Every year I meet rabid college and NFL fans that have never been to a high school game. When asked why not they come up with a variety of excuses. Well guess what? None of those excuses are valid for this game.

“Talent is just not there.”: This matchup between the defending 6A Champs and the 7A Runner ups is loaded with talent. You could probably take 22 guys from this game a field a pretty good college team. For starters, you have the headliners, the QB’s. Langston Hughes features Ohio State commit Prentiss “Air” Noland, recent MVP at Rivals Atlanta Combine. Carrollton is led by Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis who as a Freshman helped take the Trojans to the State Title game. Both teams have multiple guys that will be stars at the P5 level in a few years.

“The atmosphere is just not the same at a high school game”: I guarantee Historic Grisham Stadium in Carrollton will be rocking on this Friday night in Mid-August. Football fans and media from all over Georgia will be in attendance and I would not be surprised to see this game sell out. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see ESPN there broadcasting their HS Game of the Week.

“I don’t know any players.” Both teams feature RBs that can get it done in a hurry. Justus Savage (Langston) and Bryce Hicks, the ’22 POY in the Region at Carrollton, are worth the price of admission. Carrollton WR/TE Caleb Odom is #3 ranked TE in the country and has offers from everybody.

Calpreps Prediction: EVEN

NwGaTake: Even sounds about right for one of the most anticipated Week 1 games in recent memory. I think, hope, it will be a shoot out high scoring contest with the last team with the ball winning. I will take the home team. Carrollton 42 Lanston Hughes 35.