DeKalb County High School Football will transition from Class 3A to Class 4A next year.

The Tigers will be in a new region, Region 3 Class 4A, with only four other powerhouse football teams, Livingston Academy, Stone Memorial, Macon and Cumberland counties. Tiger Head Coach Steve Trapp told the Review that while the region has changed, the overall schedule for next year has not been modified that much.

“Our overall schedule has not changed much in regard to the teams we are playing, but the teams that dictate whether you go to the playoffs have changed,” Trapp shared. “Our new region is made up of Macon, Livingston, Cumberland, and Stone Memorial. Three of those teams we have played the last couple of years, and Livingston is a team we have played and been in the same district with before. Most of our non-region games are with teams that we have been competing against for playoff spots the last few years, such as Upperman, Smith, Cannon, and Grundy. We are still opening with Warren, and have added Watertown back to our schedule as well.”

Trapp said that his focus was on preparing his team.

“For me it is not about being happy or unhappy about our schedule. It is more about understanding what is needed to do in order to compete and be successful with the schedule you have. No matter what kind of schedule people may think you have, for us as a program, we have to do the things that are necessary to be successful, and that is continue to develop our players physically and mentally in the off season and help instill a “do everything right” mentality toward everything that is demanded of them,” the coach said.

The return of Watertown and Livingston Academy to the schedule brings back two traditional rivals from the Tiger’s past.

“As mentioned before, we have competed in the same district with Livingston in the past and that game always had a freak significance on championships and post season play as well,” the coach said. “It will be no different with them now. Watertown is a team that has had many games with DCHS throughout the history of our program and at one we had played more games against them than any other program in our history.”

Trapp said that football is a year-round commitment, and that his thanks go to the parents and community members who make it all possible.

“Many people may not realize it, but even though football season just ended, we have already started preparing for the upcoming season. Our winter weight program has started and we will be adding more to that come January. As always I would just like to thank you to all the parents of our players and our community for all the things we are able to do because of their support,” the coach concluded.