Dunwoody coach Matt Schmitz targets region title against Heritage

Dunwoody High School football fans will watch their Wildcats take the field at North DeKalb Stadium on Friday to play Heritage of Conyers. The matchup serves as the Region 4-6A championship game. The Wildcats are 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the district. They have won seven straight games. Their only loss this season came in the opener against Centennial, a game that ended 23-21 in the final moments.

Dunwoody has not won a region title since 2008. The school won a state championship in 1993. Matt Schmitz is the head coach for the 2026 season. He served as the offensive coordinator for the program for three seasons before taking over in 2025. The team is preparing for a new home next fall. They will move into Ryan Seacrest Stadium, which seats 3,000 people. It is DeKalb County’s first on-campus stadium.

Schmitz credits the team’s progress to consistency and a focus on fundamentals. He said the group has maintained a high level of execution. He noted that the team has not had the same level of adversity as in previous years. He pointed to the loss to Centennial as a turning point. The team has stayed disciplined since that game.

Running back Bradley Stephens leads the offense. He is a junior and has recorded 513 carries for 1,575 rushing yards. He has scored 31 touchdowns. Schmitz described Stephens as a player who is always trying to do the right thing. The coach said Stephens is consistent and gives his best every play. He added that Stephens has improved his blocking ability. He is also better at catching the ball out of the backfield.

Stephens has passed for two touchdowns this season. He completed a pass against Centennial. He also completed a pass against Heritage in a previous game. Schmitz said the team is surprised by Stephens’ growth as a passer. The coach said Stephens is willing to work with the staff to improve his passing. He is eager to learn new things.

The defense has also improved. Schmitz said the group is playing better than it did last year. He noted that the team is allowing fewer points. The defense is more disciplined. Schmitz said the players are taking care of the football. They are making fewer mistakes. He credited the effort of the entire roster for the improvement.

Heritage of Conyers is undefeated this season. They have not lost a game. Schmitz said his team is ready for the challenge. He noted that Heritage is a strong opponent. The Wildcats will need to execute at a high level. Schmitz said the team has prepared for this specific game. He is confident in the players’ ability to compete.

The game is scheduled for Friday at North DeKalb Stadium. It will be the final game of the regular season for both teams. The winner will claim the Region 4-6A title. Dunwoody will look to end a long drought for a district championship. The team has won seven games in a row. Heritage is looking to finish the season without a loss.