Stephenson’s Ja’Mare Tolliver (11) stops Lithonia quarterback Armani Myco (2). Stephenson shutout the Bulldogs 28-0 to advance to the Trail to the Title championship game. (Photo by Bruce James — Unforgettable Moments)
The 2022 DeKalb County Schools Trail to the Title middle school football championship is set as Region 3 foes Stephenson and Chapel Hill won their semifinal games on Saturday to set up a rematch of their regular season tilt.
Stephenson (8-0) shutdown the Lithonia Bulldogs (6-2) for a 28-0 semifinal victory in the opening game at Godfrey Stadium.
Gavin Kinchen broke a 0-0 tie with 5:01 left in the first half as he kept and scored on a one-run run to put the Jaguars up 6-0. The two-point run failed.
The lead expanded to 14-0 with 2:11 to play as Jayden Johnson returned a punt 40 yards for the score. Ja’Mare Tolliver ran in the two-point conversion to make it 14-0.
Lithonia was driving late in the first half and threatening to cut into the Jaguar’s lead when Stephenson stopped them on downs to take the 14-0 lead into the half.
Stephenson opened the second half driving for another Kinchen touchdown run (3 yards) with 5:21 to play in the third quarter. Kinchen threw to Eli Harris for the two-point conversion and a 22-0 Jaguar lead.
Jayden Johnson got loose on a 60-yard touchdown run with 6:51 to play to ice the game for the Jaguars making the final 28-0.
The Jaguar defense had five sacks and held Lithonia to just three first downs in the game.
Stephenson moves into the finals for the eight time and is looking for its sixth Trail to the Title championship when they take on fellow Region 3 foe Chapel Hill at 10:00 am on Saturday at Avondale Stadium. The 8-0 Jaguars are looking to win a DeKalb record fifth undefeated championship.
Chapel Hill’s Robert Alexander (5) cuts back against Tucker’s John Rodriguez (14) during Chapel Hill’s 6-0 Trail to the Title semifinal victory on Saturday. Alexander scored the only touchdown of the game on an eight-yard run with 7:14 to play. (Photo by Bruce James — Unforgettable Moments)
Chapel Hill 6, Tucker 0
The Chapel Hill Panthers (7-1) and Tucker Tigers (7-1) battled for three-plus in a 0-0 tie before the Panthers scored the lone touchdown of the game with 7:11 remaining in their semifinal meeting at Godfrey Stadium.
Facing a fourth and one on the Tucker eight-yard line, the Panthers went to Robert Alexander and the running back broke free for the eight-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed to keep the margin at 6-0.
Chapel Hill’s defense continued its stranglehold on the Tucker offense the final seven minutes to complete the shutout victory.
The Panthers move into the Trail to the Title championship game for the second time. The first appearance came in the form of a 22-20 loss to Tucker in 2013 as both teams made their first appearance in the title game.
Chapel Hill can become the 10th program to win the title with a victory over Stephenson on Saturday. Stephenson won the Region 3 title via a 32-14 win over the Panthers back on September 17.
The winner of the championship game moves on to face off with the Atlanta Public Schools champion at Henderson Stadium on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 am.
DCSD MIDDLE SCHOOL FOOTBALL
TRAIL TO THE TITLE SEMIFINALS
Saturday, October 29
GODFREY STADIUM
Stephenson (8-0) 28, Lithonia (6-2) 0
Chapel Hill (7-1) 6, Tucker (7-1) 0
TRAIL TO THE TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, November 5
AVONDALE STADIUM
Stephenson (8-0) vs. Chapel Hill (7-1), 10:00 am
DCSD VS. APS CHALLENGE
Saturday, November 12
HENDERSON STADIUM – ATLANTA
DCSD Champion vs. APS Champion, 11:00 am