Tucker defensive lineman Aaron Sterling (15) makes a tackle for a loss against Lovejoy earlier in the season. Sterling leads the Tucker defense against Harrison on Friday in second round Class 6A playoff action. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Four DCSD football teams are playing in the Sweet 16 round of the state playoffs this weekend with No. 4 ranked Tucker leading the way as they host the Harrison Hoyas at Adams Stadium on Friday night at 7:30 in a Class 6A playoff game.
The Region 4-6A champions Tigers (10-1) are coming off a 48-15 first round victory over Bradwell Institute and extended their streak of Sweet 16 appearances to 10. The Hoyas are also 10-1 on the season and coming off a 45-24 first round victory over Gainesville a week ago.
David Davis had a 79-yard kickoff return and a rushing touchdown to be one of three Tigers to score against Bradwell. Chris Broadwater, the team’s second leading rushing (773 yards), got into the end zone twice and receiver Josh Vann (928 yards receiving on the season) hauled in two touchdown passes from quarterback Xavier Shephard in the game. Leading rusher Taurean Taylor (1,131 yards rushing) also added a rushing touchdown for his 16th on the season via the ground attack.
Jalen Jefferson and Tre Leslie both got in on seven tackles for the Tiger defense which shutout Bradwell in the first half for a 35-0 lead. Junior linebacker Gerry Vaughn (54 tackles, 4 TFL) and senior defensive lineman Aaron Sterling (47 tackles, 13 TFL, 6.5 sacks) both had four tackles in the game.
Harrison rallied from a 14-10 halftime deficit in its 45-24 win over Gainesville. The Hoyas scored 21 points in the third quarter behind the play of quarterback Justin Fields (178 yards passing, 101 rushing). Junior receiver Stephen Peterson and senior running back Darius Clark along with senior offensive tackle Trey Iorillo contribute heavily to the Hoyas’ offense.
The defense is led by the senior linebacking trio of CJ Turner, Robert Fisher and Chris Kalafut along with senior safety Juwan Owens.
Stephenson Deonte Gipson (18) makes a sack against Mt. Zion-Jonesboro. Gipson and his Jaguar teammates travel to Dacula for second round Class 6A action on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Stephenson at Dacula
The Stephenson Jaguars (7-4) are the other Class 6A entry from DeKalb County as they travel to take on Region 8-6A No. 1 seed Dacula (7-4) on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Jaylen Marson-Knight rushed for 156 yards to move over the 2,300 career rushing mark in leading the Jaguars to a 24-7 victory over Effingham County last week. Antonio Woods added a rushing touchdown and Marquise Whitmire hauled in a touchdown pass from D’Vonn Gibbons.
The Jaguar defense led by senior linebacker Michael Makins (10 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 INT), junior linebacker Jamal McDonald (13 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack) and senior defensive back Carlito Gonzalez (11 tackles, 2 fumbles caused) limited Effingham to just one score on the night.
Dacula defeated Sequoyah 28-0 to advance to the second round. Running backs Ty Harris and Tre McMillan combined for 239 yards rushing to lead the Falcons to the win. The senior linebacking trio of Babila Fomuteh, Kenneth Holder and Ty Harris anchor the Falcon defense that shutout Sequoyah
Arabia Mountain and DeKalb County leading tackler Terray Bryant (1) and Falco Johnson (56) wrap up a Villa Ricer running back. Arabia Mountain hosts No. 10 ranked Griffin on Friday at Hallford Stadium in second round Class 5A playoff action. (Photo by Mark Brock)
CLASS 5A – Arabia Mountain vs. Griffin
Arabia Mountain made history last week with their first ever playoff appearance and it was a successful debut with a 34-14 victory over Villa Rica.
The Rams (9-2) entertain the No. 10 ranked Griffin Bears (10-1), who are coming off a high-scoring 56-49 win over Warner Robins, at 7:30 pm on Friday at Hallford Stadium as they try to build on their historic season.
Senior running back Brandon Snowball ran for 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns and senior quarterback Samad Noble passed for 248 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the program’s first ever playoff victory. The Arabia Mountain defense has allowed just 12.2 points per game this season behind the play of senior linebacker Terray Bryant (14 tackles vs. Villa Rica) and linebacker Joshua Cook (13 tackles vs. Villa Rica)
The Bears’ offense is triggered by quarterback Tylan Morton (3,996 yards passing) who threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns against Warner Robins. The Bears also have a dangerous running back in Santo Dunn (943 yards rushing). Senior linebacker Cody Steit and senior defensive end Zaire Brown anchor the front of the Bears’ defense while junior defensive backs Antonio Bankston and Malik Taylor are tough in the secondary.
Cedar Grove defensive end Roderic Forts (18) stops a screen pass against Union County. Forts and his Saints’ teammates travel to Savannah to take on Jenkins on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
CLASS 3A – Cedar Grove at Jenkins (Savannah)
The No. 6 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (9-2) go on the road to Savannah this weekend for a 7:30 pm kickoff on Friday at Memorial Stadium to take on Jenkins (10-1) in the second round of the state playoffs.
The Saints advanced with a 63-17 victory over Union County last week behind 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns by senior running back Grant Walker (1,299 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns). Senior quarterback Jelani Woods (1,873 yards passing, 21 TDs) was a perfect 9-9 passing for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jadon Haselwood (602 yards receiving, 9 TDs) had a punt return for a touchdown and one receiving as well.
Cedar Grove’s defense which had five shutouts this season held Union County to just one field goal through four quarters before substituting in the fourth. Senior defensive end DeAngelo Malone (7 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack) and junior defensive end Roderic Forts (6 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack) led the charge over the first three quarters. The pair of combined for 45 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks on the season.
The Jenkins defense intercepted six passes, three by Jordan Stafford, in securing the programs first ever playoff victory 31-14 over Dougherty last week. Senior running back Joe Burke led the offense with 192 yards rushing in the win.
DCSD FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOV. 18
CLASS 6A
ADAMS Stadium
Harrison (10-1) vs. Tucker (10-1), 7:30 pm
AWAY GAME
Stephenson (7-4) at Dacula (7-4), 7:30 pm
CLASS 5A
HALLFORD STADIUM
Griffin (10-1) vs. Arabia Mountain (9-2), 7:30 pm
CLASS 3A
Cedar Grove (9-2) at Jenkins-Savannah (10-1), 7:30 pm