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Tigers Fall in Soccer Championship
Soccer
The DCHS Tigers soccer team poses with the runner-up plague after the game against Cumberland. The team next heads to region play in Loudon County.
Tiger Soccer
A few Tigers players were recognized at the tournament for their outstanding play throughout the season. Pictured from left are Jasper Kleparek, Yair Mata, Cameron Miller, Brandon Matias, Brian Balderas, Miguel Mata, and Luke Jenkins.
Coach K
Coach Dylan Kleparek, known to his players as “Coach K,” was honored with a plague after the game for his dedication and leadership to boys’ and girls’ soccer.




The DeKalb County High School Tigers soccer team had an exciting week, traveling to Livingston to participate in the TSSAA District tournament, with a chance at the championship.

On Tuesday, May 11, the team faced off against the tournament home team, the Livingston Academy Wildcats. It would turn out to be a tough fought match that would be decided in overtime.

The Tigers struck first, with Miguel Mata finding the net with 24 minutes left in the first half, but the Wildcats weren’t far behind with Westyn Clouse getting a goal, with an assist by Mitchell Watson with 16 minutes left in the half.

Jasper Kleparek was up next for the Tigers. He put DeKalb up by one in the second half, with just nine minutes left to play. But Livingston would go down quietly. Watson came back with a goal of his own, tying the game 2-2 at the end of regulation.   

Overtime saw Mata mania take over the game. Yair Mata found the net, with an assist by Miguel Mata, with four minutes on the clock. The duo struck again with three minutes left, then again with one minute left on the timer. DeKalb claimed the 5-2 overtime victory, and punched their ticket to the championship game.

Luke Jenkins had 11 saves in the match.

On Thursday, the Tigers were again in Livingston, this time taking on Cumberland County for the title. It would not go the Tigers’ way.

Cumberland would get on the board first, with a goal by Jeremy Ocampo, and an assist by Miguel Lopez, with 38 minutes left in the first half.

Yair Mata would put one in for the Tigers just two minutes later, with and assist by Cameron Miller. Unfortunately, that would be the only point of the match for DeKalb. Cumberland would go on with four more goals in the game, taking a 5-1 win and the championship.

Jenkins had 13 saves in the game.

The Tigers next head to Loudon County to participate in region semifinal on Tuesday, May 18.

After the game, a few of the Tiger players were recognized for their achievements through the season. Jasper Kleparek was named as Defensive MVP, while Cameron Miller was named as Rookie of the Year. Luke Jenkins, Brandon Matias and Yair Mata were named to the 1st Team All District, while Brian Balderas and Miguel Mata were named 2nd Team All District.

Coach Dylan Kleparek was also presented a plague for his dedication and leadership to boys’ and girls’ soccer.