![FINAL: Douglas County [GA] defense makes statement in 21-7 win over North Gwinnett [GA] image](https://library.sportingnews.com/styles/crop_style_16_9_mobile_webp/s3/2024-08/High%20School%20Football%20FTR_v2.jpg.webp?itok=WmAv8BhF)
ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 16 — The Douglas County [Douglasville, GA] Tigers' defense only bent once, but North Gwinnett [Suwanee] never could break it in a 21-7 loss Saturday in the finale of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Bulldogs' only score came with their star linebacker playing in the Wildcat formation and taking a direct snap. Jake Godfree broke through for 14 yards and a touchdown, but the rest of North Gwinnett's offense never could solve the riddle that was the Tigers' defense.
Douglas County, meanwhile, got two first-quarter touchdown runs from Rah'Keith Kelly, and it would prove to be enough for the win. The final score was actually the halftime score, as well, with both offenses proving to be more fizzle than sizzle over the final two quarters.
Douglas County will visit the Class 4A Jonesboro Cardinals next Friday. The Redbirds were an 8-4 second-round playoff team last season.
North Gwinnett will be on a bye with an extra week to work on its offense before hosting the Colquitt County [Norman Park] Packers on Friday, August 29. Colquitt County opened the season Friday night with a 27-24 win over the Benedictine [Savannah] Cadets.
GameDay for our DAWGS tonight as we play Douglass County at 7pm in The Mercedes Benz Stadium. LETS GO!#BEADAWG #NORTH #FAMILY #RIB25 pic.twitter.com/x1klFPAsRN
— North Gwinnett Football (@NGHSFootball) August 16, 2025
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|| FOURTH QUARTER ||
Neither team was able to score over the final two quarters, leaving us where we started the second half.
FINAL — DOUGLAS COUNTY 21, NORTH GWINNETT 7
|| THIRD QUARTER ||
And we are right where we were at halftime with both teams unable to find pay dirt in the third stanza.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: DOUGLAS COUNTY 21, NORTH GWINNETT 7
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The third quarter is underway in Atlanta with Douglas County leading North Gwinnett, 21-7. A reminder that both of these teams made it to at least the GHSA Class 6A quarterfinals a year ago, so it will be interesting to see how this second half goes. The winner has to be considered a favorite for at least the semifinals.
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|| SECOND QUARTER ||
And that's your first half. It ends with Douglas County trying to set up a field goal with only two seconds remaining, but they're unable to get the play off before the clock runs out.
END OF SECOND QUARTER — DOUGLAS COUNTY 21, NORTH GWINNETT 7
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Douglas County finds the end zone again with just 2:42 remaining in the first half.
2nd Qtr — DOUGLAS COUNTY 21, NORTH GWINNETT 7
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With 7:34 to play in the second quarter, North Gwinnett finally cracks the Douglas County defense for its first score.
2nd Qtr — DOUGLAS COUNTY 14, NORTH GWINNETT 7
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|| FIRST QUARTER ||
It's been all Douglas County and Rah'keith Kelly so far.
END OF FIRST QUARTER — DOUGLAS COUNTY 14, NORTH GWINNETT 0
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Rah'keith Kelly scores on a short blast. He has both of Douglas County's touchdowns now as the Tigers take an early two-score lead.
1st Qtr — DOUGLAS COUNTY 14, NORTH GWINNETT 0
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Douglas County strikes first in the premier matchup of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. With 2:29 to play in the first quarter, they've broke the ice with the game's first points.
1st Qtr — DOUGLAS COUNTY 7, NORTH GWINNETT 0
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We're under way with this big matchup between two GHSA Class 6A powers that advanced to at least the state quarterfinals in 2024.
|| PREGAME ||
Scroll down to enjoy some of our content below and take a look back at the Grayson Rams' big win over Collins Hill last night just a few miles east of today's games in downtown Atlanta.
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TOP 25 AND THE GAME OF THE WEEK ...
While you're getting ready for this afternoon's big game, get yourself up to speed on the preseason edition of The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.
Then check out our TSN Game of the Week Recap featuring the No. 14 Milton (GA) Eagles at the No. 12 Buford (GA) Wolves from Thursday night.
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MORE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ...
We've also got reports on some of Georgia's top returning players by position groups here:
Georgia's best linebackers in 2025 headlined by five-star recruits at Gainesville, Grayson
Georgia's top 20 receivers heading into 2025 include four future Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia's top high school football running backs in 2025 led by Georgia, Notre Dame commits
Grayson star tops list of Georgia high school football's best quarterbacks in 2025
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OUR PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ...
Finally, don't miss out on The Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams that just debuted today!
The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense 2025
The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense 2025
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We'll check back in here in a while with a look at some more storylines.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES ...
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Battle of Texas defending state champs shifts location to nearby 10,000-seat stadium
Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in South Texas for '25 season