Ten DeKalb County teams poised for state playoff berths

By Mark Brock

DCSD Athletics Specialist

Ten DeKalb County School District(DCSD) football teams are playing for either a playoff berth or seeding heading into the state playoffs in two weeks as the regular season finishes this weekend.

Lakeside (4-5, 3-3) and Dunwoody (3-6, 2-4) need wins to keep playoff hopes alive as they play key Region 4-5A contests on Friday. Lakeside needs a win over region leader Woodward Academy (6-3, 6-0) and a win from Dunwoody against Shiloh (3-6, 3-3). A Lakeside loss and a Dunwoody win puts the Wildcats into the playoffs. Losses by both teams eliminates them from the playoffs.

In Region 5-4A, Southwest DeKalb (6-3, 5-2) and Tucker (7-2, 6-1) are jockeying for a home game in the Class 4A state playoffs. The Panthers take on Druid Hills (4-5, 3-4) with a No. 2 seed on the line. A win puts the Panthers in position for the No. 2 seed if Tucker loses to region leader Marist (9-0, 7-0). A Tucker win give the Tigers the No. 1 seed, but a loss puts them in the No. 3 slot and on the road in the first round and drops Southwest DeKalb to the No. 3 seed.

In Regions 5-3A, 6-2A and Division 1 Region 4-1A, the Power Ranking will determine the fates of seven DeKalb teams but wins can help solidify higher seeds.

Stephenson (6-3, 4-1) and Cedar Grove (3-5, 3-2) need wins to increase their power rankings as well as placement in Region 5-3A. Stephenson takes on region leader Douglass (7-2, 5-0) on the road at Lakewood with the region title on the line. Cedar Grove travels to Luella (4-5, 3-2) looking to sew up the No. 3 spot in the region.

Columbia (3-6, 3-0) and Redan (3-6, 1-2) need wins in Region 6-2A to solidify seeding and playoff hopes. Columbia travels to Salem (1-8, 0-3) with the region title already in hand but a win can enhance their seeding in the playoffs. Redan needs a win vs. South Atlanta (4-5, 2-1) to increase their chances of making the field of 32 in Class 2A.

McNair (3-6, 1-4) can move closer to a playoff berth with a win on Thursday against Utopian (0-8, 0-4). Towers (3-5, 1-4) hosts Social Circle (6-3, 4-1) needing a win to get into the field of 32 in Division 1A.

DeKalb County School District (DCSD) Football Schedule, Week 12  

Thursday, Oct. 31

GODFREY STADIUM

Utopian (0-8, 0-4) vs. McNair (3-6, 1-4)* (HC), 7 p.m.

HALLFORD STADIUM

Lithonia (5-4, 3-4) vs. Clarkston (0-9, 0-7)* (SN), 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 1

ADAMS STADIUM

Woodward (6-3, 6-0) vs. Lakeside (4-5, 3-3)* (SN), 7:30 p.m.

COBB STADIUM

Social Circle (6-3, 4-1) vs. Towers (3-5, 1-4)* (SN), 7:30 p.m.

GODFREY STADIUM

Chamblee (1-8, 1-5) vs. Arabia Mountain (1-8, 0-6)*, 7:30 p.m.

HALLFORD STADIUM

South Atlanta (4-, 2-1) vs. Redan (3-6, 1-2)*(SN), 7:30 p.m.

NORTH DEKALB STADIUM

Southwest DeKalb (6-3, 5-2) vs. Druid Hills (4-5, 3-4)*(HC), 7:30 p.m.

AWAY GAMES

Cedar Grove (3-5, 3-2) vs. Luella (4-5, 3-2)*, 7:30 p.m.

Columbia (3-6, 3-0) vs. Salem (1-8, 0-3)*, 7:30 p.m.

Dunwoody (3-6, 2-4) vs. Shiloh (3-6, 3-3)*, 7:30 p.m.

Tucker (7-2, 6-1) vs. Marist (9-0, 7-0)*, 7:30 p.m.

LAKEWOOD STADIUM

Stephenson (6-3, 4-1) vs. Douglass (7-2, 5-0)*, 7:30 p.m.

SOUTHERN CRESCENT STADIUM

Stone Mountain (1-7) vs. Riverdale (0-9), 7:30 p.m.

TARA STADIUM

M.L. King (3-6, 2-4) vs. Forest Park (1-7, 0-5),* 7:30 p.m.

OPEN: Cross Keys (0-8), Miller Grove (5-5)

*Region Game

(HC) – Homecoming

(SN) – Senior Night