Columbia all-purpose back Jadan Ball extends the ball for a touchdown against Eagle’s Landing Christian earlier this season. Baugh caught the winning touchdown pass from Cameron Graves in Columbia’s second round win over North Cobb Christian. Baugh and his Eagles teammates are in the third round for the first time since 1997. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Three DeKalb football teams play on Friday in the high school state playoffs with the opportunity to move into the semifinals of their respective classifications.
The Columbia Eagles (9-3) travel to Adel to take on the No. 9 ranked Cook Hornets (10-2) in the third round of the Class 2A state playoffs in a game set for 7:30 pm on Friday.
Columbia advanced with a come-from-behind 18-13 win over North Cobb Christian. Quarterback Cameron Graves (885 yards passing, 11 TDs) connected with Jadan Baugh (1,368 yards rushing, 18 TDs) for a touchdown with 7:19 to play to give the Eagles the lead and the defense came up big on a fourth-down play to seal the win.
The defense was led by Edwin Moore (78 tackles, 10 sacks, 30 TFL) who had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss. Cain Jefferson (22 TFL, 12 sacks) also plays a big role on defense for the Eagles.
Cook is the Region 1-2A champion and advanced to the third round of the playoffs with a 24-14 win over No. 2 ranked Appling County.
CLASS 3A
The No. 2 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (7-5) travel to Forsyth to take on the No. 3 ranked Mary Persons Bulldogs (11-1) in the Class 3A state playoffs on Friday at 7:30 pm.
Cedar Grove advanced to the third round with a 49-13 win over Bremen last week led by a five-touchdown, 191-yard performance by junior running back Boden Walker (1,206 rushing yards, 22 TDs).
The Saints defense held Bremen to 233 yards of total offense in the win led by linebacker Keith Bass (10 tackles, 2 TFL) and defensive end Wesley Brown (5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FC).
Mary Persons advanced with a 42-20 win over Crisp County last week. The Bulldogs are the Region 2-3A champs and will be playing their third consecutive home game.
CLASS 4A
The No. 9 ranked Stephenson Jaguars (10-2) play host to the No. 7 ranked Perry Panthers (10-2) on Friday in a 7:30 pm contest at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston.
Stephenson reached the third round with 35-7 victory over the Luella Lions (6-6) keyed by two early touchdown passes from quarterback Marte Barton (1,121 yards passing, 9 TDs) to Tyler Bercy (33 receptions, 392 yard receiving, 3 TDs) and a pick-six by Colin Seals to jump to a quick 21-0 first quarter lead.
The defense was led by Romando Craddock (13 total tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks) and Danterious McKenzie (13 total tackles) along with the Seals’ interception.
Region 2-4A No. 2 seed Perry knocked off No. 3 ranked Bainbridge (9-2) 7-3 in a defensive battle to advance to the third round.
DCSD FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 24
HALLFORD STADIUM
CLASS 4A
Perry (10-2) vs. Stephenson (10-2), 7:30 pm
AWAY
CLASS 3A
Cedar Grove (7-5) at Mary Persons (11-1), 7:30 pm
CLASS 2A
Columbia (9-3) at Cook (10-2), 7:30 pm