Big wins forced ties in three regions of the DeKalb Middle School Football League as tiebreaker (total points) decided playoff seedings heading into this coming weekend’s Trail to the Title Playoffs opening round.

Salem (Region 3) and Henderson (Region 1), both idle this past weekend, had sewn up region titles and No. 1 seeds but Region 2 and Region 4 was up for grabs along with second in Region 3.

In Region 4, McNair was off, but had clinched a playoff spot the week prior with a win. Chapel Hill and Cedar Grove faced off with a playoff spot on the line and the Panthers (5-0-1) came out on top 12-0 to move into a tie for the Region 4 title.

Braylon Gilstrap had a rushing touchdown and Braylon Carter tossed a touchdown pass to Caleb Whinfrey for the two Chapel Hill scores. D’Corey Holt had 74 yards receiving for Cedar Grove.

McNair (3-0-1) won the tiebreaker to get the No. 1 seed with Chapel Hill taking the No. 2 seed and Cedar Grove (4-2) in the running for the wildcard bid to the playoffs.

Region 3 had Lithonia heading into the final week needing a win over Miller Grove to clinch a playoff berth and Redan needing a win over Freedom and a Lithonia loss to have a shot at the playoffs.

Miller Grove (4-2) came away with an 8-0 win over Lithonia (3-2) and Redan (2-2) knocked off Freedom 44-0 to force a three-way tie as all three teams stood at 2-2 in the region. Redan won the tiebreaker for the No. 2 seed and playoff berth.

Miller Grove and Cedar Grove were both 4-2 going for the wildcard and with no head-to-head or common opponents the teams went to the tiebreaker and Cedar Grove got the nod for the final playoff spot.

Stephenson (4-1, 3-0) and Druid Hills (3-2, 3-0) finished the season tied in the Region 2 race with Stephenson getting the nod in the tiebreaker.

Druid Hills edged Stone Mountain (1-4) 6-0 to clinch a playoff spot. Stone Mountain got some great play from Jahlil Phelps, Victor Folks, Isaac Graves and Brayden Suprisse in the hard-fought loss. Djimon Mclendon scored a touchdown and had two sacks on defense to lead Druid HIlls to the win.

Stephenson is making its 16th Trail to the Title appearance and holds five ttitles and take on Redan which is making its fourth appearance and still looking for its first win. The two play at 11:30 at Avondale Stadium.

The 10:00 am game at Avondale features Henderson (4-1) making its eight appearance taking on Chapel Hill (5-0-1) also making its eighth appearance.

Undefeated Salem opens its fifth playoff appearance by hosting Druid Hills in its fourth playoff appearance and looking for its first win in the 10:00 am game at Godfrey Stadium.

The 11:30 pm game at Godfrey features a rematch of a thrilling last minute regular season 16-14 win by McNair over Cedar Grove as the two Region 4 teams are matched in first round. McNair is making its fifth appearance in the playoffs and the first since 2010. Cedar Grove is second all-time in playoff appearances and is making its 11th consecutive playoff trek.

Due to games cancelled by Covid-19 six teams will play extra games outside the playoffs on Saturday. A doubleheader is set for Hallford Stadium beginning at 10: am as Freedom (0-4) hosts Bethune (1-4) followed at 11:30 am by Stone Mountain (1-4) hosting Lithonia (3-2).

Adams Stadium plays host to Champion (3-3) faving off with Columbia (0-4) at 10:00 am.

DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL RESULTS
WEEK 7 – OCT. 2
ADAMS STADIUM
Tucker (0-3) vs. Sequoyah (1-4) (canc.)

AVONDALE STADIUM
Druid Hills (3-2) 6, Stone Mountain* (1-4) 0
Bethune (1-4) 20, Columbia* (0-4) 14

GODFREY STADIUM
Miller Grove* (4-2) 8, Lithonia (3-2) 0
Chapel Hill (5-0-1) 12, Cedar Grove* (4-2) 0

HALLFORD STADIUM
Redan (2-2) 44, Freedom* (0-5) 0

DECATUR HIGH STADIUM
Stephenson (4-1) 2, Renfroe* (0-5) 0 (FFT)

Open: Champion (3-3), Henderson (4-1), McNair (3-0-1), Salem (6-0)

*–Region Game

DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
WEEK 7 – OCT. 2
ADAMS STADIUM (Make up games)
Champion (3-3) vs. Columbia (0-4), 10:00 pm

AVONDALE STADIUM (Playoffs)
Henderson (4-1) vs. Chapel Hill (4-2), 10:00 am
Stephenson (4-1) vs. Redan (2-2), 11:30 am

GODFREY STADIUM (Playoffs)
Salem (6-0) vs. Druid Hills (3-2), 10:00 am
McNair (3-0-1) vs. Cedar Grove (4-2), 11:30 am

HALLFORD STADIUM (Make up games)
Freedom (0-4) vs. Bethune (1-4), 10:00 am
Stone Mountain (1-4), vs. Lithonia (3-2), 11:30 am