Michael Carvell’s Video Blog: Meet the Southwest DeKalb football all-stars
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When watching Southwest DeKalb, you feel like you are watching an all-star team.
How loaded are the Panthers? They lost their workhorse at running back after three quarters last Friday, and put in a pair of backups who refused to let the offense skip a beat. This wasn’t against any team, but Marist, which played in last year’s state championship game and returned one of the best defenses around.
After watching many of the state’s elite Class AAAAA teams for most of the season, I’d put Southwest’s talent up against any team in Georgia. Here is a quick breakdown of the Southwest DeKalb all-stars:
Ken Malcome, RB: He is the straw that stirs the drink. He’s the team leader, and face of SWD. He’s also the state’s No. 1 tailback, and proved it with 182 yards rushing, including a 74-yard touchdown run, vs. Marist in three quarters. Malcome is strong (legs like tree trunks), fast, and powerful (loves contact). He runs strong between the tackles, and also had burst of speed to outrun the secondary. His only apparent weakness is when he runs East-West rather than North-South, while not much is known about his hands in the passing game. He is one of the few high school running backs who projects to play either tailback and fullback in college. He’s the state’s No. 1 RB (committed to UGA), followed by No. 2 Charles Perkins of Collins Hill (Georgia Tech), and No. 3 Mack Brown of M.L. King (Florida).
T.J. Stripling, DE: He’s the P-word, i.e. potential. He’s 6-6, 215 pounds. His enormous range of potential is a lot like two of the state’s top players from last year — Oconee County QB Zach Mettensberger (freshman at UGA) and North Clayton’s Emmanuel Dieke (freshman at Georgia Tech): Striping could either never play a down in college or end up being a first-round pick in the NFL. This year at Southwest DeKalb, Stripling is able to get by on pure athleticism, rarely using any technique or leverage. He is overly aggressive coming off the edge, and sometimes gets back there as quickly as the snap, to the dismay of quarterbacks. However, opposing teams have also learned it is best to run directly at Stripling. He often loses containment, and if you can get past his long reach, then it’s an automatic 6-7 yards. It is very dangerous to run away from Stripling, as he has explosive backside pursuit with his long strides. He has an imposing frame in high school, but will likely need to gain 15-25 pounds before playing in college.
Jonathan Mincy, DB: The Auburn-bound senior appears to be the total package. He’s got the quickness and speed, along with the best instincts on the all-star team for always being in the right place at the right time. He has good hips, but is rarely in the backpedal. He takes a lot of chances on pass plays, and looks more like a wide receiver on defense than a cornerback. He is most dangerous when he has the ball in his hands, either on an interception return, special teams, or spot duty at running back. Against Marist, he had a spectacular TD run, sprinting to the right, coming to a complete stop, then accelerating in the opposite direction to the end zone. Would not be surprised if other SEC schools tried to change his mind about Auburn before signing day.
Southwest DeKalb's Marques Dixon (No. 1 jersey) is the team's most explosive player and can score from anywhere on the field (AJC photo).
Marques Dixon, WR-DB: It is baffling why Southwest DeKalb doesn’t give more offensive touches to Dixon. On a team of all-stars, he is the most explosive player, proven by his 85-yard kickoff return vs. M.L. King, along with a 43-yard run vs. Marist to set up the clinching score. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He has speed, quickness, elusiveness and incredible vision. If Southwest DeKalb has “Mr. Inside and Outside,” it would be Malcome and Dixon.
Steven Coates, QB: It has not been a good year for Coates, who missed several games after suffering an ankle injury in the season-opener vs. M.L. King. He also reportedly got into trouble for senior silliness at school. Coates had his first chance to really showcase his skills vs. Marist, but left a negative impression with his show-boating on a 1-yard TD that somehow was not penalized. He also made poor decisions by throwing the ball into coverage, but that perhaps was out of eagerness to make big plays after being gone so long. He has all the tools to be a good high school quarterback, and will be counted on heavily down the stretch. He just needs to take a deep breath and be the leader he can be.
Buck Godfrey, coach: When Malcome went down with leg cramps in the third quarter vs. Marist, Malcome tried to return several minutes later. Unlike many other coaches I’ve seen in this situation, Godfrey ordered Malcome to the bench. This was SWD’s biggest game of the season to the date, deciding inside track to the region championship and No. 1 playoff seed, and the Panthers had to close without Malcome. Of course, the decision was made easier with the sensational play of replacements Dixon and Mincy. But it was still a gutsy call by the veteran coach. Godfrey will still have to figure out something about the kicking game, which is the team’s most glaring weakness. And many wonder why Godfrey doesn’t put Malcome, Mincy, and Dixon in the offensive backfield at the same time with a Wildcat or option formation. Godfrey provides confidence and leadership, telling the team that it would still win the state championship only minutes after losing to M.L. King.
Finally, we’ve talked a lot about the state’s largest classification (AAAAA). Now let’s talk about the next one down, Class AAAA.
Which team do you think will win the state championship in Class AAAA? Griffin? Marist? Westside-Macon? Tucker? Southwest DeKalb? Please state your case below and back it with your reasons.
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235 comments Add your comment
Marvis
October 31st, 2009
12:52 am
Griffin is not going to win against SWD ever again. And shoutout to Marcus representin that panther pride. Class of 09 My boys gon win state this year so… it really dont matter studentofthegame Griffin barely won last year and will not win this year i promise u that.
Sassy
October 31st, 2009
1:27 am
Go SWD!!!
dekalb fan
October 31st, 2009
8:14 am
Way to go DBoy….wait till next year. You sound like you have some serious SWD hate. Now all of a sudden you guy’s are in a rebuilding….by the way I didn’t hear vaughters name called to much last night…..Oh! I forgot he’s waiting to next year too. Go Panthers!!!!!!
Marcus
October 31st, 2009
10:18 am
YEAH B4 THE GAME THIS WEEK, TUCKER WAS GONA BEAT US AND THIS AND THAT, NOW AFTER THAT WHUPIN, ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY REBUILDING?? STOP CRYIN. THEM REFS WERE CHEATING, THE FEILD WAS TERRIBLE WITH MUD, AND OUR HORSE MALCOME DIDNT EVEN PLAY. THE SCORE SHUD HAVE READ SWD 38- TUCKER 0, BUT THEM REFS EWOULD NOT LET YALL GET EMBARASSED. BUT WHATEVER. IT DONT MATTER, THE REAL SEASON STARS WEEK AFTER NEXT. SEE YALL IN THE PLAYOFFS. O YEAH SHOUT OUT TO MARVIS
Tony Tee
October 31st, 2009
10:19 am
Tony_T, it”s only fair that you EAT YOUR WORDS and change your name. Let the real Tony Tee say, SWD. 26-0. JUST FACTS. You should be restricted from OPINIONS until you eat, AGREE BLOGGERS!!!!
JustMyOpinion
October 31st, 2009
10:20 am
I thought that Malcome would play, so give me a break. I said 35-0, but instead 26-0.
Southwest Dekalb Alumni
October 31st, 2009
10:50 am
D Boy is just a hater he probably has never seen SWD play because he just said Ken Malcome is big and slow ask Marist coaches just how big and slow he is i bet they beg to differ.
Southwest Dekalb Alumni
October 31st, 2009
10:58 am
Another thing D Boy last year are whole defense for the most part was juniors and sophomores but we didn’t make excuses and say we were rebuilding we just played and are defense gave up the least amount of points in the county. And even with a young team we still didn’t get BLANKED last years score was SWD 9 Tucker 13 and we were driving for the game winning td and threw a pick so it’s not like yall kicked our butts like we did yall.
Southwest Dekalb Alumni
October 31st, 2009
11:04 am
Panther Pride Never Dies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SWDTRACKDAD
October 31st, 2009
11:16 am
To all of the SWD NATION Let’s stay focused on the VISION at hand and remain focused on bringing that PANTHER PRIDE back to the fold! Keep your mind and energy on point in realizing who you are and who you REPRESENT! Your legacy dictates that all of you represent the very best that coach Godfrey has instilled in you through all of his hard work and preparation in guiding you in football, and in the game of life! REMEMBER THIS, Coach Godfrey is known for building champions on and off the football field so guys, stay focused and bring another championship back to SWD! By the way, those LADY PANTHERS have 3peated on the track so let’s match that! PANTHER PRIDE, THAT’S WHAT’S UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marcus
October 31st, 2009
12:00 pm
YEA SIRRRRRRRRRRRRRR, LETS DO IT. ITS ALOTA HATERS OF SWD , THATS WHY WE STAY SO CLOSE KNIT. SHOUTS OUT TO ALL SWD ALUM THAT BEEN CHECKIN IN ON THIS BLOG. IF YALL LOOK AT ALL THE POST I BEEN ON HERE REPRESENTIN ALL WEEK BABY. WE GONA FOCUS ON MAKIN THIS PLAYOFF RUN AND TRYNA TURN THIS REGION CHAMPIONSHIP WE JUST WON LAST NIGHT, INTO A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. GET CHA MIND RIGHT AND ROLL WIT THE BEST. SWD PANTHERS LETS GO
Marcus
October 31st, 2009
12:04 pm
JSTMYOPINION, YOU WERE RIGHT IN YOUR ASSESSMENT OF THE GAME THO, IT SHUD HAVE BEEEN 35-0. THATS WHAT THE FINAL SCORE SHOULD HAVE READ. I TOLD YALL STEVE AND TIGER FAN WOULD NOT SHOW THEIR FACES ON THIS BLOG AFTER THE GAME. HAVE YALL SEEN EM??? I SURE HAVENT, BUT I MUST SAY THE TUCKER FANS WERE VERY NICE CONSIDERING AS MUCH TRASH I TALKED LAST NIGHT. THEY WERE VERY NICE AND ACCOMADATING. THEY WERE JUST HAPPY WE BEAT MARIST LAST WEEK, SO SHOUTS OUT TO THE TUCKER FANS STR8 UP, YALL WERE A CLASS ACT LAST NIGHT
Parent with SWD Pride!
October 31st, 2009
12:33 pm
As the parent of a 1995 grad and a 2000 grad of SWD we will always have good and lasting memories of a school full of pride and traditions. We started attending SWD football games in the early 80’s at Panthersville stadium and we are still attending! Thanks to the teachers,football staff and all the SWD family on Kelly Chapel. The Biggest S H O U T O U T to Coach BUCK for helping to instill leadership in our young men. Both of my children have master degrees-My 2000 grad in working on his DR. degree!!! The Blue and Gold! PANTHER PRIDE ! ! ! ! !
Bear_Backer
October 31st, 2009
5:37 pm
To SWD -Team and Fans:
Congrats on your win against Tucker. I’ve been studying the brackets, and although it is a tad early to speak on this situation, it seems like North Clayton and Thomas County Central is going to end up on your side for the playoffs. Southwest Macon’s loss Friday put them on Griffin’s side, so that is a definite tough one for us. We have wrapped up our region, but have a real good Alcovy team coming to the den this coming Friday. You guys are a great team this year, but you still have a long road to hoe, so just keep that in mind. If you are lucky enough to meet up with the Mighty Bears of Griffin, you will have to go through some superbly good competition. Now if your self-appointed spokes person MARCUS could be civil enough to formulate a cognitive reply without all the mean spirited backtalk, it would be appreciated. Otherwise, good luck to you all the rest of the way. You have earned the respect of the State and I personally applaud your teams accomplishments to this point. GO BEARS!
Marcus
October 31st, 2009
6:15 pm
WELL THANK YOU MR BEAR. I AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT, I AM THE SPOKESMAN FOR SWD, AND I SAY THERE IS ALOT OF FOOTBALL TO PLAY, SO IF WE DO SOME HOW MEET UP, IT WILL BE A GREAT GAME. LETS DO IT SWD
BEARMAN
November 1st, 2009
7:41 am
BEST THING I HEARD ALL WEEK MARCUS! NOW CAN YOU BEAR GROWL, OH I MEAN MAKE A PANTHER SOUND. GOOD LUCK, LET’S RUMBLE IN “THE DOME”.
CommonSense
November 1st, 2009
9:16 pm
SWD wasan’t able to get past MLK, and if they cant get past MLK they damn sure can’t get past Stephenson
Marcus
November 2nd, 2009
7:52 am
WE PLAYED STEPHENSON WITH THE BACK UP QB AND A DUMMIED DOWN OFFENSE AFTER THE QB GOT HURT, AND WE STILL SHOULD WON THE GAME. OTHERWISE, THAT GAME WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSE. STEPHENSON HAS A PRETTY GOOD TEAM, BUT SWD HAS TOO MANY ATHLETES AT TOO MANY POSITIONS. STEPHENSON HAS A FEW REAL GOOD PLAYERS AT A COUPLE OF SPOTS. SWD WOULD BEAT STEPHENSON 21-10
Marcus
November 2nd, 2009
7:52 am
I MEANT MLK IN THAT FIRST SENTENCE, SORRY
Dekalb Fan
November 2nd, 2009
8:45 am
Common Sense – you aren’t showing any or you weren’t at the SWD-MLK game. We played the whole game with a soph. QB who wasn’t expecting to play and MLK had a hard time beating SWD. C’mon son!!!!!!!!!!
Region 6AAAA
November 2nd, 2009
9:15 am
Good to see one of our teams climb the latter. Griffin should be nervous because SWD is on your tail! Too bad for Tucker, but they will be back. Marist is still Marist, so dont put them under the radar. And our fourth spot is still up for grabs. SMHS needs to get their offense straight and Chamblee is picking up momentum. Lithonia is still in the mix as well. I expect typical Lithonia to be finished after this week though. A three way tie would come down to point differential and Stone Mountain has the upper hand in that case.
right
November 2nd, 2009
10:19 am
SWD is doing it Big and They are ruling,but lets not drag those Stephenson Jaguars into the picture. We are the big brothers and we are holding it down also.
Go Panthers AAAA-Go Jaquars AAAAA
Southwest Dekalb Alumni
November 2nd, 2009
1:02 pm
SWD and Stephenson support each other we will be rooting for them in 5A lets bring all the championships back to Dekalb!
Marcus
November 2nd, 2009
4:04 pm
I AGREE 100%
DBoy
November 2nd, 2009
4:26 pm
SWD alumni, I have seen SWD play plenty of times I know half that damn players that played back from 1994-1999. Felix, Terrance, Angelo, Quincy, Reshad, marco(RIP). I from Dekalb county and played ball for Tucker and UGA thanks!
DBoy
November 2nd, 2009
4:27 pm
Ken Malcome is big and slow and Marist is a slow team so he might seem fast when he plays them. He is 4.6 at best. Trust me
DBoy
November 2nd, 2009
4:29 pm
I have played more football and know more football than half the damn bloggers on here. Vaughters is more talented than any SWD player on there team. Yes better than T.J stripling. Like I said he takes plays off and thats never a good thing. All you have to do is run the ball his way and that’s his weakness. Run support. he is strickly a rushing from the weakside of the DL.
DBoy
November 2nd, 2009
4:33 pm
Yes Tucker is down this yr and like I said get your licks in now cause next yr will be totally different I promise you that!! When you loose a player like Johnathan Davis who might I add was the best player in te state last yr and Drayton Calhoun you will loose a lot. We have guys that will replace them but they are in 9 & 10th grade. You all will see wassup. We still made it to the playoff this yr and our team is not that good. We still will win 2 playoff games this yr on a down yr and if a top team slip up we could win 3
DBoy
November 2nd, 2009
4:34 pm
And two all the SWD fans we still are the defending Champs wit a trophy this decade!!! In basketball and football. So until ya’ll get one ya’ll cant talk to me. Get like us!!! Being good aint nothin till you get that trophy baby. The 1 in 1995 got rust on it tell buck to shine that old trophy. lol
dekalb fan
November 2nd, 2009
6:26 pm
DBoy – you sound like you’re jealous you did’t attend SWD or something. The thing’s you’re saying are foolish. You say all of that even after SWD whipped and I do mean whipped Tucker this past Friday. I didn’t hear Vaughters name called at call Friday. Oh! I forgot you people at Tucker are rebuildng and waiting for next year.
SWD Panther
November 2nd, 2009
11:09 pm
OK people as a player for SWD we have alot of supporters, critics, and fair-weather fans that turn into critics. Whether you love us or hate us, Coach Godfrey has a pretty impressive record on the field and off. Whether his play calling is outdated yet to have seen a game this year where a team has shut us down. Whether Malcolme is slow yet to have a seen game other than MLK where he didnt get 100 yds or better. Whether Griffin won last year or not doesnt matter what you did last year doesn’t mean didly squat towards what you would do if you play us this year. No one is perfect and without flaw its all about who prepares the best. Whether Tucker was rebuilding or not they were on our schedule and we had to play them what were we supposed to take it easy on them because they were 10th and eleventh graders. Poor little Tucker Cubs awww… I guess every team needs to sign a disclaimer and release it to the media before all their games. Stone Mountain is next and after that its time to start a new season the post season where records dont ITS WIN OR GO HOME. So if it comes Dec 11 and we are in the dome and Griffin, Tucker or Marist is in attendance whether it be as spectators or participators i hope you come ready for a good contest.
Personality0905
November 3rd, 2009
4:56 pm
Hey Marcus,
You are on it my man!! Me and my brother are SWD alums and we went to that rainy playoff game down in Griffin where SWD had every opportunity in the world to win that game and taking it to the Dome. Losing it in the 4th quarter is what hurt us with the “home field” made penalties and then see them get blown out of the Dome by Tucker. SWD has got to pass a little/lot more to get to the state championship game. What I am very scared of is the coaching staff. The players seem so disoriented about who’s in/who’s out and what’s really going to kill us are those illed TIMEOUTS!! Got to manage and maintain those my man to get to the promise land. I predict a SWD/Griffin championship game at Tara Stadium because there’s no way in the world Griffin Stadium will hold over 10,000 people. Panther Pride baby!! Ya better recognize!!
Dekalb Fan
November 4th, 2009
1:58 pm
Personality0905 – Don’t know if you were at the Tucker game last Friday but to me SWD showed the ability to pass most of the game the QB was 10 for 15 passing the ball and this was with Malcome not playing a single down. I agree with you about them alway’s seeming to be disoriented about who’s in/out happens all the time. I don’t even want to talk about the use of the timeout’s…….hopefully as in the past we’ll have the talent to overcome the coaching deficiencies. Go Panther’s!!!!!!!!!!
Dekalb Fan
November 4th, 2009
2:04 pm
By the way the championship games are held at the dome now. So we won’t have to worry about a game being played at that lousy stadium in Griffin. I was there last year also.
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[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Michael Carvell wrote this this past season along with a video of the team: It is baffling why Southwest DeKalb doesn’t give more offensive touches to Dixon. On a team of [...]