Tucker defensive end Antonio Showers (9) leads the Tiger defense against Stephenson on Friday in the Region 4-6A title game. (Photo by Mark Brock)
James R. Hallford Stadium is playing host to the Region 4-6A title game in the Battle of the Big Cats between the No. 1 ranked Tucker Tigers and the No. 7 ranked Stephenson Jaguars at 8:00 pm on Friday.
Tucker (8-1, 6-0) and Stephenson (7-2, 6-0) enter the big matchup tied at the top of the Region 4-6A standings with the winner taking home the No. 1 seed heading into next week’s Class 6A state playoffs.
Stephenson is riding a seven-game win streak after dropping the first two games of the season and coming off a 26-0 shutout victory over the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions last Friday night.
The Jaguars trio of running backs, Deandre Jackson, Ryan Ingram and Jevon Goff, have combined for over 1,100 yards on the season and all three are in the DCSD Top 20 in yards rushing on the season. Quarterback Darren Parker has thrown for over 600 yards and receiver Deshon Stoudemire has over 300 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
Stephenson’s defense is led by its two defensive ends Darius Perry and Deonte Gipson who have combined for over 29 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks on the season. Sophomore defensive back Javier Morton has 9 pass breakups and 2 interceptions to aid Stephenson’s defensive efforts.
The Tigers have three shutouts on the season including their 62-0 win over Mt. Zion-Jonesboro last week to improve to 8-1. Senior defensive end Antonio Showers leads the charge for Tucker with 11 sacks on the season while senior linebacker Michael Harris with 4 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss.
Stephenson’s Khai Ficklin (34) and Javier Morton (2) make a play against Cedar Grove. The pair lead the No. 7 ranked Jaguars against No. 1 ranked Tucker on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Tucker’s offense also has three running backs in the Top 25 of rushing leaders in the county led by Taurean Taylor, David Davis and Gerry Vaughn. Add Daric Stephenson to the group and the quartet has rushed for over 1,700 yards on the season and over 30 touchdowns.
Quarterback Travon Ford has passed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns with senior All-State wide receiver Joshua Vann has over 700 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns on the season.
The opener of the doubleheader at Hallford on Friday also has playoff implications as the Martin Luther King Jr. Lions (3-6, 2-4) host Mt. Zion Jonesboro (1-8, 1-5) in a must win game for the Lions’ playoff hopes.
The Lions need a victory combined with a loss by Charles Drew (3-6, 2-4) which plays Jonesboro (3-6, 2-4) also needing a win to earn the fourth seed in the region.
Running back Khalon Manuel and the Columbia Eagles take on the Southwest DeKalb Panthers for the No. 2 seed in Region 5-5A on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Region 5-5A
Southwest DeKalb (6-3, 3-1) and Columbia (5-4, 2-2) collide at 8:00 pm at Godfrey Stadium with the No. 2 seed out of Region 5-5A going to the winner.
The Panthers are coming off a touch 27-14 loss to Arabia Mountain in a game that decided the region title. The offense is led by 1,000-yard rusher Francisco Hunter while receiver Aquil Muhammed has over 20 receptions, 400 yards and 5 touchdowns on the season.
Senior linebacker Eris Walker has over 60 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss and 3 fumble recoveries to lead the Panthers on defense. Junior defensive tackle Garrison Cole (10 tackles for a loss), junior defensive end Jaquan Smith (8 sacks) and senior defensive lineman Caleb Outlaw (9 tackles for loss) are also stalwarts on defense.
Columbia rebounded from a tough 25-20 loss to Miller Grove two weeks ago with a 62-0 shutout of Chamblee last Friday night. The Eagles defense is led by senior strong safety Levar Gardner and senior linebacker Telvin Godfrey who has combined for over 200 tackles, 10 sacks and 34 tackles for a loss on the season.
The offense is led by running back Khalon Manuel (700+ yards rushing), quarterback Tremaine Calloway (1,000 yards passing, 9 TDs) and receiver Giovanni Dyer (over 500 yards receiving).
In other key Region 5-5A games with playoff implications, Arabia Mountain (7-2, already clinched title) faces Lithonia (3-6, 2-2) trying to reach the playoffs and Miller Grove (4-5, 1-3) needs a win against Chamblee (1-8, 0-4) to keep its playoff hopes alive.
DCSD FOOTBALL WEEK 12 SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 3
Arabia Mountain (7-2) vs. Lithonia (3-6), Godfrey, 5:15 pm
Mt. Zion-Jonesboro (1-8) vs. M.L. King (3-6), Hallford, 5:15 pm
Cedar Grove (9-0) vs. Redan (3-6), Avondale, 7:30 pm
Miller Grove (4-5) vs. Chamblee* (1-8), North DeKalb, 7:30 pm
Druid Hills (1-8) at Salem (5-4), 7:30 pm
Brookwood (7-2) vs. Lakeside (2-7), Adams, 7:30 pm
McNair (3-6) at Lovett (5-4), 7:30 pm
Stone Mountain (1-8) at Westminster (4-5), 7:30 pm
Towers (4-5) at Pace Academy (4-4), 7:30 pm
Columbia (5-4) vs. SW DeKalb (6-3), Godfrey, 8:00 pm
Tucker (8-1) vs. Stephenson (7-2), Hallford, 8:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 4
Douglass (6-3) vs. Clarkston (1-8), Avondale, 7:30 pm
John’s Creek (3-6) vs. Dunwoody (2-7), North DeKalb, 7:30 pm
Open: Cross Keys (0-6)
*-Homecoming