![FINAL: McEachern [GA] routs Walton [GA], 50-17, as Barner burns Raiders for 341 all-purpose yards 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 — McEachern's Casey Barner burned the Walton [Marietta] Raiders in a variety of ways Saturday evening in the Corky Kell Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Indians' sophomore star is a coveted member of the Class of 2028, and he showed why he's already receiving FBS offers with his high school career just getting started. He rolled up more than 340 all-purpose yards, but it wasn't just the eye-popping total that matters. It's the way he did it.
Barner, listed as an athlete in some recruiting lists, showed why he's receiving that generic tag as he can impact a game in a variety of ways. He returned a kickoff 98 yards in this game but also scored on a long reception on offense. On a fourth down, he even took a short snap on a fake punt, found a crease around the edge, and ran straight up the field for another touchdown.
For good measure, he also had a 95-yard punt return called back. He looks like a potential five-star recruit when the 2028 ratings start to roll out.
McEachern [Powder Springs] moves to 1-0 on the season while Walton drops to 0-1. Next up for the Indians is a North Cobb [Kennesaw] Warriors' squad that was 11-1 a year ago. The Warriors beat the Archer [Lawrenceville] Tigers, 28-14, to open the 2025 campaign Thursday night.
Walton will try to get off the mat against a Lambert [Suwanee] Longhorns' team that was 7-4 a year ago. Lambert opened the season Friday night with a 30-16 loss to the Mill Creek [Hoschton] Hawks.
Cobb County Powers Walton and McEachern Set to Open Their Seasons in the Corky Kell & Dave Hunter Classic https://t.co/yqhJrpC6BC
— Georgia High School On SI (@SBLiveGA) August 14, 2025
Refresh for updates.
__________
|| FOURTH QUARTER ||
And, mercifully, it's over in Atlanta as McEachern wins big in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic in Atlanta, Georgia.
FINAL: McEACHERN 50, WALTON 17
__________
With under 30 seconds to play, McEachern adds another short scoring run to stretch the lead in a game that's been over since early in the third quarter.
4th Qtr — McEACHERN 50, WALTON 17
__________
And McEachern adds a quick score to start the fourth quarter after the earlier answer by Walton.
4th Qtr — McEACHERN 43, WALTON 17
__________
|| THIRD QUARTER ||
That's it for the third quarter in Atlanta.
3rd Qtr — McEACHERN 36, WALTON 17
__________
MJ Burnett and the Walton Raiders finally make a big play. Burnett jumps a route, picks off a pass, and returns it for a touchdown to momentarily slow the Indians down.
3rd Qtr — McEACHERN 36, WALTON 17
__________
McEachern has broken this game open in the third quarter with two more quick touchdowns, including another one from Barner who took a short snap on a fake punt and took it to the house for his third touchdown. Barner has 341 all-purpose yards tonight.
Moments later they added another tally.
3rd Qtr — McEACHERN 36, WALTON 10
__________
Walton catches a break. After the turnover, they force a stop on defense, and McEachern misses the field goal. It's still 23-10, McEachern.
__________
Walton fumbles deep in its own territory after the McEachern score, and the Indians pounce on it. It could get ugly pretty quick.
__________
And that short field proves hard to defend. Barner scores again on a long reception, and suddenly McEachern leads by a couple of touchdowns.
3rd Quarter — McEACHERN 23, WALTON 10
__________
Walton attempts a second onside kick to start the second half, but it backfires, giving McEachern a short field to start the third quarter.
|| SECOND QUARTER ||
Walton takes a knee, and that's your first half.
2nd Qtr — McEACHERN 16, WALTON 10
__________
McEachern adds a field goal with just six seconds left before halftime.
2nd Qtr — McEACHERN 16, WALTON 10
__________
Casey Barner goes 98 yards on the kickoff for McEachern to immediately reclaim the lead for the Indians. He also had the 95+ yard punt return earlier that got called back. The PAT is no good.
2nd Qtr — McEACHERN 13, WALTON 10
Elite 2028 DB/ATH @casey_barner2 of @McEachernFtball takes it to the house from 98 yards away on a kick off return.
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) August 16, 2025
A guy to know. https://t.co/SxPFM5NQ1S@Rivals_HS pic.twitter.com/BtJI49ErbV
__________
And Nori Thompson does just that, making it to the end zone to put Walton in front.
2nd Qtr — WALTON 10, McEACHERN 7
__________
Walton finally makes a big play into McEachern territory, but ends up having to settle for a 35-yard. It's good so they're at least on the board.
They also executed a great onside "pooch" kick, and retained possession in McEachern territory. They need to finish a drive now.
2nd Qtr — McEACHERN 7, WALTON 3
__________
McEachern drives deep into Walton territory, but the Raiders get the stop to force a field goal. It's pushed to the left so the Raiders avoid going down two scores.
___________
|| FIRST QUARTER ||
After those first couple of big plays by McEachern, it's been relatively quiet in Atlanta. That's the end of the first quarter.
END OF FIRST QUARTER — McEACHERN 7, WALTON 0
__________
A freshman Jacorey Shockley scored the touchdown. That's a big debut on a big stage for a freshman.
__________
McEachern strikes first with a 97-yard punt return for touchdown, but it's called back for a penalty.
But then they strike again with a 48-yard touchdown pass to take the early lead. A lot of fireworks from the Indians early on.
1st Qtr — McEACHERN 7, WALTON 0
__________
We're off and running with McEachern and Walton in the next game of the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
|| 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.
__________
KEYS TO THE GAME ...
These are two teams trying to take that 'next step' after first-round playoff exits. A loss would put either team on a trajectory that feels similar to how the previous season ended, and you're looking at week three before you can even get your head above water. Building momentum with a fast start and a win out of the gate would give either team something to build on moving forward.
__________
SETTING THE SCENE ...
This is the next game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in our lineup of Corky Kell + Dave Hunter classic games.
__________
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.
__________
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
__________
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
__________
We'll check back in here in a while with a look at some more storylines.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES ...
Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in West Texas for ’25 season
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