The Roswell Hornets bring their 1-0 record home Friday when they host the Newton Rams at Ray Manus Stadium, the program's first game in front of the home crowd this season. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.
Roswell opened 2026 with a 32-20 comeback win over Walton on Aug. 13 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic, erasing a 14-0 deficit with 25 unanswered points. Quarterback Matthew Schletty, a transfer from Alpharetta High, rushed for the Hornets' final two touchdowns. Florida State commit Jaxon Holly, also an Alpharetta transfer, opened the scoring with a pick-six and earned player-of-the-game honors from Score Atlanta.
"… I feel like everybody wants to win just as bad as I do. Winning this first game in the Benz, the way we did it, feels really good," Schletty told Appen Media on Aug. 17, after the Walton win.
Head coach J.T. Thompson, in his second year leading the Hornets after a 12-2 debut that ended in the Class 5A state semifinals, credited his defensive staff for the win. That unit features returning coordinator Rusty Waters and linebackers coach Justin Houston, a four-time NFL All-Pro who played at Georgia.
ITG Next ranks Roswell No. 5 in Class 6A entering the week. The Hornets moved up to 6A this season and compete in Region 7-6AAAAAA.
Scouting Newton
The Rams (1-0) arrive in Roswell after a double-overtime win over Douglas County on Aug. 22 in the Inner City Classic, according to The Covington News. Newton went 8-4 last season, winning a playoff game over Peachtree Ridge before falling to Buford.
The Rams' backfield is their calling card. Running back Kevin Hartsfield is rated a top-10 back in Georgia by ITG Next, and sophomore Karter Lumpkin adds depth. Two-way prospect Omarion Wallace, a Power Four recruit who plays safety and receiver, gives Newton a game-changer on both sides of the ball, according to Sports Illustrated's preseason rankings.
The On3 Georgia composite slots Newton at No. 14 and Roswell at No. 15 statewide, making Friday a matchup of near-equals by that measure.
What to watch
Roswell's defense held Walton scoreless for most of the second and third quarters in the opener. Junior tackle Oshawn Walker, linebacker Jake Smith, edge Holly and back Christian English anchored that effort. Thompson said after the Corky Kell game that he thought his staff made the difference, and the group will face its stiffest rushing test yet against Hartsfield and Lumpkin.
On offense, senior Dre Cousey returns after topping 1,100 all-purpose yards and nine touchdowns in 2025. UGA commit Miller Westerfield, ranked No. 33 in Georgia's senior class by On3, anchors the offensive line.
Kickoff: Friday, Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m. at Ray Manus Stadium, Roswell High School.
