Stephenson’s Anthony Booker had three touchdowns in the Jaguars thrilling 44-37 win over Whitewater in the Class 3A state playoffs on Friday at Hallford Stadium. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The Stephenson Jaguars and Columbia Eagles both scored over 40 points in two entirely different games to win their first-round games in their respective high school football state playoffs.
Stephenson (8-3) ended up in a back-and-forth tussle with the Whitewater Wildcats (5-6) on Friday night at Hallford Stadium before a pair of big fourth quarter plays turned into a 44-37 win to advance to the Sweet 16.
The Jaguars and Wildcats were tied at 37-37 late in the fourth quarter when Donterious McKenzie knocked the ball loose from a Whitewater ball carrier and Tyler Little jumped on the ball giving the Jaguars the football at the Whitewater 45.
A big run by Anthony Booker moved the ball to the Whitewater 25 and Romando Craddock took the ball the final 25 yards for a score with 2:30 to play. Adam Zelaya made it 44-37 with the PAT.
The Jaguars will host the No. 10 seed Jenkins Warriors (9-2), a 28-14 winner over Northwest Whitfield, next Friday with a time and stadium to be announced. It is Stephenson’s third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance with Head Coach Marcus Jelks at the helm.
Columbia’s Nishan Hillman scored three rushing touchdowns in the Eagles 46-12 Class 2A state playoff rout of the Butler Bulldogs. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Columbia 46, Butler 12
The Columbia Eagles shut out the Butler Bulldogs for three quarters on the way to a 46-12 win at Cobb Stadium to advance to the Class 2A playoffs Sweet 16.
Butler scored all 12 of its points in the second quarter to close the gap to 27-16 after not scoring in the first quarter. The defense got some good play from Durante Speer (interception), Cain Jefferson (2 sacks, fumble recovery) and Mikel Edwin who was living in the Bulldogs (4-6) backfield most of the night.
Nishan Hillman had a big night running the ball with three touchdowns and Cameron Graves added another rushing touchdown and touchdown passes to Demarion Davis and Jeremiah Coombs. Nick Hill also scored a rushing touchdown in the game.
Columbia advances to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season and the third time in four years under Coach Greg Barnett. The Eagles will host the Pierce County Bears (10-1), a 56-0 winner over Jackson, next Friday night at Cobb Stadium.
Southwest DeKalb’s Jodan Christie (1) caught 10 passes for 78 yards, rushed for 46 yards on three carries and returned a kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown in the Panthers 35-13 playoff loss to Benedictine. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Benedictine 35, Southwest DeKalb 13
Benedictine’s Wyatt Estabrook had three of his team’s six interceptions as the visiting Cadets knocked off the Southwest DeKalb Panthers 35-13 at Godfrey Stadium on Friday night.
Estabrook capped off the night with a 30-yard pick six with 2:28 to play to put the Cadets (6-4) up 35-7.
One of the biggest highlights of the game for the Panthers (7-4) came on the ensuing kickoff as Jordan Christie fielded the kick, reversed field to avoid oncoming Cadet defenders and raced 74 yards for the Panthers second score of the night.
Southwest DeKalb moved the ball on Benedictine racking up 347 yards of offense, but the interceptions came four times in the red zone and two others on the Benedictine side of the 50.
The Panthers only other score came in the third quarter on an 18-yard run by Tamir Rudloph to cut the gap to 21-7. Kelvin Saturday hit the PAT for the Panthers.
DCSD FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, November 15
CLASS 5A
Langston Hughes (10-1) 58, Dunwoody (4-7) 35
CLASS 4A
Central, Carroll (9-2) 62, M.L. King (4-7) 19
Ware Co. (6-5) 38, Tucker (7-4) 0
GODFREY STADIUM
Benedictine (6-4) 35, SW DeKalb (7-4) 13
CLASS 3A
Harlem (10-1) 27, Cedar Grove (3-7) 14
HALLFORD STADIUM
Stephenson (8-3) 44, Whitewater (5-6) 37
CLASS 2A
Callaway (9-2) 38, Miller Grove (5-6) 0
Rockmart (9-2) 30, Redan (3-7) 6
COBB (AVONDALE) STADIUM
Columbia (5-6) 46, Butler (4-6) 12
CLASS 1A – DIVISION 1
Heard co. (9-2) 45, McNair (4-7) 13