The DeKalb County Tigers took to the field last Friday afternoon for a scrimmage game against the Gordonsville Tigers. While the regular season does not begin until August 23, local fans filled the stands to see this year’s Tiger team in action. 
While only a practice game, the scrimmage was an opportunity for coaches and fans to evaluate player’s performance in a game-like atmosphere. With only three seniors suited up and in pads this season, there has been concern over how well the team could compete against bigger and more experienced teams. But, the play shown on the field last Friday has fans excited, especially over the Tigers’ freshman quarterback and kicker.
"We’ve got some young guys that’re going to play some very important roles for us this year," DCHS Coach Steve Trapp told the Smithville Review. "We’ve got Jennings back there. He really doesn’t look like a freshman quarterback. He’s got a lot of moxie, a lot of poise."
Tigers’ QB Steven Jennings showed skill as the DMS Saints QB last season, but his performance on the field against Gordonsville gives DCHS fans high hopes. Jennings showed accuracy in the passing game and proved he could throw the ball down the field. A couple of dropped passes would have most certainly lead to points by the offense, and a few screens, that were inadvertently called dead by officials in order to protect the quarterback, would gained big yards.
Jennings’s passing and awareness on the field looked promising, however he did try to force the ball on a couple of occasions. But as his comfort and patience progress, fans see big things out this young QB.
"We can all do things a little bit better, and that’s what scrimage is for," Coach Trapp said. "But I really expect them to have a big year."
Another highlight was the kicking game and another freshman player. Matthew Poss went four for four on extra points. With officials told to protect the QBs and kickers, Poss was not under the pressure he would face in a regular season game, but his kicks were true and right down the middle. 
"Poss made four extra points for us tonight," Trapp told the Review. "He’s a hard working kid. Everyday after practice he’s taking extra kicks. I think he’s going to do well for us. We’ve also got Drew Castarino, who is going to be on the field a lot for us too. He’s our starting corner on defense. Those three guys, who are real young guys, are going to do a whole lot for us this year."
When asked about the overall performance of the team, Coach Trapp said he was not disappointed. "I really liked their effort and their energy. It’s something we needed to see. We’ve been practicing against each other now for a few weeks, for five hours a day, so that started getting a little redundant. I’m glad to see the energy, and the focus, and the atmosphere that we had out here tonight for a scrimmage. We’ve got to build off that, but we’ve still got a long way to go."
In a game where the score really doesn’t matter, the DeKalb County Tigers Football Tigers showed toughness and speed.  While first string offenses played second- and third-string defenses, and vice-versa, the scores and play-by-play were irrelevant. But for those who like the details, the game started out exciting.
With Gordonsville taking the first possession, DeKalb intercepted and ran it in for a touchdown, taking the early lead, 7-0.
Gordonsville came back, mounting an 80-yard drive for a touchdown, but with a missed extra point. DeKalb remained in the lead, 7-6
On the next DeKalb possession, Gordonsville intercepted on the DeKalb 20-yard line, and two plays later lobbed it up for a reception in the end zone. After another missed extra point the score was 12-7 Gordonsville.
On DeKalb’s next possession, Tigers’ QB Jennings made a beautiful 80-yard pass to Dustin Warner who almost came away with the TD, but was tripped up at the three-yard line.  DeKalb would take it in for a score the next play, taking back the lead, 14-12. 
Later in the game, a fumbled snap by DeKalb led to a turnover on their own 23-yard line.  The next play saw Gordonsville run it in for a touchdown.  That and a successful two-point conversion, gave the Blue Tigers a 20-14 lead.
DeKalb then mounted an impressive 80-yard drive, which led to a touchdown, giving the Black and Gold Tigers the lead again, 21-20. 
Another drive by Gordonsville, capped off by a 30-yard pass, gave the lead back to the Blue Tigers, with a score of 26-21.
DeKalb mounted a comeback, pushing down the field, but an interception near the end zone ended the game with the final score 26-21.