Tucker 36, Cedar Grove 14
He may not be the most heavily recruited of this typically talent-laden Tucker bunch, but he knows how to open a show.
Tucker fullback Dallas Rivers had 12 carries for 114 yards and three touchdowns, as the Class AAAAA No. 2 Tigers opened the season with 36-14 win over Class AAA No. 8 Cedar Grove.
At 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, he looks more like a battering ram than most of Tucker’s lean, fast backfield mates. Speed may kill, but sometimes it’s just as effective to run through a would-be tackler as it is to run around him.
“I’m a combination of both – speed and power,” Rivers said. “I love contact.”
It was far more than just Rivers, though, for the Tucker rushing game. Rivers, Yusuf Minor and Joseph Farrar all rushed for more than 100 yards, and each scored at least once as the Tigers amassed 408 yards on the ground.
That’s the gameplan that’s kept Tucker near the top of the state for several years now, and it worked perfectly out of the gate once again.
If there was any question what these Tigers would look like after two-time state champion coach Franklin Stephens left in the offseason, consider those questions answered.
“We’ve got a lot of the same guys in place,” Tucker coach Bryan Lamar said. “Coach (Todrick) Malone, our offensive coordinator, had a great gameplan going in; he’s been our offensive coordinator for the past six years. We pretty much tried to keep things the same; we’ve got a great formula put together.”
It was no different on the other side of the ball either.
Things started bad for the Saints (0-1) and didn’t get much better. They began the game’s opening drive on their own 1-yard line after a botched kickoff return. Then, on the first play, Tucker’s Joseph Farrar yanked Jamir Hannah down in the end zone for a safety.
That was just the beginning for a Tucker defense that rarely let up, particularly during a first half when Cedar Grove was held to 50 total yards and had negative yardage on nine of its 23 offensive plays.
The Saints got a little bit more going in the second half, but it was one dimensional, too little and far too late to catch up with Tucker.
For Lamar, it was the debut he wanted to see from his Tigers.
“This is what we wanted,” Lamar said. “These kids know me. I know Tucker. I’ve been there. I love the guys; I love the community. We just wanted to get back to rolling.”
C 0 0 6 8 – 14
T 9 6 21 0 – 36
T – Joseph Farrar safety
T – Dallas Rivers 13 run (Steven Duffy kick)
T – Yusef Minor 23 run (pass failed)
T – Rivers 10 run (Duffy kick)
C – Shane Ward 30 pass from Johnathan McCrary (kick missed)
T – Rivers 44 run (Duffy kick)
T – Farrar 29 run (Duffy kick)
C – Deion Sellers 51 pass from Johnathan McCrary (Chandler Ector pass from James Hartfield)
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65 comments Add your comment
Tiger4ever
August 24th, 2012
10:53 pm
Plenty of talent once again. Very sloppy game,but nothing that is not correctable. A repeat is possible.
Left Coast Dawg
August 24th, 2012
11:33 pm
How many yards did McCrary pass for?
Oerated
August 24th, 2012
11:42 pm
Mcrary will up great numbers in the fourth quarter this year because when they are behind by four touchdowns every game and everyone puts in the JV team he will smash em. GO SAINTS
Sportsmommy74
August 25th, 2012
12:27 am
Bad game all around by the Saints….
The Scout
August 25th, 2012
12:32 am
Cedar Grove was out manned tonight by Tucker on both sides of the ball. On offense Cedar Grove’s Deion Sellers took a short pass and turned it into a 51 yard touch down run bouncing off defenders along the way. Shane Ward also took a short pass and turned it into a 30 yard touch down run. On defense, Preseason Class AAA All-State prospect, Sr, DB – Everett Nicholas, started the season off just as he ended last season, being Cedar Grove’s shut down corner. Nicholas was tested ONCE early in the game,(while in man to man coverage),Tucker attempted a deep pass which was promptly intercepted by Nicholas. After that interception Nicholas was not thrown at again.
sportsnut
August 25th, 2012
12:34 am
Two points. == 1) No way Cedar Grove is #6 in AAA. If they are, that class is really weak.
2) Tucker will not repeat
Eagle Eye
August 25th, 2012
12:56 am
sportsnut – 2) Tucker will not repeat
They would if they played Lovejoy.
JAB
August 25th, 2012
1:36 am
What was cedar grove & MLK score in the pre-season? Who won the game…
Doc
August 25th, 2012
2:35 am
JAB
Please stop with pre-season games.
Sunshine's mom
August 25th, 2012
4:35 am
Better luck next time Saints !!!!!!!!!!
Wrecker
August 25th, 2012
7:35 am
So Cedar Grove scored 14 points against the scrubs after the game was long over? I guess there is no need to throw the football when you are rushing for 408 yards. Do you think that had something to do with not throwing at that corner again? This game does not say much about either team, since Cedar Grove is playing up a class.
Sonya Scott
August 25th, 2012
9:28 am
I know that this was only the first game, and it was not a region game, but why is it that everyone is so quick to dis Tucker? I don’t know what kind of season we are going to have this year, and neither do YOU!! But if last night was any indication, anything is possible. I wish everyone a safe and prosperous football season.
Wildgator
August 25th, 2012
9:52 am
Tucker played a decent game, but Cedar Grove should have made them pass. They are in trouble when they have to pass! Tucker QB doesn’t seem as if he can pass too good. I think he was like 2 out 7, and one of those was a pick.
True Blue
August 25th, 2012
9:55 am
Tucker just was better Coached. McCrary had a bad game looked alittle scared of Tucker Defense. Cedar Grove played conservative. I didnt understand the play calling. No.passes down the field which was open all night.Fundamentals are horrible at Cedar Grove. A lot of good Athletes but no teachng of the game of Football. They still have nine games to correct especially the offside penalties which kept the second touchdown drive alive for Tucker.
Tiger4Life
August 25th, 2012
10:24 am
@The Scout
You are very delusional if that is the game you seen. They were not out “manned”, out “coached” is the word you are looking for. Cedar Grove have plenty of athletes and really good sized OL/DL, but being put in the right position to make a play was there problem last night.
@WildGator
The Tucker QB is the same QB that lead TUCKER to a 15-0 record last year. It was the first game of the season, timing is not down yet, defense is always ahead at this time a year.
@Sportsnut
Go hang out in 6A where you belong, your services are no longer need here. Worry about the “LoveToys” you cheer for.
Proudmommy
August 25th, 2012
11:13 am
Correction, the safety points were score by Davanta Reynolds not Joesph Farr
Tucker Dad
August 25th, 2012
11:18 am
Thanks for correcting everyone Tiger4Life. @ Sportsnut, we’ve been down this road before. You talk with your heart and not your head. You tried to convince us all last year that LoveJoy was playing great competition and their defense was the best in class 4A. Then you tried to convince us that your side of the playoff bracket was just as tough as ours. Then the moment of truth came in the dome and all of your convincing went for NOT! We played the toughest schedule, We had the hardest playoff schedule, we had the best defense and offense in 4A. We shut your offense out all night long and we scored on your D1 corners from 60 yards out.
Take my advice and stop trying to predict, because so far you are 0 – 1. I think you will find that 6A ball is going to be more challenging and you won’t be sporting a 14-0 record this year.
FB FAN
August 25th, 2012
11:53 am
I don’t care how many you put in the box,that was just a dominating game by Tucker on both sides of the ball. Fast,aggressive,good size,well coached and great support from the fans. That region better be ready.
rwdekalb
August 25th, 2012
12:08 pm
Tucker actually looked sharper in this first game than they did last year in the first game. Which is a testament to the coaching staff and dedication of the players
The Scout
August 25th, 2012
12:56 pm
@ Wrecker. You are absolutely correct about not having to pass the ball when you’re rushing for 408 yards. However, Tucker’s QB is supposedly being recruited by Oregon and I know they would have loved to see their 5A prospect put up some type of numbers against a 3A All-state defensive back (E. Nicholas). Sorry to say the only thing they can take from that game is Tucker can run the ball and Everett Nicholas can shut down the pass. Maybe E. Nicholas should be getting scouted by Oregon!
The Scout
August 25th, 2012
1:20 pm
@ Tiger4Life. I’m not delusional at all, and you are correct when you say Cedar Grove was out coached. But Tucker looked like they were playing against their little brothers. Tucker was blowing Cedar Grove off the ball on both sides, now, Cedar Grove is young on the offensive line, but it would not have matter who Cedar Grove put out there, and where they put them, Tucker was too big and too experience in the trenches for Cedar Grove.
Wrecker
August 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
@Scout, it is not so much that they could not throw, but rather that they simply did not pass because the run was so effective.
Wildgator
August 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
@ Tiger4Life – Just cause he was the QB of the 15-0 doesn’t make him a good QB! Running the ball is Tucker’s strength right?!?! Take it away and see what happens! They would be in serious trouble if they had to rely on the passing game more. How many games did he pass for more yards then they rushed for last year? But all and all Tucker is a pretty decent team.
Tiger4Life
August 25th, 2012
1:45 pm
Tucker’s defense has 9 first year starters that are all Jr.’s. #ijs
2012 Football Season is Here
1 down and 14 more to go
WE ARE TUCKER
Run With Us or Run From Us
Tiger4Life
August 25th, 2012
2:01 pm
@Wildgator
I understand where your coming from, but no one can stop our run. We played against the two best defenses last year. Northside WR and The Lovetoy House Kittens. Ask them how difficult it is to corral our stable of RB’s. Trust me, it’s a lot easier said than done.
The Scout
August 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
@ Tiger4life. Tucker’s defense has 9 first year starters? Where did y’all get them big jokers from? Georgia Tech! LOL
Wildgator
August 25th, 2012
2:41 pm
@ Tiger4Life – Yeah Tucker does run the ball pretty good, but the 46 would give them fits.
Tiger4Life
August 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
@Wildgator
Please “Stop”giving people idea’s …LOL
@The Scout
Our best D Lineman hasn’t played football since 7th or 8th grade. #70. He’s like 6′4 290. One was a transfer and the rest played there last year.
Wildgator
August 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
@ Tiger4Life – LOL!!!
BcS2010
August 25th, 2012
3:53 pm
Here we go!!! Lol Tucker played a good game last night..36-14 against the best QB in ga…Tucker’s QB juwann Williams has trimmed his. College list down to 5 schools..Oregon,Notre dame,Clemson,Florida state and Vandy..so he’s pretty good if you ask me lol and Our defense is new!! But very talented and our offense…juwann Williams,Yusuf minor,Dallas rivers all had great seasons last year!! And number 13 fit right in for Jordan Landry!! Tucker did their job and has 9 more games to go until the playoffs!!! It’s early but I’m saying we are a serious contender!!
Sportsmommy74
August 25th, 2012
4:18 pm
Tucker looked great last night, CGHS didn’t. Our line gave the run to Tucker’s backs. They are young and I get that, but if that’s how they are playing, it’s gonna be a long disappointing season for the Saints. Everett Nicholas looked good on his side, but it’s gonna take more than just Lil Nuck to hold up our defense. Where we’re our LB’s? The DL? I’m just saying.
That was the worst game I’ve seen CG play since 2010. I think they were intimidated. End of Story….
Sportsmommy74
August 25th, 2012
4:19 pm
Autocorrect sux… Sorry for the typos….
uwillbtuckedaway
August 25th, 2012
5:36 pm
Cedar Grove is a good team. They actually played the run fairly well until their spirits were broken well into the third quarter. In keeping with our Tucker tradition, we have pounded the ball for years and then we pop a long run or two! Ask Marist and SWD? And, as quiet as its been kept over the years, we’ve had quarterbacks that could really throw the football too. We’ve just not had to utilize that portion of our game until needed. Ask NSWR (’11 Playoffs), Hiram (’10 Playoffs), Chamblee (’09 Regular Season), Marist (’08 Championship). Just to go back a few years.
J. Williams will contribute in the passing game when needed. The thing that separates him from the past two quarterbacks in the years referenced above is his feet!
Great start to another great season. My prayer is for the health of all of the athletes throughout this year on our team and all of the teams in our path to a REPEAT!!
WE ARE TUCKER!!!
graphite
August 25th, 2012
7:05 pm
All you Tucker folks keep tooting your horn,N.S.Warner Robins has something for you,that is if you get that far.
Sportsmommy74
August 25th, 2012
7:20 pm
I think you guys will repeat… Good luck to Tucker……
The Scout
August 25th, 2012
7:49 pm
Good Luck Tucker with the rest of your season.
67tiger
August 25th, 2012
9:26 pm
@graphite
Where have I heard that before???
MIGHTY LION KING
August 25th, 2012
10:35 pm
i must say that was very predictable for the winner to be
MIGHTY LION KING
August 25th, 2012
10:38 pm
i must say that was very predictable for the winner to be TUCKER but by that much..WOW.. impressive win TUCKER..lookin very much forward to the our face-off (MLK)..cant wait til we get started with our schedule..
uwillbtuckedaway
August 25th, 2012
11:28 pm
@ graphite – NSWR, much like Tucker, year in and year out simply reloads. Clearly you guys make it far every year because you don’t have tough region competitors.
And thus, when the pressure is on, FUMBLE and a touchdown headed the other way on your home turf!
Boy, was that ever fun!!!
WE ARE TUCKER!!!
jag4life
August 26th, 2012
10:02 am
Tucker aint play nobody Wait till they play Stephenson their defense is crazy look out for #21 #5 #34 #50 #56 #40
TuckerFan2
August 26th, 2012
10:05 am
The reason coach Franklin Stephens left Tucker/Dekalb County football program.
TuckerFan2
August 26th, 2012
10:06 am
The reason coach Franklin Stephens left Tucker/Dekalb County football program.
http://www.macon.com/2012/08/25/2149933/back-to-his-roots-franklin-stephens.html
Tiger4Life
August 26th, 2012
10:48 am
TuckerFan2, there is nothing more to say. Smh
stephensonfinest
August 26th, 2012
2:33 pm
TUCKER YU BEAT CG NOT CAMDEN…ITS NOT IMPRESSIVE ITS WHAT YOU WERE SUPPOSE TO DO…
uwillbtuckedaway
August 26th, 2012
3:43 pm
@TuckerFan2 – thanks for sharing the link. Dekalb will continue to lose championship coaches.
I’ve personally attended a few of these meetings with so called “Dekalb County Administrators” and it is quite sad because by losing this caliber of a coach/coaches it only hurts our children!
Clearly our city schools (Dekalb and Atlanta) will fall short of the “home field” stadium experience but we can clearly create a better system so that coaches of Stephens’ caliber will want to come and work with the talent in the metropolitan area.
@stephensonfinest – win a championship or how about a couple playoff games and then you can talk!!
WE ARE TUCKER!!!!
blu eagle
August 26th, 2012
4:19 pm
NSWR has a tougher schedule than Camden ever did we get plenty competition in our class that we are #5 on 35 best dynasty’s in GA. That is plenty and plenty to compete again for the big ring!
stephensonfinest
August 26th, 2012
7:08 pm
uwillbtuckedaway please…first your name is crappy…you sound good but your not playing CG nomore so you better keep your lips on mute til its time..your day is coming
CG FAN
August 27th, 2012
7:39 am
To the SCOUT: WHO IS THE PARENTS OF E,NICKLOUS,it is so unfair to LOBBY for your son to gain an edge over kids who DONT have a father who coach his son. NO question .D McGee is the best DB on Cedar Grove team he dont have a FATHER orMOTHER lobbing for him to make ALL STATE,OR ALL COUNTY, E. Nicklous is a average little player at 5′8 170 4.9 40; by the measurements of Troy State and Alabama State! Colleges and Universities DO NT RECRUIT THREW the blogs! The all state will NOT be selected by U2, OR THE AJC blogs.Allow NICK to STAND on his own feet for a change!!
coach
August 27th, 2012
7:50 am
LEFT COAST; Mccrary threw for 148yds 15 of 21 attps, thats around 67% , not bad against POWERFUL TUCKER!
ChantheMan
August 27th, 2012
9:02 am
Look at it this way both MLK AND STEPHENSON lost their scrimmages to teams they should’ve beat.Yall are talking about tucker playing teams that haven’t won a game yet come on now. Stephenson and MLK should stay of the Tucker Blog until then. In all honesty we should all go get a life and stop arguing about highschool football yikes!
Sportsmommy74
August 27th, 2012
11:01 am
Hey CG Fan, that’s not nice… Lil Nick, does whatever the coaches ask him to do. Duke is one of the best and no one is taking that away from him. There are other players on the squad that are good too. They lost the game as a team and not as individuals, lets not start attacking high school boys.
Uncle pete
August 27th, 2012
11:27 am
@cg fan thanks for the blessing you must have a real important life trying to put a kid down .I think his stats. Speak for him 35 rec. 500yds 5tds and threw one Td off. Def. 2 ints. 1 pick for a Td 30 tackles 20 break ups. Since you are watching him so much check the stats .of the other kids that made all state and all dekalb county and all region . I think his parents did not have anything to do with that . Once again cg fan thank you for the blessing.
The Scout
August 27th, 2012
11:53 am
@CG FAN!!!! First of all, I am NOT Everett Nicholas’ mother or father!!!! I know D. McGee can play however, his responsibilities Friday night didn’t allow for him to make the plays we are accustom to. McGee had a good game Friday but Everett Nicholas had a pick (interception) and I spoke on it. Now, if you had read all my blogs you would have seen I spoke on Deion Sellers and Shane Ward’s performances also. I highlighted all the positives and spoke negatively about NO ones child. What kills me about all this is Fans hating on kids. If you want D. McGee to be blogged about then sit down Friday night after the game and type what you saw. Just the facts!! and we can talk about it. Secondly, Everett’s dad is suppose to work with him. What father that wants his child to succeed wouldn’t. Furthermore, parents have told me that Everett’s father is a dad to all those kids at Cedar Grove and will work with any child that wants to get better. What more can you ask for? You sound like you have a personal beef. This is not the forum for personal beefs. Lastly, Everett has been putting in a lot of hard work and it shows on Friday night. As a matter of fact, all Cedar Grove’s players are working hard. Stop tearing kids down and reinforce them ALL with positivity. Everett was a preseason Class 3A All-State WR/DB for a reason. I think Everett’s hard work and past performances is what got him that status. What he does on the field speaks for itself! Plus, It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog. No lobbying needed!
Laser
August 27th, 2012
2:04 pm
coach – was very surprised to see McCray throwing laterally as much as he did. I was at the game and granted I’ve only seen him play this one time, but I really thought CG would challenge Tucker’s defense vertically down the field. I don’t know if they didn’t because of pressure off the edge or because they thought they might exploit Tucker’s linebackers. If your stats are accurate, he only averaged 9.8 yds per completion.
rwdekalb
August 27th, 2012
3:21 pm
Why all the hate for Tucker from the Stephensen posters. It sounds a little like fear.
DEKALB FAN
August 27th, 2012
4:26 pm
Tucker was too much for the Saints have some good players i dont know them by name but number 7, 5, 16,10 and 1 were init to win it, they looked undersized to Tucker players but they played their ass off , but i have been wtching Minor and Rivers for the tigers and they are some horses and their line just man handled the Saints.Mccrary i watched over the years and it seems he still throws the ball high and not accurate on short passes, but vanderbilt will fix that, i hope he sets the record this year though.
CGHS Fan
August 27th, 2012
7:11 pm
#4 and #52 and #15 were in it to win as well, if we gonna start calling out individuals call them out as well. Bryson, Antwuan and Brandon worked their butts off too. Antwuan had some good blocks to protect Johnny, Brandon tried to catch the ball. Bryson, had two tackles that stopped two sure to be touchdowns. However, they still lost. This isn’t about individual effort, isn’t football a team sport? This is the type of stuff that will tear a team apart. They lost! Get over it and focus on the next game. Tucker beat that butt. It happened. They highlighted ALL of CG’s weaknesses. Good luck to them the rest of the season.
overmatched1
August 27th, 2012
7:25 pm
To all of u stephensen posters why do u have so much hate for tucker is it because yall have 15 or more d1 every year and have not won a ring yet and tucker has 2 in five years with less talent and we run from no challenge just calm down we will c in a few weeks so all the talking can stop we dont brag we just let our talking on the feild speak for us oh and please dont let a first year coach out coach your legendary coach
5AReg6Fan
August 27th, 2012
10:14 pm
WOW, a lot of crazy comments on this blog. The bottom line is that Cedar Grove was simply OVER MATCHED and it show from quarter #1 to #4. CG may makes some noise in their classification, but to step up 2 levels and play one of GA’s TOP POWERHOUSES, is a lot to ask. In all honesty, if Coach Lamar (Tucker) hadn’t call off the Tigers, the outcome would have been very lopsided. People, I’m for all a little fun and chest beating, but let’s keep the kids, their family structures and their names out of the discussions, on a medium that cannot be deleted. Thank goodness for some of the CG parents who made comments to improve their kid’s and communities, but CG is not the only team that has adults to assume the positive role in a kid’s life.
To the Stephenson supporters – Your first regular season game is fast approaching. I’m sure you want mind we Tucker fans commenting on your blog, since you are good to express your opinion on Tucker’s blog. Yes, time is approaching when the Tigers and Jags, will settle things between the white lines. Remember this; The Tigers do not fear Jaguars. (Period) Tucker doesn’t have to prove their ranking, HISTORY and ACCOMPLISHMENTS these has been recorded.
ONE DOWN, 14 TO GO!!!!!
“WE ARE TUCKER”
REGION 6, the best in GA 2012 5A Football……
JAB
August 27th, 2012
11:11 pm
Dekalb County really needs to review it’s Athletic financial policy, that is why they are losing some good coach’s.http://www.macon.com/2012/08/25/2149933/back-to-his-roots-franklin-stephens.html
Mccrary Family
August 28th, 2012
7:53 am
Proud of you Nick, stay strong!!
"J"
August 28th, 2012
9:32 am
@JAB Not only do they need to review policy’s, they need an external auditor to review too!! Too much money is being made from Dekalb County Football but we have the worst compensation and stadiums! Halford Stadium is awful! Most of our venues only have “one side” seating for both opponent’s fans. How can that be in 2012? Can you spell – “MISAPPROPRIATION”?
Mccrary Family
August 28th, 2012
9:59 am
The bottom line we are all in this togather, when one Dekalb school win we all win, we don’t have the fiunding like other counties, thats why we lose good coaching.Dekalb has Great players and very good schools, lets stand togather against others and play hard against each other thats what make us better and stronger,GO SAINTS, CONGRATS TO YOU TUCKER!
"J"
August 28th, 2012
11:17 am
@ McCray Family … Amen!! We got to get the county administrators to there part by giving us the facilities we so deserve. Go everybody!!