The DeKalb Middle School Saints traveled to Cannon County last Thursday and came away with something they haven’t had all season, a win. The team looked good during the game, with some hard running and good tackling.
The Lions would start the game with the ball, starting at their own 21. But the Saints defense stood firm and got a three-and-out, and with a fourth and nine, the Lions were forced to punt.
DeKalb took their first possession at the Lions’ 30-yard line, and with a pair of runs by Paxton Butler, the Saints found themselves at the Lions’ two. The next play, Saints running back Jessie Smith was in for six points. A pass to Butler was good for the two-point conversion and the Saints took the lead, 8-0.
The Lions would start their next possession from the DeKalb 44, and would go three-and-out and punt back to the Saints’ at their 14.
The Saints would go three and out, and the ensuing punt, with a bad snap over the head of the punter, gave the Lions the ball on the Saints two-yard line. The next play, Cannon’s QB ran a keeper and was in for a touchdown. Another keeper, for a two-point conversion, failed giving the Saints a two-point lead, 8-6 with 28 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Saints would return the ball to the Lions’ 46 on the kickoff at the end of the first quarter, and as the second quarter began, a Paxton Butler run would set the Saints up on the two-yard line with a first and goal.
The next play, running back Jessie Smith was in for the TD. A successful pass to Butler was good for two and the Saints were up, 16-6.
On Cannon County’s next possession, the Saints’ defense stepped up and a holding penalty, sack, and incomplete pass would once again force the Lions to punt.
The Saints returned the ball to their own 48, and from there mount a seven-play drive that would put points on the board. With a third and three from the Lions’ 14, Saints QB Tyler Cantrell tossed to Butler for six. Another pass to Butler for two points gave the Saints a 24-6 lead at the half.
As the third quarter began, the Saints resumed right where they left off. Receiving the Lions’ kick, Butler returned the ball to DeKalb’s 40-yard line. Five plays later, Tyler Bundy was handed the ball and he was in for a hard-fought touchdown with 5:40 left in the third quarter.
DeKalb’s comfortable 32-6 lead would carry throughout the fourth quarter, giving the Saints their first win of the season.
"It always feels good to get one in the win column," said Coach Tadd Webb after the game. "The kids played hard and that was ultimately the difference. They gained confidence throughout the game and you could tell it.”
Westmorland is next and Coach Webb says his team will be ready. "We know what they are going to run. They’ve been running it for several years, and we’ve been prepared for it for several years. They know what we do, and we know what they do. It’s just a matter of can we stop them or can they stop us."
The Saints will be at home against Westmorland at 6:30 p.m