Cedar Grove can now etch their name as a contender in DeKalb County football after a huge win against previously unbeaten Woodward Academy. The Saints won their fourth straight game Friday and look to be in control of what could have been a lost season. The Saints upset Woodward Academy 36-23 at home Friday night, although miscues on defense could have allowed the War Eagles back into the game. The game was closer than the score lets on, as Saints linebacker Tyus White took a fumble return for a touchdown on the final play of the game.
Cedar Grove led 30-16 late in the third quarter before Woodward began a comeback. A 14-play, 83-yard drive brought Woodward Academy within seven on halfback Justin Watkins’ 5-yard run at the beginning of the fourth quarter. On Woodward’s very next drive Cedar Grove was penalized for three personal fouls and three facemask penalties, which could have cost them the game if Watkins had not fumbled before crossing the goal line. That was as close to scoring again as Woodward Academy would get as the Saints had key clock management possessions. The win, coming on homecoming night, puts the Saints in prime position for their first region title since 1991, which they can secure by defeating McNair. The Saints have not been to the state playoffs since 1999.
St. Pius X continues to roll, led by junior cornerback/halfback Geno Smith as they defeated Druid Hills 55-0. The Red Devils had a combined 106 total yards and did not cross the 50-yard line until under four minutes were left in the game. St. Pius X head coach Paul Standard had nothing but good words to say about Smith’s play on both sides of the ball.
“He has great closing speed, and he’s very aggressive, partly due to him playing running back in an offense where he has to block,” said Standard to the AJC. “That makes him a tougher player.”
After losing their first three games, Dunwoody let the rest of the region know Friday night that they are still fighting for a spot in the playoffs. In the second straight game that Marist was held without a touchdown, Dunwoody took advantage of the struggling offense and created turnovers which led to the victory. After a first half of scoreless football, quarterback Aaron Easterling came out firing with an 8-yard strike to Justin King that put Dunwoody up 7-0. Following a 37-yard run by Dewayne Brown, Chris Hale put the game away with a 55-yard interception returned for a touchdown and a 20-0 victory.

VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS …
Out of the two DeKalb County schools, only Lakeside-DeKalb was able to advance to the round of 16 in the volleyball state playoffs. The Vikings were able to shutout Houston County in the Class 4A state playoffs 3-0 in three close matches. The other DeKalb school still playing, Stephenson, lost to Brookwood in the first round 3-0.

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS …
All three DeKalb teams were ousted in consecutive games from the best-of-three series state playoffs. Chamblee lost to Habersham Central (0-7, 0-15), Dunwoody lost to Heritage (1-9, 0-14), and Madison County defeated Southwest DeKalb (0-15, 2-11).

CROSS COUNTRY RESULTS …
The DeKalb County Championships were held Oct. 12 at Arabia Mountain and provided new course records for the boys and girls divisions. Dunwoody freshman Alex Cameron ran a course record of 20:16.37 from the girls’ individual title, while her team was narrowly defeated by Lakeside for the team title. In the boys division, James Dwyer led the Lakeside Vikings to their 16th consecutive county title and an individual course record of 17:32.32.
The Coach Wood Invitational was held Oct. 16 with powerhouse rivals St. Pius X and Marist competing in the boys and girls championship divisions. Brendan Hoban of St. Pius X won the individual boys title running 15:35 and followed closely by Cody Barger of North Hall at 15:36. The St. Pius boys team narrowly defeated Marist for third overall with a score of 149 to 172. In the girls division Sophie Harkins led Marist to a fourth place finish, while her individual place was ninth overall.