Stephenson’s Javier Morton (2) makes a touchdown grab on a pass from Joseph Jackson. (Photo by Arielle Hayes)
Four DeKalb football teams took on and defeated Region 4-6A opponents this past weekend while picking up three region victories along the way.
The Stephenson Jaguars rebounded from a tough 14-9 loss to Mt. Zion two weeks ago to rout Morrow 34-7 with a big second half.
Tied at 7-7 at the half, the Jaguars scored 27 points in the second half and shutout Morrow the rest of the way behind a rushing attack that put up 218 yards in the game led by Deondre Jackson (23 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD).
Quarterback Joseph Jackson was four of nine passing for 108 yards and a touchdown pass to Javier Morton (2 receptions, 62 yards).
The Jaguars defense did not allow a score in the game as Morrow intercepted a pass and returned for the teams’ only points of the night.
Stephenson improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the Region 4-6A standings.
M.L. King 14, Mt. Zion 13
The Martin Luther King Jr. Lions improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2012 season as they rallied and held off Mt. Zion 14-13 with big plays in all phases of the game.
Down 7-0 at the half, the Lions (3-0, 1-0) scored 14 points in the third quarter to take the lead for good. Dequandre Moore shifted the momentum to the Lions as he returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter and Jeremy Cain’s PAT tied the game at 7-7.
Quarterback Jacobi Haynes (21 carries, 177 yards, 1 TD) gave the Lions a big strike on offense as he got loose for an 88-yard run to the end zone. Cain was again good on the PAT to give the Lions a 14-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Stephenson defensive lineman Bailey Malachi (55) makes a tackle. (Photo by Arielle Hayes)
Two plays into the fourth period the Bulldogs scored on a screen pass to pull within 14-13. Keion Cush came up big on the extra point attempt with a big block to preserve the one-point lead for the Lions.
Mt. Zion was driving deep in Lions’ territory with just over a minute left when Trevon Jackson picked off a pass in the end zone and returned it out to eight. The Lions then went into the victory formation to run out the clock. It was Jackson’s second interception of the game.
The 3-0 start matches the 2012 Lions which defeated Stockbridge (23-0), Southwest DeKalb (18-0) and Mays (29-23) to open the season. The team would finish the regular season 10-0 with the Region 6-5A title and advance to the Sweet 16 of the state playoffs where they fell in a 20-19 loss to Allatoona.
Tucker 44, Mundy’s Mill 20
Myles Crawley threw three touchdown passes to lead the Tucker Tigers (2-2, 2-0) to a 44-20 rout of the Mundy’s Mill Tigers (2-3, 0-2) at Southern Crescent Stadium on Friday night.
Crawley finished 9 of 12 for 165 yards in the game while receiver Isaiah Dunson had four receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns (he also had 2 touchdowns against Forest Park the week before).
Randy Britt and Justin Carter led the Tiger defense as both finished with three tackles for a loss in the game.
Southwest DeKalb 26, Lovejoy 14
Southwest DeKalb (3-1) went on the road to play Region 4-6A entry Lovejoy (3-1) and came away with a 26-14 victory in the non-region contest on Friday.
The Panthers jumped out to an 18-0 lead in the first quarter and scored another touchdown in the third quarter on the way to the 26-14 win. It was the second year in a row for the Panthers to knock off the Wildcats.
Rion White ran for three touchdowns and Mekhi Gilstrap added a score in the game for the Panthers.
DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Friday, Sept. 20 – Week 5
ADAMS STADIUM
Johnson-Gainesville (3-2) 56, Cross Keys (0-5) 0
Luella (1-3) 35, Druid Hills (2-2) 6
AVONDALE STADIUM
KIPP Academy (2-3) 43, McNair (0-4) 6
GODFREY STADIUM
M.L. King Jr. (3-0) 14, Mt. Zion (1-3) 13
HALLFORD STADIUM
Stephenson (3-1) 34, Morrow (2-3) 7
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Northview (3-1) 23, Dunwoody (2-2) 7
AWAY GAMES
Heritage-Conyers (2-2) 25, Arabia Mountain (0-5) 7
Pickens Co. (2-2) 44, Chamblee (0-3) 3
Berkmar (3-0) 40, Clarkston (0-5) 6
Forsyth Central (2-1) 49, Lakeside (0-4) 6
Pebblebrook (2-2) 32, Lithonia (1-3) 14
Coffee County (5-0) 45, Miller Grove (0-4) 0
SW DeKalb (4-1) 26, Lovejoy (3-1) 14
Tucker (2-2) 44, Mundy’s Mill (2-3) 20
OPEN: Cedar Grove (2-2), Columbia (0-4), Redan (2-2), Stone Mountain (1-3), Towers (2-2)