In a game in which the DeKalb County High School football team managed just 257 total yards of offense, the Tigers came home with a 23-14 momentum-building win over the Warren County Pioneers Friday night in McMinnville.

With the offense struggling, the Tiger defense stepped up, producing five sacks and three turnovers in the season opener. The Pioneers started the game with the football then marched down the field with a four-play 65-yard scoring drive that put Warren County ahead 7-0.

On the Tiger’s ensuing possession quarterback Steven Jennings capped a 12-play drive with a six-yard touchdown run. The extra point was a no good, so the Tigers still trailed the Pioneers 7-6. The Tigers took the lead at the :35 mark of the first quarter with a 39-yard field goal by Matthew Poss that put the score at 9-7.

On their second possession of the second half, the Tigers expanded their lead to 16-7 on a one-yard plunge into the end zone by Jennings for his second touchdown of the night. However, the Pioneers would not give up scoring a touchdown on a 10-play drive to pull within two points with the score at 16-14.

After a muffed punt by the Pioneers, the Tigers’ Riley Sexton recovered the fumble on Warren County’s 31-yard line. Four plays later, freshman Tyler Bundy crossed the goal line for his first high school touchdown. The extra point was good by Matthew Poss, and at 9:12 mark of the fourth quarter the Tigers extended the lead to 23-14.

The Pioneers had two more chances to score but with t38 seconds remaining in the game, the Tigers’ A.J. Mooneyham sealed the victory for DeKalb with an interception on the 34-yard line.

The Tigers will travel to Stone Memorial Friday. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.

Tiger Pride!