Dunwoody quarterback Davis Ledoyen will use his arm and legs in the Battle for the Golden Spike. (Photo by Mark Brock)
North DeKalb Stadium is once again the site for the Battle of the Golden Spike with the Chamblee Bulldogs hosting the Dunwoody Wildcats in the sixth annual renewal at 7:30 pm on Friday.
Dunwoody has raised the Golden Spike in victory all five of the previous Battles of the Golden Spike which dates back to 2014, including a 23-7 victory a year ago. The Wildcat victories include 19-14 in 2014, 3-0 in 2015, 43-6 in 2016 and 16-0 in 2017.
The Golden Spike trophy is representative of the railroad which connected the two towns.
The Wildcats now lead the overall series between the two schools 12-9 with the five consecutive victories in the series. Chamblee had won 9 of the first 16 meetings as they head into the 22nd edition of the rivalry.
Both teams enter the game 0-1 on the season looking for that first win of 2019. Chamblee dropped a decision to Forsyth Central (43-10) on the road in Coach Scott Schwarzer’s first year at the helm of the Bulldogs.
Dunwoody played a tough defensive game before falling to No. 8 ranked St. Pius X 10-8 on a 34-yard field goal with 1:34 to play in the game at North DeKalb. Tyler Eith’s touchdown reception and two-point conversion catch had put the Wildcats up 8-7 with 5:54 to play in the game. Coach Mike Nash is 4-0 in the Golden Spike series and versus Chamblee overall.
It could be a complete Air Raid game as both teams spread it out and throw the ball around. Chamblee’s Finn Ellers was 24-39 for 211 yards and a touchdown in the Bulldogs’ season opener. Jeremiah Brown had 11 catches for 86 yards and Jameel Avery had five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown in the game vs. Forsyth Central.
Dunwoody’s David Ledoyen was 28 of 38 for 215 yards and a touchdown in the Wildcats heartbreaking loss to St. Pius X. Tyler Eith had 13 receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown to with David Julian’s eight receptions for 66 yards.
Chamblee receiver/defensive back Jeremiah Brown is one to watch for the Bulldogs as they take on Dunwoody in the Battle for the Golden Spike. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Arabia Mountain vs. M.L. King Jr.
Another neighborhood rivalry takes place at Godfrey Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm as the Arabia Mountain Rams (0-2) face off with the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions.
The Rams are trying to break their two-game slide to start the season having lost 31-11 to Carver-Atlanta and 21-0 to Stockbridge to open the season.
The Lions are coming off a big 26-14 win over Villa Rica this past week in their season opener. King had lost a tough one to Villa Rica a year ago. Jacobi Haynes led the way for the Lions as he rushed 242 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and passed 113 yards and touchdown while hitting on six of eight passes. Michael Fearn Jr. added 100 yards rushing and a touchdown on 25 carries.
Arabia Mountain took a 3-2 lead in the series with a 21-0 win a year ago.
Redan vs. McNair
A 7:30 pm matchup at Avondale Stadium represents the 21st meeting between the Redan Raiders and McNair Mustangs with the Raiders leading the series 14-6.
McNair won the 2018 meeting 15-13 in a tight game. Redan won a 13-7 decision in 2017 as the last two meetings have been decided by six points or less.
The two teams are joining the Cleveland Robert Foundation in collaboration with the Georgia Prostate Cancer Coalition to help to recognize the month of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
The Cleveland Robert Foundation represents One Voice for all men and their families who have succumbed and suffering from this disease.
Both teams will be wearing powder blue accessories and a ribbon sticker to show their support for the cause.
Columbia vs. Valdosta
Hurricane Dorian caused the cancellation of Columbia’s trip to Rockledge (FL) for a game on Friday night, but with Valdosta also losing a game due to the storm the two filled the gap with a game at Valdosta at 7:30 pm on Friday.
Cedar Grove vs. Valor Christian
The Cedar Grove Saints are headed to Highlands Ranch, Colorado to take on the Colorado state champion Valor Christian in a cross-country matchup set for 9:00 pm eastern.
DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Week 3
Friday, Sept. 6
Avondale Stadium
Redan (1-1) vs. McNair (0-1), 7:30 pm
(Prostate Cancer Awareness Night)
Godfrey Stadium
M.L. King (1-0) vs. Arabia Mountain (0-2), 7:30 pm
Hallford Stadium
Lithonia (2-0) vs. Stone Mountain (1-1), 7:30 pm
North DeKalb Stadium
Dunwoody (0-1) vs. Chamblee (0-1), 7:30 pm
(Battle for the Golden Spike)
Away Games
Columbia (1-1) at Valdosta (2-0), 7:30 pm
Cross Keys (0-2) at Social Circle (0-1), 7:30 pm
Cedar Grove (1-1) at Valor Christian (Colorado) 9:00 pm Eastern
Towers (1-1) at Douglass (2-0), Lakewood Stadium, 5:30 pm
Saturday, Sept. 7
Away Games
Clarkston (0-2) at South Atlanta (1-1), Lakewood Stadium, 7:00 pm
SW DeKalb (1-1) at Tri-Cities (0-1), 5:30 pm
Open: Druid Hills (1-1), Lakeside (0-2), Miller Grove (0-2), Stephenson (0-2), Tucker (0-2)