Redan falls 20-6 to Harris County in second round of state playoffs

By Mark Brock

DCSD Athletics Specialist

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—The Redan Lady Raiders picked up the only win for DeKalb County School District (DCSD) flag football teams in the first round of the state playoffs before dropping a 20-6 second round decision to Harris County on Tuesday night (Nov. 29) at Hallford Stadium.

Redan opened the Class 1A-4A state playoffs with a 6-0 overtime victory over Maynard Jackson (7-4) as the two teams battled to a 0-0 tie at the end of regulation after both teams stopped the opponent on fourth down deep in each other’s territory in the second half.

Overtime started with Redan in possession at the 10. The Raiders were facing a third and goal at the Jackson one-yard line when Londyn Felder dropped to pass and then tucked the ball and ran to the right pylon and into the end zone ahead of a defender for the touchdown. The extra point try was no good.

Jackson got the football and Redan’s Miyah Campbell made two consecutive stops behind the line to force a third and goal at the 14. A third down pass by Jackson was ruled an illegal forward pass and cost a down. Jackson was forced into a do-or-die situation at fourth and goal at the 19.

Felder had two interceptions in the win.

Quarterback Alyssa Billings dropped to pass and threw into the end zone, but Redan’s Ja’Niya Pruitt broke up the pass to preserve the 6-0 victory for the Raiders.

Redan moved into the second round against Harris County, a 27-2 winner over Athens Academy, with a quarterfinal appearance on the line.

Harris County’s Reese Wise scored on a 13-yard reverse and on an option pitch to give Harris County a 13-0 lead at the half. Wise struck again on Redan’s first possession of the second half as she got a 25-yard pick six as the lead went to 20-0 with 17:50 to play.

Redan responded as Felder hit Campbell on consecutive passes of 16 and 19 yards to move the Raiders to the Harris 13-yard line. She then threw to Pruitt for 10 yards before taking the ball into the end zone on an eight-yard run herself. The extra point was no good and Harris led 20-6 with 9:00 left on the game clock.

Redan forced a punt by Harris and marched to the Harris six-yard line where they faced a fourth and goal. Felder was forced to run and came up four yards short. Harris ran out the final 1:31 on the clock to seal the win.

In other Class 1A-4A action, Towers fell 19-0 to No. 1 seed Pace Academy (14-1).

CLASS 5A-6A

The No. 2 seed Tucker Tigers dropped a tough 6-0, two-overtime defensive battle with Villa Rica in the opening game of the Evans Regional to end their season.

The two teams went into the final overtime knotted 0-0 and Tucker failed on its attempt to give Villa Rica the opening to get the win. The game came down to a fourth and goal at the Tucker two-yard line when a Villa Rica (9-2) tipped pass fell into the hands of a receiver for the winning touchdown.

Maliyah Greene (4 tackles for a loss) and Nijah Lewis (3 tackles for a loss) led a terrific defensive game for the Tigers (7-6). Maliyah Davis and Ethel Brown added four tackles each. Trinity Head led the offense with 35 yards rushing and one reception for 15 yards.

Clarkston also made the Class 5A-6A playoffs and faced off with Central (Carrollton) in a first-round game at Heritage (Conyers). Central (10-5) came out on top in a shootout by a score of 27-21 to knock the Angoras from the playoffs.

In other Class 5A-6A play, Lithonia (6-6) fell 25-0 to undefeated Lithia Springs (14-0) to end the Bulldogs season.

CLASS 7A

The Dunwoody Wildcats traveled to Archer for their first-round game against the home team. Archer (10-1) defeated Dunwoody 25-0 as the Wildcats finished the season 6-10-1.

DCSD FLAG FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS RESULTS

Tuesday, November 29

CLASS A-4A

HALLFORD STADIUM

Redan (10-2) 6, Maynard Jackson (7-4) 0 OT

Harris Co. (10-1) 27, Athens Academy (6-3) 2

Harris Co. (11-1) 20, Redan (10-3) 6 

At Pace Academy

Pace (14-1) 19, Towers (9-5) 0

CLASS 5A-6A

AT EVANS

Villa Rica (9-2) 6, Tucker (7-6) 0 (2 OT)

Winners, 6:30 pm

AT HERITAGE-CONYERS

Central-Carrollton (10-5) 27, Clarkston (7-6) 21

AT LITHIA SPRINGS

Lithia Springs (14-0) 25, Lithonia (6-6) 0

CLASS 7A

AT ARCHER

Archer (10-1) 25, Dunwoody (6-10-1) 0