Chamblee’s Jameel Avery (left) and the high powered Bulldog offense take on Dunwoody’s Porter Ledoyen (right, 8), Conrad Smith (52, right) and their Wildcat teammates in the 24th meeting of the Golden Spike series. (Photos by Mark Brock)
One of the longest DeKalb County football rivalries renews for the 24th time as the Chamblee Bulldogs host the Dunwoody Wildcats in the Battle for the Golden Spike on Friday at North DeKalb Stadium as part of a seven game schedule in DeKalb County this weekend.
The tilt is scheduled for a 7:30 pm kickoff in the series between the two towns formerly connected by the railroad battle for the Golden Spike Trophy.
Chamblee (4-1) won last year’s game 21-10 to break a six-game losing streak to Dunwoody (1-4) behind a Jameel Avery kickoff return for a touchdown and a Dietrich Shugars pick six to help seal the victory.
The Bulldogs are led on offense by quarterback Fabian Walker (97-61-3, 1,152 yards, 19 touchdowns), receivers Jordan Thornton (26 receptions, 441 yards, 7 TDs) and Jameel Avery (16 receptions, 346 yards, 6 TDs) and running back Curt McCorvey (43 carries, 324 yards, 4 TDs).
Senior linebacker Ja’Cari Waller-Watkins leads the way for the Bulldog defense with 47 tackles (3 sacks, 12 TFL) along with junior linebacker Mason Carrington 37 tackles (3 sacks, 7 TFL) and junior defensive end Daniel Chavez 27 tackles (2.5 sacks, 10 TFL). Senior strong safety Sydyk Ross 27 tackles (2 sacks, 8 TFL) has a pick-six and two fumble returns for touchdowns.
Dunwoody is led by quarterback/athlete Porter LeDoyen (48 carries, 322 yards, 1 TD; 31-18-0 passing, 190 yards, 2 TDs) on the offensive side of the football. The defense is led by linebackers Rontae Langford 27 tackles (1 sack, 2 TFL) and Alex Lenertz 22 tackles (1 TFL), defensive lineman Luke Cole 24 tackles (4 sacks, 3 TFL) and defensive back J. Norris Neal 24 tackles.
Big running games collide in Region 6-4A meeting led by Miller Grove’s Jayden Brown (left) and Arabia Mountain’s Solomon Rayton (right). (Photos by Mark Brock)
Miller Grove (4-0) vs. Arabia Mountain (2-3)
A big Region 6-4A meeting takes place at Hallford Stadium as Miller Grove and Arabia Mountain lock up looking for a region victory at 7:30 pm.
Miller Grove is (4-0) on the season coming off a 72-12 win over Druid Hills last week and looking for a region opening win. Senior running back Jayden Brown (66 carries, 594 yards, 10 TDs) leads a potent ground attack for the Wolverines along with Tajon Corbitt (25 carries, 290 yards, 4 TDs).
Linebacker Cayman Spaulding leads the Wolverines on defense with over 40 tackles to go with 9 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss.
Arabia Mountain (2-3, 0-1) is coming off a tough waning minutes 20-10 loss to Stephenson in its Region 6-4A opener last weekend. Running back Solomon Rayton leads the Rams offense with 612 yards rushing (122.3/gam) and five touchdowns.
Senior linebacker Brian Young anchors the Arabia defense contributing 31 tackles (6 TFL) and an interception followed by fellow linebackers sophomore Daniel Turpin with 25 tackles (2 sacks, 5 TFL) and senior Jayden Moore with 22 tackles (1 sack, 5 TFL) and defensive lineman Branden Scott with 21 tackles (2.5 sacks, 8 TFL, 1 INT).
Other Games
A pair of big region games are being played on the road as Columbia (4-1, 3-0) travels to Lakewood Stadium to face off with Region 6-2A foe Washington (2-1, 1-1) and Southwest DeKalb (2-3, 1-0) goes across DeKalb County to tackle St. Pius x (3-2, 1-0) in Region 5-5A.
Columbia is coming off a strong 34-6 win over Towers last week led by Royce Tolbert with touchdown runs of 57 and 75 yards and a 99-yard punt return for a third score. Senior defensive end Marquez Harris had several tackles behind the line of scrimmage against Towers including his second safety in two weeks.
Southwest DeKalb picked up its second straight victory last weekend wining its Region 5-5A opener 47-6 over Lithonia. The Panthers are led by running back Billy Johnson (78 carries, 463 yards, 3 TDs) on the ground and quarterback Sadir Ryan (94-39-5, 699 yards, 7 TDs) and receiver Armond Davis (14 receptions, 291 yards, 4 TDs). Sophomore defensive lineman Chase Kerns leads the defense up front with 7 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss through four games.
Lithonia (0-4) opens this week with a Thursday home game at Hallford Stadium hosting No. 10 ranked Decatur (5-0) at 7:00 pm.
A double-header is set for Avondale Stadium featuring a Region 6-2A matchup at 5:15 pm between McNair (0-4) and Towers (1-3) followed by a Region 5-5A class with Stone Mountain (4-1) hosting M.L. King (0-4) at 8:00 pm.
The No. 1 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (3-1) host the Redan Raiders (2-3) in a Region 5-3A renewal at Godfrey Stadium with kickoff set for 7:30 pm. Tucker (0-4) opens its Region 4-6A slate by hosting North Atlanta (4-1) at 7:30 pm on the field at Adams Stadium.
Lakeside (1-4) travels to Atlanta’s Henderson Stadium at 5:30 pm to take on KIPP Academy (1-2) which is replacing BEST Academy which had to cancel. The final game of the week for DeKalb has Cross Keys (0-4) traveling to Pataula Charter (2-2) for a 7:30 pm game on Friday.
Clarkston (1-1), Druid Hills (0-5) and Stephenson (5-0) all have the week off.
DCSD FOOTBALL – WEEK 7 SCHEDULE
Thursday, Sept. 30
HALLFORD STADIUM
Decatur (5-0) vs. Lithonia (0-4)*, 7:00 pm
Friday, Oct. 1
AVONDALE STADIUM
McNair (0-4) vs. Towers (1-3)*, 5:15 pm
M.L. King (0-4) vs. Stone Mountain (4-1)*, 8:00 pm
ADAMS STADIUM
North Atlanta (4-1) vs. Tucker (0-4)*, 7:30 pm
“BUCK” GODFREY STADIUM
Redan (2-3) vs. Cedar Grove (3-1), 7:30 pm
HALLFORD STADIUM
Miller Grove (4-0) vs. Arabia Mountain (2-3), 7:30 pm
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Dunwoody (1-4) vs. Chamblee (4-1), 7:30 pm
AWAY GAMES
Lakeside (1-4) vs. KIPP (1-2), 5:30 pm, Henderson Stadium
Columbia (4-1) vs. Washington (2-1), 7:30, Lakewood Stadium
Cross Keys (0-4) at Pataula Charter (2-2), 7:30 pm
SW DeKalb (2-3) at St. Pius (3-2), 7:30 pm
Open: Clarkston (1-1), Druid Hills (0-5), Stephenson (5-0)