“We knew we had to play other strong teams this year, so it just showed us how much we had to work and get better,” Jones said.
The knowledge gained on the long bus trip to Valdosta paid off last week when Tucker beat Chamblee, 33 to 0. While the level of competition can't be compared, the Tigers put in a threatening effort for area powerhouses Marist and St. Pius.
“We ran the ball well, we messed up a lot in our roles up front in the first week,” Jones said, “and we continued to play error-free football. We didn't have any turnovers in either game.”
Quarterback Jace German completed 15 of 25 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 47 yards against Tucker. The sophomore has fully recovered from a broken collarbone he suffered in the second game of the 2023 season. He has already thrown for 380 yards and five touchdowns.
Running back Christian Copeland, also from the Tucker Youth League, is back from knee surgery. Copeland had 14 carries for 94 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards and a touchdown. Senior Isaiah Horsham will be the other half of the backfield rotation.
Tucker's defense kept Chamblee off the field, limiting the Bulldogs to 45 plays, 79 yards and two interceptions and three turnovers in the second quarter. Standouts included Joziah Horn, Robert Robinson, Allen Pimentel (two sacks) and Eli French, who played as a receiver, defensive back and kicker.
“We're focusing on getting close to the ball,” Jones said, “we're always trying to put nine to 11 hats on the ball. You've got to get close to the ball to create turnovers.”
Tucker fans will notice “BK” stickers on their helmets this season, a tribute to the late Bud King, a Tucker enthusiast who passed away last spring. King was a lifelong Tucker devotee who served in a variety of roles, from volunteer coach to statistician to enthusiast.
Who's the 2-0 guy?
There are 19 teams in Class 4A that have started the season 2-0, but three teams deserve special praise.
· Drew – The Titans have never won the first two games of a season since the program began in 2009. Now in their sixth year under coach Steve Robinson, they are one win away from tying last year's win total. Drew defeated Clayton County rival Riverdale, 13-6, and North Clayton, 33-27. Jaylan Aquino ran for 239 yards and two touchdowns in the win over North Clayton.
· Lithonia – The Bulldogs haven’t started a season with two straight wins since going 3-0 to open the 2018 season. First-year coach Kevin Burns watched his team beat Lithia Springs 31-28 and Redan 14-8 in the season opener.
· Walnut Grove — Just two years after the Warriors opened the season with three straight wins and six of their first seven games, the team had never beaten Walton County rival Loganville. Walnut Grove opened the season with a 31-0 victory over Class 6A Discovery and then snapped a nine-game losing streak with a dominant 48-19 victory. Running back Emad Howard ran for 308 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
Top performers of the second week
Ahmad Gordon He ran for 181 yards and two touchdowns, helping No. 2 Perry win a 49-29 shootout victory over Peach County. Karen McDaniel He also rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. … No. 3 Cartersville outscored region rival Rockmart, 35-6, in a game televised by GPB, behind two 100-yard rushing efforts. Jacquiden Leonard (11 carries for 126 yards and 1 touchdown) Baylon Long (16 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns). Harrison Faulkner He was the star of No. 6 North Oconee's 42-0 win over Dalton. He threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for a score. The Titans scored on six of their first seven attempts. … No. 7 Blessed Trinity QB Brooks Goodman He rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-7 win over Holy Innocents. Brody McWhorter He threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone as No. 8 Cass beat Model, 48-0. … No. 10 Eastside beat Hiram, 48-21. Jayden Barr He rushed for 101 yards and three touchdowns, scored a touchdown on a kickoff return and also recorded four tackles.
Creekside quarterback Cayden Benson In a 30-27 loss to South Carolina Westside, he passed for 306 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Braylon Dewberry … threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-23 win over McDonough. … Harris County Ran Ogletree He ran for 186 yards, scored two touchdowns, threw a touchdown pass, caught a pass and had four tackles in a 21-17 win over Troup. Zachary Thomas In a 48-19 win over Woodland, he rushed just four times for 113 yards and four touchdowns. Kayden Way Ola rushed for 157 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-17 win over Locust Grove. Will Klein The St. Pius player recorded 14 tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss in a 17-3 win over Lakeside. … Flowery Branch freshman Ryland Garrison The linebacker recorded 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two hurries in the Falcons' 23-13 win over Habersham Central.