Much at stake again in Tucker-Marist showdown
by Robert Naddra
robert@dekalbchamp.com
The last time Tucker lost a football game, it proved to be a turning point in what became a state championship season last year.
Tucker’s 38-0 defeat of Marist was the beginning of an improbable run that led to the Tigers’ first state football title. Friday’s (Sept. 18) game at Adams Stadium between the two teams will be just as impactful.
The winner will have the inside track to the Region 6-AAAA regular season title, although both must still contend with Southwest DeKalb down the road. Tucker (4-0) has maintained its No. 1 ranking despite returning only six starters from last year’s championship team.
“We still have a lot of issues that are not resolved,” Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said. “We’re turning the ball over too much, we’re not blocking well and on defense we’re not tackling well.”
Tucker, which had more passing yards than rushing yards last weekend against Miller Grove, nearly went the entire game without a rushing touchdown. Tyrelle Poole rushed for a score in the fourth quarter, while quarterback Norman Bates had two touchdown passes to Rendell Wilder.
“That’s going to be a major concern going into the Marist game,” Stephens said.
Marist coach Alan Chadwick isn’t about to discount Tucker’s ability because of its youth.
“They’re still Tucker,” he said. “They’re so athletic, so fast and have so many weapons. We’ve got to keep them from making the big plays, and we have to make them work for everything.”
Both teams rely on the run and both have been piling up the points early in the season. After a 28-3 loss to St. Pius in the opener, Marist has scored 139 points in three games while allowing only 20. Marist’s last two wins have been shutouts.
Marist also has several offensive weapons – including quarterback Andy Perez and running backs Matt Connors and Sam McNearny.
Tucker, averaging 39 points and more than 350 yards rushing per game, has the benefit of a host of backs to get the job done.
“They’re capable of getting yards in chunks, and we’ve got to be able to control the clock and shorten the game down,” Chadwick said. “They can score so many ways – on offense, defense, everything. I think we’ve got a chance, but we’ve got to be dead-solid perfect.”
Tucker had two defensive touchdowns against Miller Grove – a fumble recovered in the end zone and an interception returned for a score. Also, the Tigers blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone for another touchdown.
But there were enough mistakes that came out of the Miller Grove game to concern Stephens. Mainly, the Tigers gave up a 96-yard scoring drive in the second half.
“We’ve got to find a way to drive the ball against Marist because something like that plays right into their hands,” Stephens said. “After this game, we’ll know where we stand.”
Southwest DeKalb High School’s Buck Godfrey is the dean of DeKalb County football coaches, heading into his 27th year. Alan Chadwick is beginning his 25th season at Marist. For both men, those are the only head football coaching jobs they have ever held. Ron Gartrell has coached for the past 13 seasons at Stephenson High School after eight seasons at Shamrock High School. Like Godfrey and Chadwick, Gartrell has found a home at his current job and isn’t likely to leave.
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Running backs carry the load for county teams
The state of Georgia has had its share of dominating high school running backs. In the late 1970s, Herschel Walker brought national attention to the position while he was rewriting state record books at Johnson County High School.
There have been many outstanding backs before and since Walker, and DeKalb County has had its share. This year may be one of the deepest crops of running backs in the county, led by top recruit Mack Brown of ML King.
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