DeKalb County got the 2024 season off to a big start winning two of three games on opening night behind convincing wins by the Dunwoody Wildcats and Arabia Mountain Rams.

The Wildcats (1-0) jumped out to a 14-0 lead on the way to a 24-7 win over the South Paulding Spartans at West Forsyth as part of the second day of the Corky Kell Classic.

“The opportunity for our kids to get to play in an even like the Corky Kell and get exposure playing the way they did was just a tremendous day for our program,” said Dunwoody head coach Mike Nash.

Dunwoody took the lead for good with 27 seconds remaining in the first quarter as quarterback Matt Pearch connected down the left sideline with Danny Bowden for a 32-yard touchdown play. Christian Lee tacked on the PAT for a 7-0 going into the second quarter.

The Wildcat defense was playing stout forcing three South Paulding punts in the first 12:35 of the game.

“Our defense was the biggest question coming into the season after the group of seniors we lost last year,” said Nash. “The job Ryan Gentry and his defensive staff have done is just outstanding. Trevor Thompson had a monster game along with several others to control the line of scrimmage.”

Malachi Cranshaw extended the Wildcat lead to 14-0 as the took a reverse around the right end for a 20-yard touchdown run with 8:55 to play in the first half. Lee again hit the PAT.

The Spartans (0-1) closed the gap followed a fumble recovery with Kade Wigginton teaming up with Isaiah Ford on a seven-yard touchdown pass with 3:33 left in the half.

Dunwoody’s defense led by junior linebacker Trevor Thompson (11 solo tackles, 3 assists) who contributed two sacks, 4 ½ tackles for a loss and an interception held the Spartans scoreless the rest of the game with four turnovers on downs and six punts. Preston Cooper had nine total tackles (6 solo) and Harrison Martin and Andrew Ainsworth added five total tackles apiece.

The Wildcats began a drive late in the third quarter converting a fourth and inches and getting another big first down as Pearch hit Caleb Hamilton for a 22-yard gain and another first down. Bradley Stephens finished off the drive by taking a handoff, slashing left and going 10-yards into the end zone with 1:17 left in the third to extend the lead to 21-7 as Lee added the PAT.

Stephens and Cade Celestine led a march down the field with the Wildcat rushing game that turned into a 43-yard field goal by Lee with 2:10 remaining to make the final score of 24-7.

Arabia Mountain 61, Alcovy 33
Forty-one unanswered points keyed an impressive 61-33 victory for the Arabia Mountain Rams over the Alcovy Tigers at Sharp Stadium on Thursday night.

The Rams (1-0) were trailing 6-0 with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter following an Alcovy score and answered as Jordan Walker returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The Rams were off and running from that point leading 34-6 at the half.

Quarterback Julian Shanks passed for over 300 yards with three touchdowns including two to freshman tight end Xevien Brinson and another to junior Bryce Belise.

Jonathan Odeh-Adimah added a 90-yard touchdown run as the lead continued to build to 41-6 in the third quarter. The defensive starters got a breather in the second half and Alcovy took advantage to score 27 points to close the gap.

Another Walker 99-yard kickoff return to end the game made the final 61-33.

Cartersville 40, Columbia 0
The highly touted Cartersville Hurricanes (1-0) jumped out to a 30-0 lead in the first half on the way to a 40-0 over the Columbia Eagles (0-1) at Cartersville on Thursday night.

DCSD FOOTBALL RESULTS WEEK 1
Thursday, Aug. 15
Neutral – West Forsyth
Dunwoody (1-0) 24, South Paulding (0-1) 7
AWAY GAMES
Arabia Mountain (1-0) 61, Alcovy (0-1) 33
Cartersville (1-0) 40, Columbia (0-1) 0

DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE WEEK 1
Friday, Aug. 16
ADAMS STADIUM
Miller Grove vs. Druid Hills, 7:30 pm
GODFREY STADIUM
Temple vs. McNair, 7:30 pm
COBB (AVONDALE) STADIUM
Stone Mountain vs. Redan, 7:30 pm
AWAY GAMES
Clarkston at Heard Co., 7:30 pm
Lakeside vs. Berkmar, 7:30 pm
Lithonia at Lithia Springs, 7:30 pm
M.L. King at Heritage (Conyers), 7:30 pm
Towers at Heritage (Newnan), 7:30 pm
Tucker at Valdosta, 8:00 pm
LAKEWOOD STADIUM – ATL
Southwest DeKalb vs. Carver, 7:30 pm
RIVERVIEW SPORTSPLEX
Chamblee vs. Pace Academy, 7:30 pm

Saturday, Aug. 17
MERCEDES BENZ STADIUM
Cedar Grove vs. Douglas Co., 7:00 pm
MORROW HIGH SCHOOL
Stephenson vs. Mays, 6:00 pm