The defending Trail to the Title champion Cedar Grove Saints got the 2024 DeKalb middle school football season underway with a bang as they won a second consecutive matchup with the Stephenson Jaguars 28-6 on Saturday at Hallford Stadium.

Cedar Grove won the Trail to the Title title game 14-10 in an upset of the Jaguars last season.

Zack Bell was the driving force in the win for the Saints (1-0) as he rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns and threw for another touchdown in the game. Rayshad Malcolm Jr. had the receiving touchdown and a big 65-yard kickoff return for the Saints.

Cedar Grove’s defense was led by Kaysean Moses with seven solo tackles in the game.

Redan 20, Bethune 6
Three different Redan Raiders crossed the goal line to fuel the 20-6 season opening victory over the Bethune Lions (0-1) at Cobb Stadium on Saturday. Benjamin Jackson, Jayden Sumbry and Tyler Clark all put six points on the board for the Raiders (1-0). Sumbry added a two-point conversion.

Champion 22, Henderson 0
The Champion Chargers defense had four quarterback sacks on the way to the 22-0 win over the Henderson Cougars (0-1) in the opener at Adams Stadium on Saturday. Khayden Johnson (4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery) and Christopher Smith (5 tackles) each had two sacks in the game.

Kaejean Fitzgerald was the big factor on offense for the Chargers as he had 160 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in the game. Tyson Zellars added 49 yards and a touchdown on the ground on five carries.

Columbia 6, Miller Grove 0
The Columbia Eagles started the season 1-0 for the second consecutive year with a 6-0 win over the Miller Grove Wolverines (0-1) with a big pass play for the win in the final seconds. Demarco Cody led the game-winning drive with his legs and arm in the fourth quarter. The big play was a 30-yard touchdown pass from Cody to Trishton Grier as the clock was winding down.

The Columbia defense was anchored by Sadarius Mitchell, Marcedric Adams, Vincent Gilbert and Antavious Youngblood in the shutout win.

Chamblee 8, Salem 0
The Chamblee Bulldogs gave new head coach Don Jackson his first win on openings day with an 8-0 victory over the Salem Lions (0-1) in the opening game at North DeKalb Stadium on Saturday. The shutout win was led by defensive ends Mason Crabtree (2 sacks, 1 for a safety) and Don Jackson III (sack).

Quarterback Dutch Weber connected with Maurice Sykes on the winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter for the 6-0 lead. Crabtree’s sack for a safety finished off the game. Antwan Middleton Jr., Jonathan Williams and Damion Garcia had key plays running and catching the ball for the Bulldogs (1-0).

Freedom 12, Tucker 0
The Freedom Rams scored twice in the second half to knock off the Tucker Tigers (0-1) 12-0 at Adams Stadium on Saturday. The teams played to a 0-0 at the half.

The Rams (1-0) scored its first touchdown with 4:25 left in the third quarter on a run by Anthon’e Harrell and put the game away with a touchdown run by Harrell with just 1:35 to play. The offense was led by Jabari Pond had he hit on 6 of 10 passes for 129 yards and rushed for 29 more. Harrell finished with 67 yards rushing and six tackles on defense.

The defense allowed just 44 yards of offense by Tucker led by the play of La’corion Burton (6 tackles) and Dejuan Grier (3 tackles for a loss). Jamonta Sherman and Elijah Jackson both had an interception for the Rams.

Stone Mountain 35, Druid Hills 12
The Stone Mountain Pirates opened 1-0 to start the season for the second time in three seasons with a big 35-12 showing against the Druid Hills Dragons (0-1) at Cobb Stadium on Saturday.

Chapel Hill 40, McNair 0
Latevious Booker three for three touchdowns and the Chapel Hill Panthers defense did not allow a first down in a 40-0 shutout victory over the McNair Mustangs (0-1) at Godfrey Stadium on Saturday. Booker connected for two touchdown passes with Makai King and a third to Zion Pruitt in the win. Ramello Jackson rushed for two touchdowns for the Panthers.

Lithonia 62, Sequoyah 0
Seven different Lithonia Bulldogs reached the endzone in a season-opening 62-0 win over the Sequoyah Braves (0-1) at North DeKalb Stadium on Saturday. Timothy Behing, Jamaurie Evan, Sanchez Battle, Darrin Priest, Chaheed Banks, Rohan Malcolm and Trent Wharton accounted for at least one touchdown receiving or rushing in the win.

DCSD MS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Saturday, Aug. 24
ADAMS STADIUM
Champion (1-0) 22, Henderson (0-1) 0
Freedom (1-0) 12, Tucker (0-1) 0
COBB (AVONDALE) STADIUM
Stone Mountain (1-0) 35, Druid Hills (0-1) 12
Redan (1-0) 20, Bethune (0-1) 6
GODFREY STADIUM
Chapel Hill (1-0) 40, McNair (0-1) 0
HALLFORD STADIUM
Columbia (1-0) 6, Miller Grove (0-1) 0
Cedar Grove (1-0) 28, Stephenson (0-1) 6
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Chamblee (1-0) 8, Salem (0-1) 0
Lithonia (1-0) 62, Sequoyah (0-1) 0