The DeKalb Middle School Saints football team had a great start to the 2014 season, winning its first three games and holding their opponents to zero points. But the first real test of the season came when the team traveled to Macon County to take on the Tigers.
The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 2, but was called due to lightning storms passing through the area. The game was rescheduled for a rare Monday night match on Sept. 8.
Macon had the first possession of the game, and wasted no time putting points on the board. Starting from their own 20, the Tigers looked to go three-and-out, but on a third and six, from the 24, quarterback Devon Dillehay kept the ball for a 76 run to the end zone. A run was good for two points and Macon was up 8-0 with 6:21 left in the first quarter.
The Saints started their first possession at their won 29, and right away mental miscues plagued the drive. On second and three from the 35, a false start backed them up five more. DeKalb recovered with a first down to the 42, but a sack, then an illegal shift penalty backed the Saints back to the 33. They would make it back to the 37 before being forced to punt on fourth down.
The Tigers took advantage of the stop and quickly made their way back to the end zone. Starting from their own 35, Macon used quick snaps to keep the Saints off guard, and catching them with an illegal substitution penalty. Going into the second quarter, the Tigers went seven plays, and with a first and 10 from the 25, they again found the end zone. A QB keep for two was good and Macon was up, 16-0, with 7:08 left in the half.
On their next possession, the Saints would move the ball into Tiger territory. On the kickoff, the Tigers did something they would do for the rest of the game, they went for an onside kick. DeKalb recovered at their own 39, and soon moved into Macon territory.
Runs by Tyler Bundy moved the Saints to the 43, then a pass to Tanner Poss gave DeKalb a first down at the Macon 32. A run by Poss got the Saints to the 29, but two plays later a delay of game backed them up to the 32 again. Going for it on fourth down from the Macon 27, Quarterback Colter Norris passed to Josh Carlton for a first down on the 16. Then, a fumble by Bundy coughed up the ball and Macon recovered on their own 20.
It would only take four plays for Macon to respond. On second and eight from the Macon 38, the ball was handed to Chris Oliver, who took it all the way in for six. A run was good for two, and the Tigers’ lead increased, 24-0.
With another unsuccessful onside kick, DeKalb started their drive from their own 40, but right off the bat, a false start backed them up five yards. The Saints recovered however, and with the final seconds of the first half ticking down, they moved the ball seven plays to the Macon 27-yard-line. Then, a Norris pass to Grayson Redmon was intercepted at the Macon six, with 16 second left on the clock.
The second half kickoff started the same as previous kickoffs, with an onside kick attempt by the Tigers. This time they were successful, recovering the ball at their own 49. Macon drove down to the DeKalb nine-yard-line, but there penalties stalled their drive. Then a high snap resulted in a turnover, with the Saints taking over at the 20.
All night QB Norris had to stretch for the ball as high snaps threatened to go over his head. On third and one from the DeKalb 29, a high snap got away from Norris, but the Saints recovered at the 21. Then, on fourth and nine, a pass to Carlton was intercepted and run back for a touchdown. A pass to Oliver was good for two and Macon was up 32-0.
Another onside attempt resulted in the Saints taking possession at their own 42, and DeKalb finally got a break. A run by Bundy took them to the 49, then another run by Bundy put points on the board. A two-point run by Bundy was stopped, but the Saints had avoided the shutout, 32-6.
The next set of possessions was a series of fumbles by both teams. Macon was stopped by a fumble on the DeKalb 29, then, on the next play the Saints fumbled but recovered the ball.
On a fourth and one from the 37, the Saints fumbled and Macon took over on downs. The Tigers fumbled on the next play, but recovered, then fumbled again with the Saints recovering at the DeKalb 34. The Saints drove down to the Macon 46, but running back Noah Martin was stripped and Macon recovered.
The Tigers were held to a three and out on their next drive, then DeKalb added to their score. A carry by Isaac Hall from the DeKalb 48 was good for six with 1:26 left in the game. A handoff to Isaac Walker was fumbled for the two-point conversion, but the Saints had got what would be the final score of the game, 32-12.
After the game, Head Coach Tad Webb said it was the mistakes that forced bad situations. "We were able to do some things offensively, then we’d have some mistakes and it would force us to do some things we didn’t want to do. It put us in long situations at times."
"I think we’re better than this," Webb continued. "We knew their running back was going to be good. We just didn’t tackle well at all. We had him pinned, and hit multiple times, but we just didn’t get him on the ground."
The Saints have another short week, with their homecoming game on Thursday against Smith County. Game time is at 6:30.
