Malcome leads SW DeKalb past Marist

By Michael Carvell

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Southwest DeKalb’s Ken Malcome, who has committed to Georgia, made his case for the state’s best running back in a 21-7 win over Marist on Friday.

Enlarge photo

Curtis Compton, AJC Marist defender Sam McNearny (13) is just able to catch Southwest DeKalb running back Kendrun Malcome (34) from breaking away for a touchdown.

Related

• Marist-SW DeKalb
• HS Football: Week 9 live chat

• Prep Zone blog »

  Richt, Chizik to speak at Georgia Minority Coaches conference

• College Recruiting blog »

  College prospects are being watched on Facebook and Twitter

Latest Georgia high school sports news »

• Follow @ajcprepsports | Others
• Richt, Chizik to speak at Georgia Minority Coaches conference
• Blue Devils sweep Ringgold for third straight title
• AAAA baseball: Loganville wins title
• Bears, Pirates split first two games
• Baseball: Parkview sweeps Brookwood for AAAAA title
• Atlanta sports TV listings

Despite sitting out the fourth quarter with leg cramps, Malcome finished with 22 carries for 182 yards and one touchdown for Southwest DeKalb (7-1), No. 3 in Class AAAA.

It was a signature moment for Malcome, who has often played in the shadows of one of his best friends, Florida-bound Mack Brown of M.L. King. Malcome scored Southwest DeKalb’s first touchdown on a blazing 74-yard run in the first quarter, and he set up the second one by carrying nine of 13 plays on a game-winning drive to open the second half.

“This is a big win for our program,” said Southwest DeKalb defensive end T.J. Stripling, who also has committed to Georgia. “Marist always has a great team, and they’ve gotten the best of us the last couple of years. If we’re going to compete for the state championship, then we needed this win. And we got it.”

No. 5 Marist (6-2), which was the state runnerup last year, managed to stay within a touchdown entering the final quarter, thanks to a scrappy defensive performance. However, the War Eagles struggled on offense in the pouring rain, never threatening to score after halftime.

When Malcome hobbled to the sidelines with 2 minutes left in the third quarter, Southwest turned to two others on its all-star roster of college prospects. Marques Dixon, who has an offer from Southern Miss, had an electrifying 43-yard run in the fourth quarter to set up Southwest DeKalb's clinching score.

Four plays later, Jonathon Mincy ran to his left, found nothing there, and then cut back toward the other direction for a dazzling 20-yard touchdown play. Mincy has pledged to Auburn at defensive back.

“I saw an opening in the middle, so I went for it,” Mincy said. “[Malcome] is our workhorse, but other players have to pick it up when he’s out.”

However, Malcome left some highlight plays on the field before he departed. On the 74-yard run, Malcome danced outside, and then outran the Marist secondary to the end zone.

On Southwest DeKalb's second score, quarterback Steve Coates faked a handoff to Malcome, who drew the attention of Marist's entire defense.

Coates then sprinted untouched for the 1-yard touchdown around the end.

With a 12-7 lead in the third quarter, Southwest DeKalb decided to go for the 2-point conversion. Malcome got the handoff, but then stopped in the backfield, completing a pass to tight end William Goodwin in the back of the end zone.

Marist's lone score was on a 3-yard run by Matt Connors in the second quarter. Despite the loss, the War Eagles are also considered one of the favorites for the state championship.