The DeKalb County Tigers look to draw even in their series against rival Warren County this Friday night as they play host to their old foe to kick off the 2018 campaign.
“It’s a border rivalry,” said Tiger Head Coach Steve Trapp whose coaching career is tied to the border battle. “We started the series my first year as coach and we’ve played ever since.”
The rivalry has come a long way since that 50-6 loss to the Pioneers at Nunley Stadium in McMinnville with the Tigers posting a 50-0 drubbing of the 6A Pioneers in 2009 in the series. The Pioneers own bragging rights presently having beaten the Tigers last year 26-10 and also own a 7-6 series advantage. Both teams finished the regular season 3-7 last year.
While the game is not a region battle, Coach Trapp said the game is still very important.
“It means a lot to our program to start off the year right, and that means a win against Warren County this Friday night,” the coach said. “A win to kick off the season helps the mindset of a young football team like we are.”
Trapp expects the Pioneers to come after their quarterback, Axel Aldino, who will be making his first high school start. However, Aldino showed poise in the Tiger scrimmage against defending state champion Friendship Christian last week as the perennial powerhouse came after the sophomore signal caller. Aldino was able to hurl a touchdown on their first series during the scrimmage.
Trapp is keeping tight-lipped about strategy when it comes to the Warren County game this Friday, noting he expects to run a “balanced offense” and knows the Pioneers have a potent ground game.
Coach Trapp pointed out that a cancellation by the Tigers’ planned jamboree opponent could be a double-edged sword.
“While we didn’t get that other scrimmage under our belt it did give us an extra week to prepare for Warren County,” the coach said, noting he is looking forward to the electricity of the border battle.
“The first game of the season is huge and gets the community involved,” Trapp said, noting Warren County is usually one of the biggest gates of the season.
Kick off in the 14th installment of the border battle is at 7 p.m. this Friday night at DeKalb County High School.
