Southwest DeKalb’s Tamir Rudolph (7) lead blocks for Joshua Jones (10) as he takes a handoff from quarterback Braylon Carter (2) during preseason action against Columbia. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Southwest DeKalb and Clarkston renew their football rivalry for the first time since 1979 as the two DeKalb teams collide for the 15th time in a Region 5-4A meeting at Hallford Stadium on Thursday (tonight) at 7:00 pm.
The Panthers (1-1) own a 9-5 mark in the series that was last played 45 years as Southwest DeKalb won a tightly contested 20-13 victory for a sixth consecutive win in the series.
Clarkston last won during a four-game streak (1968-71) in another tough 14-7 win in 1971. The Angoras (0-2) won the first meeting 19-7 in 1952.
The Panthers are coming off their first victory of the 2024 campaign as they passed for 380 yards in a 61-7 win over the Chamblee Bulldogs. Quarterback Braylon Carter threw for six touchdowns and 303 yards as three receivers had over 100 yards, including senior standout Samuel Turner with 104 yards and four touchdowns.
Clarkston is venturing into it first region competition since 2011 and has dropped its first two contests under first-year head coach Tavis Jackson. A very young Clarkston has been almost 50-50 on offense this season while defensive back Kameron Ferris leads the team with nine tackles.
There are only three home games on Friday in DeKalb featuring an all-DeKalb, Region 5-4A battle between the Tucker Tigers (1-1) and Lithonia Bulldogs (2-0) set for a 7:30 pm kickoff at Hallford Stadium.
Tucker defensive back Dijmon McClendon (left) tackles Chamblee’s George Ross during Tucker’s win two weeks ago. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Lithonia under the direction of Coach Kevin Barnes enters the contest at 2-0 for the first time since David Edwards led the Bulldogs to a 3-0 start in a 6-5 playoff season in 2018.
Lithonia is led by quarterback Jamon Coggins who has thrown for 412 yards and five touchdowns, receiver Kayden Miller (12 receptions, 227 yards receiving, 3 TDS) and running back Albert Gooding (42 carries, 238 yards, 1 TD). Tucker’s offense is triggered by sophomore quarterback Jace German who has thrown for 380 yards and five touchdowns while spreading 33 completions between nine different receivers.
Defensively, the Bulldogs are led by senior middle linebacker Jalen Berry (16 tackles) and junior defensive lineman Josias Dore (16 tackles) who have combined for seven tackles for a loss and a sack. The sophomore dominated Tigers are led by sophomore linebacker Jamare Tolliver (25 total tackles, 3 tackles for loss) and junior defensive back Dijimon McClendon (20 tackles, 3 pass break ups and 2 caused fumbles).
The other two home games include Columbia (0-2) hosting Douglass (1-2) at Cobb Stadium (7:30) and Druid Hills (1-1) hosting a Region 5-4A contest against North Springs (0-2) at North DeKalb Stadium.
Cross Keys (0-2), Dunwoody (1-1), McNair (2-1), Miller Grove (1-2), Redan (1-2), No. 9 ranked Stephenson and Stone Mountain (0-3) are all on the road.
Six DeKalb teams are off this week including Arabia Mountain (1-2), Cedar Grove (0-2), Chamblee (0-3), Lakeside (1-2), M.L King (1-2) and Towers (1-1).
DCSD FOOTBALL WEEK 4 SCHEDULE
Thursday, Sept. 5
Clarkston (0-2) vs. SW DeKalb* (1-1), 7:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 6
COBB (AVONDALE) STADIUM
Douglass (1-2) vs. Columbia (0-2), 7:30 pm
HALLFORD STADIUM
Tucker (1-1) vs. Lithonia (2-0)*, 7:30 pm
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
North Springs (0-2) vs. Druid Hills (1-1)*, 7:30 pm
AWAY
Cross Keys (0-2) at Pinecrest Academy (2-0), 7:30 pm
Dunwoody (1-1) at Lumpkin Co. (1-1), 7:30 pm
McNair (2-1) at Bremen (1-1), 7:30 pm
Miller Grove (1-2) at Heritage-Conyers (2-0), 7:30 pm
Stephenson (2-1) at Decatur (2-0), 7:30 pm
Stone Mountain (0-3) at St. Anne-Pacelli (1-2), 7:30 pm
HENDERSON STADIUM – ATLANTA
Redan (1-2) vs. Maynard Jackson (2-0), 7:30 pm
OPEN: Arabia Mountain (1-2), Cedar Grove (0-2), Chamblee (0-3), Lakeside (1-2), M.L King (1-2), Towers (1-1)
*–Region Game