Stephenson quarterback Joseph Jackson (15) calls signals out as his lineman prepare to block. (Photo by Travis Hudgons, iShoot Atlanta Sports Photography)
Several DeKalb football teams are playing key region games this weekend as five homecoming games are on tap for the seven game home schedule.
The No. 10 ranked Stephenson Jaguars (5-1, 4-0) host the Mundy’s Mill Tigers (5-2, 3-2) in a Region 4-6A matchup which has a big bearing on the looming state playoffs for both teams.
The Jaguars, who recently re-entered the Class 6A state rankings, are looking to pull into a dead even tie with the No. 5 ranked Tucker Tigers (6-1, 5-0) who are off this weekend. Stephenson is coming off a 41-0 shutout win over Forest Park in Region 4-6A action last weekend.
Stephenson enters the game with Mundy’s Mill with a 2-0 lead in the series which started three seasons ago with the two teams both entering Region 4-6A after the last reclassification. Stephenson won the 2016 meeting 21-7 and last year took a 38-14 win.
Jevon Goff is the leading rusher for the Jaguars and ran for 192 yards against the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions in a 29-6 win two weeks.
Senior linebacker Tra’ Wilkins is one of the leaders on the Jaguars’ defense with 38 tackles (5 for loss, 2 sacks) and one interception on the season. Senior teammate and defensive lineman Tyler Brown and sophomore linebacker Omari Terry also had 38 tackles including one sack and two tackles for a loss each through the first five games.
Mundy’s Mill is an improving squad that pushed Lovejoy (34-36) and Tucker (36-35 OT) to limit with a high flying aerial attack led by junior quarterback Ryan Nobles (13 touchdown passes) and senior receiver Nick Manson (17 receptions, 340 yards, 8 TDs).
The Tigers currently sit in fourth place in the region standings and look to at least hold onto that last playoff spot.
In another Region 4-6A game in DeKalb, the Martin Luther King Lions (1-5, 1-3) are working to end a four-game losing string as they host the Forest Park Panthers (0-6, 0-4). The Lions are coming off a tough 16-12 loss to Lovejoy last Friday night.
Region 5-5A
The all-DeKalb County Region 5-5A slate goes into its second week after a week off for most of the teams last week.
Two-time defending champions Arabia Mountain Rams (3-3, 1-0) hosts the Columbia Eagles (1-5, 0-1) for homecoming at Godfrey Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm. The Rams are coming off a 23-6 win over region and DeKalb rival Miller Grove two weeks ago while the Eagles came up just short on fourth and goal in a 7-6 loss to Lithonia the same weekend.
Lithonia (4-2, 1-0) takes on the Chamblee Bulldogs (0-6, 0-1) at North DeKalb Stadium on Friday for Chamblee’s homecoming set to kickoff at 7:30 pm
Miller Grove (1-5, 0-1) is the homecoming guest for the No. 10 ranked Southwest DeKalb Panthers (6-0, 1-0) at Hallford Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 pm.
Cedar Grove’s Jaden Haselwood (2) celebrates with teammate Aaron Strozier (13) following Strozier’s touchdown. (Photo by Travis Hudgons, iShoot Atlanta Sports Photography)
Region 5-3A
The No. 2 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (6-1, 3-0) go on the road to take on No. 5 ranked Westminster (4-2, 2-0) with the top spot in Region 5-3A on the line.
The Saints are coming off an 80-0 shutout of Towers in which Cedar Grove scored its first 28 points without the offense ever stepping foot on the field.
Westminster picked up a big win last week by defeating Pace Academy 28-16 to set up the big matchup with Cedar Grove.
Redan’s Dennis Roberson turns upfield during action earlier this season. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Redan (0-6, 0-3) and Stone Mountain (0-6, 0-3) are both looking for their first region victory and first win of the season as Redan hosts Stone Mountain for homecoming in a game set for 7:30 pm on Saturday at Avondale Stadium.
Region 4-4A
The Druid Hills Red Devils (2-4, 0-3) host North Clayton (0-6, 0-2) at Adams Stadium on Friday night at 7:30.
Druid Hills is looking to end a three-game skid and pick up a region victory as they host North Clayton.
DCSD FOOTBALL WEEK 9 SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 12
ADAMS STADIUM
North Clayton (0-6) vs. Druid Hills* (2-4) (HC), 7:30 pm
AVONDALE
Forest Park (0-6) vs. M.L. King* (1-5), 7:30 pm
GODFREY STADIUM
Columbia (1-5) vs. Arabia Mountain* (3-3) (HC), 7:30 pm
HALLFORD STADIUM
Mundy’s Mill (5-2) vs. Stephenson* (5-1), 7:30 pm
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Lithonia (4-2) vs. Chamblee* (0-6) (HC), 7:30 pm
AWAY
Cedar Grove (6-1) at Westminster* (4-2), 7:30 pm
Clarkston (0-7) at Union Grove (3-3), 7:30 pm
Dunwoody (1-5) at Centennial* (4-2), 7:30 pm
Lakeside (1-6) at Norcross* (2-4), 7:30 pm
Saturday, Oct. 13
AVONDALE STADIUM
Stone Mountain (0-6) vs. Redan* (0-6) (HC), 7:30 pm
HALLFORD STADIUM
Miller Grove (1-5) vs. SW DeKalb* (6-0) (HC), 7:30 pm
OPEN: Cross Keys (0-8), McNair (2-5), Towers (0-7), Tucker (5-2)
*– Region Game
(HC) – Homecoming
(SN) – Senior Night