Chamblee’s Miller Meeks (52), shown here blocking a punt against Towers earlier this season, is one of the stalwarts on the Bulldog’s defense. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The Chamblee Bulldogs and Tucker Tigers renew one of the two schools most played rivalries to top off a big slate of 10 high school football games in DeKalb Stadiums on Thursday and Friday.
It will be the 26th meeting between the schools with Tucker holding a 15-9-1 advantage in the series. Tucker won the last meeting in 2011 by a score of 63-6. The two collide at 7:00 pm on Thursday night at North DeKalb Stadium.
Chamblee is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 4-5A following their 45-7 victory over Martin Luther King in last week’s region opener. The Bulldogs are led offensively by senior quarterback Fabian Walker (102-67-0, 945 yards, 15 TDs; Rushing 34 carries, 174 yards, 3 TDs) and senior receiver Jordan Thornton (24 receptions, 375 yards, 6 TDs). The defense is led by senior linebacker Jack Hawkins (23 tackles, 1 sack, 6 TFL, 1 Int) and junior defensive end Quay Wright (29 tackles, 11 for loss, 2 fumbles caused).
Tucker (2-4, 0-1) jumped out to a quick 2-0 start on the season but has dropped its last four outings including its region opening 53-28 loss to Decatur last weekend. The Tigers offense is led by Jordan McCoy (84 carries, 612 yards, 7 TDs). Defensively the Tigers look to defensive ends Nakobi Spurrier and Christopher Jackson who have combined for 5 sacks and 6 tackles for a loss.
Tucker’s Christopher Jackson (7), shown here in pursuit of a Miller Grove running back, is one of a tandem of defensive ends, including Nakobi Spurrier, that are a key to the Tigers’ defense. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Other Thursday games include Columbia (4-2, 1-1) hosting Landmark Christian (3-3, 1-1) as the Eagles look to rebound from the 32-12 loss to Callaway last week. The game is set for Avondale at 7:00 pm.
Friday’s five game schedule in DeKalb includes a battle of undefeated in Region 6-4A as the Stephenson Jaguars (3-2, 1-0) hosts the Westminster Wildcats (4-2, 1-0) in a Homecoming contest at Hallford Stadium set for a 7:30 pm start.
It is the first meeting between two of the more recognized football programs in the state with a spot at the top of the region standings on the line. The Jaguars are led by junior running back Devin Ingram (78 carries, 455 yards, 6 TDs) who had a pair of touchdowns and 147 yards rushing in a hard-fought 13-12 win over Hapeville Charter in a region opener.
Westminster is coming off a thrilling win of its own with a really to defeat Holy Innocents 15-14 in the Wildcats’ region opener last weekend.
Arabia Mountain (3-3, 1-0) looks to extend its streak to three wins as the Rams host Decatur (2-4, 1-0) at 7:30 pm in the friendly confines of Godfrey Stadium on Friday. The Rams are coming off a 42-16 win over Lithonia in their region opener. Quarterback Julian Shanks (105-56-3, 746 yards, 11 TDs) led the way throwing for 276 yards and five touchdowns and running for another in the win. Solomon Rayton (101 carries, 544 yards, 3 TDs) leads the ground attack.
Decatur is coming off a big 53-28 region win over the Tucker Tigers last week and looks to continue its winning ways.
DCSD FOOTBALL SCHEDULE – WEEK 8
Thursday, Oct. 6
ADAMS STADIUM
St. Mary’s (0-5) vs. Cross Keys (0-5), 7:00 pm
AVONDALE STADIUM
Landmark Christian (3-3, 1-1) vs. Columbia (4-2, 1-1)*, 7:00 pm
GODFREY STADIUM
McNair (2-4, 0-2) vs. Towers (0-4-1, 0-1)(HC)*, 7:00 pm
HALLFORD STADIUM
Clarkston (1-4) vs. Stone Mountain (1-4) (HC), 7:00 pm
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Tucker (2-4, 0-1) vs. Chamblee (4-1, 1-0)*, 7:00 pm
Friday, Oct. 7
ADAMS STADIUM
Charles Drew (0-5) at Lakeside (4-2), 7:30 pm
AVONDALE STADIUM
Lithonia (0-6, 0-1) vs. M.L. King (1-5, 0-1)(HC)*, 7:30 pm
GODFREY STADIUM
Decatur (2-4, 1-0) vs. Arabia Mountain (3-3, 1-0)(HC)*, 7:30 pm
HALLFORD STADIUM
Westminster (4-2, 1-0) vs. Stephenson (3-2, 1-0)(HC)*, 7:30 pm
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Eagles Landing Christian (2-3, 1-0) vs. Redan (2-4, 1-1)(SN)*, 7:30 pm
AWAY GAMES
Southwest DeKalb (2-4, 0-1) vs. Hapeville Charter (0-6, 0-1)*, 7:30 pm, Banneker
Miller Grove (3-3, 1-0) vs. Holy Innocents (3-3, 0-1), 7:30 pm
Druid Hills (2-3) vs. Midtown (3-3), 5:30 pm, Henderson
OPEN: Cedar Grove (4-2), Dunwoody (4-2)
*–REGION GAME
(HC) – HOMECOMING
(SN) – SENIOR NIGHT