Towers Khalil White (5) is a big offensive weapon for the Titans and Druid Hills defender DeMarco Lemons (54) and his teammates are tasked with slowing him down. (Photos by Mark Brock)
Druid Hills taking on Towers and Southwest DeKalb facing off with Redan in a pair of DeKalb rivalries top this week’s home schedule.
The week kicks off first however tonight (Thursday) as Stephenson and Miller Grove go on the road to Clayton County for a pair of games. The No. 8 ranked Stephenson Jaguars (2-0) open Region 4-6A play as they matchup with the Mt. Zion Bulldogs (0-2) at 7:00 pm at Tara Stadium.
Miller Grove (0-2) travels to Southern Crescent Stadium for a 7:00 pm non-region contest with Riverdale (2-1).
The DeKalb home schedule kicks off on Friday as Druid Hills (1-1) and Towers (1-2) meet for the 17th time as they lock horns at 7:30 ppm at Avondale Stadium on Friday night.
The Red Devils are coming off a bye week following a loss to South Atlanta two weeks ago while Towers plays for the fourth consecutive week also coming off a loss to Douglass a week ago.
Towers leads the series 9-7, but Druid Hills won last year’s meeting 20-12. Towers has a potent trio on offense in quarterback Isaiah Logan (4th in DeKalb with 452 yards passing) and receivers Khalil White (217 yards receiving, 2 TDs) and Shun Taylor (125 yards receiving, 1 TD). The Titans defense is led by linebacker Ahmad Branden (18 tackles) and defensive end Demarious Marshall (16 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 1 fumble caused and 1 fumble recovery.
Druid Hills is led on offense by Celeste Birorimana (65 yards/game, 1 TD) and receiver Graham Connell (107 yards receiving, 1 TD). The defense is led by a trio of linebackers including Quantarrius Martin (12 tackles), Paul George (12 tackles) and Mekel Blackwell (10 tackles).
DeKalb’s current leader rusher Redan’s Jaquez Williams (3) and Southwest DeKalb’s Khoreem Miller (22) lead their teams into their rivalry. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The Southwest DeKalb Panthers got back on track last week with a 28-9 win over Tri-Cities after a loss to Stephenson the previous week. The Panthers (2-1) play host to the Redan Raiders (2-1) as the two teams share one of the longest rivalries heading into its 36th meeting.
Southwest DeKalb leads the series 33-2 and won last year’s meeting 41-0. Redan is much improved over a year ago and running back Jaquez Williams leads the county in rushing after three weeks of play with 424 yards (138 yards/game) and 6 TDs. Senior linebacker Tyronta Taylor leads the Raiders’ defense with 20 tackles (3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss) and three interceptions on the season.
Quarterbacks Rion White and Seoul Newton have combined for 643 yards passing and 7 TDs to lead the offense. The receiver duo of Tommy Wright (15 receptions) and Aquil Muhammad (14 receptions) have combined for 529 yards and six touchdowns.
Junior linebacker Darrionque Finley leads the Panthers’ defense with 22 tackles (4 sacks) with defensive ends Keun Neal (19 tackles, 2 sacks) and John Grant (18 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss).
The MaxPreps No. 4 nationally ranked small school Cedar Grove Saints face another big school as they travel to McEachern on Friday.
A big game out of the county on Friday night has Class 3A defending champ and No. 2 ranked Cedar Grove travelling to Marietta to take on Class 7A McEachern. It is the third week in a row the Saints (2-1) have faced a team from a high classification, including last week’s rally for a 27-17 win at Valor Christian in Highland Ranch, Colorado.
Another trip out of state is happening on Friday night as well when the Columbia Eagles (1-2) travel to Chester, SC to face the defending South Carolina champions Cyclones (2-1) at 7:30 pm.
DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Week 4
Thursday, Sept. 12
Away Games
Stephenson (2-0) vs. Mt. Zion (0-2), 7:00 pm, Tara Stadium
Miller Grove (0-2) vs. Riverdale (2-1), 7:00 pm, Southern Crescent
Friday, Sept. 13
Adams Stadium
Forest Park (0-2) vs. Tucker (0-2), 7:30 pm
Avondale Stadium
Druid Hills (1-2) vs. Towers (1-2), 7:30 pm
Godfrey Stadium
Redan (2-1) vs. SW DeKalb (2-1), 7:30 pm
Hallford Stadium
Lithia Springs (0-2) vs. Clarkston (0-3), 5:15 pm
Newton (2-0) vs. Arabia Mountain (0-3), 8:00 pm
North DeKalb Stadium
Duluth (0-3) vs. Lakeside (0-2), 7:30 pm
Away Games
Dunwoody (1-1) at Cambridge (1-1), 7:30 pm
Columbia (1-2) at Chester Co. SC (2-1), 7:30 pm
Cross Keys (0-3) at Callaway (1-1), 7:30 pm
Cedar Grove (2-1) at McEachern (2-0), 7:30 pm
Stone Mountain (1-2) at Northwest Whitfield (1-1), 7:30 pm
McNair (0-2) at Cartersville (2-0), 7:30 pm
Open: Chamblee (0-2), Lithonia (3-0), M.L. King (2-0)