The Arabia Mountain Rams and Miller Grove Wolverines make history on Friday as both programs play in the Class 5A state playoffs for the first time.

The pair join Tucker (6A), Stephenson (6A), Southwest DeKalb (5A), Lithonia (5A) and Cedar Grove (3A) as first round playoff entries from DeKalb County this weekend.

The Rams put together a program record 8-2 season this fall which included the team’s first ever state ranking (No. 8), first region title (5-5A) and this historic first state playoff appearance.

Arabia Mountain was established in 2009 and current Head Coach Stanley Pritchett took over in 2013 to take the team to its first winning record (7-3), but came up short of a playoff berth after putting together a five game winning streak to end the season.

Now after two consecutive 4-6 seasons the Rams are hosting a Class 5A first round playoff game against the Villa Rica Wildcats (5-5, 7-5A No. 4) at 7:30 pm on Friday (today) at Hallford Stadium.

Senior running backs Brandon Snowball (826 yards rushing, 9 TDs) and Carl White III (671 yards rushing, 10 TDs) and senior quarterback Samad Noble (402 yards rushing, 635 passing and 11 TDs accounted for) lead the Rams offense. Senior wide receiver Michael Miller (28 receptions, 415 yards receiving, 3 TDs) is another big play guy for the Rams.

This group will take on Villa Rica leading tackler senior linebacker Warrick Rachel and the junior defensive line duo of Malik Kelley and Jabari Webb.

Senior preseason all-state linebacker selection Terray Bryant leads the Rams defense which has allowed just 12 points per game this season. Seniors Joshua Cook (LB), Falcoe Johnson (DE) and Keenan Robinson (DL) play a big role in the stingy defense.

The running back trio of Elijah Fluker, Phillip Zachery and Xavier Hill lead the Villa Rica attack.

The Wolverines (4-6) needed a season ending 33-0 victory over the Chamblee Bulldogs to reach the state playoffs and go on the road as the Region 5-5A No. 4 seed. Miller Grove travels to Rome to take on the Region 7-5A No. 1 seed Wolves (8-2) at 7:30 pm on Friday (today).

Justin Larmond is the third coach in the 12 year history of the Wolverine program and in his first year has guided the team into their first playoff berth.

Running back Roderick Harper (693 yards, 6 TDs rushing)) and athlete Ezekio Gouch (304 yards, 2 TDs rushing, 205 yards, 4 TDS receiving.) drive the Wolverine offense. Sophomore quarterback Trevon Woodson (583 yards, 6 TDs passing) and junior receiver Jalen Stuckey (242 yards, 5 TDs receiving) can hit the big play.

Rome has a pair of bookend junior defensive ends in Adam Anderson and Jamarcus Chapman who team up with senior linebacker Jaylen Griffin to lead the Wolves defensively.

Senior defensive lineman Dalonte Marcelin teams up with junior Caleb Tannor and sophomore Jon Ross Burns to solidify the Wolverines up front while senior linebacker Tyreek Williams fills the gaps.

The Wolves are led by sophomore quarterback Knox Kadum, junior running back Jalynn Sykes and sophomore running back Jamious Griffin. When Kadum goes to the air he looks for junior receiver Jordan Watkins.

In other Class 5A action for DeKalb teams, Southwest DeKalb and Lithonia return to the state playoffs. The Panthers (6-4) are the No. 2 seed from Region 5-5A and host Top 10 ranked Kell (8-2) in their first playoff game since the 2012 season. The pair lineup for a 7:30 pm start at Godfrey Stadium on Friday (today).

The Bulldogs from Lithonia (5-5, No. 3 seed) go on the road to face Top 10 ranked Carrollton (9-1, 7-5A No. 2) at 7:30 pm Friday (today). It is Lithonia’s first playoff appearance since the 2014 season.

Class 6A
Tucker and Stephenson start the Class 6A state playoffs today (Friday) coming out of Region 4-6A.

The No. 4 ranked Tigers (9-1) play host to the Bradwell Institute Tigers (3-5-1, 2-6A No. 4) at 7:30 pm at Adams Stadium. It is Tucker’s ninth consecutive playoff appearance (2007-2015) and the Tigers have won nine consecutive first round playoff games.

The Jaguars (6-4, 4-6A No. 3) go on the road to face Effingham County (8-2, 2-6A No. 2) at 7:30 pm. Stephenson is making a 17th consecutive playoff appearance (2000-2016).

Class 3A
The No. 6 ranked Cedar Grove Saints (8-2, 5-3A No. 2) play hosts to the Union County Panthers (8-2, 7-3A, No. 3) at 5:00 pm on Saturday at Buck Godfrey Stadium.

The Saints playoff streak improved to four consecutive (2013-2016) and they have won three first round playoff games in a row.

DCSD FOOTBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOV. 11
HOME GAMES
CLASS 6A
ADAMS STADIUM
Bradwell Institute (3-5-1) vs. Tucker (9-1), 7:30 pm
CLASS 5A
HALLFORD STADIUM
Villa Rica (5-5) vs. Arabia Mountain (8-2), 7:30 pm
GODREY STADIUM
Kell (8-2) vs. SW DeKalb (5-5), 7:30 pm

AWAY GAMES
CLASS 6A
Stephenson (6-4) at Effingham Co. (7-3), 7:30 pm
CLASS 5A
Lithonia (5-5) at Carrollton (9-1), 7:30 pm
Miller Grove (4-6) at Rome (8-2), 7:30 pm

SATURDAY, NOV. 12
CLASS 3A
GODFREY STADIUM
Union Co. (8-2) at Cedar Grove (8-2), 5:00 pm