DeKalb High School Football Preview: Local teams reload for upcoming season
DeKalb football teams dealt with new regions and new classifications in 2022, but the county still saw several programs reverse losing streaks and had Cedar Grove reach the state championship before seeing its alumni set an NFL Draft record for the most 2023 picks out of one high school.
The quality of opponents that DeKalb teams will see in 2023 won’t drop, but several teams look poised to improve on their 2022 seasons and a couple of those have the talent to make a post-season run. Below is a short preview of every high school team from Below is a preview of every high school football team in DeKalb:
Arabia Mountain Rams 4-AAAAA
Head coach: Julian Washington
2021 record: 3-7 (1-4)
2022 record: 5-6 (3-2)
The Rams still struggled to replace valuable pieces from 2020’s team in Brandon Adams, Damion Fitzpatrick and other athletes last season. However, Washington will enter his third season as a head coach in DeKalb County with quarterback Julian Shanks also returning after leading the offense in 2021 and 2022. Shanks was top 10 in DeKalb in passing yards and passing touchdowns as a sophomore last season and will be matched with one of last season’s top defenses, as the Rams only allowed 214 yards per game.
Cedar Grove Saints 5-AAA
Head coach: John Adams
2021 record: 12-3 (7-1)
2022 record: 11-3 (3-0)
Cedar Grove was close to repeating as state champions last season until a viral missed call in the state championship led to the Saints losing in the final minutes. Adams said his team has moved past last season, and the Saints have returned and reloaded at enough positions to keep bad calls from impacting games. Still, the Saints play one of the most challenging schedules in the state – traveling to several powerhouse schools including Monarch High School in Florida. Returning playmakers such as Elliot Colson Jr., Boden Walker, and Demarcus Smith will lead the way for the Saints on offense.
“I know everyone is thinking about it, but we moved past that [call]. This year, we won’t want to leave anything in the refs’ hands,” said Adams.
Chamblee Bulldogs 4-AAAAA
Head Coach: Robert Swank
2021 record: 9-1 (0-0)
2022 record: 8-3 (4-1)
Chamblee returned to region play with a bang last season, going 4-1 in region games in the Bulldogs’ first region schedule in four years. The season culminated with a playoff appearance and a playoff win for the Bulldogs, despite winning one less game than in 2021.
2023 will present a new challenge for Chamblee, as several multi-year starters and DCSD and Chamblee record holders have graduated. Seniors Tristian Sizemore and Larry Harris return after productive seasons at wide receiver and running back in 2022.
Clarkston Angoras 6-AAAA
Head coach: Jimmy Williams (new)
2021 record: 2-4 (0-1)
2022 record: 2-8 (0-2)
Clarkston will be one of seven teams with a new coach in DeKalb this season. The Angoras have struggled in recent years, but the team will get another shot at improving against a non-region schedule. Running back Armohd Wood was top 20 in DeKalb in rushing yards last season. Clarkston also had the fourth most disruptive defense in DeKalb last season, causing 24 turnovers. Defensive backs Maung Thi Ha and Ny’Travious Williams return to lead the way on defense.
Columbia Eagles 5-AA
Head coach: Greg Barnett
2021 record: 8-4 (6-2)
2022 record: 7-4 (4-2)
Columbia won its first playoff game since 1997 in 2021, but the Eagles lost on the road in round one of the playoffs in 2022. Barnett will be tasked with replacing several experienced and talented linemen and running backs, but Arkansas commit Jadan Baugh and two-way contributor Lamaze Williams Jr. return after productive seasons in 2022.
Cross Keys Indians 4-AAAAA
Head coach: Eric Quarles (new)
2021 record: 0-6 (0-2)
2022 record: 0-8 (0-0)
Cross Keys hasn’t won a game since its opening week matchup in 2020 and will have a new head coach for the second year in a row. Quarles will have some help in year one, as Cross Keys didn’t have a single senior record an offensive stat in 2022. Brandon Castro and Marquis Earl were both top 10 in interceptions last year and return to the field for the Indians.
Decatur Bulldogs 4-AAAAA
Head coach: William Felton
2021 record: 8-3 (4-2)
2022 record: 7-5 (5-0)
Decatur began the 2021 regular season at 8-0 before losing its last three games. Last season, the Bulldogs started the year at 1-4 before winning six consecutive games and losing in the second round of the playoffs. Decatur will be tasked with replacing multi-year contributors such as Kenric Lanier and Harrison Hannah but will be aided by returning players such as Kaleb Lanier. Regardless of the roster, Felton said he is ready for more local playoff wins.
“Let’s have a good representation and let people know we play real football in DeKalb,” said Felton.
Druid Hills Red Devils 6-AAAA
Head coach: Frederick Greene
2021 record: 0-10 (0-0)
2022 record: 4-6 (1-1)
Druid Hills snapped a streak of three winless seasons when the Red Devils went 4-6 in 2022. The Red Devils will get another season out of region play, but Greene is tasked with replacing three seniors who were top 20 at their position last season. Junior wide receiver Bre’Lon Cade and senior running back Jaden George return to the field for the Red Devils.
Dunwoody Wildcats 4-AAAAAA
Head coach: Michael Nash
2021 record: 3-7 (2-5)
2022 record: 5-5 (2-4)
Dunwoody had its best season since 2010 when the Wildcats went 5-5 last season with three shutout defensive efforts. For the second time in three years, the Wildcats will be tasked with replacing a LeDoyen brother as Porter LeDoyen graduated after a productive season at quarterback. Matt Pearch got some experience behind LeDoyen last season, and Luke Cole and Jackson Wilcox return to bolster the line plan for Dunwoody.
Lakeside Vikings – 4-AAAAAA
Head coach: Morris Starr
2021 record: 3-7 (0-0)
2022 record: 8-2 (0-1)
Lakeside had its most productive season since 2003 when the Vikings won eight games last season. The eight wins came against a non-region schedule, and the Vikings will have a chance to continue that success if Starr can replace key players such as four-year starter Luke Chilton. However, underclassmen quarterback Kyle Davis and running back Jean-Luc Noison return after leading the third highest scoring offense in the county last season.
Lithonia Bulldogs 4-AAAAA
Head coach: Kevin Hill
2021 record: 4-7 (3-3)
2022 record: 0-10 (0-5)
Lithonia did not fare well last season, despite a promising end to the 2021 season that featured four consecutive regular season wins and a playoff appearance. The Bulldogs, after coming together at the end of the 2021 season, lost their last three games in 2022 by at least 30 points each. There is something to build off, as quarterback Amonte Hardin was top 20 in rushing and passing last season and Jason Bond was No. 3 in total tackles.
Marist War Eagles 4-AAAAAA
Head coach: Alan Chadwick
2021 record: 10-2 (5-0)
2022 record: 10-3 (5-0)
Marist won 10 games in each of the past two seasons, after going 13-0 with a state championship in 2020. Despite the recent success, Chadwick said there’s a path to even more wins now that Marist has settled into its 6A class – after playing 4A until last season. Marist is one of several DeKalb teams that moved up classifications last season, and the War Eagles will be led by Georgia Tech commit Luke Harping and quarterback DJ Mazzone, among other returnees.
“Our challenge is 6A and the number of good quality teams in 6A. The top 10 or 12 teams in 6A aren’t just good football teams, they’ve been great football programs for years,” said Chadwick.
M.L. King Lions 5-AAAAA
Head coach: Joel Kight (new)
2021 record: 2-8 (2-6)
2022 record: 2-8 (1-4)
The results didn’t look much better for King last season, and the Lions switched it up by promoting Kight from defensive coordinator to head coach. Despite last season’s losses, King scored in twice as many games as it did in 2021 and lost one of its games in overtime. Antonio Anderson and Ramique Thomas return after leading the Lions in rushing and passing last season.
McNair Mustangs 5-AA
Head coach: Mario Drayton
2021 record: 0-10 (0-0)
2022 record: 4-6 (2-4)
McNair had a major turnaround in 2022, as the Mustangs went from three consecutive losing seasons to four wins in one season. Malachi Jackson was a do-it-all for the Mustangs in those wins, but he has graduated, and McNair will have to find new playmakers on both sides of the ball. Jeremy Victors is a likely candidate, after finishing top 20 in both passing and rushing last season.
Miller Grove Wolverines 6-AAAA
Head coach: Melvin Brown
2021 record: 6-5 (3-3)
2022 record: 4-6 (2-3)
The Wolverines took a small step back after Miller Grove notched its first winning season since 2015 in 2021. Brown replaced a large senior class the last two seasons and had three losses by single-score margins in 2022. 2023 will give the Wolverines a chance to rebound, as DeKalb’s No. 2 running back in Ta’Jon Corbitt returns to a backfield with top 10 quarterback Christian Jamison.
Redan Raiders 5-AA
Head coach: Damien Wimes
2021 record: 2-9 (0-8)
2022 record: 2-8 (1-5)
Redan was one of the few DeKalb schools to move down in classifications last season. This season, the Raiders will be led by DeKalb coaching veteran Damien Wimes – who moved to Redan from Southwest DeKalb. Even though the Raiders only won two games, underclassmen quarterback Daemon Jones and wide receiver Ralph Holt both placed in the top 25 for their position.
St. Pius Golden Lions 4-AAAAAA
Head coach: Chad Garrison
2021 record: 9-3
2022 record: 6-6 (4-1)
Garrison led St. Pius to a 9-3 record during the Golden Lions’ first season without longtime head coach Paul Standard, but the team took a step back in 2022 when it moved up to 6A. The Golden Lions lost 21 seniors last offseason, and Garrison said his team will find more success with its returning players and familiarity with the new region. Garrison added that he wants his team prepared for its tough region by playing a grueling non-region schedule that includes games against Dacula, Flowery Branch, Blessed Trinity, Parkview, and other talented teams.
“I’m fortunate to have 102 kids on my roster from 10th through 12th grade, and we have a huge class of seniors with 34. We’ll have some depth, but it’ll be up to us as a coaching staff to get them reps and have them ready,” said Garrison.
Southwest DeKalb Panthers 6-AAAA
Head coach: Marion Bell (new)
2021 record: 6-5 (5-1)
2022 record: 2-8 (0-5)
Southwest DeKalb will have a new head coach in 2023, when Bell takes the field for the first time. Bell is a long time New Jersey head coach and was an assistant at South Gwinnett more recently, but he did not shy away from expectations in year one at Southwest DeKalb. The Panthers have state championship experience from the track team crossover and will be led by middle linebacker and wrestling All American Isaiah Scott.
“You talk about pressure? We have a breakfast of champions at the school. The track team won back-to-back championships, the basketball team won a region championship, the girls basketball team has won championships, everybody is a champion at this school,” said Bell.
Stephenson Jaguars 6-AAAA
Head coach: Marcus Jelks
2021 record: 5-4 (3-4)
2022 record: 7-4 (4-1)
Jelks has improved his win total every year at Stephenson and had his first playoff win as head coach of his alma mater last season when the Stephenson Jaguars defeated Pace Academy 40-38. Junior quarterback Marte Barton has started every season for Jelks so far and will be back for year three, along with DeKalb’s leading rusher from last season Devin Ingram and another top 20 running back in Cheik Keita.
Stone Mountain Pirates 6-AAAA
Head coach: Greg Carter (new)
2021 record: 4-6 (1-6)
2022 record: 4-6 (2-0)
Stone Mountain will have a new head coach for the second year in a row. While the Pirates finished with the same record both seasons, 2022’s team had a two-game winning streak to end the year compared to 2021’s ending with a six-game losing streak. Quarterback Cameron Graves returns after a productive sophomore season while returning defensive back Nate Simmons was No. 2 in DeKalb in interceptions last season.
Towers Titans 5-AA
Head coach: Henry Garrett (new)
2021 record: 3-7 (3-5)
2022 record: 0-9-1 (0-6)
Another school with its second new head coach in as many years is Towers. The Titans took a step back in 2022, but the team returns some important talent this year. Quarterback Nate Griffin and defensive lineman Antwan Parks will be crucial to the Titans finding more success in year one under Garrett. Garrett is moving up from being Bethune Middle School’s head coach.
Tucker Tigers 4-AAAAA
Head Coach: Lonnie Jones
2021 record: 2-8 (2-6)
2022 record: 4-7 (2-3)
Tucker wants to continue trending in the right direction under Jones, after having three head coaches over the past four seasons. Last season saw the Tigers lose several key pieces and still find success, and Tucker will return several of the keys to that success this season. Quarterback Jamar Graham and running back Jordan McCoy were both towards the top of the county at their positions last season, while Georgia Tech commit CJ Jackson plays defensive line and tight end for the Tigers.
