Cedar Grove’s Zack Bell (1) runs against the Champion Chargers in first round action of the Trail to the Title Playoffs. Bell threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more in a semifinal win over Stephenson last weekend. (Photo by Mark Brock)
For the eighth time in 20-year of the DeKalb County Trail to the Title middle school playoffs history two undefeated teams meet for the championship as the Cedar Grove Saints and Redan Raiders won their semifinal games at Cobb Stadium on Saturday to advance to the title game.
The defending Trail to the Title champion Cedar Grove (8-0) opened the semifinals with a defensive blitz on the way to a 57-6 victory over the Stephenson Jaguars (4-4) to advance to the championship on Saturday at Cobb Stadium at 11:00 am.
Cedar Grove’s defense forced five turnovers including four interceptions and a strip sack in a game they led 50-0 at the half. Interceptions were hauled in by Makai Roberts, Josiah Ashmon, Daysean Moses and Zack Bell. Jaiden Mincey added the sack and fumble.
Bell was the driving force on offense throwing four touchdowns, one each to Dequarrian Trammell, Naeem Jones, Antravious Howard and D’Mani Bent. Bell also ran for two touchdowns in the victory. Jaden Warner added a field goal to the Saints scoring.
Cedar Grove moved on to the championship game for the sixth time and is 3-2 in its first five title appearances, including the win in 2023. The Saints are trying to become the first team to win back-to-back titles twice in the history of the playoffs. Cedar Grove won back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015 to match Stephenson’s 2004 and 2005 repeat.
Redan’s Demario Hopkins (22) runs behind a block by lineman Reochaus Mills (56). Hopkins had a touchdown run in Redan’s 22-6 semifinal win over Chapel Hill last Saturday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Redan 22, Chapel Hill 6
The Redan Raiders kept their first undefeated season in school history intact by holding the Chapel Hill Panthers to one touchdown on the way to a 22-6 win in the second semifinal game at Cobb Stadium on Saturday.
Redan led 8-0 at the half on a Bejamin Jackson touchdown run and two-point conversion.
Chapel Hill closed the gap in the third quarter on a 38-yard run by Marquise Easley to pull within 8-6. The Panthers (6-2) kept the game close by forcing three turnovers, including Matthew Brown’s first quarter interception to stop Redan’s opening drive of the game. Deontae’ Brown and Samon Brown added key defensive plays as well.
The Raiders responded with touchdown runs by Jackson (151 yards rushing, 2 TDs) and Demario Hopkins and a Jervontae Barber two-point conversion to clinch the win. Some key players in the defense holding the Panthers to jus the one touchdown included Javion Brown-Martin, Reochaus Mills, Kobie Flowers and Treyvion Knight.
Joining Easley with crucial offensive plays for Chapel Hill were Zion Pruitt and Makai King.
See link below for Trail to the Title Championship Program:
2024 TRAIL TO THE TITLE CHAMPIONSHIP PROGRAM
DCSD MS FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS RESULTS
Saturday Oct. 26
SEMIFINALS
COBB STADIUM
Cedar Grove (8-0) 57, Stephenson (4-4) 6
Redan (8-0) 22, Chapel Hill (6-2) 6
DCSD MS FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Saturday, Nov. 2
CHAMPIONSHIP
COBB STADIUM
Cedar Grove (8-0) vs. Redan (8-0), 11:00 am