Some of the clouds in Region 6 will be wiped away this weekend after Riverwood and Decatur play each other.
The winner of this game, scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Decatur, is guaranteed a share of the lead in Region 6. That is significant, since Riverwood (5-0, 2-0) is chasing the first region title in school history, and Decatur (4-1, 2-0) is pursuing its first trip to the playoffs since 2004.
Riverwood brings a balanced attack under second-head coach Robert Edwards, the former Georgia Bulldog and New England Patriots player. The Raiders have rebuilt an offense that lost all 11 starters. Sophomores Avery Smith and Burke Cigelske both play quarterback and each have had success. Smith has throws for 601 yards and seven touchdowns and Cigelske has thrown for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Austin Simmons, who didn’t play football until last year, has been an eye-opener at receiver. Freshman Quintero Lawson has rushed for 444 yards and four touchdowns. Kyle Kennard, a Georgia Tech commit, leads the defense.
Decatur has an excellent passing attack. Quarterback James Swank has found a connection Marshall Toole. Marquis Hood is coming off a 90-yard rushing performance and had two sacks in the win over Grady.
Riverwood leads the series 5-2 and outlasted the Bulldogs 49-41 in 2018.
The other undefeated team in Region 7 is Carver (4-1, 2-0). Riverwood hosts Carver on Oct. 18. Decatur plays Carver at Lakewood Stadium on the final weekend of the season.
Other interesting games scheduled this weekend:
Griffin at Starr's Mill, Friday, 7:30 p.m. If No. 9 Griffin wants to win the Region 3 championship, it will have to go through Starr's Mill. Griffin (5-0) has been an offensive juggernaut, scoring 179 points behind the combination of quarterback Darshavious Foster and running back Aalijah "Mo" King. The Bears have put at least 40 points on the board in four of its five games. Foster threw for 177 yards and four touchdowns and King ran for 230 yards and two touchdowns last week against Whitewater.
Starr’s Mill (2-3) is coming off a tough 21-14 road loss to Jonesboro. The proud Panthers average 194 yards on the ground behind their wing-T offense. Ben Bodne leads the attack with 289 yards and four touchdowns and Kalen Sims has rushed for 231 yards.
Starr’s Mill has won three of four meetings and posted a 38-6 victory in 2018.
Clarke Central at Cedar Shoals, Friday, 7:30 p.m. The winner of this game will likely be the opponent to face No. 1-ranked Buford for the Region 8 championship. This is the first league game for both teams.
Cedar Shoals (4-1) brings a ground-oriented attack led by sophomore Jerdavian Colbert (540 yards, six TDs) and QB Jaylan Rusher (299 yards, three TDs; 547 yards passing, 10 TDs). Linebacker Jalen Jackson leads the defense. Clarke Central (3-2) has a solid offense behind quarterback Isaac Ward (1,111 yards, 12 TDs), running back O’Brien Barnett (562 yards, six touchdowns) and receiver Jairus “Nono” Mack (29 catches, seven TDs). Douglas Clark Jr. leads the team in tackles.
Clarke leads the series 36-16, but Cedar Shoals won 17-7 last year to break a 10-game losing streak to the Gladiators.
Ola at Stockbridge, Friday, 7 p.m. No. 7 Stockbridge (5-0) survived last week in a non-conference game against Columbia, but can't afford a letdown against Ola (4-1), which scared the pants off No. 6 Dutchtown two weeks ago.
Two good quarterbacks will be in the spotlight. Ola’s Hunter Kautz has proven to be a double threat. He’s thrown for 720 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 530 yards and 10 touchdowns. Karl Kennedy has rushed for 411 yards and has breakaway ability. The Stockbridge offense is fueled by dual-threat quarterback Jevon McDonald, who operates out of the spread offense and has show a good arm and the ability to take off and burn the opposition with his legs.
Stockbridge leads the series 5-2 and has won the last five meetings, including 49-10 in 2018.
Columbia vs. Lithonia (Hallford Stadium), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. The two old DeKalb County rivals are likely jostling to see who will challenge Southwest DeKalb in Region 5. Columbia (0-5) has played a killer schedule, which included an impromptu game at Valdosta and contests against Class AAAAAA No. 9 Stephenson and No. 7 Stockbridge. The Eagles were also stripped of a win over Towers because of a rules violation. Lithonia (1-4) also had two wins reversed by forfeit and is coming off a 42-12 loss to Region 8-AAAAAAA leader Shiloh. Lithonia leads the series 13-6 and won a 7-6 slugfest in 2018.
Columbia is led by quarterback Octavious Griffin, who ranks second in DeKalb County with 1,076 passing yards and has 10 touchdowns. Griffin has also rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Receivers William Hemsley (20 catches, seven TDs) and Anthony Dennis (16 catches, two RDs). Lithonia is led by quarterback Savion Lawson (764 yards passing, 10 TDs), running back Devont’e Slaton (471 yards rushing, five TDs) and receiver Khalil Roach (16 catches, seven TDs, 28.1-yard average).
Warner Robins at Houston County, Friday, 7:30 p.m. The killer schedule continues for No. 6 Warner Robins, which is coming off games against Class AAAAAAA No. 5 Colquitt County and crosstown rival Northside. This week the Demons (4-1) have their final non-conference game against county rival Houston County, the No 9 team in Class AAAAAA. It's the first time in the 22-year history of the rivalry that both teams are ranked. Warner Robins is a well-balanced, high-scoring attack behind quarterback Jalen Addie (1,098 yrds, 11 TDs) and running back Jahlen Rutherford (344 yards). The go-to target is receiver Marcayll Jones (22 catches, 392 yards), who has committed to Memphis.
About the Author
