The inaugural Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Flag Football Classic 7-on-7 Invitational at West Forsyth brings together 11 of the best girls flag football teams from across the state for top-tier flag football competition Wednesday.
And following a 16-15 victory over Columbus in the championship game, McEachern secured the inaugural Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Flag Football Classic 7-on-7 Invitational championship.
“It means a ton to our players,” said McEachern head coach Jake Burgdorf. “When we have something to play for, like today, that’s just really what we focus on in our program. It doesn’t matter who we are playing or where we are playing, we are going to come out and compete.”
The day began with two pods — Pod A and Pod B — playing the morning pool play which populated the afternoon championship bracket where McEachern defeated Newton 21-4, Lithia Springs 23-3 and Columbus to win the title.
“We have a lot of confidence,” Burgdorf said. “We have a lot of returning players and we had a really good year last year and obviously we want to build off that.”
The competition at West Forsyth was highlighted by two former champions with the hosting Wolverines won the 6A-7A championship in the sport’s inaugural season in 2020. Lithia Springs, which will begin the morning alongside West Forsyth in Pod A, won the 2022 Class 5A-6A title.
Last season, McEachern lost in the Class 7A state quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Milton 26-20. But with returning talent the Indians could extend that playoff run in the upcoming season alongside an expanded roster of 270 schools and one new division, making four total GHSA flag football leagues.
See the scores below.
Championship Bracket
Championship
#3 McEachern 16, #4 Columbus 15
Semifinals
#4 Columbus 18, #1 Milton 15
#3 McEachern 23, #2 Lithia Springs 3
Second Round
#1 Milton 12, #8 West Forsyth 11
#4 Columbus 27, #5 Pike County 0
#2 Lithia Springs 27, #10 Winder-Barrow 0
#3 McEachern 21, #8 Newton 4
First Round
#10 Winder-Barrow 27 #7 Griffin 17
#8 Newton 10, #11 Chattahoochee 2
#8 West Forsyth 24, #9 Cherokee 5
Pool Play
Lithia Springs 22, Griffin 0
Milton 21, West Forsyth 14
Columbus 28, Pike County 0
McEachern 24, Cherokee 11
Newton 24, Chattahoochee 6
Griffin 21, Winder-Barrow 11
McEachern 26, Pike County 0
Milton 8, Lithia Springs 4
Newton 10, Cherokee 7
Columbus 19, Chattahoochee 9
Lithia Springs 13, West Forsyth 10
Winder-Barrow 22, Milton 10
McEachern 22, Newton 11
Milton 30, Griffin 8
West Forsyth 16, Winder-Barrow 4
Columbus 29, Cherokee 6
Pike County 25, Chattahoochee 9
Griffin 17, West Forsyth 11
Lithia Springs 23, Winder-Barrow 7
Columbus 22, Newton 13
Chattahoochee 23, McEachern 22
Pike County 17, Cherokee 7
McEachern 24, Columbus 15
