DeKalb County Classic: Stephenson High School vs Southwest DeKalb High School
This was the 20th meeting between Stephenson High School and Southwest DeKalb, with the Jaguars winning the last meeting in 2023, 41- 32. The Jaguars started the game showing they were ready to compete on every level: special teams, offense and defense. Stephenson’s special teams gave them great field position that led to a Jayden Johnson rushing touchdown, giving the Jaguars a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
After the Panthers went three-and-out, Stephenson’s special teams returner Michael Miller gave the Jaguars great field position once again, leading to another Jaguars rushing touchdown by Terrence Woodfin, who got a little help from the Jaguars’ offensive lineman pulling him into the end zone to extend the lead to 14-0. The Panthers got their offense going behind their quarterback Braylan Carter, taking advantage of what the Jaguars’ defense was giving him, calling his own number, rushing for positive gains to keep the chains moving. Carter scored the Panthers’ only touchdown in the game on a quarterback keeper to the left side of the field to cut into the Jaguars’ 14-point lead, making the score14-7.
The Jaguars came out in the second half mixing the run and pass, catching the Panthers defense on their heels, and extended their lead with a Zabrian Bolen touchdown pass to Noah Mahoney. The Jaguars lined up to kick the extra point, and the center snapped the ball short; the holder’s awareness picked the ball up and completed a pass to score the two-point conversion, extending their lead to 22-7. The Panthers had opportunities to make plays but were unable to capitalize.
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The Panthers’ offense spread the Jaguars’ defense, completing passes across the middle of the field where the Jaguars’ defense looked to be a bit soft in coverage. Southwest DeKalb didn’t take advantage of those opportunities and chose to complete passes on the outer boundaries, allowing the Jaguars’ defense to react and stop them for minimal gains. The Panthers gave the Jaguars good field position because of their missed conversion on 4th down to keep possession of the ball. The Jaguars’ offense took over outside of the twenty-five-yard line and drove down the field, scoring on a touchdown with a pass from Zabrian Bolen to Kruz Marion, extending the lead to 29-7.
The Panthers’ offense tried to find some rhythm late in the game to make a surge to cut into the Jaguars’ lead, went for it on 4th down outside on their side of the 50-yard line, and turned the ball over on downs. Stephenson High School ran out the clock, securing their first win of the season.