DeKalb County: Columbia, Stephenson to host Sweet 16 state playoff games Nov. 22

By Mark Brock

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The two remaining DeKalb County School District’s high school football playoff teams are hosting second-round games on Friday , Nov. 22, following big first-round victories last week.

The Columbia Eagles (5-6) face off with the Class 2A defending state champion Pierce County Bears (10-1) at Cobb Stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm.

The No. 7 seed Columbia defeated Butler 46-12 last weekend behind the play of quarterback Cameron Graves and running back Nishan Hillman as both accounted for three touchdowns in the game.

Hillman rushed for 105 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries in the win while Graves threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns and ran in for another score in the game. Jeremiah Combs (5 receptions, 100 yards) and Demarion Davis had the touchdown catches in the game.

The Bears’ offense is led by quarterback Cade McGatha who passed for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Pierce County’s 56-0 win over Jackson in the opening round.

Columbia’s defense counters with a group of players who have accounted 199 total tackles, 21 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss in senior defensive lineman Roynard Tolbert (11 sacks), junior defensive lineman Mikhael Edwin (9 sacks) and senior defensive end Cain Jefferson (11 sacks).

This will be the first meeting between the two teams with the Eagles hoping to knock off the defending champs and move into the third round for the second consecutive season.

Stephenson vs. Jenkins

Hallford Stadium plays host to a Class 3A second round matchup between home team Stephenson (8-3) and Jenkins-Savannah (9-2) at 7:30 pm on Friday night.

Stephenson needed a 25-yard touchdown run by Romando Craddock to finally put away Whitewater last week to advance to the Sweet 16.

The Jaguars will use the running back duo of Jayden Johnson (1,284 yards, 10 TDs) and Anthony Booker (553 yards, 9 TDs)  that combined for 252 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Whitewater.

Jenkins counters with senior linebacker Reico Collins who had 14 totals tackles to go with a sack and seven tackles for a loss in the first round win. Senior Malik Mobley had a 76-yard pick six against Northwest Whitfield (28-14).

Quarterback Demetrius Holloway led Jenkins to the win throwing for a pair of touchdowns and rushing for another.

Senior middle linebacker Romando Craddock (125 tackles, 8 for loss) and junior defensive lineman Sergio Mason (64 total tackles, 27.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks) anchor the Jaguar defense.

DCSD FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 22

CLASS 2A

COBB STADIUM

Pierce Co. (10-1) vs. Columbia (5-6), 7:30 pm

CLASS 3A

HALLFORD STADIUM

Jenkins-Savannah (9-2) vs. Stephenson (8-3), 7:30 pm

Mark Brock is the DeKalb County School District’s Athletic Specialist.