Stephenson’s Romando Craddock (0) collected 15 tackles to help the Jaguars shut down Southeast Bulloch in a 36-3 Class 3A quarterfinal win on Friday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
A 29-point second half propelled the Stephenson Jaguars to a 36-3 high school football Class 3A quarterfinal win over the Southeast Bulloch Yellow Jackets on Friday at Hallford Stadium.
Stephenson (10-3) shut down the Yellow Jackets (10-3) offense that had averaged 26.3 points per game allowing no points in the second half after leading 7-3 at the break.
The defense led by linebacker Romando Craddock’s 15 total tackles (1 tackle for loss) had 12 tackles for loss in the game including one sack as they controlled the Yellow Jackets rushing attack throughout the game allowing just the second quarter field goal.
Junior defensive lineman Sergio Mason collected 11 total tackles (8 solo) and 5 tackles for a loss and a sack to join Craddock in limiting the Yellow Jackets offense. Linebacker Tyler Little and Danterious McKenzie both had 11 tackles in the contest.
The Jaguars also got a pair of turnovers as sophomore defensive lineman Kwame Green (8 tackles, 3 for a loss) caused and recovered a fumble and Destin Davies added an interception. The defensive effort held the Yellow Jackets who averaged 252 yards rushing per game to just 89 yards rushing on 41 carries and just 172 yards of total offense in the game.
Anthony Booker (14 carries, 231 yards, 3 TDs) got the Jaguars rolling with a 76-yard touchdown run where he broke three tackles on the way to the end zone.
Booker would add two more touchdowns in the second half to go with a touchdown run by Craddock and a pass from Marte Barton (5 of 7 passes, 1 TD, 1 INT) to Julius Favors for 19 yards to close out the scoring. Booker has fueled the Jaguar offense throughout the first three rounds of the playoffs totaling 643 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns and one touchdown receiving.
Stephenson’s offense had 433 yards of total offense and five touchdowns on 40 plays.
The Jaguars move into the semifinal round for the first time since 2005 when they finished 12-2. Stephenson goes on the road for the first time in the playoffs as they travel to Calhoun to take on the Yellow Jackets (10-3) on Friday night at 7:30.
DCSD FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS
Friday, November 29
CLASS 3A QUARTERFINALS
HALLFORD STADIUM
Stephenson (10-3) 36, Southeast Bulloch (10-3) 3
DCSD FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, December 6
CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS
Stephenson (10-3) at Calhoun (10-3), 7:30 pm