The Riverdale Raiders are guaranteed to have a place in the playoffs when they begin in two weeks. Where they stand in the postseason will be determined over the next two weeks and defending Region 3 champion Starr’s Mill will have a lot to say about it.
Riverdale will host Starr’s Mill on Saturday at Southern Crescent Stadium at 7 p.m.
Riverdale (7-1, 4-0) has had no trouble cutting through its Region 3 schedule. But the Raiders close the season with the league’s two toughest teams – Starr’s Mill and Griffin – both at home. Two wins would guarantee Riverdale its first region title since 1998.
Meanwhile, Starr’s Mill (5-3, 3-1) could move a step closer to clinching its second straight region title with a win. The Panthers still need a win over rival Fayette County in the season finale next week.
Both teams are proficient at running the ball. Riverdale averages 233 yards on the ground, Starr’s Mill grinds it out for 258.
Riverdale quarterback Avaun Rucker has thrown for 1,063 yards and 13 touchdowns, but the Raiders have solid runners in Phalon Daiels (741 yards, eight TDs), Malik Harris (575 yards, 11 TDs) and Frederick Collins III (203 yards, three TDs). Starr’s Mill is led by Kalen Sims (784 yards, four TDs), Ben Bodne (646 yards, 12 TDs), Karsen Kalen (159 yards, two TDs) and quarterback Hunter Lawson (233 yards).
Starr’s Mill leads the series 8-2 and has won the last four meetings.
In other important games this weekend:
Ola at Jones County, Friday, 7:30 p.m. The No. 3-ranked Greyhounds (8-0, 5-0) can clinch the Region 4 championship with a win over Ola (6-2, 3-2). Ola, which went 1-9 a year ago, needs to win one of its final two games to make the playoffs.
Jones County is led by quarterback Hunter Costlow, who has thrown for 2,020 yards and 24 touchdowns, with only one interception. Andrew Carner has rushed for 788 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ola quarterback Hunter Kautz has thrown for 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 730 and 14 touchdowns. Karl Kennedy has run for 695 yards and four touchdowns and Kas Stephens has 28 catches, six for touchdown.
Ola has already beaten Stockbridge and nearly knocked off Dutchtown. A win keeps the Mustangs’ hopes alive to finish as high as second place in the standings, although third place is a more reasonable expectation.
Maynard Jackson at Decatur, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Decatur has already clinched its first playoff appearance since 2005. A win would give the Bulldogs (6-2, 4-1) a crack at taking the second spot in Region 6. Jackson needs to win one of its two final game to avoid falling to the No. 4 seed. Jackson leads the series 7-5 and has won the last three meetings, including 50-16 a year ago.
Hiram at Kell, Friday, 7:30 p.m. Hiram (6-2, 5-1) takes another crack at moving up the Region 7 pecking order by challenging No. 10 Kell (6-2, 4-2). Hiram played well for a half last week against No. 6 Rome before giving way in a 52-0 loss. Kell's only losses have come against Rome and Carrollton. Hiram must slow Kell's tandem of quarterback Corbin LaFrance and running back David Mbadinga and produce some points from its own duo of tailback Jalen Towser and quarterback Zander May. If Kell wins, the Longhorns are virtually assured of finishing third in the league. Kell leads the series 4-1 and won last year's game 30-0.
Southwest DeKalb vs. Arabia Mountain (Hallford Stadium), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. A win would put Southwest DeKalb a step closer to winning its second straight Region 5 championship. The Panthers (7-1, 3-0) have been solid defensively all season, only once allowing more than two touchdowns and coming up with 17 takeaways through the first seven game – second-best in DeKalb County. John Grant (10 sacks) and Darrionque Finley lead the defense. Arabia Mountain (2-6, 2-1) is led defensively by linebacker Chandler Martin (68 tackles) and Zion McFadden (47 tackles, three sacks).
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