Stephenson’s Javon Goff scores against Cedar Grove in the season opener. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Hallford Stadium plays the host for the 14th meeting in the Stephenson Jaguars and Southwest DeKalb Panthers rivalry on Friday at 7:30 pm to top the list of just eight games during a light week of DeKalb County high school football action.

Stephenson (0-2) holds an 8-5 lead in the series having won the last 6 meetings by a total of 174-14 including last year’s 21-0 victory. The series was interrupted from 2006-2011 and the Jaguars have won the five meetings since the renewal in that 2012 season. Stephenson is 178-69-0 in 22 seasons under Ron Gartrell, the only coach the Jaguars have had.
Southwest DeKalb (2-1) won the first three matchups (1998-2000) before Stephenson won its first in the series in 2001 and a second in 2002.
The Panthers need eight more wins to become the second DeKalb County football program to reach the historic 500-win plateau as they sit at 492-258-13 in 69 seasons.
Stephenson comes into the game at 0-2 on the season with losses to Cedar Grove (34-13) and Mill Creek (31-13). The Jaguars are coming off a bye week with the Panthers as their final non-region game of the year.
Jevon Goff (80 yards, 1 TD) and Ryan Ingram (76 yards, 1 TD) lead the Jaguar’s ground game heading into the rivalry showdown. Senior defensive lineman Chad Martin (23 tackles, 1 for loss) and senior linebacker Kelvin Peters (22 tackles, 1 for loss) lead the Jaguar defense.
Southwest DeKalb enters the game with a 2-1 mark in 2017 that includes a loss to Cedar Grove (37-7) and wins over Redan (41-2) and Creekside (28-0). The Panthers are looking to go 3-1 on the season heading into a bye week next weekend.

Southwest DeKalb’s Justin Tomlin hands off to running back Francisco Hunter. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Justin Tomlin rushed for 210 yards and 1 touchdown and passed for 288 yards and 5 touchdowns in the first two games of the season. His top targets this season have been sophomore Tommy Wright (8 catches, 57 yards), sophomore Aquil Muhammad (5 catches, 98 yards, 2 TDs) and senior Michael Pace (2 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD).

Senior linebacker Eris Walker leads the Panthers’ defense with 14 tackles (1 sack) while senior strong safety Francisco Hunter and junior defensive end Josh Tate both have 11 tackles with Tate adding one sack.
Columbia (2-1) vs. Cedar Grove (2-0)
Godfrey Stadium is hosting the 17th meeting between the Columbia Eagles and Class 3A No. 3 ranked Cedar Grove Saints at 7:30 pm on Friday.
Cedar Grove holds a 10-6 advantage in the series, but the two teams have split the past four meetings following the Saints’ 40-0 victory a year ago.
The Saints are coming off a bye week following wins of 34-13 over Stephenson and 37-7 over Southwest DeKalb. Cedar Grove held Southwest DeKalb to minus-4 yards of total offense in the first half of the 37-7 victory. The defense is led by junior linebacker William Jenkins (19 tackles, 1 sack, 3.5 for loss), sophomore linebacker Isaiah Ratcliff (17 tackles, 0.5 sack, 4.5 for loss) and senior defensive end Roderic Forts (12 tackles, 3 sacks, 5.5 for loss and 3 fumbles caused).
Cedar Grove’s offense is led by senior quarterback Xavier Dennis (93 yards rushing, 2 TDs; 225 yards passing, 3 TDs), junior running back Darrell Neal (187 yards rushing, 4 TDs) and junior receiver Jadon Haselwood (3 touchdowns).
Junior Khalon Manuel has 205 yards rushing and 2 TDs to lead the Eagles’ ground attack. Senior quarterback Tramaine Holloway directs the offense with 293 yards passing, 2 TDs while receiver Giovanni Dyer has collected two touchdowns on 253 yards receiving and 9 receptions.
Columbia’s defense is led by senior linebacker Telvin Godfrey and senior strong safety Lavar Gardner who combined for 7 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss in the Eagles’ two wins.
DCSD WEEK 4 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 8
Arabia Mountain (3-0) at Dacula (0-2), 7:30 pm
Columbia (2-1) vs. Cedar Grove (2-0), Godfrey, 7:30 pm
Clarkston (0-3) vs. South Atlanta (0-3), Lakewood, 7:00 pm
Druid Hills (0-2) vs. Lakeside (0-2), Adams, 7:30 pm
North Atlanta (2-0) vs. Dunwoody (2-0), North DeKalb, 7:30 pm
McNair (2-0) vs. Therrell (0-3), Lakewood, 5:30 pm
Miller Grove (2-1) at Salem (1-1), 7:30 pm
SW DeKalb (2-1) vs. Stephenson (0-2), Hallford, 7:30 pm
OPEN: Chamblee (1-2), Cross Keys (0-1), Lithonia (1-2), M.L. King Jr. (1-2), Redan (1-2), Stone Mountain (1-2), Towers (1-2), Tucker (2-1)