The DeKalb County Jr. Pro Tigers hosted the White County Silver Warriors on Saturday. The Peewee and the Senior Tigers lost their games, while the Junior Tigers won their contest.
The Tigers began the day with their annual player recognition ceremony. Each season, the Tigers’ football players and cheerleaders are recognized and given a medal.
After the ceremony, the Pee Wee Tigers took the field first and even with a hard fought game, theTigers found themselves with a 19-0 loss.
The Junior Tigers were next, and after the loss last week to the Overton County Outlaws, DeKalb looked to bounce back against the Silver Warriors.
The Tigers wasted little time as Tiger running back Desmond Nokes took the hand-off 31 yards to the Warriors’ 2-yard line on the first play from scrimmage. On the next play, Quarterback Chantz Bowling blasted across the goal line for the games’ first score, with 7:22 remaining in the first quarter. The 2-point conversion was no good and so, the Tigers led 6-0.
The Tigers scored 14 more points before half time behind runs of 9 yards and 38 yards from tailback Luke Bryant. Bryant scored twice more in the second quarter on runs of 56 and 20 yards, having another huge game.
The Tigers defense shut out the team from White County, led by Conner Rice and Braxton Hutchings. The Tigers went on to win the game with a score of 32-0.
In the nightcap, the Senior Tigers allowed the Silver Warriors to jump out to a 14-0 lead.
After the second Warrior touchdown, White county attempted an on side kick. Tiger return man, Tyler Bundy, picked up the loose football and rambled 55 yards for DeKalb's first score.
The Tiger defense held firm and did not allow any additional points in the first half. At half time, the Silver Warriors led 14-6.
The Warriors began the third quarter with a 10-play, 73-yards scoring drive that extended their lead 21-6.
White County, once again, attempted an on side kick, but this time the Silver Warriors came away with the football on the 50-yard line. Despite some big hit by DeKalb, led by Paxton Butler, the Warriors drove down the field and scored on a 3-yard run. The extra point was no good. However, the Warriors extended their lead 27-6.
The Tigers were able to cut into the lead when tailback, Bradley Miller crossed the goal line with 2:09 left in the game. However, the Tigers could not score again. The game ended with the Warriors winning with a score of 27-12.
The Junior Pro football teams will travel to Cookeville to play in the first round of the M.T.Y. F. play-offs at the Tennessee Tech Football Field on Saturday.