took an early 14-0 lead and never relinquished it in a 21-14 win at Jim Frazier Stadium.

Both touchdowns were scored by Damarion Owens, a junior running back, and the Yellow Jackets (1-1) didn’t give up any points until Wheeler ran a kickoff for a touchdown in the second half.

East Cobb sports updateAt the Hound Pound, Pope played its first game of the season against East Cobb Lassiter, coming off a 47-3 loss to Harrison.

The Greyhounds never trailed in a 23-3 win. Pope led 14-0 at halftime, and for the second straight game, the Trojans (0-2) managed only a field goal. Last year, Lassiter’s only win in a 1-9 season came against Pope.

Walton was coming off a come-from-behind victory over Norcross in the Corky Kell Classic last week as it entertained another Gwinnett team, Collins Hill, in the Raiders’ home opener.

After trailing 6-0 most of the game, the Raiders took a 10-6 lead with less than six minutes to play. Walton got a field goal from Conor Cummins and touchdown run from KD Stokes.

But then Collins Hill got the ball and drove 70 yards, getting a nine-yard touchdown play as the clock expired for a 12-10 win.

The loss for Walton (1-1) was only the second regular season setback for third-year Raiders coach Daniel Brunner.

Coming Up

More East Cobb rivalry games are in store on Friday, as Pope visits Walton and Kell (1-0) is at Lassiter.

Sprayberry stays home to play South Cobb, which was trounced 46-0 by McEachern.

Wheeler (1-1) returns home to play Shiloh.

 

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Corky Kell Classic: Kell freshman shines; Walton rallies

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The Kell offense was bound to have a different look after star quarterback Evan Conley graduated. At the Corky Kell Classic Saturday morning, it was a freshman running back who gave the Longhorns’ attack a big boost, and perhaps a new identity.Kell Touchdown Club, Corky Kell Classic

David Mbadinga caught a screen pass and ran it 33 yards for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, and he rushed 17 times for 104 yards for the game, as Kell downed Mays 17-12 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Mbadinga helped ease the transition for new Kell quarterback Corbin Lafrance. A junior, Lafrance succeeds Evan Conley, who is now playing at the University of Louisville.

Kell’s offense sputtered early on, although the Longhorns took a 7-0 lead into the second half. Mays scored a touchdown in the third quarter, but missed the extra point to trail 7-6.

That’s when Mbadinga took over. After his touchdown reception from Lafrance, Mbadinga peeled off a 16-yard gain for a first down to reach the Mays 4-yard-line. Kell kicked a field goal to push the lead to 17-6.

On the next series, Kell defender Keith Williams intercepted a pass.

With 1:28 to play in the game, Mays scored a touchdown to close to 17-12 but could not convert a two-point play.

Kell is 8-2 all-time in the Corky Kell Classic, which like the school is named in honor of the late Wheeler coach.

“Our kids played with great passion and emotion, they really played hard,” said Kell coach Brett Sloan, who is 2-1 in Corky Kell games as he begins his third season.

As for Mbadinga, Sloan smiled and said, “We’ve been excited about him for a while. We’re glad he’s on our team.”

The Longhorns are off next week, then play at Lassiter Sept. 6.

Walton ‘found a way’

Walton played Norcross Saturday afternoon in the Corky Kell Classic, and trailed 20-7 before staging a big comeback in the fourth quarter.

Walton all-sports championQuarterback Zak Rozsman threw a pass to Julian Bumper, who ran down the sideline for an 82-yard touchdown with 7:03 remaining.

Walton’s defense responded on the next drive for Norcross as Jonathan Chesser and Titus McBride teamed up for a quarterback sack on third down.

The Raiders started their next possession on the Norcross 21 after a personal foul on the fair catch of a Blue Devils punt.

That’s when running back KD Stokes took over for Walton, picking up 14 yards to set up first-and-goal on the two, then scoring the touchdown on the next play.

A Conor Cummins extra-point gave Walton a 21-20 lead with 3:10 to play, but Norcross had a chance to win with 16 seconds left.

After a long drive, Norcross placekicker Kellen Grave de Peralta, who made two field goals in the second half, attempted a 44-yarder. But after a shaky hold, his kick came out on a line drive and was no good, and Walton players celebrated their 21-20 win.

“We found out what kind of team we are today,” said Walton coach Daniel Brunner. “They fought, fought, fought. They’re a resilient bunch.”

He said the Raiders emphasize a set of “core values” and that one of them embodied their victory Saturday.

“Find a way,” he said. “They found a way today.”

Walton is off next week and plays host to Pope on Sept. 6.

Friday night highlights

Three East Cobb teams opened their seasons on Friday night.

J.D. Thomas scored four touchdowns, including a 93-yard kickoff return on the opening play of the game, as Wheeler won its first game under new coach Bryan Love by a 42-19 score over Lambert.

Next week the Wildcats will visit East Cobb rival Sprayberry, which lost its season opener on the road, 34-20, at South Forsyth.

Lassiter also was on the road to open the season and things got out of hand early for the Trojans in a 47-3 loss at Harrison. The only points of the game for Lassiter, which was playing for a new coach, Sean Thom, came on a field goal late in the fourth quarter.

The Trojans will stay on the road next Friday in another all-East Cobb game when they meet Pope in the season opener for the Greyhounds.

More high school sports

 

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Walton football season ends in heartbreak; Kell trounced by Buford

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Walton football season, Daniel Brunner
Daniel Brunner has lost just three games in his first two seasons as Walton coach. (ECN file photo)

The second round of the Georgia High School Association football playoffs on Friday proved to be the end of the road for the two East Cobb teams still competing.

The Kell Longhorns fell behind early at Buford, which kept piling up the scoring in a 44-11 rout in the Class 5A bracket.

In an all-Cobb battle in Powder Springs, the Walton Raiders and Hillgrove Hawks fought to the final whistle in Class 7A.

After trailing and then drawing even most of the night, the Raiders caught up again in the fourth quarter on a touchdown catch by star wide receiver Dominick Blaylock.

But unbeaten Hillgrove got the ball back and kicked a field goal with time expriring to advance 23-20.

For Walton (10-2), it was the second heartbreaking loss of the season. The Raiders’ only other loss came at Raider Valley, when Roswell scored a touchdown late to get to within one point, then converted a two-point play and held on for a 32-31.

For the second year in a row, Walton’s season ends in the second round. The Raiders also will say goodbye to a senior class that includes Blaylock, quarterback Austin Kirksey, linebacker Malik Adams and others who guided the team’s resurgence under second-year coach Daniel Brunner.

Kell went into the Buford game as one of the hottest teams in the state, having won nine games in a row. Buford has won several state titles in a row in recent years, and the high-powered Longhorns’ offense couldn’t get much going.

The game marked the end of the line for Kell quarterback Evan Conley. However, star running back Ebony Jackson is only a junior.

Second-year coach Brett Sloan, who like Brunner is a former Walton assistant, has continued a tradition of post-season excellence at Kell, which has qualified for the state playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons.

Brunner and Sloan were two of the four head coaches in East Cobb that were hired before the 2017 season. Another second-year coach, Tab Griffin of Pope, also has guided the Greyhounds to the post-season in his first two years.

The other, Brett Vavra of Sprayberry, is like Griffin in coaching at his alma mater. Despite a 3-7 record, the Yellow Jackets were competitive in a region that includes Creekview and Sequoyah, which are still alive in the Class 6A playoffs.

Wheeler missed out on the playoffs after losing four of its last five games. Lassiter went 1-9 and will have a new coach next season.

Jep Irwin resigned after completing his ninth season with the Trojans. They reached the Class 7A semifinals in 2011 but missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

 

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Kell and Walton football teams roll in playoffs; Pope eliminated

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After piling up big wins at home to start the Georgia High School Association playoffs, the Kell and Walton football teams now have the challenge of replicating that success on the road.Kell and Walton football teams

The Kell Longhorns might be one of the hottest teams in the state after romping 48-8 over Carver of Atlanta on Friday in the Class 5A playoffs. Ebony Jackson scored four touchdowns for Kell (9-2), which has won seven games in a row after starting the season 2-2.

Kell’s high-powered offense, which also includes quarterback Evan Conley, has averaged 37.8 points a game during the season. Next Friday, the Longhorns will play at Buford, which defeated Miller Grove 35-14.

The Wolves are on a similar roll, having won six games in a row, and are averaging 43 points a game during the season.

In Class 7A, Walton also played host to a first-round game on Friday, and had little trouble with a south Georgia opponent. The Raiders (10-1) defeated Camden County 40-20, as quarterback Austin Kirskey threw three touchdown passes, two of them to Kendall Alford.

On Friday, Walton will travel cross-county to play fellow Cobb school Hillgrove. The Hawks are undefeated at 11-0 after defeating Pebblebrook 21-7.

The football season came to an end Friday for Pope, which had a daunting task in its first-round Class 6A playoff game at Creekview. The Cherokee County team was 10-0 and ranked No. 2 in the state going in, and cruised 38-14.

The Grizzlies jumped out to a quick early lead, and Pope (5-6) didn’t get on the scoreboard until later in the game. But in two seasons under former Pope player Tab Griffin, the Greyhounds have reached the playoffs have some lean years.

They also fought back to get to the post-season after starting out 0-4.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Holiday markets; Free Dental Day; piano fundraiser; Veteran’s Day Parade; football playoffs; and more

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East Cobb Weekend Events, Mt. Zion UMC Craft Show

Early holiday shoppers will have more opportunities to beat the crowds, discover the best finds and help out local charitable efforts with an array of holiday markets leading off upcoming East Cobb Weekend Events.

The Good Mews Holiday Decor Market has been underway for a couple of weeks now and continues every weekend until mid-December at the Sandy Plains Exchange shopping center (1860 Sandy Plains Road at Scufflegrit). Hours are 10-5 Saturday and 12-5 Sunday and all proceeds go to shelter operations;

The Mt. Zion United Methodist Women Craft Show returns (photo above from last year) from 9-5 Friday and 9-4 Saturday at the church (1770 Johnson Ferry Road). It’s the 32nd year for the event, which will have items from more than 100 vendors, door prizes, a bake sale, a quilt drawing and Santa pictures. Proceeds go to UMW programs.

On Saturday, the Ribbons and Holiday Handcrafted Market takes place at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road), with goods from more than 50 vendors, face painting for kids, food and more. Mt. Bethel’s mission projects are the beneficiary.

Well before dawn on Saturday many will be lining up for Free Dental Day at Mansouri Family Dental Care (4720 Lower Roswell Road). It’s the 8th year for the first-come, first-serve service, which provides free cleanings, extractions and fillings for those who can’t afford them. Treatment numbers will be given out starting at 5:30 a.m.

Friday Night Lights have been extended for three East Cobb high school football teams that have qualified for the Georgia High School Association playoffs. Two are playing at home: Camden County is at Walton, while Carver of Atlanta visits Kell. Pope will be playing at Creekview in Canton. Kickoff times are all at 7:30 p.m.

On Sunday, the East Cobb-based Play Me Again Pianos non-profit is having a family-friendly fundraiser from 5-7 p.m. at Red Sky Tapas and Bar (1255 Johnson Ferry Road), as it continues to provide refurbished pianos to communities across metro Atlanta. Two are located at East Cobb Park and Egg Harbor Cafe, and another will be presented soon at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center.

Monday is Veteran’s Day, and there are plenty of events slated around the county to mark the 100th anniversary of the armistice ending the First World War. The closest to East Cobb is the Marietta Veterans Day Parade that will be held on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. at Roswell Street Baptist Church (774 Roswell Street) and traveling to the Marietta Square, where speakers and commemorations will take place. The parade is in its 14th year, and is put on by the City of Marietta and the Marietta Kiwanis Club.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Walton and Kell football teams at home as state playoffs begin Friday

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The Georgia High School Association pairings are out, and the Walton and Kell football teams will be home teams in first-round games on Friday.

The Raiders, who finished runner-up in Region 4 of Class 7A, are 9-1, with their only loss to region champion Roswell. Walton will be facing Camden County of Kingsland, on the Georgia coast. The Wildcats, won three state titles in the last decade are 7-3 this year and finished third in Region 1, which includes Colquitt County.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Raider Valley. The Class 7A bracket can be found here, and includes a possible second-round game between Walton and Hillgrove of West Cobb.

Other local teams in the Class 7A playoffs are Marietta, McEachern and Pebblebrook, which clipped Wheeler last week for a post-season berth.

Kell finished the regular season in strong fashion to earn the runner-up spot in Region 7 of Class 5A. The Longhorns, who are 8-2, will play host on Friday to Carver of Atlanta, which is 5-5. Here is the Class 5A bracket. Kickoff at the Stockyard is 7:30 p.m.

In Class 6A, Pope will have to hit the road after earning the final playoff spot in Region 7. The Greyhounds, who are 5-5, will play at Creekview, and it will be a tough task. The Grizzlies are a perfect 10-0 on the season. Kickoff also starts at 7:30 at Creekview (1550 Owens Store Road, Canton).

The Class 6A bracket can be found here, and includes Allatoona and Harrison.

Related coverage

 

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Wheeler football falls short in playoff bid; Walton, Kell solidify seeds

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Wheeler football

After starting the season 5-0, the Wheeler football team sputtered out of any chance to reach the playoffs in what turned out to be the Wildcats’ final game of 2018.

Wheeler was clipped at home by Pebblebrook by a 38-35 score, as the Falcons claimed the final playoff berth from Region 2 of Class 7A. Although the Wildcats finished with a winning record overall at 6-4, their 1-4 region record was fifth in the region. Pebblebrook is 4-6 but 2-3 in the region.

The Wildcats led 21-7 at one point on Friday, and then almost clawed their way back after trailing 35-21.

Wheeler had a high-powered offense, led by quarterback C.J. Ogbonna, but it was the defense that faltered down the stretch of the season. Last week, the Wildcats were torched by Westlake 76-35, setting up a win-or-go-home finale against Pebblebrook.

The Walton Raiders nailed down the No. 2 seed in Region 4 of Class 7A with a 30-7 win at Woodstock. The Raiders, who scored 21 points in the third quarter, are 9-1 and 4-1 and will have a home playoff game next week. Walton has defeated seven teams who also are going to the playoffs.

The hottest of the East Cobb teams to finish the regular season is Kell, which rolled to its sixth consecutive win Friday by a convincing 41-18 score against Woodland. The Longhorns are 8-2 and 6-2 in Region 7 of Class 5A, and also will be playing at home to start the playoffs.

Sprayberry ended a long season on a high note, defeating River Ridge easily, by a 44-6 score. The Yellow Jackets finished 3-7 overall, and 3-6 in Region 6 of Class 6A.

Lassiter’s long season didn’t fare as well, however. The Trojans were looking for their first win in Region 4 of Class 7A, and had a good chance after taking the lead in overtime on Friday. However, playoff-bound Cherokee prevailed 26-23, as Lassiter turned in a 1-9 season, and 0-5 in region games.

The only win of the season for Lassiter came early, against Pope, by a 30-24 score. The Greyhounds ended their regular season last week at 5-5 and 5-3 in Region 7 of Class 6A. That was good enough to nail down the final playoff spot from that region.

The Georgia High School Association will announce first-round playoff pairings later this weekend.

 

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East Cobb Football Update: Walton upset by Roswell; Kell, Pope, Wheeler stay in playoff hunt

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Daniel Brunner, Walton football
Walton coach Daniel Brunner’s first regular-season loss came at the hands of Roswell, his alma mater. (ECN file photo)

Friday was a dramatic night for East Cobb football teams, with four of them still involved in playoff drives. But a Walton upset at the hands of Roswell has implications for region play as well as the state rankings.

The No. 2 Raiders fell 32-31, the first regular-season loss for coach Daniel Brunner. Khaleed Mobley of Roswell blocked a 26-yard field goal attempt by Walton in the dying seconds, after the Hornets had taken the lead on a two-point conversion after a touchdown.

The Senior Night loss at Raider Valley means Walton (7-1, 2-1) will likely not be the top seed coming out of Region 4 of Class 7A. Roswell, led by former Pope coach Matt Kemper, has an identical record and a tiebreaking win, if necessary, over Walton.

Walton quarterback Austin Kirksey threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and found star receiver Dominick Blaylock wide open down the stretch of fourth down to set up the field goal try by Jack Westbrock.

The Raiders finish up the regular season the next two weeks on the road, at Cherokee and Woodstock.

Not far away, the Wheeler Wildcats were trying to bounce back from two consecutive losses and stay in playoff contention against a Campbell team suffering through a long season.

Wheeler dashed out to a 28-0 lead in the first half, then went ahead 41-20 in the third quarter before Campbell came charging back.

The Wildcats held off the upset bid 62-56, improving to 6-2 and 1-2 in Region 2 of Class 7A, as quarterback C.J. Ogbonna threw two touchdown passes. Next week Wheeler faces region leader Westlake.

The Kell Longhorns rolled up some points as well, but the outmatched Cass Colonels couldn’t keep up, as Kell won in a 63-3 rout. Quarterback Evan Conley threw five touchdown passes for the Longhorns, who are 6-2 and 4-2 in Region 7 of Class 5A.

The Pope Greyhounds also dug out a dramatic win to keep their post-season hopes alive, as they went to Cambridge and came away with a 29-26 win. Pope pulled off an 85-yard drive in the final minute, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds to play.

Next week the Hounds, who improved to 4-5 and 4-3 in Region 7 of Class 6A, play Northview, which also is battling for a playoff spot.

The Sprayberry Yellow Jackets threatened to upset playoff-minded Sequoyah, and took an early 13-0 lead. But the Chiefs rebounded for a 35-28 win in Class 6A Region 6 play. Sprayberry, which fell to 2-6 and 2-4, continues a tough stretch next week, visiting region leader Creekview.

A long season for the Lassiter Trojans continued Friday in a 23-6 loss to Woodstock. The Trojans, who are 1-7 and 0-6 in Region 4 of Class 7A, play Etowah next week.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Holiday Décor Market; Eastminster Church Festival; Halloween Hikes and more

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Good Mews 30th birthday, East Cobb weekend events, Good Mews Holiday Decor Market

Today’s the first day of fall, and it’s starting to feel a little bit like it. Many East Cobb organizations have already begun autumn- and holiday-themed events, and they’re continuing this weekend.

The highlights from our calendar listings for Friday-Sunday:

The Good Mews Holiday Decor Market gets under way Friday and continues every weekend through early December, returning to the Sandy Plains Exchange Shopping Center (1860 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 202). They’re open this Friday and the last Friday of the sale, on Dec. 7, from 12-5; otherwise the hours are Saturdays 10-5 and Sundays 12-5. The kitties like the one above who are the beneficiaries of the sale won’t be onsite, but you can get an early start on gently used goods for holiday shopping. Good Mews also is accepting your donations starting Friday and through Nov. 25;

Church fall festivals are starting to gear up too, and coming up is the Eastminster Presbyterian Church Fall Festival from 12-8 Friday and from 10-4 Saturday at the church (3125 Sewell Mill Road). Games, crafts, kids activities and BBQ are on tap, and the proceeds benefit several local charities, including MUST Ministries;

If you want to get out and stretch your legs while soaking up the beautiful weather and tap into the holidays, Halloween Hikes at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (9135 Willeo Road, Roswell) is an ideal event for the whole family. They’re guided half-mile walks along lighted trails and with crafts and other Halloween decorations. The times Friday and Saturday are from 7-9:45 p.m., and the cost is $12 a person;

The high school football season is drawing to a close, with several East Cobb teams still vying for playoff position. Friday’s games kick off at 7:30 p.m, and they include Cass at Kell, Woodstock at Lassiter, Sequoyah at Sprayberry, Roswell at Walton, Campbell at Wheeler and Pope at Cambridge.

By the way, that Walton-Roswell game is going to be shown live from Raider Valley on Georgia Public Television, as the No. 2 Raiders look to stay unbeaten on the season and in region play.

If high school band music is your thing, you’ve got all day Saturday to take in the 35th Southern Invitational Music Festival, which goes from 10-10 at Sprayberry High School (2525 Sandy Plains Road). Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students with an ID and free for kids 6 and under.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

 

East Cobb Weekend Events: Oktoberfest; St. Ann turns 40; Lassiter Band recycling; and more

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Holy Trinity Oktoberfest, East Cobb weekend events

The first weekend of October feels all too summery, with high temperatures expected to remain at least in the high 80s into early next week. In the mean time, the fall spirit is in the air with these East Cobb Weekend Events from our calendar listings:

The 10th anniversary of Oktoberfest is Saturday from 10-4:30 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (2922 Sandy Plains Road), with the usual festive lineup of food, drink, oompah-music, crafts, games, a horse shoe contest and a petting zoo. Admission is $5 for adults (or 6 food cans) and $2 for children (or 2 cans) and food/drink tickets are extra; cans will be donated for MUST Ministries. Additional free parking is at Addison ES or the adjacent post office after 1 p.m.;

Right up the road, and shortly after Oktoberfest is over, is the Transfiguration Catholic Fall Fair, from 5-8 on the church grounds (1815 Blackwell Road). Food, games, crafts and other activities can be enjoyed by the whole family; event tickets are $1 each;

Another big church event takes place on Sunday, as the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road) is holding a 40th anniversary festival from 1:30-4:30;

One more church-related item, also on Saturday: Bring your pets from 10-10:45 a.m. to St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church (571 Holt Road), for a free Blessing of the Animals that’s becoming a parish tradition. Please keep animals leashed or caged as appropriate;

All kinds of high school football continues on Friday, in particular the all-East Cobb showdown between Lassiter and Walton, as well as Wheeler’s homecoming vs. Newnan, and home games for Kell vs. Villa Rica and Sprayberry vs. Osborne. All kickoff times, including Pope’s road game at Johns Creek, are at 7:30;

On Saturday, the Lassiter Bands Recycling Day is from 9-4 as they continue fundraising for its Tournament of Roses trip in January. Come to the front parking lot of the school (2601 Shallowford Road) and bring items from the following approved list. Cost is $10 per vehicle;

Not on the calendar, but starting on Sunday: Regular Sunday opening hours at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road), from 1-5, as part of expanded Sunday hours at selected Cobb branches.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

East Cobb football update: Pope, Kell cruise in region games

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Only two of the six East Cobb high school football teams were in action Friday, but they made emphatic statements with region play underway.East Cobb football update

The Pope Greyhounds blanked Dunwoody 26-0 at the Hound Pound, the first shutout for a Pope varsity team in six years. That’s when current seniors were still in middle school.

Pope played without star receiver Zack Owens, who’s recovering from an injury, and raced to a 20-0 halftime lead.

More importantly, the win gives Pope (2-4 overall) a 2-2 record in Class 6A Region 7 play, with another key game coming on Friday at Johns Creek, which is tied for the region lead at 4-1, 3-0.

After two tough losses in Class 5A Region 7, the Kell Longhorns were off last week. On Friday, at winless Paulding County, they scored the first 33 points of the game and cruised to a 54-20 win.

Kell LogoIsaiah Cruz scored two touchdowns for Kell, which moves to 3-2 and 1-2 in region play, but tougher foes are ahead as the playoff stakes grow.

The Longhorns return home to The Stockyard Friday against region rival Villa Rica, which is tied for second in the region at 4-2, 3-1.

Also coming up on Friday is an East Cobb rivalry game. The Walton Raiders, ranked No. 2 in Class 7A at 5-0, opens its schedule in Region 4 against Lassiter, which is 1-4.

Also ranked in Class 7A is Wheeler, which is 5-0 for the first time in 25 years. The Wildcats will be at home for their Region 2 opener against Newnan (2-3).

Sprayberry is off to a 1-4 start and is 1-2 in Class 6A Region 6. The Yellow Jackets will be at home Friday for a region game against Osborne (0-6, 0-4).

 

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Walton-North Gwinnett football game to be shown on ESPN2

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Walton-North Gwinnett football game

Back in August we noted that tonight’s Walton-North Gwinnett football game was going to be nationally televised.

That’s still the case, but the outlet has changed, and it’s going to show the game to a bigger audience. Instead of being shown on ESPNU, Raider Valley’s going to be showcased on ESPN2.)

The battle between the No. 3 Raiders (3-0) and No. 4 North Gwinnett (2-1), last year’s Georgia Class 7A state champions, is part of ESPN’s Geico High School Football Showcase.

It’s also the first home game of the season for Walton, and please note that if you’re going, kickoff is at 7 p.m., and not the standard 7:30 p.m.

That’s for television reasons, since the Walton game is the part of a doubleheader.

Last year, Walton defeated North Gwinnett in the Corky Kell Classic in what would be the only defeat of the season for the Bulldogs.

All East Cobb high school football teams are in action after four, including Walton, had bye weeks. Tonight’s other games all start at 7:30 p.m.

Wheeler is also seeking to go 4-0 at Lassiter, which is 1-2. It’s also homecoming for the Trojans. A parade starts at 5:30 p.m. from the Wendy’s on Shallowford Road (near Sandy Plains) and will proceed to the school.

At Pope, it’s the Matt Hobby Game, which we posted here yesterday, and as the Greyhounds are seeking their first win of the season. Sprayberry (1-2), travels to play Harrison (4-0), ranked No. 3 in Class 6A.

Kell, the only other ranked team in East Cobb, is No. 10 in Class 5A and puts its 2-1 record on the line at East Paulding (0-2). Last week the Longhorns fell 35-6 at home to top-ranked Rome, the 2017 Class 5A state champion.

 

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East Cobb football update: Walton, Kell cruise in rivalry games; Sprayberry, Wheeler rally late

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Two East Cobb rivalry games headlined Friday night’s high school football action, and they turned into convincing wins. Walton High School logo, East Cobb football update

Walton routed Pope 35-3 and Kell dispatched Lassiter 29-3.

After sputtering early–including losing a fumble near the Pope goal line—Walton settled down by the end of the first quarter.

That’s when running back KD Stokes scored the first of his two short touchdown runs. Brandon Spencer ran back an interception 50 yards for a touchdown as the Raiders, ranked No. 4 in Class 7A, improved to 3-0 on the season.

A fourth quarter field goal by Hudson Standfest was all the scoring for the Greyhounds (0-2).

At Kell, the homestanding Longhorns gave up the opening points of the game on a Lassiter field goal.

But quarterback Evan Conley threw for two touchdowns and Logan Flesher booted three field goals for Kell (3-0).  Lassiter fell to 1-2.

The game was delayed in the third quarter when Lassiter defensive back Evan Manring was injured and taken off the field on a stretcher. Both teams gathered together at midfield for a prayer.

Sprayberry (1-2) earned its first victory of the year in stirring fashion, driving more than 95 yards late in the game to defeat South Cobb 28-27 on the road. After Isiah Abbey scored a touchdown at the end of a long drive, QB Aaron Bibbins ran in the 2-point conversion.

Wheeler is now 3-0 after pulling out a last-ditch 31-24 win at Shiloh.

Quarterback Chidi Ogbonna threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Kiasa Trabue with 1:15 to play in the fourth quarter.

Next week, Kell stays at home for an important region game against Rome. The Longhorns are ranked No. 10 in Class 5A, but the Wolves are second, and are coming off a 35-0 win over North Clayton.

In the only other game for an East Cobb team on Friday, Pope will play at Centennial. Walton, Lassiter, Wheeler and Sprayberry all will have a bye week.

 

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PHOTOS: Wheeler defeats Sprayberry in renewal of old East Cobb rivalry

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Wheeler defeats Sprayberry
Jeremiah Pruitte (right) gets a high-five and more after his first touchdown catch for Wheeler. (East Cobb News photos and video by Wendy Parker)

Jeremiah Pruitte caught two touchdown passes and Taylor Smith ran back an interception 91 yards for another score as Wheeler defeated Sprayberry 40-20 Friday Night.

The Wildcats (2-0) were playing their first game at home. Sprayberry had the early momentum on its first drive but fumbled near the Wheeler goal line, and the Wildcats recovered.

Wheeler struck right away, with Zack Atkins scoring on a long touchdown pass.

Wheeler defeats Sprayberry
Myles Worthy sets up Sprayberry’s first touchdown in the first quarter.

Sprayberry scored a touchdown on its next possession when Aaron Bibbins ran into the end zone on quarterback keeper. But Wheeler blocked the extra point to make the score 7-6.

Although they mounted a comeback in the second half, the Yellow Jackets (0-2) would get no closer.

It was the first game between Sprayberry and Wheeler since 2013.

The Wildcats got big plays all night when they needed them, this one on an open-field run by JD Thomas (12), who also scored a touchdown.
Young Wheeler fans line up before the game to greet the Wildcats.
Deonte Trotman gains against Wheeler’s defense as Sprayberry tried to close a 31-13 deficit in the third quarter.
Pruitte (13), a receiver who’s 6-foot-6, was tough for Sprayberry’s defense to handle all night.

Pruitte’s second touchdown pass from Chidi Ogbonna came with 2:02 to play in the third quarter, and gave Wheeler a 31-13 lead.

Sprayberry fought back in the fourth quarter, as Bibbins scored another touchdown on a keeper to make the score 31-20.

But he made some crucial mistakes down the stretch. The Jackets were driving to Wheeler’s goal line when he was intercepted by Derrick Dunn. Later, he was sacked in the end zone for a safety.

With the score 33-20, Sprayberry was knocking on the door again in the final minute of the game. Bibbins aimed a pass toward the goal line, but Wheeler’s Taylor Smith reached up and picked the ball off, then ran it back 91 yards for a TD and the final scoring of the night.

Wheeler defeats Sprayberry
A pleasant, picturesque evening for Friday Night Lights in East Cobb.

In other games involving East Cobb teams, Walton came from behind on the road to defeat Collins Hill 29-25.

In another East Cobb rivalry game, Pope led Lassiter 7-0 at halftime, and then the Trojans scored two touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead.

The Greyhounds came back with a touchdown of their own, but missed the extra point. Lassiter added another touchdown late for a 20-13 win.

Two more East Cobb rivalry games take place next week. Lassiter remains at home against Kell, which was off this week. Pope’s home opener next Friday is against Walton.

More sports news

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Pope, Lassiter band fundraisers to take place Saturday

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Not long after they’ll be playing during their school’s football game Friday night, the Pope and Lassiter bands will be holding fundraisers on Saturday.

From 9-4, the Pope Band Recycling Event will accept all kinds of electronics, metal and paper goods, for $10 a car. They’ll shred paper while you watch, and additional disposal fees will apply to certain items. The school’s located at 3001 Hembree Road, and here’s a detailed list of what they’ll accept, and what they won’t.

From 10-5 Saturday, the Lassiter Band Mattress Sale takes place in the band room at the school (2601 Shallowford Road). There will be a full showroom set-up with factory direct prizes. The proceeds will go to help the band’s upcoming trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade. A mattress sale earlier this year netted $12K, and fundraisers later this fall include the raffling of a Jeep Wrangler from Ed Voyles.

Oh, and about those football games? Five of the six East Cobb teams are in action tonight:

  • Pope (0-0) at Lassiter (0-1), 7:30 p.m.;
  • Sprayberry (0-1) at Wheeler (1-0), 7:30 p.m.;
  • Walton (1-0) at Collins Hill (0-0), 7:30 p.m.

The Kell Longhorns are off this week.

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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East Cobb football update: Walton routs, Kell hangs on in Corky Kell Classic

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The high school football season for East Cobb teams concluded with a bang Saturday morning at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta.

The Kell Longhorns led 36-21 in the fourth quarter of the Corky Kell Classic, then almost frittered away that advantage.

East Coweta narrowed the score to 36-28, then got possession on an onside kick and scored a touchdown in the dying seconds to trail 36-34.

However, a two-point play that would have tied the game was broken up by Stefan Green, and Kell ran out the clock to claim a 36-34 win.

A quarterback draw by Evan Conley, Kell’s talented senior quarterback, earlier in the fourth quarter provided the winning margin.

The Longhorns are off next week.

In the second game of the day, the Walton Raiders fell behind Mill Creek early. Then the senior duo of Austin Kirksey and Dominick Blaylock went to work.

Kirksey, the quarterback, threw to Blaylock for three touchdowns and scored two of his own on the run as the Raiders won going away, 48-27.

Kell LogoWalton, ranked in the Top 10 in Class 7-A in several pre-season polls, plays a second consecutive game against a Gwinnett County team when it travels to Collins Hill next week.

On Friday, Wheeler opened its season on the road, and came away with a 28-14 win at Lambert.

Sprayberry was playing at home in its season opener, but fell to South Forsyth 26-6.

Next Friday, Sprayberry visits Wheeler in an all-East Cobb rivalry game.

The other East Cobb team completing Friday night was Lassiter, which was routed at home 48-0 by Harrison.

Next Friday, the Trojans will play host to Pope, which did not play this week.

 

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East Cobb Weekend Events: Jazz concert; football kickoff; coffee with a cop; ‘On Golden Pond’ closes; fishing rodeo and more

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East Cobb weekend events, KSU jazz band

There’s something for everyone with East Cobb Weekend Events Friday-Sunday, including the start of football season, the closing of a popular theater production, a combo jazz concert and even a kids’ fishing rodeo.

On Friday morning, bring your questions about crime and public safety to Sterling Estates East Cobb (4220 Lower Roswell Road) and ask officers from Cobb Police Precinct 4. It’s the latest Coffee With a Cop, from 10 a.m. to noon, led by the department’s community affairs unit;

Kick off the weekend in relaxing, jazzy style Friday night at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center (2051 Lower Roswell Road) for the continuation of the Sewell Mill Summer Concert Series in the amphitheater. From 7-9:30 p.m. treat yourself to the sounds of Will Scruggs and the KSU Jazz Combo (above), in this free event sponsored by the Cobb Library Foundation;

The weekend is the finale for CenterStage North’s presentation of “On Golden Pond,” which has shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at The Art Place (3330 Sandy Plains Road). Tickets are $16 and must be purchased at the CSN box office, not by going to the facility;

Another Family Movie Night is on tap from 6:30-9 p.m. Friday at the Northeast Cobb YMCA (3010 Johnson Ferry Road), with “Coco” showing on the big screen. Admission is free for Y members and $5 for guests;

The high school sports season is already underway, and it shifts into full gear on Friday with the start of football season. Lassiter is home to Harrison and Sprayberry is playing home to South Forsyth, while Wheeler is at Lambert. Kell and Walton will be playing Saturday morning in the Corky Kell Classic at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta;

Also on Friday is a special sporting event at Pope High School, whose football season starts next week. Ex-Greyhound softball star Kelly Barnhill, a college standout at the University of Florida and member of the USA team that just qualified for the Olympics, will return to throw out the first pitch against Sequoyah and sign autographs. The game starts at 6 at the Pope softball complex (3001 Hembree Road), and admission is free;

More sporting fun on Saturday, for kids 3-16: The Cobb Parks Fishing Rodeo takes place from 9-12 at Hyde Farm (726 Hyde Road), with prizes in various age groups. It’s free to cast your line in the water, but you’ll need to bring your own poles and gear.

On Sunday afternoon, hear the inspiring story of a family’s service dog from Roswell author Donnie Winokur. She’s the author of “Chancer,” the Golden retriever who served as a companion to her adopted son, who’s afflicted by fetal alcohol syndrome. She’ll be discussing the story, doing a demonstration and signing books from 3-5 at Georgia Veterinary Rehabilitation & Pain Management (230 Johnson Ferry Place).

Check our full calendar listings for more things to do in East Cobb this weekend, and beyond.

Did we miss anything? Do you have a calendar item you’d like to share with the community? Send it to us, and we’ll spread the word! E-mail: calendar@eastcobbnews.com, and you can include a photo or flyer if you like.

Whatever you’re doing this weekend, make it a great one! Enjoy!

 

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Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

 

East Cobb Pigksin Preview: high hopes abound for local prep football teams

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Walton football, East Cobb Pigskin Preview
Walton football coach Daniel Brunner welcomes back many talented players from last year’s 11-1 team including Dominick Blaylock (third from left), a star wide receiver who’s heading to UGA. (East Cobb News photo by Wendy Parker)

At the East Cobb Pigksin Preview breakfast Thursday morning, high school football coaches took time out from pre-school weightlifting, teaching and other activities to share their thoughts on the coming season with community business leaders.

The breakfast was held by the East Cobb Area Council of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce at the Indian Hills Country Club. Coaches brought key players and school administrators also attended.

All six coaches from last season are back, after four of the six East Cobb high schools introduced new coaches last year. Here are brief overviews five of the coaches gave about their teams at the breakfast. Kell High School coaches were not in attendance.

Jep Irwin, Lassiter (6-4 in 2017)

Jep Irwin, East Cobb high school football
Jep Irwin is in his 10th season as Lassiter coach.

The Trojans will be without a seasoned quarterback for the first time in many years. “No one on our roster has any varsity experience,” Irwin said. One of those vying for the starting job “needs to step forward” to fill a leadership role and to provide confidence for the rest of the team.

“We lost a lot of seniors, the skill players on offense, and we will be young in the secondary.”

Lassiter is playing a home scrimmage Friday against Sprayberry at 7 p.m. Season opener is Aug. 17 against Harrison.

Brett Vavra, Sprayberry (2-8 in 2017)

The second-year coach said creating a culture of “old school football” has been the Yellow Jackets’ priority during the off-season, and they’ve addressed those changes in the weight room and with their strength and conditioning program.

“We want to become a more physical football team,” said Vavra, a former Sprayberry player. The team’s motto is “TPW,” or “Tough People Win,” and it’s about instilling mental as well as physical toughness.

Sprayberry was young last season, and graduated nine seniors. Now there are around 30 seniors, and 19 starters are returning.

“I think we have the tools to win some games,” Vavra said. “But we’re not just about wanting to win. We’ve got an awesome group of players who have been working hard. I can’t wait to see how it translates on the field.”

Tab Griffin, Pope (4-7 in 2017)

Zack Owens, Pope football
Pope’s Zack Owens has signed to play college football at Georgia Tech.

The Greyhounds reached the playoffs in their first season under Tab Griffin a former Pope player. Senior wide receiver Zack Owens, is a versatile two-way player, and pre-season practices have emphasized how to efficiently use his talents.

“He’s our go-to guy, he’s going to touch the football,” Griffin said, adding that Owens may see less time as a defensive back because of Pope’s grueling schedule. It calls for 10 consecutive games without a bye week.

Pope has 15 starters returning. “We want to take the mindset that we have a playoff caliber team,” Griffin said. “Our schedule isn’t favorable for that, but as I tell our players, that’s life.”

Daniel Brunner, Walton (11-1 in 2017)

After reaching the state playoffs, the Raiders will step into an even brighter spotlight in 2018. And not just because the Raiders have many of their key players returning, including UGA-bound wide receiver Dominick Blaylock.

On Sept. 14, Walton plays host to defending Class 7-A state champion North Gwinnett at Raider Valley, in a game to be nationally televised on ESPN. The Raiders were the only team to defeat North Gwinnett last season. Brunner said keeping distractions to a minimum will be essential.Walton football vs. Colquitt County

“It’s a good platform for our kids and branding for our program and for our sport in the state,” Brunner, a former Walton assistant, said of the North Gwinnett game. “But it’s all about the process” and keeping to a disciplined regimen for what could be another banner season in Raider Valley.

Brunner said of 2017, his first year at the helm, “we had a successful season because we didn’t have drama.”

One concern he has is that Walton will be young and inexperienced on the offensive line.

Michael Collins, Wheeler (2-8 in 2017)

“We were rebuilding last year with lots of young guys,” Collins said. But the Wildcats were competitive in some of those close games they lost, and he’s looking for better results this year.

“I love coaching this team,” said Collins, who is starting his 10th season at Wheeler. “They’re young, and they have very high character.”

Wheeler opens the season on Aug. 17 at Lambert and plays its first home game the following week in its traditional East Cobb rivalry against Sprayberry.

More East Cobb sports news

 

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Pope football team long snapper named Matt Hobby recipient for 2018 season

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Cody Olszewski, a rising senior and the Pope football team long snapper, will wear jersey No. 70 for the Greyhounds this coming season.Cody Olszewski, Pope football team

That was the jersey number worn by former Pope player Matt Hobby, who died in 2006 of cancer, right after graduating.

Since then, a Greyhounds team member has been named the Matt Hobby Award recipient “in honor of the attitude that Matt lived by.”

That’s the phrase Hobby used as he was battling Ewing sarcoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer.

He had two bone marrow transplants and was treated at hospitals in Seattle and New York during his three-year fight, according to his obituary.

Olszewski usually wears No. 68 and also is listed as an offensive and defensive lineman.

The Greyhounds, like other high school football teams in Cobb, will soon begin practice for the 2018 season. They were 4-7 last year under first-year coach Tab Griffin, a former Pope player.

Pope’s season opener is Aug. 24 at Lassiter.

The Greyhounds also designate a home game each season as the Matt Hobby Game. This year that game is Sept. 14 against Alpharetta, and fundraising proceeds from a special T-shirt sale will go to the Atlanta-based Rally Foundation, which conducts childhood cancer research.

Pope efforts in Hobby’s memory have raised more than $200,000 for the Rally Foundation over the last 12 years.

Related stories

 

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