Football Preview: Tucker Still Undefeated in Middle School Action

By Mark Brock

Two weeks of the DeKalb County Middle School football season remains and three teams are atop the standings with undefeated records.

Chapel Hill (5-0, 3-0) leads Region 4 and heads into its bye week following a 44-0 win over Druid Hills (0-4, 0-2). The Panthers were led by J. Campbell’s two touchdowns and 150 yards rushing in the win.

Columbia (4-0, 2-0) knocked off defending Trail to the Title champion Lithonia (2-2, 1-1) 22-0 to move into a tie with idle Redan (2-2, 2-0) at the top of the Region 3 standings.

Tucker moved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in Region 1 with a 48-0 win over Sequoyah (0-5, 0-3). The Tigers got touchdown runs from Jervon Mannery (55 yards), Barry Williams (45 yards) and Malachi Buckner (40 yards) on the offensive side of the football.

The Tiger defense got seven sacks from Antonio Showers and three from Gerry Vaughn while Williams returned an interception for a score.

Champion (3-1, 2-0) remained a game behind Tucker in Region 1 with two games to play with a 20-18 victory over three-time defending Region 1 champ Bethune (0-4, 0-2). Tyrese Gilliam scored 2 touchdowns and Immanuel Leonard added a third in the win.

This week:
Several key region matchups highlight this week’s DeKalb County Middle School football action as teams jockey for playoff spots.

Region 1 has second place Champion (3-1, 2-0) taking on third place Henderson (2-2, 1-1) with the winner having the upper hand for a playoff spot in the Trail to the Title. Henderson is coming off a bye week while Champion defeated Bethune in a tight 20-18 game this past week.

Region 2 had two key games affecting the playoffs as Stephenson (3-1, 2-0)
looks to stay in first place in a game against Salem (2-3, 1-2) which is clinging to a playoff shot and needs a victory to keep the hopes alive.

Renfroe (3-1, 1-1) comes off a bye week looking to stay in playoff contention as Chamblee (0-4, 0-2) travels to Decatur in the other key Region 2 matchup.

Columbia (4-0, 2-0) and Redan (2-2, 2-0) are looking for wins this week to set up a Region 3 championship game in Week 7. Columbia takes on defending Region 3 champ Peachtree (2-3, 1-2) in the hopes of moving to 3-0 while Peachtree looks to play spoiler.

Redan takes on defending Trail to the Title champ Lithonia (2-2, 1-1) as the Raiders look to stay atop the standings heading into the final week of the regular season. Lithonia can move into second place with a win and leg up on reaching the playoffs.

Region 4 had three teams in playoff contention including undefeated and idle Chapel Hill (5-0, 3-0) and Miller Grove (3-1, 1-1) and Stone Mountain (3-1, 2-0) which go head-to-head on Saturday. Stone Mountain could assure itself of a playoff spot with a win with one week to go, but a loss would force the Pirates into a must-win situation against Chapel Hill the following week.

WEEK 6 – 10/5/13
Bethune (0-4) vs. Sequoyah (0-5), Hallford, 9 a.m.
Henderson (2-2) vs. Champion (3-1), Adams, 9 a.m.
Salem (2-3) vs. Stephenson (3-1), Panthersville, 9 a.m.
Renfroe (3-1) vs. Chamblee (0-4), Decatur High, 10:00 a.m.
Columbia (4-0) vs. Peachtree (2-3), Panthersville, 10:30 a.m.
Druid Hills (0-4) vs. Freedom (2-3), Adams, 10:30 a.m.
Miller Grove (3-1) vs. Stone Mountain (3-1), Avondale, 10:30 a.m.
Redan (2-2) vs. Lithonia (2-2), Hallford, 10:30 a.m.

Open: Cedar Grove (3-2), Chapel Hill (5-0), McNair (0-5), Tucker (5-0)