Tucker's Josh Vann makes a leaping, one-handed grab at the Lovejoy 1-yard line. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Tucker’s Josh Vann makes a leaping, one-handed grab at the Lovejoy 1-yard line. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Jalen Jefferson’s interception with 1:14 to play sealed a 29-26 come-from-behind victory by the No. 6 ranked Tucker Tigers over their Region 4-6A rivals Lovejoy Wildcats on Friday at Adams Stadium.

The victory put the Tigers (6-1, 4-0) in sole possession of first place in the region standings with three games left in the season.
Trailing 26-14 following Lovejoy’s Zion Custis’ 72-yard touchdown run, the Tigers put on a strong defensive show the rest of the way as they began to catch up to the Wildcats.
The Tigers took advantage of a 28-yard kickoff return by Taurean Taylor to the Lovejoy 44 to score seven plays later. Nick Broadwater finished off the drive with a five-yard run for the score and Adam Lippy tacked on the point after to trim the margin to 26-21.
Defense stepped up for the Tigers the rest of way limiting Lovejoy to just 53 yards of offense in the final 20 minutes of action, including holding Custis who had 201 yards rushing and two touchdowns in the first 26 minutes of the game to just 33 yards.
A fumble and interception kept the Tigers at bay until Taylor ran into the line and burst through a big hole to race 78 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 6:54 to play. Xavier Shephard rolled right and threw back across the field to a wide-open Josh Vann for the two-point conversion and the 29-26 lead.
Tucker's Aaron Sterling (15) and Tre Leslie (20) clog up the middle of the line of scrimmage to make running tough for Lovejoy. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Tucker’s Aaron Sterling (15) and Tre Leslie (20) clog up the middle of the line of scrimmage to make running tough for Lovejoy. (Photo by Mark Brock)

The defense came up big on the last two Lovejoy possessions of the game as Aaron Sterling put a big hit on quarterback John Seter to force an incompletion on fourth and 7 with 4:10 to play.

Lovejoy’s defense then forced a three and out ono the Tigers, but on fourth and four at its own 20 Jefferson stepped in for his game-sealing interception.
Custis (24 carries, 234 yards, 2 TDs) put Lovejoy up 7-0 earl with a 58-yard touchdown run with 4:46 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers answered early in the second quarter as Shephard threw a pass before Josh Vann made his cut leading him to the corner of the end zone. Vann adjusted to the throw and made a leaping, one-handed grab to put Tucker in business at the Lovejoy one-yard line. Chris Broadwater scored the first of his two touchdowns a play later and Lippy knotted the game at 7-7 with 9:52 left in the first half.
Five minutes later Seter found Marquese Taylor in the middle of the end zone for a 17-yard scoring toss. The point after was blocked by the Tigers to keep the margin at 13-7.
Tucker again answered, this time with an 81-yard drive completed with Shephard throwing 37 yards down the middle to Taurean Taylor who took the football away from the Lovejoy defender for the touchdown. Lippy made it 14-13 with 1:56 left in the first half.
Lovejoy wasn’t finished as Seter threw 15 yards to Marquese Taylor who broke a pair of tackles on the way to an 80-yard touchdown to regain the lead for the Wildcats at 19-14 at the half.
Tauren Taylor finished the game with 11 carries for 136 yards and one touchdown and 4 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Tucker hosts Region 4-6A foe Charles Drew (2-5, 2-2) next Friday for Senior Night at Adams Stadium with kickoff set for 8:00 pm.
Cedar Grove 49, Pace Academy 0
The No. 9 ranked Cedar Grove Saints made a statement on Friday night with a dominating 49-0 victory over No. 4 ranked Pace Academy at Godfrey Stadium.
Grant Walker led the ground attack for the Saints up 181 yards and two touchdowns while Jadon Haselwood had a touchdown pass from Jelani Woods and a 60-yard punt return. Woods, Darrell Neal and Demtrius Tharpe each added rushing touchdowns as the Saints (5-2, 3-1) poured it on Pace (4-3, 2-2).
The Saints defense put up its second consecutive shutout and forced a pair of Pace fumbles to take a step closer to clinching a host role in the opening round of the state playoffs.
Clarkston's Dante McIntyre (6) grabs a touchdown pass against the Cross Keys Indians. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Clarkston’s Dante McIntyre (6) grabs a touchdown pass against the Cross Keys Indians. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Clarkston 42, Cross Keys 0
The Clarkston Angoras jumped out to a 22-0 lead and rolled to a 42-0 homecoming victory over the Cross Keys Indians at Hallford Stadium on Friday night.

Clarkston (1-7) ended a nine-game skid dating back to last year’s 48-0 win over the Indians (1-3).
Clarkston drove 58 yards in 7 plays to open the game and take a 6-0 lead on a three-yard touchdown run by Jaiquon Johnson. Johnson had a 17-yard run and quarterback Foday Tarawally connected with Donte McIntyre for a 21-yard gain to set up Johnson’s score.
Johnson returned a punt to the Cross Keys 35 to set up the Angoras in good field position on their next possession. Runs of 20 and 10 yards by Rickey Williams moved the Angoras to within striking range to add to their lead.
Tarawally found McIntyre in the back of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown pass and a pass to Williams for the two-point conversion to make it 14-0 in favor of the Angoras.
Reginal Dulin sent the Angoras into the second quarter up 22-0 with his17-yard touchdown run. Clarkston would score 20 more points and hold the Indians without a score the rest of the way.
SW DeKalb 40, Miller Grove
Justin Tomlin threw for 257 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Southwest DeKalb Panthers to a 40-0 Region 5-5A victory over the Miller Grove Wolverines.
Tomlin connected with Devaughn Brown, Eric Johnson and Michael Pace for passing touchdowns. Calvin Scott added 100 yards rushing for the Panthers (4-3, 2-0) who look to be on a collision course with No. 8 ranked Arabia Mountain for the top playoff spot out of the region.
Arabia Mountain (6-1, 2-0) ran past Columbia (2-5, 0-2) 51-18 to stay undefeated in the region. Lithonia (3-4, 2-0) remained undefeated in the region as well with a 35-0 win over the Chamblee Bulldogs (1-6, 0-2).
DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 14
ADAMS STADIUM
Tucker (6-1, 4-0) 29, Lovejoy (4-4, 4-1) 26
AVONDALE STADIUM
Westminster (5-2, 4-0) 55, McNair (3-4, 1-3) 6
GODFREY STADIUM
Cedar Grove (5-2, 3-1) 49, Pace (4-3, 2-2) 0
HALLFORD STADIUM
Clarkston (1-7) 42, Cross Keys (1-3) 0
SW DeKalb (4-3, 2-0) 40, Miller Grove (2-5, 0-2) 0
AWAY GAMES
Pope (2-5 ,2-3) 49, Dunwoody (2-5, 1-4) 7
Norcross (7-0, 3-0) 42, Lakeside (4-4, 1-3) 10
Jonesboro (1-6, 1-3) 21, M.L. King (2-5, 0-4) 14
Lovett (5-2, 3-1) 46, Redan (2-5, 1-3) 26
Stephenson (4-3, 3-1) 49, Drew (2-5, 2-2) 14
Saturday, Oct. 15
AVONDALE STADIUM
Towers (3-4, 2-2) 36, Stone Mountain (1-6, 0-4) 0
GODFREY STADIUM
Arabia Mountain (6-1, 2-0) 51, Columbia (2-5, 0-2) 18
HALLFORD STADIUM
Lithonia (3-4, 2-0) 35, Chamblee (1-6, 0-2) 0