Cedar Grove’s Jadon Haselwood returns an interception. The junior had two inteceptions and a touchdown reception in win over Pike County. (Photo by Mark Brock)
A pair of No. 1s vs. No. 4s state high school football playoffs semifinals are set for DeKalb County on Friday with Cedar Grove (Class 3A No. 1) and Tucker (Class 6A No. 1) hosting for a spot in the state championship round.
The 13-0 Saints play host to the No. 4 ranked Calhoun Yellowjackets (12-1) in a 7:30 pm kickoff at Godfrey Stadium.
Cedar Grove is riding a 23-game winning streak including a 47-21 third round victory over Calhoun in last year’s Class 3A state playoffs.
A 28-0 shutout of Pike County last week at Godfrey Stadium was fueled by two Jadon Haselwood interceptions and Xavier Dennis passing for one touchdown and running for another. Darrell Neal and Chevon Wright added rushing touchdowns.
The win propelled the Saints into the semifinals for the third consecutive year and improved their playoff record to 18-13 including eight consecutive wins and 11 out of their last 12.
Calhoun rolled to a 31-7 road victory over Liberty County behind the play of quarterback Gavin Gray who threw for three touchdowns in the win.
The Yellowjackets reached the state semifinals for the eighth time in 10 seasons and are 38-7 in that time span including six state title appearances and state titles in 2011 and 2014.
This the third playoff meeting between the two schools with the series tied. Calhoun won the first meeting in 2014 by a score of 38-18. Both previous meetings were played in Calhoun.
Class 6A Semifinals – Tucker vs. Coffee
Tucker defensive end Antonio Showers collects a tackle for a loss against Allatoona. He also had 3 sacks in the game. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The No. 1 ranked Tucker Tigers also playing for a second consecutive trip to the state finals as they host the No. 4 ranked Coffee Trojans at 7:30 pm on Friday at Adams Stadium.
Tucker improved to 47-25 all-time in state playoff play with a tough 20-12 victory over Allatoona last Friday night at Adams Stadium.
A pair of big special teams plays to start the second half rallied the Tigers from a 6-0 halftime deficit behind a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Tyler Hughley to give the Tigers the lead for good at 7-6. Trevon Flowers blocked and recovered the punt to set up a field goal that gave Tucker a 12-0 early in the third quarter.
A 14-yard touchdown pass from Travon Ford to Isaiah Dunson and a Kyle Wright 26-yard field goal made it a 20-6 lead before Allatoona scored a late touchdown.
The semifinal appearance is the Tigers’ seventh since 2003 and they are 3-3 with state championships coming in 2008 and 2011.
Coffee advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 1981 with a 28-14 road win over No. 6 Alpharetta last Friday night.
The two teams are meeting for the first time in playoff history and both enter with a win over Northside-Warner Robins. Coffee nipped No. 5 Northside 14-12 in a Region 1-6A regular season game while the Tigers knocked off the Eagles 28-7 in second round playoff action.
DCSD 2017 STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Friday, Dec. 1
CLASS 3A
Calhoun (12-1) vs. Cedar Grove (13-0), Godfrey, 7:30 pm
CLASS 6A
Coffee (9-3) vs. Tucker (12-1), Adams, 7:30 pm