South Gwinnett Rolls Past Lanier in Georgia High School Football Season Opener

On a night when penalties and mistakes hindered both offenses, South Gwinnett overcame its miscues to defeat Lanier, 29-3, in the opening game of the 2026 Georgia high school football season.

South Gwinnett Takes Control Early

Playing in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Comets broke on top with a short touchdown run by quarterback CJ Peoples. Peoples later completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Cohl Hendon, giving South Gwinnett a 14-0 lead after one quarter.

Lanier got on the board with a 26-yard second-quarter field goal by Noah Samples, but a muffed punt by the Longhorns led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Thomas Morris, giving South Gwinnett a 21-3 lead at halftime.

Following a punt downed inside the Lanier 1-yard line, South Gwinnett's defense added two points when Christopher Frazier made a tackle in the end zone for a safety. Morris added his second touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to set the final margin.

The teams combined for 31 penalties totaling 214 yards.

See how South Gwinnett's 29-3 victory unfolded with our live game updates below.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST GAME UPDATES ONCE THE GAME BEGINS

Preview

What: South Gwinnett vs. Lanier in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic
When: Wednesday, Aug. 12 - 5 p.m.
Where: Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium

South Gwinnett and Lanier will make history when they meet in the opening game of the 2026 Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking the earliest season kickoff in Georgia high school football history. Both teams are coming off of disappointing five win seasons

South Gwinnett Looks for More Offensive Firepower

South Gwinnett (5-6 in 2025) has won the only two previous meetings between the schools and is led by three-star quarterback CJ Peoples, who is committed to Kennesaw State. Peoples threw for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 and added 417 rushing yards. Junior running back Thomas Morris III also returns for head coach Bryant Lamar after rushing for 527 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

The Comets have made two straight playoff appearances but will look to increase their offensive output to find their way to postseason success.

South Gwinnett had one of the best defensive units in program history last year, allowing just 20.2 points per game, but it was hit hard by graduation losses. Junior defensive end Khalil Shivers, the team's top returning defender, will anchor the rebuilt unit. Shivers had 66 tackles, including 21.5 for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

Experienced Lanier Offense Ready for Opener

Lanier (5-5 in 2025) also also led by a returning quarterback, senior Dominic LaRocca, who is protected by a big and experienced offensive line. LaRocca passed for 1,535 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. He also added 232 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.

Defensively, the Longhorns return a strong secondary with seniors Kingston Coe, Roman Woods and Jordan Alexander manning the corners and slot, while senior Amari Tucker and sophomore Dameon Bille Jr. return as the team's starting safeties.

With a pair of experienced quarterbacks squaring off against a pair of defensive units looking to establish themselves, this figures to be a close battle, with the winner claiming the strong start they seek in 2026.

Add us as a preferred source on Google