The DeKalb County Tigers traveled to Baxter last Friday to take on the undefeated third-ranked Upperman Bees. Both teams were in the top spots for the district championship, with each coming into the game at 4-0 in district play. The Tigers had high hopes against a team that had struggled against other opponents like Livingston, but their hopes were dashed early in the game.
DeKalb got the ball first, and the kickoff had Dustin Warner returning the ball to the Tigers’ 25-yard line. They would find a tough defense from the Bees however, going three plays for only two yards and being forced to punt. It was on the punt that the DeKalb’s woes truly began.
The punt from Matthew Poss was blocked and picked up by Upperman’s Robert Stephenson, who returned it for a touchdown. The following extra point attempt was no good, but right off the bat the Bees were up, 6-0.
Things would only get worse on the Tigers’ next possession, The kickoff was returned to the DeKalb 39, and on the first play of the possession the ball was handed to Devonta Milan, who fumbled at the 37-yard line. Upperman recovered, and soon made the Tigers pay. Four plays later, Bees quarterback Conner York ran the ball in on a keeper and gave Upperman six more points. The Bees would get a two-point conversion on a pass play and would be up 14-0 with 9:44 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers could not move the ball on offense, and their next possession fell with a two-yard loss. Facing fourth and 12, DeKalb punted, and the Bees returned to their own 42. From there they would mount a seven-play drive ending in a touchdown pass to Patrick Ely. The extra point was no good, but the Bees boasted a three-score lead at 20-0, with 6:22 left in the first quarter.
The offense showed signs of life on the Tigers’ next possession, getting three first downs and driving down to Bee territory. With a fourth and seven at Upperman’s 34, the Tigers elected to go for it, but a pass by DeKalb QB Steven Jennings to Milan at the goal line was incomplete, and the Bees took over on downs.
The Tigers’ defense had a hard time dealing with the fast-paced Upperman offense, and the Bees quickly marched the ball back down into the Tigers’ red zone. The five-play drive culminated in a QB keeper from the one-yard line, leaping in for six. Another pass for a two-point conversion put the Bees up, 28-0 with 3:29 left in the first quarter.
The following kickoff would give the Tigers good field position, with Milan taking the ball to the 50, but once again DeKalb would not be able to move. Getting only five yards on the drive, the Tigers would again punt, and the kick would go out at the Upperman 25.
Again the Bees would show their dominance on the field. Despite being backed up several times through penalties, Upperman continued to convert and get first downs going into the second quarter. The drive would take them down to the three-yard line and there, facing a second and goal, a QB keeper would again give the Bees six. With a successful extra point kick, Upperman had a 35-0 lead with 9:36 left in the half.
DeKalb would punt on their next possession, and for the first time the Tigers’ D was able to hold. Taking possession of the ball at their own 29-yard line, Upperman would only get to the 44. A penalty would back the Bees up on fourth down, and they would have to punt from their own 39.
The Tigers returned the ball to their own 34, and began to show some life on offense. A 10-play drive would take the Tigers to within striking distance, but on a second and 10 from the Upperman 15-yard line, a Jennings pass was intercepted and taken to the Bees’ 22.
The Bees would drive seven plays down to the Tigers’ 21-yard line, and there, facing a fourth and 11, Upperman attempted to add another nail to the coffin. Electing to go for it, the Bees tossed it up and got a first down at the three-yard line. The next play, a QB keeper, gave the Bees six more. The extra point attempt was blocked, but Upperman’s lead was 41-0 as the half ended.
At the beginning of the second half the Tigers came out with some life. The Bees would take possession of the ball first, starting at their own 20-yard line. Their drive would only last three plays before Lane Ball got an interception at the Bees’ 35-yard line.
With some luck now in their favor, the DeKalb O came out fired up and three plays later a 24-yard run by Milan finally put points on the board. The extra point by Poss was good and the score was 41-7.
The Bees would answer however, and starting from their own 18 drove seven plays, ending with a 26-yard run for a touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Bees lead increased, 47-7.
Desperation showed on the Tigers’ next possession, and after going three plays and facing a fourth and four from their own 44, the Tigers went for it. The Jennings pass was batted down, and the Bees took over on downs.
The Bees dominated the Tigers’ defense, and were able to convert a fourth and four from the DeKalb 43. As the fourth quarter began, the drive continued and another QB keeper from the 15 would result in a touchdown. The kick after was good and the score increased, 54-7.
The Tigers would not give up however, and DeKalb’s next drive would see Jennings take to the air. DeKalb moved the ball down to the 15, but a sack would back them up to the 22-yard line. There, a Jennings pass found Jonathon Munoz in the end zone for six. Poss’ kick was good and the Tigers increased their score, 54-14.
The celebration would be short-lived however. On the following kickoff, Stephenson fielded the ball at the Upperman 22 and was able to run it all the way in for a touchdown. With the extra point, the score would seal the Tigers’ fate. The game would end eight minutes later, 61-14.
The Tigers will face their next district opponent Friday as they travel to Carthage to face the Smith County Owls.