Tucker defensive lineman Antonio Showers (9) makes a tackle for a loss against Kell. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The most played DeKalb County Schools football rivalry kicks off for the 51st time at 7:30 pm on Friday night at Adams Stadium as the Lakeside Vikings host the No. 1 ranked Tucker Tigers.
Tucker leads the series 27-22-1 after last year’s 48-10 victory and has not lost to the Vikings since the 1996 season when Lakeside finished 13-2 and as the Class 4A state runner-up.
The Class 6A No. 1 ranked Tigers are 1-0 coming off a thrilling 28-27 win over Kell in the Corky Kell Classic last Saturday at Georgia State. All-State receiver Joshua Vann caught seven passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-tying 79 yard touchdown reception and a 15-yard touchdown catch in overtime.
First year starting quarterback Travon Ford threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns (all to Vann) for the Tigers. Tucker’s defense held Kell to just 48 yards of total offense in the second half behind the play of Mike Harris, Isaiah Dunson, Antonio Showers and Terrell Paxton.
Lakeside (0-1) fell 38-21 to Dunwoody despite a 14-0 first quarter lead. Senior Class 7A Preseason All-State running back Max Guggemos went over 100 yards (101) for the sixth consecutive game. Senior receiver Demonte Pressley had three receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown in the game.
Newly renovated Avondale Stadium plays host to the Fox-5 High 5 Game of the Week as the Arabia Mountain Rams host the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions in a neighborhood rivalry at 7:30 pm on Friday.
It is just the fourth meeting between the two schools that are building a rivalry which is expecting a near sell out. The Lions hold a 2-1 edge in the series heading into the game.
The Class 5A Rams are coming off their first region title and Top 10 ranking in last year’s record setting season with a 9-3 mark and first ever playoff appearance and victory. Arabia Mountain is 1-0 on the season after defeating Stone Mountain 57-0 last weekend.
Quarterback Bryson Williams hit on 15 of his 16 pass attempts for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Corey Rolle was a big target for Williams with four catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Martin Luther King is trying to get back to its winning ways under the direction of new head coach Deante Lamar. The Lions dropped a tough 7-0 decision to Columbia last week with the only score coming on an interception return by the Eagles.
Cedar Grove’s Jadon Haselwood makes a move against Stephenson in the season opening win for the Saints. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Class 3A No. 3 ranked Cedar Grove (1-0) and defending state champion takes on Southwest DeKalb (1-0) in the 8:00 pm game at Godfrey Stadium on Friday as the teams meet for the 10th time overall.
Southwest DeKalb won last year’s game 21-20 on the way to returning to the state playoffs for the first time since the 2012 season. A big key to last year’s win was the exciting play of quarterback Justin Tomlin who returns to lead the Panthers’ offense. Tomlin rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown while passing for 205 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-2 victory over Redan in the season opener last week.
The Saints lost several FBS signees from their state title team of a year ago, but showed they were a team to be dealt with by manhandling DeKalb foe Stephenson 34-13. New starting quarterback Xavier Dennis rushed for 71 yards and threw for 123 and one touchdown in his debut for the Saints. Darrell Neal provided some tough running for Cedar Grove with 89 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
DCSD WEEK 2 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Friday, Aug. 25
McNair (0-0) vs. Clarkston (0-1), 5:15 pm, Hallford
Druid Hills (0-1) vs. Columbia (1-0), 5:15 pm, Godfrey
Tucker (1-0) vs. Lakeside (0-1), 7:30 pm Adams
M.L. King Jr. (0-1) vs. Arabia Mountain (1-0), 7:30 pm, Avondale
Decatur (0-1) vs. Chamblee (1-0), 7:30 pm, North DeKalb
Mill Creek (1-0) vs. Stephenson (0-1), 8:00 pm, Hallford
Cedar Grove (1-0) vs. SW DeKalb (1-0), 8:00 pm, Godfrey
Saturday, Aug. 26
Redan (0-1) vs. Lithonia (0-1), 7:30 pm, Hallford
Miller Grove (1-0) vs. Stone Mountain (0-1), 7:30 pm, Godfrey
Banneker () vs. Towers (1-0), 7:30 pm, Avondale
Open: Cross Keys (0-0), Dunwoody (1-0)