Stephenson's Khalil Newton (8) pulls in a touchdown catch against Dacula. Stephenson takes on No. 1 Valdosta in Sweet 16 Class 6A state playoffs. (Photo courtesy of Unforgettable Moments -- Bruce James)

Stephenson’s Khalil Newton (8) pulls in a touchdown catch against Dacula. Stephenson takes on No. 1 Valdosta in Sweet 16 Class 6A state playoffs. (Photo courtesy of Unforgettable Moments — Bruce James)

The unranked Stephenson Jaguars are the only non-No. 1 or No. 2 seed left in the Class 6A Football State Playoffs as they head down I-75 to take on the No. 1 ranked Valdosta Wildcats at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm.

It will be the first meeting between the two teams since the 2001 Class 5A quarterfinals won 31-28 by Valdosta.

Stephenson (8-4) is led by senior running back Jaylin Marson-Knight (1,535 yards rushing, 13 TDs) who had 137 yards and a touchdown in the 20-6 victory over Dacula to advance to this week’s quarterfinals. Senior quarterback D’Vonn Gibbons (1,310 yards passing, 16 TDs) leads the aerial attack for the Jaguars with his big strike targets Khalil Newton (6-3 yards, 7 TDs) and Hassan Littles (409 yards, 3 TDs).

Valdosta is coming off a 35-0 victory over Northgate last week with a defense led by senior linebackers Josh Bushware (96 tackles, 5 TFL, 3 INT) and Zakoby McClain (80 tackles) along with senior defensive back Antwon Kincade (69 tackles) and senior defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell (46 tackles, 9 TFL).

The Jaguar defense has allowed just 13 points combined (only one touchdown) in its first two playoff victories and is coming off a game it allowed just two field goals to Dacula.

Senior linebackers Michael Makins (157 tackles, 10 TFL) and Gethro George (121 tackles, 18 TFL, 5 Sacks) are the backbone of the defense. Defensive backs Carlito Gonzalez (96 tackles, 2 TFL 2 INT, 9 PBU) and Eric Johnson (45 tackles, 4 INT, 3 PBU) keep things in order on the backend. Darius Perry, a junior defensive end, has 64 tackles including 8 for a loss and 4 sacks while senior defensive lineman Keshon Jackson adds 67 tackles with 8 for a loss and 5 sacks.

Valdosta’s offense had scored 69 and 35 points in its first two playoff games fueled by quarterback Hunter Holt (973 yards passing, 12 TDs, 500 yards rushing on season) and wide receiver JR Ingram 796 yards receiving, 3 TDs). Josh Belton has rushed for 302 yards and thrown for 859 on the season for the Wildcats.

It is Stephenson’s first quarterfinal appearance since 2012 as the Jaguars look to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2005. The winner moves on to face the Coffee/Dalton winner next week in the semifinals.

Tucker's Derrick McClendon (11) and Gerry Vaughn (8) sandwich the Harrison quarterback during last week's win. The Tigers travel to Lakewood to take on Mays on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Tucker’s Derrick McClendon (11) and Gerry Vaughn (8) sandwich the Harrison quarterback during last week’s win. The Tigers travel to Lakewood to take on Mays on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Tucker (11-1) vs. Mays (11-1)
The No. 4 ranked Tucker Tigers and the No. 3 ranked Mays Raiders (11-1) meet in the state playoffs for the first time 7:30 pm on Friday at Lakewood Stadium in a Class 6A quarterfinal game.

Tucker has won the past four regular season matchups with Mays (2010-2013) and is coming off a 23-7 victory over Harrison in a game the Tiger defense forced 14 negative yardage plays in holding the high-powered Hoyas offense to just 129 yards of offense.

Senior defensive end Aaron Sterling (59 tackles, 12.5 sacks) dominated the Hoya offensive line going in and around to pile up 6.5 sacks and 4 tackles for a loss. Junior defensive end Antonio Showers (43 tackles, 9 sacks, 9 TFL0 and senior linebacker Brain Strozier (44 tackles, 3 sacks, 10 TFL) join Sterling on a Tiger defense that has four shutouts on the season and is allowing just 9.9 points per game, including a stingy 5.8 points per contest over the past 5 games.

Mays counters with an offense that exploded for 27 points in the second half against Lee County last week on the way to rallying from a 22-8 halftime deficit. Senior quarterback B.J. Phillips runs the offense passing for 2,189 yards on the season along with 26 touchdowns while rushing for 572 yards and 5 more touchdowns. Junior running back Armis Stokes (634 yards, 15 TDs) and junior wide receiver Amir Abdur-Rahman (337 yards, 7 TDs receiving) compliment Phillips.

The Tigers have a potent backfield of their own in running backs Taurean Taylor (1,201 yards, 16 TDs) and Chris Broadwater (874 yards, 18 TDS) along with quarterback Xavier Shephard (1,586 yards passing, 15 TDs) and big play receiver Josh Vann (48 receptions, 1,036 yards, 11 TDs).

The quartet has helped Tucker score at a 37.7 point clip through the season, including six games of over 40 points.

Mays senior defensive back Ferlando Jordan (50 tackles) returned an interception 48 yards for a score last week to help turn the Raiders’ fortunes around after falling behind 22-8. The linebacking trio of Ernest Dixon (63 tackles), Kortez Daniel (54 tackles) and Antonio Grier (47 tackles) put up tough front for an offense to go against.

The Tigers are looking to make their first semifinal appearance since their 2013 run to the Class 5A runner-up finish against Creekside. The winner takes on the Glynn Academy/Northside-Warner Robins winner next week in the semifinals.

Cedar Grove's Grant Walker (6) has almost 400 yards rushing in two playoff games. The Saints travel to Calhoun for their Sweet 16 playoff match-up. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Cedar Grove’s Grant Walker (6) has almost 400 yards rushing in two playoff games. The Saints travel to Calhoun for their Sweet 16 playoff match-up. (Photo by Mark Brock)

CLASS 3A – Cedar Grove (10-2) at Calhoun (10-2)
The No. 6 ranked Cedar Grove Saints and No. 4 ranked Calhoun Yellowjackets collide at Phil Reeve Stadium at 7:30 pm on Friday in Calhoun for the second time in the past three seasons in the Sweet 16 round of the Class 3A state playoffs.

Calhoun won the 2014 meeting 38-18 and both teams are looking to reach the semifinals for a second consecutive season with the winner to face the Pierce County/Crisp County winner next week.

The Saints are coming of a 28-3 win over Jenkins of Savannah last week in which senior running back Grant Walker (1,509 yards rushing, 14 TDs) ran for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns to lead his team to victory.

Cedar Grove also has senior quarterback Jelani Woods (1,905 yards passing, 21 TDs) and receivers Jadon Haselwood (614 yards, 9 TDs) and Dennis Bell (489 yards, 5 TDs) to provide fire power to the offense that has scored 40 or more points in five of its last six games, twice over 60.

The Calhoun defense was a big key to their 41-20 come-back win over Jackson last week. Trailing 20-14 at the half, the defense had three interceptions in the second half, two by Ryan Randall and a pick-six by Davis Allen.

Cedar Grove’s defense pitched five shutouts this season and the first team defense has allowed just one touchdown in the past seven games. Senior linebackers Dezmond Harris (90 tackles, 14 TFL, 3.5 sacks) and Isaiah Ratcliff (56 tackles, 10 TFL) along with senior defensive end DeAngelo Malone (79 tackles, 29 TFL, 10 sacks) have made a living in opposing backfields this season. Malone’s bookend at the other defensive end spot is junior Roderic Forts (46 tackles, 20 TFL, 4 sacks).

Sophomore quarterback Gavin Gray and senior running back Baylon Spector (100 yards rushing, 2 TDs; 137 passing, 2 TDs) are big play threats on offense for Calhoun. Sophomore wide receiver Brannon Specter is a go too player as well.