The DeKalb County Football Tigers’ second preseason scrimmage could only be described as lackluster as the team faced off against yet another 2012 state championship opponent. The match-up against Friendship Christian may have been a wake up call to the team, who later in the week traveled to Clay County, where they faired much better, but according to coaches, lacked enthusiastic play. 
The Tuesday night scrimmage with Friendship Christian highlighted some chinks on the offensive side of the ball, while injuries on the field claimed some much needed experience away from the team.
"Offensively we just didn’t really perform well," Coach Steve Trapp told the Review.  "Really, having only one day of preparation against a team when you really don’t know what they’re going to do, has a little to do with it. I think our effort was good, just our execution wasn’t what it needed to be."
Coach Trapp said that the first two scrimmages of the year have been against quality opponents, something the young and inexperienced Tigers needed in the "real time" practice sessions. "Gordonsville was last year’s state champs and Friendship Christian was last year’s state champs, so we’re playing some really great teams. We had zero spring scrimmages. I just didn’t have enough guys to schedule a scrimmage, so we really wanted to challenge ourselves with some good teams."
While the scrimmage with Friendship Christian was less like a game, with no kicking game and interceptions returned to the offense, there were some bright spots during the practice session. While the Tigers were denied the end zone, the defense held the powerhouse team to only one touchdown.
"Defensively, we held them out of the end zone except for one play," Coach Trapp said. "We messed that one all up.  But, we wanted to challenge ourselves. We wanted to play, and we’ve got to get some experience on some of these young guys and some of the guys that’s not been starters. Again, one thing you can not coach is effort. I’m pleased with our effort. Execution has to be better though."
Injuries during the scrimmage sent a few shivers across the stands with John Bradford being taken off the field on a stretcher, and Lance Ball coming away with an arm injury.  While first feared to be broken bones, the injuries are now reported as less severe with a high ankle sprain for Bradford and a bruised elbow for Ball. Both are expected to play during the season opener, however WR/DB Joey Moon is now reported to be out for the season with a knee injury.
"We don’t need to lose anybody," Trapp said. "Moon is a good player and we need all the experience we can get right now."
The Tigers traveled to Clay County on Friday, where they managed to see the end zone three times, but coaches say their hearts were not in the game. "They have to be ready to play ball," Coach Trapp said. "They may have come out and beat some of these teams last year, but this year they’re whole new teams."
The Tigers play in Watertown on Saturday during the Football Jamboree and open their season on Aug. 23 at Warren County.