Heading into Week 10 of the 2017 Columbia and Miller Grove collide in a crucial Region 5-5A game with state playoff implications at North DeKalb Stadium on Friday night at 7:30 pm.

Columbia is coming off a tough 24-14 loss to region co-leader Arabia Mountain last weekend that dropped the Eagles to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the region. A win would all but assure the Eagles of the No. 3 seed, but with a game remaining against Southwest DeKalb gives them an opportunity to secure a home playoff game.

Quarterback Tremaine Calloway had seven touchdown passes through six games, four to Giovanni Dyer (almost 500 yards receiving), while running back Khalon Manuel has rushed for almost 500 yards and five touchdowns.

Senior strong safety Lavar Gardner and senior linebacker Telvin Godfrey had combined for 15 sacks and 26 tackles for a loss through six games to lead the Eagles on defense.

The Wolverines scrapped to a 7-0 deficit against region co-leader Southwest DeKalb last week before falling 21-0. The loss dipped Miller Grove to 3-4 on the season and 0-2 in region play. A win gives the Wolverines an opportunity to get into that third spot in the state playoffs.

Juniors defensive linemen Mustafa Arnold, Xavier Williams and Aaron Miller and linebacker Jalen Perez combined for eight sacks and 15 tackles for a loss to lead the Wolverine defense through six games.

Quarterback Jamaal Roach has thrown for 686 yards and nine touchdowns through six games to lead the Wolverines’ offense. Receivers Kameron Williams (4 TDs) and Jalen Stuckey (3 TDs) are his main targets.

Columbia leads the series 2-1 against Miller Grove, but dropped a tough 19-18 decision a year ago.

M.L. King Jr. vs. Lovejoy
The Martin Luther King Jr. Lions entertain the Lovejoy Wildcats in a big Region 4-6A game for both teams as far as playoff contention is concerned.

The Lions (3-4, 2-2) could go a long way towards securing their first playoff berth since the 2013 season. Lovejoy (4-4, 2-2) needs a win to stay in position for that third playoff spot.

Running back Marcellious Lockett rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown in the Lions’ 27-17 win over Jonesboro at Godfrey Stadium last weekend. Quarterback Jacobi Haynes threw touchdown passes to Kevin Epps and Antonio Kennon Jr in the win.

Defensive back Donovan Corbett had nine tackles including two sacks and three tackles for a loss to lead the Lions’ defense in the victory.

Lovejoy is coming off a home loss to region co-leader Tucker 36-7 last Friday night.

In other Region 4-6A play, both region co-leaders Tucker and Stephenson go on the road to play Thursday night contests.

The No. 1 ranked Tucker Tigers (6-1, 4-0) face off with Charles Drew (2-5, 1-3) at 7:30 pm at Southern Crescent Stadium in Riverdale as the Tigers look to maintain their ranking and position at the top of the region standings.

Stephenson (5-2, 4-0), the No. 8 ranked team in Class 6A, wants to keep pace with Tucker as they travel to Jonesboro’s Tara Stadium to take on Mt. Zion-Jonesboro (1-6, 1-3) at 7:00 pm.

DCSD FOOTBALL WEEK 10 SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct. 19
Stephenson (5-2) vs. Mt. Zion-Jonesboro (1-6), Tara Stadium, 7:00 pm
Tucker (6-1) vs. Charles Drew (2-5), Southern Crescent, 7:30 pm

Friday Oct. 20
Pace Academy (2-4) vs. McNair (3-4), Godfrey, 5:15 pm
Columbia (4-3, 1-1) vs. Miller Grove (3-4, 0-2), North DeKalb, 7:30 pm
Henry Co. (0-7) vs. Druid Hills (1-6), Adams, 7:30 pm
Dunwoody (2-5) at Centennial (5-3), 7:30 pm
Lovejoy (4-4) vs. M.L. King Jr. (3-4), Hallford, 7:30 pm
Redan (2-5) vs. Towers (3-4), Avondale, 7:30 pm
SW DeKalb (5-2) vs. Lithonia (2-5), Godfrey, 8:00 pm

Saturday, Oct. 21
Chamblee (1-6) vs. Arabia Mountain* (5-2), Hallford, 7:30 pm
Stone Mountain (1-6) vs. Cedar Grove* (7-0), Godfrey, 7:30 pm

Open: Clarkston (1-7), Lakeside (1-7)
*-Homecoming