Cambridge opens earliest season in GHSA history at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Cambridge will kick off its 2026 football season inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 13, facing Brookwood in the 35th annual Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

It's the earliest season opener in GHSA history. The schedule was pushed forward after the GHSA approved a change in January to accommodate Mercedes-Benz Stadium's role as a 2026 FIFA World Cup venue, according to Sports Illustrated. The association also moved the 12-week regular season back one week and eliminated the playoff bye week that had been in place for the previous two seasons.

The game will be televised on Atlanta News First and streamed free on the network's app.

Head coach Jones and players Will Powell, Luke Huffman, Ford Massey and Brooks Malone represented Cambridge at the Fulton County Schools Media Day on July 24, where Cambridge Athletics said the group did an outstanding job representing the Bears football program.

The Raiders were also at Media Day. Alpharetta Athletics said the program is eager to get back under the Friday night lights.

This will be the Raiders' first season under head coach Daniel Carlisle, who was hired in January and introduced to the community at a Feb. 3 meet-and-greet at the AHS Auditorium. Alpharetta's football opener comes Friday, Aug. 21, at Kennesaw Mountain, with the home opener against Denmark on Friday, Aug. 28.

Cambridge follows the Brookwood game with a home matchup against Woodstock on Aug. 28, then travels to Milton on Friday, Sept. 4, for an early-season rivalry game.

New coach. New schedule. Both programs are ready.

Upcoming schedule:

Cambridge Bears

Thursday, Aug. 13 vs. Brookwood (Corky Kell Classic, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 5 p.m.)
Friday, Aug. 28 vs. Woodstock (home, 7:30 p.m.)
Friday, Sept. 4 at Milton (away, 7:30 p.m.)

Alpharetta Raiders