The Tigers lost a 29-21 nail biter to the Trousdale County Yellow Jackets in Hartsville Friday night.
The Yellow Jackets stung the Tigers early, taking the opening kickoff into the end zone on an 87-yard run. A good EP put Trousdale up 7-0 with 11:45 left in the first. DeKalb quickly lost the ball on downs, and Trousdale took the punt and put the ball across the goal line again in just four plays. Another kick through the uprights brought the score to 14-0 with 8:04 left on the clock in the first.
The Tigers began a drive toward the goal on the next series, but an interception in the end zone quashed DeKalb’s bid for a touchdown. Yellow Jacket quarterback Marquel Claiborne got loose with a 74-yard touchdown run a few plays later, and yet another good EP put the Tigers down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, DeKalb got together for a seven-play, 66 yard drive, ending with QB Steven Jennings hitting Jonathan Munoz for a 17-yard pass to finally put the Tigers in the end zone. A good EP brought the score to 21-7, Trousdale, with 10:44 left on the clock in the second quarter.
The Tiger defense then held the line and forced the Yellow Jackets to punt. A 42-yard run by Jennings and a good EP brought DeKalb within a touchdown with 2:10 on the clock in the second quarter.
Trousdale threatened to score again before the close of the first half, but a sack by Luke boss at the DeKalb six-yard line stopped the effort just before time ran out.
The Tigers received the kickoff in the second half of the game, but went three and out. Trousdale, however, jumped on the opportunity, taking the ball 87 yards in 11 plays to put another six on the board. A good EP put the Yellow Jackets ahead 27-14 with 5:47 left in the second.
DeKalb still had some life left, ending a 66-yard drive with a 16-yard keeper, and Jennings dashed into the end zone for six. The score stood at 27-21, Yellow Jackets, with 2:39 left on the clock in the third quarter.
Trousdale’s next possession would result in a punt, but despite taking the pigskin back to the Yellow Jacket 13, DeKalb turned the ball back over on downs. Trousdale then drove 77 yards downfield in 14 plays before fumbling and allowing Lane Ball to recover the ball on the Tiger five.
An unfortunate penalty crushed DeKalb’s hopes for a win when Jennings was called for intentionally grounding the ball in the DeKalb end zone with less than a minute to go in the game, giving Trousdale a two-point safety. The Yellow Jackets took the 29-21 win.
Jennings went 9 for 25 with 131 yards passing, and threw one touchdown in the game. The quarterback led the team’s effort on the ground as well, rushing for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Boss ran the ball eight times for 38 yards. Aaron Patterson had 35 yards receiving, catching three passes, and Jonathan Munoz scored a touchdown. Luke Boss caught two passes for 47 yards, Dalton Halfman caught two for 20 yards, and Austin Brown caught one 15-yard pass.
The Tigers will play their last away game of the season Friday night, when they will travel to Jamestown to meet York Institute. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
