In the final game of the 2013 Metro PCS Corky Kell Classic, Brookwood will take on McEachern for the first time since 2009. In that season, McEachern won 42-32 in the Kell Classic, but fell 10 games later to the Broncos in the first round of the state playoffs 20-10.

McEachern Indians Football

In 2012, both squads lost in their season openers in the Dome, but improved throughout year, and once again finished a regular season with playoff berths. This is the only matchup in the 2013 Kell Classic that pins two losing opponents from last year's slate of games. Brookoood is the third largest school in the state, behind second ranked McEachern.

The Indians return one of the best offenses in the state this year, while Brookwood returns a defensive unit that sought improvements this offseason. There are key players that head coach Mark Crews believes in to strengthen the defense including linebacker Chase Middleton and defensive end Chad Price. Crews holds depth on both sides of the football, in part to versatile athletes like Josh Collins and Mason Leblanc.

"Whoever ends up being a fullback [Middleton or Price], the other one will play safety and both those guys are coming along really well," said Crews.

On offense, Joey McLane is the new Broncos quarterback and steps in for Zach Moon, who had a productive 2012 season. Running back Josh Brown is the feature back, and comes off an 800-yard junior campaign.

McEachern hopes for a big performance from its talented offensive weapons. Last year, Walton sparked big plays after big play and controlled the game through its successful running attack. Former Walton running back Tyren Jones scored five touchdowns and had 302 yards in the 35-24 Broncos loss. This year it is Indian's speed merchant Taj Griffin that will be trying to expose the Brookwood defense from the backfield.

Senior quarterback Ty Clemons led the Indians to an undefeated Region-4 season last year, and compliments Griffin with his speed. Clemons is projected to be an athlete at the next level and has received SEC offers.

Indians head coach Kyle Hockman will try to wear down the Brookwood defense by controlling the ball and time of possession. In order to gain control of the game and succeed, Hockman's defense will have to slow down Brookwood. Indians defensive end Henry Famurewa is committed to Louisville and the 6-foot-2, 230-pounder will be a tough matchup for Brookwood.

The Broncos big plays and drives will have to be generated by a new duo of receivers. Clemson signee Kyrin Priester leaves after catching 54 passes for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season, and Matt Price and Daquan Joy will act in a collective effort to maintain the offensive production post-Priester.

The Broncos have a big challenge in the Metro PCS Corky Kell Classic when they face McEachern, known for its high-scoring offense. 

"One of the ways to limit a team that is really explosive offensively is to play really well on offense," said Crews. "You keep the ball away from them. When you get a chance to be on defense you have to be sound, aggressive and get the ball back. Obviously we are going to have to play well on defense too, but our offense can limit their opportunities with the ball."

Leading the offense will be new playmakers as Clemson signee Kyrin Priester leaves after catching 54 passes for 1,116 yards and 12 touchdowns during his senior season. Matt Price and Daquan Joy will act in a collective effort to maintain the offensive production post-Priester.

Joey McLane is the new signal caller. McLane's brother Ben led Brookwood to its last state title in 2010, and now starts for Georgia State. Josh Brown will be the feature back and he is a seasoned starter. The physical playmaker started in the secondary as a sophomore and stepped in at fullback last season, rushing for more than 800 yards.

Consistency will be the mantra of this Brookwood team and it is something that Crews says he and his staff stressed this offseason.

The Broncos compete in Region 8, one of the toughest in the state, while McEachern and Mill Creek form a challenging non-region schedule. Crews and his players, however, approach the season with confidence.

"Part of it [confidence] is built into your program," said Crews. "Past success and tradition adds into the fact that your kids feel like they can play with the best teams and can play in games like the Kell Classic and hold their own." 

"Every year, it's a true honor for our school and our program to be in it," said Hockman. "There's no question this is a prestigious event. Our kids just really look forward to getting to the Dome."

The Indians faced Brookwood in the inaugural Classic and will play the Broncos again this year to open the season.

McEachern's schedule this year is similar to its slate last season, when the Indians started in the Dome at the Kell Classic, then hosted the Battle of the Big Chicken the following week. Hockman's squad had the dubious honor of playing the defending state champion, Grayson, then state-finalist Walton just six days later.

But the Cincinnati native prefers his schedule this way and set it up this season in similar fashion, with Brookwood in Week 1 followed by Lassiter six days later.

"It really separates the region from non-region games because you have that week in between," he explained. "It's a great measuring stick for us and it exposes our weaknesses. We find our weaknesses against good teams and then we go try to correct them."

At a glance, the Indians' strength appears to be on offense this season. Dynamic senior quarterback Ty Clemons and junior running back Taj Griffin return to form one of the deadliest backfields in the state. Clemons has been offered by Kentucky, Syracuse and Georgia Southern, among others. Despite having two full seasons ahead of him, Griffin has offers from powerhouse programs such as Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ohio State and UCLA.

Hockman's face lit up when talking about his talented backfield.

"We're trying to put them in the best positions to succeed and get them the reps, but also make sure we don't do anything silly and injure them in the preseason," said Hockman, who has been coaching football since 1990. "They're really explosive guys and good kids, too. Humble, no prima donna-type stuff."

In addition to Griffin and Clemons, McEachern is also led by ju- nior linemen Chuma Edoga, Chandler Jones and Louisville commitment Henry Famurewa, a defensive end.