State semifinal berths are on the line for three DeKalb County high school football teams

By Mark Brock

DCSD Athletics Specialist

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Three football teams from the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) play on Friday, Nov. 24, in the high school state playoffs. The Columbia Eagles, Cedar Grove Saints and the Stephenson Jaguars will have the opportunity to move into the semifinals of their respective classifications.

The Columbia Eagles (9-3) travel to Adel to take on the No. 9 ranked Cook Hornets (10-2) in the third round of the Class 2A state playoffs in a game set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Columbia advanced with a come-from-behind 18-13 win over North Cobb Christian. Quarterback Cameron Graves (885 yards passing, 11 TDs) connected with Jadan Baugh (1,368 yards rushing, 18 TDs) for a touchdown with 7:19 to play to give the Eagles the lead and the defense came up big on a fourth-down play to seal the win.

The defense was led by Edwin Moore (78 tackles, 10 sacks, 30 TFL) who had seven tackles and two tackles for a loss. Cain Jefferson (22 TFL, 12 sacks) also plays a big role on defense for the Eagles.

Cook is the Region 1-2A champion and advanced to the third round of the playoffs with a 24-14 win over No. 2 ranked Appling County.

CLASS 3A 

The No. 2 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (7-5) travel to Forsyth to take on the No. 3 ranked Mary Persons Bulldogs (11-1) in the Class 3A state playoffs on Friday at 7:30 pm.

Cedar Grove advanced to the third round with a 49-13 win over Bremen last week led by a five-touchdown, 191-yard performance by junior running back Boden Walker (1,206 rushing yards, 22 TDs).

The Saints defense held Bremen to 233 yards of total offense in the win led by linebacker Keith Bass (10 tackles, 2 TFL) and defensive end Wesley Brown (5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 FC).

Mary Persons advanced with a 42-20 win over Crisp County last week. The Bulldogs are the Region 2-3A champs and will be playing their third consecutive home game.

CLASS 4A 

The No. 9 ranked Stephenson Jaguars (10-2) play host to the No. 7 ranked Perry Panthers (10-2) on Friday in a 7:30 pm contest at Hallford Stadium in Clarkston.

Stephenson reached the third round with 35-7 victory over the Luella Lions (6-6) keyed by two early touchdown passes from quarterback Marte Barton (1,121 yards passing, 9 TDs) to Tyler Bercy (33 receptions, 392 yard receiving, 3 TDs) and a pick-six by Colin Seals to jump to a quick 21-0 first quarter lead.

The defense was led by Romando Craddock (13 total tackles, 3 TFL, 3 sacks) and Danterious McKenzie (13 total tackles) along with the Seals’ interception.

Region 2-4A No. 2 seed Perry knocked off No. 3 ranked Bainbridge (9-2) 7-3 in a defensive battle to advance to the third round.

DCSD FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 24

HALLFORD STADIUM

CLASS 4A

Perry (10-2) vs. Stephenson (10-2), 7:30 p.m.

AWAY

CLASS 3A

Cedar Grove (7-5) at Mary Persons (11-1), 7:30 p.m.

CLASS 2A

Columbia (9-3) at Cook (10-2), 7:30 p.m.