East Cobb Coaches Ready for Kickoff

With the high school football season little more than a week away, the six head coaches from East Cobb and Northeast Cobb schools previewed their seasons on Wednesday. 

Half of them -- Kell, Lassiter and Walton -- will be participating in the Corky Kell Classic at the Georgia Dome next Saturday. 

The season begins on Aug. 26 for Pope, Sprayberry and Wheeler. 

The coaches spoke to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce's East Cobb Area Council breakfast at the Indian Hills Country Club. 

Teams have been practicing for the last three weeks, with most teams working out in the early morning hours as Cobb schools have prohibited outdoor activities in the afternoons because of the heat. 

"We're anxious to hit somebody else," said coach Jep Irwin of Lassiter, whose Trojans face defending Class 5A state champion Brookwood in the Dome. 

Also at the Corky Kell Classic will be Walton facing Peachtree Ridge, and Kell taking on Grayson. 

Pope plays at Wheeler next Friday, Aug. 26, the same day Sprayberry begins the season at home against Hillgrove. 

Of all the East Cobb teams, Wheeler is looking for the biggest turnaround. The Wildcats were 1-9 in head coach Mike Collins' first season, with that single victory ending an 0-20 skid. 

"The team we have now is the most enjoyable team I've had in my 14 years of coaching," Collins said.