Despite predictions to the contrary from our sister publication in Warren County, Steven Jennings the only threat on the DCHS Tiger football squad that they needed to concern themselves with in the season opener in Smithville.
While Jennings did lead the Tigers with 338 yards, going 17-for-31 in the air, Matthew Poss established himself as a threat as well, not only gaining 165 yards catching the ball, but scoring 21 total points in a 27-7 rout of the Pioneers.
The Tigers won the toss, elected to receive, and covered 85 yards in eight plays to put the first seven points on the board. Matthew Poss returned the ball to the DeKalb 15 on the kickoff, then a 55-yard missile to Riley Sexton set Steven Jennings up to hit Poss with a four-yard touchdown toss, bringing the score to 6-0. Poss then put up a good extra-point kick, and the Tigers led the game 7-0.
The Tiger defense got a chance to go to work, quickly forcing a Pioneer punt. Warren County tried to buckle down on the Tiger offense, also forcing a DeKalb punt on the next series.
The Pioneers soon found themselves in a fourth and four situation, and tried for the first down. The attempt was unsuccessful, however, and DeKalb took the ball back at the Warren 46-yard line.
The Tigers marched the ball to the five-yard line, but a chop block penalty backed them up to the 25, where DeKalb increased their lead to 10-0 when Poss added another three points with a 25-yard field goal with 43 seconds left in the first quarter of play.
After a few minutes of back-and-forth, Poss put DeKalb on the scoreboard again when he pulled down a 15-yard touchdown pass from Jennings. Poss also nailed another extra point to increase DeKalb’s lead to 17-0, where the score remained at the half.
If you have been following closely, you will have noted that Poss scored all 17 points in the first half.
Warren managed a march downfield in the final minutes of the second quarter, but were thwarted when DeKalb forced a fumble in the end zone. The ball was recovered in the end zone, but inexplicably called a touchback by the officials.
Warren County took the kick to begin the second half, taking the ball at their own 45. The Pioneers finally managed to put a drive together, and with 7:35 left on the clock in the third quarter, Raleigh Woods scampered in from ten yards out to put finally put Warren on the board. A good EP from Jacob Morin brought the score to 17-7 DeKalb.
That was the last good news DeKalb would allow the Pioneers.
Poss allowed someone else to score with 11:49 left in the fourth, when Tyler Bundy put a 24-yard run together for a touchdown. Poss did add the extra point, bringing the score to 24-7.
Poss put a final 42-yard field goal up with 6:16 left in the game to bring the final score to 27-7.
Poss caught seven passes for 165 yards in the game. He scored two touchdowns, kicked three good extra points and two field goals. Jennings not only passed for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, he rushed for 49 yards on four carries as well.
Tyler Bundy rushed for 79 yards on eight carries, Riley Sexton caught four passes for 75 yards, getting an interception, and Isaiah Jones caught five for 66 yards. Bradley Miller caught a 23-yard pass, and Christian Pruitt pulled one down for 22 yards receiving. DeKalb ran the ball for a total of 118 yards in the contest.
Woods topped the Pioneer offense with 151 yards on 25 carries, while Isaiah Grayson led the Warren receivers with three catches for 35 yards.
The Tigers forced the Pioneers to turn the ball over four times, recovering two fumbles and snagging two interceptions, while DeKalb only gave the ball up once on a turnover, a heartbreaking fumble at the one-yard line.
Head Coach Steve Trapp told the review after the game that he was pleased with the tigers performance.
“This was a good football game, but they had to grind out there. Everything wasn’t as clean and crispy as we wanted it, but we had some players step up and make some big plays. Tyler Bundy played exceptionally well. Matthew Poss is a huge weapon. Two field goals, the last two kickoffs were in the end zone, and two touchdowns receiving. We call him ‘The Five Tool Guy,’ he can do a lot of things for us, and he definitely showed that tonight,” the coach said.
The offensive line played an outstanding game, we have a lot of experience up there, and they’re just a gritty group,” Trapp continued. “The defensive line played extremely well too, we got a little winded and worn down, and our tackling got a little rough, but they responded when they needed to. Giving up seven points and scoring 27, we’ll take that every week.”
Trapp said there is a time for celebrating, but it will be back to work on Monday to get ready to face Stone Memorial this Friday night.
“They took it to us pretty good last year, so we understand it’s going to be a challenge. We’ll let these guys enjoy this this weekend, then we have to get back in to some hard work. We need to do the best we can and improve every week.”
The coach also said he was grateful for the rowdy Tiger fans who tuned out.
“I want to give a big thank you to the fans. We appreciate the support they brought in tonight. There’s a lot of expectation out of this team, and I’m glad the fans came out to see what these guys are holding.”
Stone Memorial will come to Vanhooser Stadium on Aug. 26, and York Institute will visit on Sept. 2. The Tigers will then play three road games, at Cumberland County on Sept. 9, at Smith County on Sept. 16, and at Macon County on Sept. 23.
The Tigers will return home to host Sequatchie County on Sept. 30 and then will travel to Grundy County on Oct. 7. DeKalb will play at home against the Upperman Bees on Oct. 21 will travel to Cannon County on Oct. 28 to wrap up the regular season. All games start at 7 p.m.