The Southwest DeKalb defense posted a shutout last week in its season opener. The Panthers blanked Woodland 18-0 and gave an indication of the potential that is there.
“We’ve got 15-20 players who can fit in like a puzzle,” coach Damien Wimes said. “Now we’ve got to play together, get them to play their role and play as a unit. Right now they’re learning how to believe in themselves.”
The SWD defense made strides last year in Wimes’ first season as head coach. The Panthers had two shutouts and limited five opponents to single-digit points. Last week they had 26 tackles for loss.
The defense is led by preseason all-state safety Jamel Starks, a hammer who can play strong safety, free safety, cornerback and even middle linebacker in the nickel defense. Starks has an offer from Nebraska. He had nine tackles in the opener.
Joshua Tate, a 6-2, 200-pound outside linebacker and strong safety, is another veteran who plays with a high motor. Tate had three sacks in the opening game.
Derico Smith led the team with 13 tackles (seven solo) against Woodland.
There offense is in the hands of Rion White, a 6-5 sophomore with a good arm. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 178 yards last week.
White is the beneficiary of an excellent group of receivers led by juniors Aquil Muhammad (five catches, 58 yards, one TD) and Tony Wright and freshman Janiran Bonner (three catches, 82 yards).
Southwest will have their hands full this week against rival Stephenson when they meet on Friday at 8 p.m. at Hallford Stadium. Stephenson has won the last seven meetings and leads the series 9-5.
Here are four more interesting games in Class AAAAA this week:
Arabia Mountain at Stockbridge: Reigning Region 5 champion Arabia Mountain (1-0) will get a stern test when it travels to No. 5 Stockbridge, the reigning Region 4 champion. Arabia Mountain opened the season last week by beating then-No. 7-ranked Carver Atlanta 28-14. The Rams got a pair of touchdowns from Bryson Williams, who may be the best quarterback in DeKalb County. Amir Muhammad sparked the running game and scored what proved to be the winning touchdown.
East Coweta at Carrollton: No. 4 Carrollton will have its hands full in the opener against a quick East Coweta team that gave No. 6 Kell everything it wanted last week. Carrollton's defense is expected to be very good with linebackers Chaz Chambliss and Kevin Swint and defensive back Reid Dedman all on the preseason all-state team. Swint is the two-time team captain and heart of the team; among his offers are Clemson, Notre Dame, Auburn, Louisville and Nebraska.
Loganville at Monroe Area: The Battle of Walton County returns for the 37th time on Friday. The series has been razor close, with Monroe leading it 19-17. Monroe won last year to break a three-game losing streak to the Red Devils.
Loganville shut out Morgan County in the opener behind the strong effort of sophomore Tanner Greene, who threw for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
Monroe moved the ball easily in its season-opening win over Apalachee, with quarterback Chris Byron running for 171 yards and three touchdowns and throwing for 107 yards and one TD.
Ware County at Burke County: The No.8-ranked Gators begin their aggressive non-region schedule with a visit to Burke County.
The Gators were able to move the ball at will in its 62-0 win over Pine Ridge, Fla. Ware rushed for 259 yards and four touchdowns, with sophomore Dream Gainer running for 139. Senior Ken Standley led the team with five tackles, three of them for loss. Burke County lost to Benedictine in Statesboro 23-22, despite having two juniors rush for 100 yards – Leon McGee (187) and Juanya Dove (128)
Site, date change for Miller Grove-Decatur game: The Miller Grove-Decatur game has been changed to Thursday night at Avondale Stadium. The game was
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