As the DeKalb County High School football team celebrated their 500th game at John L. VanHooser Stadium Friday Night, the Tigers also celebrated a long-sought 32-13 victory against the Smith County Owls.
Propelled by a second-half surge of energy, the Tigers scored 19 unanswered points.
The Tiger win is the first in the series since the ’95 season and their first home victory since the ’81 team beat the Owls 20-7.
The Tigers’ defense swarmed to the ball all night long, as the team totaled six sacks, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery while surrendering just 227 yards to the Owls’ offense.
In front of one of the largest crowds at VanHooser Stadium, the scoring got started on the opening drive of the game, when Owls’ running back Jalen Manning took a pass from quarterback Nick Givens 52 yards for the score, silencing the home crowd. The PAT was good, and with only two minutes, eight seconds into the game, the Tigers faced a deficit for the first time in the 2012 season, trailing 7-0.
Four consecutive first downs later, senior Tiger receiver Will Molander leapt his way into the end zone with a 6-yard reception from quarterback Lucas Phillips. Ben Driver’s PAT was good, and at the 8:29 mark of the first quarter, the game was knotted at 7.
A big third-down stop by Tigers’ defensive tackle Caleb Cantrell forced a Smith County punt. The Tigers’ offense drove down the field to the Owls’ one-yard line. However, on third-and-goal the snap from center was over quarterback Lucas Phillips’ head. Phillips recovered the ball on the Owls’ 22, setting up a 39-yard field goal attempt by Driver. Drivers’ attempt would fall short, giving the ball back to Smith County.
Tigers’ safety Chris Chapman ended the Owls’ next drive with his first of two interceptions on the night.
After a Phillips’ fumble that gave the Owls good field position on the Tigers’ 39-yard line, Manning sprinted 31 yards to the end zone on the second play of the drive, putting Smith County ahead. The Owls decided to go for the two-point-conversion, but Tiger defensive end Cody Puckett sacked the quarterback.
Faced with a 13-7 score, the Tigers’ offense drove down the field. However, the drive stalled, and the Tigers were forced to punt.
On the third play of the ensuing Owls’ drive, Tigers’ cornerback Will Molander stepped in front of a Givens’ pass for the interception.
After a 14-play drive that ended with a one-yard plunge by Phillips, the game was tied. Driver’s PAT was no good. However, the score was 13 apiece, with only 21 seconds remaining in the 1st half.
The second half began with both teams swapping possessions two times, with two punts each.
In what could be one of the biggest plays in the 500 games played by DeKalb County, Smith County’s second punt was fielded by Tiger punt-return man Divonta Milan, who then electrified the home crowd with a 70-yard punt return for a score that gave the Tigers the lead for the first time in the contest. Drivers’ PAT was good, giving the Tigers not only the lead at 20-13, but also gave the entire Tiger squad the energy and confidence to take control of the game.
Connor Apple’s fumble recovery on the Owls’ 23-yard line on Smith county’s ensuing possession set up a Phillips’ 5-yard touchdown pass to wide-out Sonni Fullilove. Driver’s PAT was no good, but DeKalb led 26-13 with only eight seconds left in the third quarter.
With the home crowd rocking, the Tigers’ defense turned up the volume. After back-to-back sacks by Tigers’ defensive end Spencer Stanfield, teammate Chris Chapman intercepted Givens’ pass for the second time on the night, then returned the ball to the Owl’s one-yard line. One play later, Tiger quarterback Phillips found Molander for a one-yard touchdown completion. The PAT was no good. At the 9:55 mark in the fourth quarter, the Tigers extended their lead to 32-13.
The Owls had two more possessions, however, the Tigers’ defense only allowed 18-yards combined, forcing the Owls to punt on each drive.
As the final horn sounded, the Tigers’ players began the celebration by dumping the Gatorade onto Head Coach Steve Trapp.
The Tigers continue their historic season by putting their 5-0 record on the line, hosting Hixson for Homecoming Friday night at VanHooser Stadium. Come out and support this talented team. TIGER PRIDE!!!