Stephenson-Tucker rivalry tops this week’s 7-game home schedule

By Mark Brock

DeKalb County School District

Athletics Specialist

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—DeKalb County’s high school football programs get back into action with seven home games this weekend with the Stephenson Jaguars against the Tucker Tigers rivalry renewing for the ninth time.

The two high profile DeKalb programs first met in 2012 with Stephenson winning a 13-6 battle before Tucker ran off three in a row. The teams have played every year since 2016 except for the 2020 season cut short by Covid.

Stephenson won 30-24 in 2017 and has reeled off four consecutive victories including 28-3 a year ago to take a 5-3 lead in the series.

Tucker (2-2) is on a two-game losing skid and a win over their rivals would propel them into Region 5-5A play on a winning note as they compete for a playoff spot. The Tigers are led by running back Jordan McCoy (57 carries, 567 yards, 10 TDs).

The Jaguars (3-1) are coming off a bye week and also looking to springboard into Region 4-4A play with a win. Senior running back Devin Ingram (67-553, 9 TDs) and senior receiver Trent Fields Jr. (11 receptions, 266, 2 TDs) are keys to the Jaguars offense.

The two teams are set for a 7:30 pm kickoff at Hallford Stadium on Friday night.

Another all-DeKalb meeting features McNair (2-2) hosting Columbia (2-2) at 7:30 pm at Godfrey Stadium on Friday night in the first Region 5-3A game for both teams. Columbia is coming off a bye week following a tough 31-6 loss to Cartersville two weeks ago. McNair dropped a hard-fought 17-6 decision on the road at Flint River Academy last Friday.

It will be the 21^st meeting between the two DeKalb schools with Columbia leading the series 11-9. The Eagles have won the last seven meetings, including six consecutive shutouts.

Undefeated Dunwoody (4-0) travels to Adams Stadium for a 7:30 pm tilt with the Lakeside Vikings (3-1) in a non-region meeting. Lakeside leads the series 15-11-1 but Dunwoody has taken the last two meetings including a 30-0 shutout a year ago.

Redan (1-3) plays host to No. 3 ranked Callaway (3-1) in a Region 5-3A matchup at Avondale Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm. Callaway won the only meeting with Redan taking the 2022 meeting 44-12.

There will be Thursday night football this week with three games on tap as DeKalb teams host out-of-county foes to kick-off the weekend.

Arabia Mountain (3-1) is set to extend its three-game win streak as the Rams host Locust Grove (1-3) at Godfrey Stadium with kickoff set for 7:00 pm. Locust Grove leads the short series 2-1 while the Rams won a 13-12 squeaker in 2022.

Cross Keys (0-5) host Harvester Christian (1-3) in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Adams Stadium with the Indians vying for their first win on the season. This is the first meeting between the two schools.

Stone Mountain (0-4) hosts Charles Drew (1-3) in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Hallford Stadium on Thursday. Stone Mountain won the first meeting a year ago 35-7.

DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE – WEEK 6

Thursday, Sept. 21

ADAMS STADIUM

Harvester Christian (1-3) vs. Cross Keys (0-5), 7 p.m

GODFREY STADIUM

Locust Grove (1-3) vs. Arabia Mountain (3-1), 7 p.m.

HALLFORD STADIUM

Charles Drew (1-3) vs. Stone Mountain (0-4), 7 p..m

Friday, Sept. 22

ADAMS STADIUM

Dunwoody (4-0) vs. Lakeside (3-1), 7:30 p.m.

AVONDALE STADIUM

Callaway (3-1) vs. Redan (1-3)*, 7:30 p.m.

GODFREY STADIUM

Columbia (2-2) vs. McNair (2-2)*, 7:30 p.m.

HALLFORD STADIUM

Tucker (2-2) vs. Stephenson (3-1), 7:30 p.m.

AWAY GAMES

Cedar Grove (2-3) at Colquitt Co. (4-0), 7:30 p.m.

Clarkston (1-3) at Heard Co. (0-4), 7:30 p.m.

Druid Hills (2-1-1) at Southwest Whitfield (1-3), 7:30 p.m.

M.L. King (1-3) at Cass (2-2), 7:30 p..m

Saturday, Sept. 23

AWAY GAME

LAKEWOOD STADIUM

Lithonia (1-3) vs. Douglass (3-2), 4 p.m.

OPEN: Chamblee (2-3), Miller Grove (4-1), SW DeKalb (2-3), Towers (0-4)

Photos provided by Mark Brock, DCSD Athletics Specialist.