The DeKalb County High School Tigers traveled to the far away land of Crossville last Friday where they faced their second region opponent of the season. It would be a good night for the Tigers, and a big game for running back Colby Barnes.

The Cumberland County Jets would get the ball to start the game, but would lose yards before going three and out.

DeKalb would start their first possession at their own 45, and wouldn’t take long to get on the scoreboard. A Barnes carry was good to the 20, then a Jordan Parker keep was downed at the two. A pass to John Ellis was stopped at the line, then another Barnes run was in for the touchdown. With the extra point by kicker Juan Ortega DeKalb led 7-0 with 8:58 left in the first.

Cumberland would start their next drive at their own 25, and would be able to move down to the Tiger 37 before stalling. On a fourth and four play, the Jets went for it but would lose five yards as they turned in over on downs.

Starting at their own 42, a Jordan Parker pass connected with Malachi Trapp to the Jet 46, then on second down the duo connected again down to the 34. A couple of Barnes runs took DeKalb to the 22, then Parker threw to John Ellis who was in for six. With Ortega’s PAT the Tigers led 14-0, with 2:31 left in the first.

The Jets started their next possession at their own 24, but a false start would push them back. The would make it up to their own 32 before having to punt.

The Tigers would start at their own 30, but wouldn’t do much better. As the second quarter began, DeKalb would themselves lose yards before having to punt back at their own 26.

The Jets started at their own 26, and aided by a personal foul on the Tigers, moved to the 41. There, the drive would again stall and they were forced to punt.

On the punt, the ball bounced off a DeKalb player and the Jets were able to recover at the DeKalb 35. The next play, Drayton Hairston, ran it in for a touchdown. The PAT was no good, but the Jets were on the board, 14-6, with 8:28 left in the half.

Feeling momentum, Cumberland County then attempted an onside kick, but the plan backfired. Jonathan Garcia fielded the ball and ran it back for a 52-yard touchdown. With the extra point, DeKalb was up 21-6.

As the second quarter neared a close, Parker racked up another passing TD after he connected with Josh May with 22 seconds left in the half. With Ortega’s PAT, the Tigers held a 28-6 halftime lead.

The Jets were set to kick off to the Tigers to start the second half, but another onside attempt resulted in Cumberland nabbing the ball at the DeKalb 43. The next play, Hairston ran it in. Perez added the extra point to cut the lead 28-13 with 11:48 left in the third. It would be the last time the Jets would see the end zone.

Cumberland County was then given a big dose of Colby Barnes. With 40 seconds left in the third, Barnes would be handed the ball on a first and goal from the six. Once again he was in for six points.

Later, Barnes would be set up again. With 4:42 left to play, on a second and one from the 14, Barnes was in for yet another touchdown.

To cap off the night, the Tigers would start at their own 17 with a first down. Barnes was handed the ball again, and took it 83 yards to seal the game shut. The Tigers would claim the 42-13 victory.

The Tigers are 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the Region. Cumberland County remains winless on the season at 0-5.

Barnes ended the night with 24 rushes for 272 yards and four touchdowns. Parker had six rushes for six yards. Malachi Trapp had six receptions for 95 yards, while Josh May had two receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown. John Ellis had four receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Malachi also had one return for 35 yards, while Jonathon Garcia had one for 69 yards and a TD.

The Tigers travel to Woodbury this Friday night to take on border rival Cannon County at 7:00 p.m. The Lions are 1-4 this season.

Class 4A Region 4 Standings as of September 17

Macon County: 5-0 (2-0)
Stone Memorial: 5-0 (2-0)
DeKalb County: 4-1 (1-1)
Upperman: 3-2 (1-1)
Cumberland County: 0-5 (0-2)
Livingston Academy: 0-5 (0-2)