Stephenson’s Hassaan Littles (1) makes a big touchdown catch behind a Mt. Zion-Jonesboro defender. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Jaylen Marson-Knight rushed for over 200 yards for the second consecutive game to lead the Stephenson Jaguars to a Region 4-6A homecoming victory over the Mt. Zion-Jonesboro Bulldogs at Hallford Stadium on Friday night.
The victory helped to solidify the Jaguars (5-3, 4-1) playoff berth chances.
Stephenson scored with 6:08 left in the first quarter as Marquise Whitmire scored on a sweep with Jaguars facing a fourth and goal at the Bulldog 8-yard line. Darien Tisdale kicked the point after. The score was set up by runs of 23 yards by Hassaan Littles and 34 by Marson-Knight.
The lead went to 14-0 at the half as the Jaguars were running out the clock Marson-Knight broke through line, jumped a diving defender, got a block and raced down the left sideline for the touchdown as time ran out in the first half. Tisdale was good on the point after again.
A 40-yard punt return by Shaun Jolly put the Jaguars in great field position at the Bulldog 43 early in the fourth quarter. Littles made an over the head catch on a 17-yard pass from quarterback D’Vonn Gibbons with 10:09 to play in the game for an insurance touchdown. Tisdale completed 21-0 lead with his point after kick.
Knight capped his 19 carry, 226-yard night with a 24-yard touchdown run with 6:05 to play. The Jaguars converted the two-point conversion for the final of 29-0.
The senior running back who ran for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns last week now has over 1,100 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season and out-produce the entire Bulldog (3-5, 2-3) offense by four yards. Stephenson defense held the Bulldogs scoreless while allowing just 222 yards of offense.
In other Region 4-6A action, the No. 6 ranked Tucker Tigers (7-1, 5-0) extended their winning streak to seven games with a 41-7 win over Drew (2-6, 2-3). Tucker remains undefeated in region play after exploding from a 13-7 first quarter lead with 28 unanswered points.
Stephenson’ Deonte Gipson (18) gets a sack against Mt. Zion-Jonesboro. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Arabia Mountain 47, Chamblee 8
The No. 8 ranked Arabia Mountain Rams used some tough defense and an explosive passing attack to match the program’s best win total of 7 in its 47-8 victory over Region 5-5A and DeKalb County foe Chamblee.
The Rams (7-1, 3-0) are off to their best start in history at 7-1 with the only loss coming at the hands of Class 7A East Coweta (20-14).
Big fumble returns for touchdowns by Terray Bryant and Jelani Davis helped the Rams to a big 22-0 lead at the half.
Arabia Mountain scored through the air as quarterback Bryson Williams connected with Jordan Barrow (70 yards) and D’Anthony Garrett. Backup quarterback Josh Campbell got into the touchdown pass act as he connected with Barrow on a 50-yard scoring play.
Carl White added a more conventional rushing touchdown for the Rams.
In a battle of Region 5-5A co-leaders the Southwest DeKalb Panthers (5-3, 3-0) kept pace with Arabia Mountain atop the standings with a 21-10 victory over the Lithonia Bulldogs (3-5, 2-1) on homecoming at Godfrey Stadium.
Arabia Mountain and Southwest DeKalb will collide with the Region 5-5A crown hanging in the balance next Friday at Godfrey Stadium with game time set for 8:00 pm.
Lithonia meets Miller Grove (3-5, 1-2) at 7:30 pm on Saturday at Avondale Stadium with playoff seedings on the line for both teams. Miller Grove got into the playoff picture with a 30-14 win over Columbia (2-6, 0-3) last weekend.
Region 5-3A
The No. 6 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (6-2, 4-1) continued to keep a claim on the No. 2 seed in Region 5-3A with a 55-0 shutout of the Stone Mountain Pirates (1-6, 0-4).
The No. 6 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (6-2, 4-1) continued to keep a claim on the No. 2 seed in Region 5-3A with a 55-0 shutout of the Stone Mountain Pirates (1-6, 0-4).
The Towers Titans (4-4, 3-2) kept their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling 18-14 win over region and DeKalb foe Redan (2-6, 1-4).
DCSD FOOTBALL RESULTS
Thursday, Oct. 20
Lovejoy (5-4, 5-1) 20, M.L. King (2-6, 0-5) 6
Thursday, Oct. 20
Lovejoy (5-4, 5-1) 20, M.L. King (2-6, 0-5) 6
Friday, Oct. 21
Stephenson (5-3, 4-1) 29, Mt. Zion-Jonesboro (3-5, 2-3) 0
Glascock Co. (2-6) 48, Cross Keys (1-4) 20
Tucker (7-1, 5-0) 41, Drew 7 (2-6, 2-3)
Arabia Mountain (7-1, 3-0) 47, Chamblee (1-7, 0-3) 8
Towers (4-4, 3-2) 18, Redan 14 (2-6, 1-4)
Pace Academy (5-3, 3-2) 45, McNair (3-5, 1-4) 7
Druid Hills (3-5, 1-3) 36, Henry Co. (0-8, 0-4)
Miller Grove (3-5, 1-2) 30, Columbia (2-6, 0-3) 14
Stephenson (5-3, 4-1) 29, Mt. Zion-Jonesboro (3-5, 2-3) 0
Glascock Co. (2-6) 48, Cross Keys (1-4) 20
Tucker (7-1, 5-0) 41, Drew 7 (2-6, 2-3)
Arabia Mountain (7-1, 3-0) 47, Chamblee (1-7, 0-3) 8
Towers (4-4, 3-2) 18, Redan 14 (2-6, 1-4)
Pace Academy (5-3, 3-2) 45, McNair (3-5, 1-4) 7
Druid Hills (3-5, 1-3) 36, Henry Co. (0-8, 0-4)
Miller Grove (3-5, 1-2) 30, Columbia (2-6, 0-3) 14
Saturday, Oct. 22
Cedar Grove (6-2, 4-1) 55, Stone Mountain (1-6, 0-4) 0
Centennial (3-5, 2-2) 63, Dunwoody (2-6, 1-5) 28
SW DeKalb (5-3, 3-0) 21, Lithonia (3-5, 2-1) 10
Cedar Grove (6-2, 4-1) 55, Stone Mountain (1-6, 0-4) 0
Centennial (3-5, 2-2) 63, Dunwoody (2-6, 1-5) 28
SW DeKalb (5-3, 3-0) 21, Lithonia (3-5, 2-1) 10
Open: Clarkston (1-7), Lakeside (4-4)