MLK 50, Stephenson 49
By Jeff Haws
For the AJC
It was over. But Blake Tibbs wasn’t done.
Tibbs – already with five receiving touchdowns – returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown with 16 seconds left to give MLK a stunning 50-49 win over Stephenson.
The victory gives No. 5 MLK (10-0) the Region 2-AAAAA title. No. 4 Stephenson finished second.
When Mike Davis plunged in from 4 yards out with 29 seconds left, it looked to everyone involved that he had given the Jaguars a 49-44 win, holding off a Lions team that had roared back from deficits of 17 points late in the third quarter and 26 points in the second quarter.
But, despite Tibbs’ reputation coming into the game, despite his 166 receiving yards and five scores, the Jags rolled the dice with a straight-up kick. Tibbs caught it with his foot on the 18-yard line. Nobody touched him.
He flew up the right side of the field, splitting the defenders, making one cut and then outrunning the kicker down the sideline into the end zone, as much of the MLK bench stormed toward the field.
It was the third “ending” of the game in the final 3:32 – first with the Lions completing a wild comeback to take a 44-43 lead, then Davis’s touchdown run, followed by Tibbs. Each score looked like the winner when it happened. Only Tibbs’ held up.
Stephenson’s final drive started on its own 25-yard line, after the Jaguars had surrendered a 17-point late third-quarter lead to the Lions, who also fought back from 26 down earlier in the first half to take a 44-43 lead.
The Jaguars had thrown the ball far more than usual in this game. But, with the game on the line and time getting short, they stuck to the ground and workhorse Mike Davis.
Davis (39 carries, 212 yards, 2 TD) had 54 of the Jags’ 75 yards on the drive, including the touchdown that could have been the winner.
It would have spoiled what had been a big comeback from the Lions.
MLK trailed 43-26 when Stephenson had to punt with 3:16 left in the third quarter, and it looked like the Jaguars were ready to salt the game away. The Lions had other ideas.
They scored once to cut the lead to 43-32 at the end of the third quarter, then got good field position after a short punt and penalty to convert on fourth and 10 with a 14-yard strike from Dawson (15 of 35 for 296 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT) to Tibbs that made it 43-38 with 8:34 left.
MLK started its final drive at its own 11 with 5:12 left and quickly marched downfield. The Lions got three catches from Tibbs to move the chains, and then Joshua Stanford caught a short pass, made a man miss and went in from 59 yards out to give MLK its first lead of the game.
S 15 21 7 6 – 49
M 12 8 12 18 – 50
M – Andrecas Jackson 1 run (kick failed)
M – Blake Tibbs 20 pass from Jonquel Dawson (pass failed)
S – Demarcus Sweat 38 pass from Justin Holman (kick failed)
S – Carlos Hood safety
S – Mike Davis 18 run (Wisdom Nzidee kick)
S – Holman 1 run (Nzidee kick)
S – Sweat 47 pass from Holman (Nzidee kick)
S – T.J. Moon 11 run (Nzidee kick)
M – Tibbs 5 pass from Dawson (Joshua Stanford pass from Dawson)
M – Tibbs 42 pass from Dawson (pass failed)
S – Josh Parris 33 pass from Holman (Nzidee kick)
M – Tibbs 14 pass from Dawson (pass failed)
M – Stanford 59 pass from Dawson (pass failed)
S – Davis 4 run (pass failed)
M – Tibbs 82 kickoff return (run failed)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
162 comments Add your comment
DDCornbread
November 5th, 2011
9:56 am
AND NEW CHAMPIONS OF REGION 2 AAAAA….THE LIONS OF MLK!!!
I am so proud of both teams. The players and the coaches of both teams are to be praised for their hard work. This game was well played and well coached. Somebody had to lose.The critics of the coaches and players of either team need to SHUT UP!!! …….You don’t know about how long and hard the preparation is for the show that is put on every Friday night. It is not easy at all! LIONS! BE STRONG! JAGUARS! RELOAD! We are proud of you.
Dirtydavis
November 5th, 2011
9:57 am
Karma is a mug! I was at the game, not a fan of either school but a long time Dekalb resident. As I walked in I believe I probably was pulling a bit for Stephenson, but the quickly changed when their coaching staff failed to have his players out fir the National anthem. For all the building me a scholarship talk, seems teaching respect false to the wayside. It was a well played game. Quite a few questionable coaching moves but hey thats south Dekalb county for you. And I wish I could have a second with the offensive qb coach at MLK. Every time he qb came off the field after missing an extra point, I had to watch him act li
Jaguar Pride(AMHS Dad)
November 5th, 2011
9:57 am
@Queen Black last night was almost the perfect evening for a rival game, but it was almost tainted by what MLK did at the end. That could have gotten really ugly very quickly, this should be a teachable moment for both student bodies.
@SWD alum, man back in the day I say SWD put up about 82 on Douglas over at Panthersvile. Buck had them boys rolling over everyone. With the talent at Stephenson, Coach Godfrey would have at least 3 state titles.
Dirtydavis
November 5th, 2011
9:59 am
Act like a fool. The kid did his job. You idiots began going for two way to early. And you guy continued to call the same two point conversion play. Dude coach on mon-thurs and there would be no need to throw a tantrum on fri night.
ROCK STEADY FREDDY
November 5th, 2011
10:02 am
SINCE THE NIMRODS HERE AT THE AJC FORGOT TO MENTION……BLAKE TIBBS IS A DAWG COMMIT AND WILL BE ROCKIN STEADY IN ATHENS THE NEXT 3-4 YEARS! AaROOF!
Ouch
November 5th, 2011
10:12 am
ROTFLMAO….How many D1 recruits again?….LOLLOLL
Tiger4Life
November 5th, 2011
10:12 am
Great game, congrats to ML King for a great win and regular season. Congrats to Stephenson for a good regular season. Now it’s time for the playoffs! Don’t be content, stay hungry so you both can meet in the Dome.
Dekalb Co. Stand Up ! ! !
Larry
November 5th, 2011
10:15 am
Did someone mention a hobnailed boot? Come on over Tibbs!
thatguy
November 5th, 2011
10:17 am
either school ever thought about developing a kicker? I mean, a couple of field goals, or extra points, would have iced this game…
SouthGADawg
November 5th, 2011
10:38 am
Who is this kid? I hope he is going to UGA. This kid has alot of talent and a big heart. UGA should be all over this guy.
uwillbtuckedaway
November 5th, 2011
10:43 am
Phenomenal game! Also watched replay of Valdosta game upon returning home. After seeing MLK vs Stephenson neither Valdosta or Colquitt have same caliber athletes. Haven’t seen much 5A ball this year, but what I’ve seen going back to the Corky Kell Classic none of them match the talent displayed last night. Wow! Clearly MLK coaches made tremendous second half adjustments and don’t understand any of the decisions made by Stephenson coaches. Actually, very few decisions were visible at all! Unfortunate for the athletes! Anyway, great game by both teams from a neutral observer. Proud of how you represented Dekalb county. Great fans, great bands, great schools, great high school Friday night lights environment Dekalb county style. Guess it’s time for MLK to release a YouTube video as Stephenson has been all over the internet, radio, etc. but you have to back it up! You’ll get another chance starting next week. Good luck to both programs in the playoffs continue to make us proud.
WE ARE TUCKER!!!!
DostaDawg
November 5th, 2011
10:49 am
State Title def. headed to south ga. this year…Stephenson what happened to all those MAJOR college prospects? To busy rapping ?
JAGUAR FAN
November 5th, 2011
10:49 am
I’ll say this, Stephenson has a GREAT team and they are all in! They play with a lot of heart! The regualar season is over and the real season starts next weekend..either you win or go home!! We don’t have to question what our players are made of but now we REALLY will get a chance to see what our coaching staff is made of because belive you me we are in a playoff bracket where it’s gonna get real..REAL SOON! We have the talent to knock off anybody but i’m not gonna lie..our march to the dome is going to be EXTREMELY tough!! First we host Lowndes, if we win, more than likely we will face Grayson, from there, more than likely Hillgrove! These teams have great coaching staffs and the Stephenson coaching staff is going to have to GET IT DONE!! The coaching staff has no one to blame but themselves for what happened last night! Ive seen some bad coaching, but last night may be one of the WORST! The past is the past, lets move foward and get ready for the playoffs! In my opinion the coaching staff at Stephenson has a lot to prove to the players, school, and COMMUNITY! We are hungry for a state championship and we deserve it! If this season is a bust with this team..it may well be time for Gartrell and company to go!! We need all jaguar supporters and fans to come out and cheer on our team as we host Lowndes! Anything can happen in the playoffs, but if things go as predicted the game vs Lowndes maybe Stephenson’s last home game for the playoffs! If we beat the vikes, we would have to travel to both Grayson and Hillgrove..they are both number 1 seeds in their respected regions.
LET’S GO JAGUARS!! LET’S GO LIONS!!
UncleJunior
November 5th, 2011
11:07 am
I hope Stephenson will put this behind them and learn from this. This is no time for a pitty party. You all should be proud.
Former MLK Band Mom
November 5th, 2011
11:07 am
Regular Season is over … Go MLK … Go Stephenson! Represent us well in the Playoffs! See you on next week!
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
11:11 am
I think Coffee will beat a tired and beat up MLK team next week. I think this is a trap game for MLK coming off that emotional win last night over Stephenson, I think it will be much like the Coffee/Valdosta game when Coffee beat Valdosta the week after Valdosta came off that big win over Lowndes.
DostaDawg
November 5th, 2011
11:14 am
JAGFAN guess more than anything I’m just mad I was’nt there. Sounds like a game they should play on t.v. down here on pbs,or Highschool clasics would be great if someone would do it kinda like NFL ticket.
bo
November 5th, 2011
11:17 am
The best game i have ever see. Good job mlk, you made us proud.
MLKfan
November 5th, 2011
11:18 am
That was the best game ever!!!!!!!!!!! Way to Go MLK!!!!
DostaDawg
November 5th, 2011
11:19 am
Valdosta and Colquitt had a great game that went to ot. VHS-27 COL-24….. Does anyone know when games start on pbs?
at the 10...5...Touchdown
November 5th, 2011
11:25 am
they call me Mr. TIbbs.
Oblama
November 5th, 2011
11:28 am
MLK – what a wild game. I was pulling for MLK because Tibbs is going to UGA and Stephenson’s Mike Davis is going to sign with the enemy Gators. I don’t eiother team has the defense to handle the defenses down south but we shall see.
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
11:29 am
@DostaDawg,
I don’t think PBS has any games on until the State Championship round at the dome.
The State Championship games will be played on PBS on Dec. 10th
Solja boi
November 5th, 2011
11:32 am
@ DostaDawg @ Coffee Trojan#44, these folks don’t give a crap about yall, they don’t even know what part of Georgia yall from. Yall need to go back to gavsv.com aaaaa
Eagle Pride
November 5th, 2011
11:33 am
Wow!!!What a great game last night,this game goes down as one of the best games in history. The Davis kid for Stephenson is a Beast and BLAKE TIBBS balled out. Big time players make big time plays and both guys did just that. Both teams played hard and it’s time for the playoffs. Good luck to both teams
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
11:34 am
I think Coffee will beat a tired and beat up MLK team next week. I think this is a trap game for MLK coming off that emotional win last night over Stephenson, I think it will be much like the Coffee/Valdosta game when Coffee beat Valdosta the week after Valdosta came off that big win over Lowndes..
North vs. South...Go Dekalb!
November 5th, 2011
11:34 am
I am a MLK fan. Great win Lions!!! I would like to say to all the Jaguar fans, great game. I am proud of both teams. Wishing both teams the best for next week against Coffee and Lowndes (Got get em’). Both bands were great last night! I have read some criticism on this blog from a South Georgia fan about the MLK/STEPHENSON bands. A point of fact to remember; many rural schools perform Corp style; MLK/Stephenson are Show style bands. Both are legitimate styles; however show style is a lot more fun and exciting for the students and fans!
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
11:40 am
@Soulja boy,
MLK and Stephenson don’t have a chance against Coffee and Lowndes.
MLK + Stephenson = No Defense.
DostaDawg
November 5th, 2011
11:42 am
Thank’s Coffee Trojon44..and good luck,u have a excellent team. MLK should be weary after that shootout.
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
11:48 am
@DostaDawg,
Good luck against Newnan next week! Valdosta should beat Newnan easily.
DostaDawg
November 5th, 2011
11:51 am
Sorry u got a boulder on ur shoulder solja boy. Just enjoy all kind’s of football this time of year.
Solja boi
November 5th, 2011
11:52 am
@ Coffee Trojan#44 we best not get on here talking trash if you a Coffee fan. We know your history. We know you are the Vanderbilt of 1 5A. Yall always have good players , but sorry coaches. And we know if you have a good coach, the other side will threating to kill him if he don’t play the white players. Yall never won anything lol!!! How many playoff games have yall won in the late 10 years???
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
12:02 pm
@Solja boi,
I’m sorry that your team is not going to the playoffs, but can you plz get over it and shut the he!! up.
dawgs01
November 5th, 2011
12:11 pm
Best game ever. So much talent on that field last night. Stephenson amazes me every yr with sending those kids all over the country. You cant say those coaches dont do everything for those kids bc so many coaches do not even try to help their players with tapes, recruituing trips, camps, and just getting exposure it is alot of work. Every yr we see a talented stephenson team get beat by well coached teams in the playoffs and usually early. Those South GA teams are coached up great and have talent and size and they usually eat stephenson up and overwhelm them it usually is a blow out. This yr though they could win off talent alone but it is tough it the playoffs every week is a battle getting the best out of the players and opposing coaches.
Solja boi
November 5th, 2011
12:15 pm
@ Coffee Trojan#44
Yall will call going to the playoffs a good year, Well I guess if Vanderbilt beat 1 of the top 3 teams in the sec east they will say they had a good year to. MLK 31- COFFEE 13
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
12:24 pm
@Solja boi,
Your smoking the good stuff.
Coffee 28- MLK 14.
Lowndes 35- Stephenson 21.
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
12:24 pm
MLK and Stephenson don’t have a chance against Coffee and Lowndes.
MLK + Stephenson = No Defense…
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
12:26 pm
Valdosta 42- Newnan 7.
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
12:31 pm
Colquitt 48 – East Coweta 14
DEKALB!
November 5th, 2011
12:37 pm
One thing Dekalb has over ANY COUNTY is that they have the best games! DeKalb games are exciting on and off the field, The fans are on their feet the entire time, the band playing and the whole crowd dancing along, great quality football, packed out stands! The atmosphere is insane!!!!!! MLK &SHS did great, Football teams , bands and fans!
Nigerian Nightmare (MLKAlumni)
November 5th, 2011
12:46 pm
If you are not going to post a positive comment about either teams, please get off the article.. This article is about the KING winning the region title 2 times in a row. great win by MLK. now let me remind yall that MLK lost their head coach (Coach Jarvis) and entire coaching staff 2 season ago.. Coach Carlson, Coach Evans and new coaching staff have been there for ONLY 2 seasons and already putting up disastrous numbers… last season we ended up being 8-4 and this season they are 10-0. MLK is the team to beat in the playoff. THE POWER OF DEKALB.
I AM KING
November 5th, 2011
12:49 pm
@Coffee Trojan#44. Bring a blanket, pillow, and lots of tissue; because it will be long, sad ride back to Coffee County
mlk athlete
November 5th, 2011
12:55 pm
@westlakefootball umm. im a junoir at mlk and no one has transfered in when we were freshman 2013 is till loaded with the talent coach Corey Jarvis left us with stop spreading rumors
I AM KING
November 5th, 2011
12:55 pm
@Coffee Trojan#44 also bring a snack because everything will be closed when you get back to Douglas. Be prepared to face superior football players that refuse to lose. Change your number because if they see your comments a bounty will be placed on you. RESPECT MLK!!!!!!!! or pay the price. You are a 4th seed team, so act like it, and expect to feel the wrath of a REGION CHAMPION.
Coffee Trojan#44
November 5th, 2011
1:00 pm
@I AM KING,
Any 1-AAAAA team could beat any 2-AAAAA team any day of the week.
I AM KING
November 5th, 2011
1:03 pm
@Westlake grow up!!! Westlake has proven they cannot not play with top tier Dekalb Football teams. Quit walking around with your pants hanging down, talking like a fool (real talk, shawty, bruh, dem boyz) and skipping the weight room during the off season; you can win the state. But the team at Westlake is not committed to winning a State Championship, because the players don’t carry themselves like state champions. They are still failing classes, skipping classes, getting in trouble; not the ways of a champion, that is the ways of a loser; so you will continue to lose at Westlake because you act like losers by your actions off of the field, so how do you think you will turn into a winner on the field. Westlake change your ways and maybe you can win vs whine.
MLKbandmom
November 5th, 2011
1:26 pm
Great job to the football teams, coaches, bands and fans of MLK and Stephenson. You really showed GA how we do it Dekalb style. Absolutely thrilling game last night! Way to go M-L-K!!!!
dekalb mustang 4 life
November 5th, 2011
1:33 pm
How u south GA people say mlk got no defense didn’t they shut down valdosta offense a team who happens to be y y’all region champ.yesterday was not a show of bad defense it was a show of superior play makers making plays mlk has 3 elite receivers and qb and defense that can rise to the challenge when they have to. The jags are great and will bounce back no other team in the state had play makers like these two teams. these two teams remind me of Dallas carter from Friday might lights and we know who won state in that movie. Go Dekalb County
Stephenson fan
November 5th, 2011
1:41 pm
Great win mlk…that was the best game I’ve been to ever…even I feel it’s no way it should been that close let alone win y’all did y’all thing great talent out there at mlk..now for south ga mlk already beat your regions champs at home..the game was high scoring but that’s not regular game in dekalb co. With those to defenses..it was one those games where it was just magical man what a game…but dnt expect that to be how it is gne be next week during playoffs..let’s go dekalb this our year mlk an Stephenson state finals but this time Stephenson gets it right..
(MLK-Lions #1)
November 5th, 2011
1:50 pm
WOW!!!! If you were not there, this game game will be replayed, retold through out time in DEKALB County football history. For the Record MLK back 2 back 2-5A CHAMPIONS!!!!Oh Stephenson….Where’s The Beef??? Ding, Ding, Ding @ ur nearest Wendy’s…
We have Big Time Players and Coaches over in THE LIONS DEN…Our Seniors came out ready 2 play, with Chaz Wilson #45 recovering the opening kick…it was on and popping from there…Get on our Level, We Ready 4 the Playoffs, this is not a trap game next week.Our team is Motivated, Dedicated, and Ready 4 anyone that put’s on a Uniform…We excel on all 3 critical area’s in football, ie SPECIAL TEAMS, (OFFENSE/DEFENCE), and COACHING. Our fans are Amazing, and the Band 10 yrs of Straight Superior Ratings…nuff said…Now back to the matter of THE MIGHTY LION FOOTBALL TEAM…Blake Tibbs brought out the 2010 2-5A Trophy during the lunch waves and placed it on a table to get the student body hyped, and crunk, with the Promise of a 2011 2-5A Trophy 2 Match…The Senior Players committed their belief, and the rest is now Folklore…”I’m Just Saying”
Coffee, we thank you 4 making the trip up North, make sure to bring sugar, milk(powder/can/carton)…we are “Knocking the Caffine” out of you.
Now to the Jaguars fans, student body, players and coaches hold stedfast to your World of Play Station and Rap Video’s. I know when it said create your team on the Menu…You had the Biggest
on ur face…probaly went like this…hmmmm ok got #28 check, got #35 check, #19 check…oh dang this team is gonna be crazy mad, hehehehe… plus I got up early and got 8 more D-1’s, check, check. Now who can I play against, oh almost forgot something…I need a COACH, hmmmmm, uhhh got 1….Now who we gonna play for their Senior Night and Spoil it forever, hmmmmmm, SnaP!!!! MLK, but before we do that all Super Heroes need a theme song…How bout Local Shawty and the beef it ups—yea,yea, we gonna Beef it Up on there Senior night. When I went to my youtube it was there “Stephenson Football Dream Team ft. Local Shawty and The Beef it Ups” this cd and dvd was selling faster than a text message out of the trunk….Oh but that’s Y you play the game in Real Time…Beware Lions Are and Will always Be KING over a Jaguar…Nuff Said and I AM KINGGGGGGGGGG! 50-49————>Back 2 Back——->btw… When MLK’s Football go 2 Wendy’s they order a DOUBLE Cheese with a Jaguar 4 Dessert…Thank You have fun all in the Playoffs…Go Lions, get that ***BLING***