Buck Godfrey Stadium is set to host a key Region 5-3A collision as the No. 2 ranked Cedar Grove Saints host the Westminster Wildcats at 7:30 pm on Friday night.

The two teams have played four times with Westminster giving Cedar Grove its last loss in region play back on September 23, 2016 by a score of 42-21. Since that time the Saints have won 21 consecutive Region 5-3A games including wins of 41-10 (2017) and 30-3 (2018) over Westminster on the way to state titles in 2016 and 2018.

Cedar Grove has played a tough schedule including large classification state champions from Alabama and Colorado and came out 1-1. The Saints fell in a tight 24-20 loss to Alabama champ Central (Phoenix, AL) on a last minute touchdown while rallying in the second half to defeat defending Colorado state champ Valor Christian 27-17.

The Saints defeated then No. 7 ranked Lovett 41-17 to open region play and have shut out Redan (57-0) and Towers (60-0) to get to 3-0 in the region.

Westminster got off to a tough 1-3 start losing to ranked opponents Woodward (4A), Greater Atlanta Christian (3A) and Marist (4A). The Wildcats rebounded in region play by defeating Towers (51-6) and Pace Academy (36-21) to move to 2-0 and even their record at 3-3.

Senior running back Chavon Wright leads the Saints ground attach averaging 111.3 yards per game (103 carries, 779 yards) and has eight touchdowns. Junior quarterback Austin Smith runs the offense passing for 916 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 119 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Janiran Bonner is Smith’s big play guy in the passing game with 435 yards on 24 receptions (18.1/rec) and nine touchdowns.

Region 5-5A
There are several key games in DeKalb’s Region 5-5A race as teams move into the second week of region play with Arabia Mountain, Columbia and Southwest DeKalb all 1-0 to lead the standings.

Arabia Mountain (1-5) and Columbia (1-5) clash on Friday at 7:30 pm at Avondale Stadium with the winner moving to 2-0 in the region. The Rams are coming off an 8-6 region opening win over Miller Grove two weeks ago while the Eagles knocked off Lithonia (40-21).

The Rams are struggling to score offensively and will have to try to slow down the high flying Eagles’ offense led by quarterback Octavious Griffin (149-82-3, 1,438 yards, 15 TDs). Griffin has spread the ball around to his receivers including William Hemsley (23 receptions, 483 yards, 9 TDs) and Anthony Dennis (20 receptions, 340 yards, 2 TDs) and Kentavious Ivey (14 receptions, 300 yards, 2 TDs).

Senior receiver Jordan Barrow leads the Rams with 11 receptions for 265 yards and three touchdowns.

Southwest DeKalb (5-1, 1-0) takes on Miller Grove (0-6, 0-1) as the Panthers try to remain undefeated in region action. Junior quarterback Rion White (110-59-4, 993 yards, 10 TDs) kick starts the Panthers on offense along with senior receivers Aquil Muhammad (25 receptions, 458 yards, 6 TDs) and Tommy Wright (21 receptions, 356 yards, 3 TDs).

Thursday Night Football
The Martin Luther King Jr. Lions (5-1, 3-1) head to Tara Stadium to take on Forest Park (1-5, 0-4) in Region 4-6A action on Thursday at 7:00 pm.

A stake atop the region standings is on the line for the Lions who knocked off Lovejoy 18-12 in overtime last week behind the performance of running back Michael Fearns who ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime.

DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct. 17 – WEEK 9
AWAY
M.L. King (5-1) vs. Forest Park (1-5), Tara Stadium, 7:00 pm

Friday, Oct. 18
ADAMS STADIUM
Norcross (1-5) vs. Lakeside (0-7), 7:30 pm

AVONDALE STADIUM
Arabia Mountain (1-5) vs. Columbia (1-5), 7:30 pm

GODFREY STADIUM
Westminster (3-3) vs. Cedar Grove (5-2), 7:30 pm

HALLFORD STADIUM
SW DeKalb (5-1) vs. Miller Grove (0-6), 7:30 pm (HC)

NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Centennial (0-6) vs. Dunwoody (2-4), 7:30 pm

AWAY
Clarkston (0-7) at Union Grove (4-2), 7:30 pm
Druid Hills (2-4) vs. North Clayton (1-5), Southern Crescent Stadium, 7:30 pm
Stephenson (5-1) vs. Mundy’s Mill (3-4), Twelve Oaks Stadium, 7:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 19
GODFREY STADIUM
Chamblee (0-5) vs. Lithonia (1-5), 7:30 pm

HALLFORD STADIUM
Redan (3-3) vs. Stone Mountain (1-5), 7:30 pm

Open: Cross Keys (0-8), McNair (0-7), Towers (2-5), Tucker (4-3)