The 14th Annual DCSD Middle School Football Trail to the Title Playoffs begin Saturday.

The 14th annual Trail to the Title Playoffs begin on Saturday as eight teams line up to begin the road to the championship game on Saturday, November 4 at Hallford Stadium.

Adams Stadium plays host to two of the first round matchups with Tucker (6-0) hosting Cedar Grove (3-2-1) at 10:00 am and Stephenson (5-1) hosting Miller Grove (4-2) at 11:30 am.

The Region 1 champions Tucker Tigers, ranked No. 3 in the B2C Prime 21 Poll, enter the playoffs undefeated on the season and riding a five consecutive shutouts streak. Latavius Johnson leads the offense which is scoring 42.3 points per game this season.

Outside linebackers Joshua Morgan and Barry Manning are the leaders of the defense which has allowed just 14 points this season.

Cedar Grove enters as the Region 2 runner-up after winning its final two games of the season, including an 8-0 victory over Chapel Hill to clinch the playoff spot.

Running backs Mazin Murray and Christian Litman have been big contributors on offense for the Saints this season. Defensive end Conrad Stewart along with defensive back Terrance Williams and Camron Hill lead the defensive charge.

Stephenson vs. Miller Grove
Defending champions Stephenson Jaguars, ranked No. 16 in the B2C Prime 21 Poll, won their fifth Trail to the Title championship last year 20-16 over Tucker and return to the playoffs for the 13th time in 14 years having won the Region 2 championship.

The Jaguars put up four shutouts defensively and allowed just 13 points all season. Defensive back Kiem Holmes has played a big role on defense with a pair of interception returns for touchdowns.

Cordell Andrews has been a force in the return game with both a punt and kickoff return this season. Quarterback Dylan Milbury and receiver Travon Farrell are potent duo on offense for the Jaguars.

Miller Grove, a three-time Trail to the Title champion, enters the playoffs as the No. 2 seed from Region 3 after dropping a tough 6-0 to Lithonia in the region title game a week ago.

Running back Jaydan Brown leads the ground attack for the Wolverines on offense. The defense has a pair of shutouts on the season led by Jean Cherelus and Jamari Earls.

Buck Godfrey Stadium plays host to two first round games of the 14th Annual DCSD Middle School Football Trail to the Title Playoffs on Saturday.

Lithonia vs. Renfroe
Godfrey Stadium host the other two first round games with Lithonia (5-1) hosting Renfroe (4-1-1) at 10:00 am and Bethune (6-0) hosting Peachtree (3-3) at 11:30 am.

Lithonia comes in riding a five-game win streak which includes the last three by shutout giving the Bulldogs four on the season.

Styland Scott is the big threat offensively and in the return game for the Bulldogs with four touchdowns on kick returns, including 205 return yards and 2 touchdowns in a 16-8 win over Salem earlier this season. Omarion Stansbury leads the tough defense the Bulldogs have put forth heading into the playoffs.

Renfroe returns to the playoffs for the third time in four seasons after missing the 2016 postseason. The Bulldogs are the No. 2 seed from Region 2.

Marquis Hood leads the Bulldog offense with four rushing touchdowns and two by receiving. Nahshon Smith, Harrison Hannah, Kenric Lanier and Phyrliss Clark lead the defense which has a pair of shutouts on the season.

Bethune vs. Peachtree
The Bethune Lions, the No. 4 ranked team in the B2C Prime 21 Poll, swept through the regular season undefeated to win the Region 4 title with four shutouts this season while averaging 33.3 points per game.

Versatile players Rashad Dubinion and Janairin Bonner lead the way for the Lions. Dubinion has scored 13 touchdowns via the run (7), receiving (4) and kickoff return (2) while contributing over 30 tackles and 2 interceptions on defense. Bonner has 11 touchdowns on offense via the run (7) and receiving (4) with some 34 tackles and 1 interception on defense.

Peachtree pulled out an 8-6 victory over Chamblee last week to snare the Region 1 No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs. The Patriots are led by the athletic Jameel Avery who has two kickoff returns (65 and 67 yards) for touchdowns.

MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
TRAIL TO THE TITLE PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY, OCT. 21 – FIRST ROUND
ADAMS STADIUM
TUCKER (6-0) VS. CEDAR GROVE (3-2-1), 10:00 AM
STEPHENSON (5-1) VS. MILLER GROVE (4-2), 11:30 AM

GODFREY STADIUM
LITHONIA (5-1) VS. RENFROE (4-1-1), 10:00 AM
BETHUNE (6-0) VS. PEACHTREE (3-3), 11:30 AM