In front of Nashville’s media, the Tigers put on a show with a 47-19 stab in the heart of the Purple Dragons from rival York Institute.
In a game that pitted two unbeaten teams, the Tigers and Purple Dragons played a close game in the first quarter, with the Tigers leading 14-13 at the buzzer.
Once the second quarter began, the Tigers went on a 33-6 run behind big plays on offense, defense and special teams.
On the opening drive of the game, the Purple Dragons’ quarterback Brannon McNellis threw the football, and Tigers’ senior safety Chris Chapman intercepted the pass, returning it to York’s 30-yard line.
With the short field, the Tigers’ offense punched the ball into the end zone after just four plays when quarterback Lucas Phillips lunged into the end zone on a quarterback draw play. Senior kicker Ben Driver’s PAT was good, giving the Tigers an early lead of 7-0 at the 6:36 mark of the first quarter.
The Purple Dragons wasted little time as they were celebrating a one-yard touchdown run six plays later by Lance Crockett. With only 2:34 remaining in the first quarter, the Purple Dragons’ PAT was good, tying the game at 7.
On the Tigers’ ensuing drive, Phillips would find receiver Will Molander on two straight completions covering 58-yards. Molander’s second catch was for 21 yards and a go-ahead touchdown. Driver’s PAT was good, giving DeKalb a 14-7 lead a the 1:57 mark of the first quarter.
Keeping pace, the Purple Dragons scored four plays later, as the first quarter ended. York’s running back Sam Moore got to the corner and outran everyone to the end zone. The PAT was no good but York only trailed by one, with the score 14-13.
DeKalb took the ball and marched down the field with a seven-play drive that covered 60 yards and was capped by a four-yard run by Phillips. Driver’s PAT was good, and at the 9:32 mark of the third quarter, the Tigers stretched their lead to 21-13.
A fumble recovery by linebacker Rickey Spare gave the football back to the Tigers’ offense on DeKalb’s 20-yard line.
Two plays later, DeKalb’s high-octane offense exploded for an 80-yard touchdown strike from Phillips to Molander that broke open the game.
The PAT by Driver was blocked, making the score 27-13 in favor of the Tigers.
The Tigers scored once more before the end of the first half when Phillips found Molander for his second touchdown reception with a two-yard toss. The Driver PAT was good, and with only 59 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the Tigers had upped their lead to 34-13.
After an on-side-kick-attempt to open the second half by the Purple Dragons was unsuccessful, the Tigers’ offense went to work. Three plays later wide receiver Sonni Fullilove got into the act with his 36-yard touchdown reception from Phillips.
Once again, Driver’s PAT was good, giving the Tigers a huge lead with the score at 41-13.
The Purple Dragons’ offense began to show some life as they engineered a quick four-play drive that was capped by a 12-yard touchdown run by quarterback McNellis.
The two-point-conversion attempt was no good, but at the 8:51 mark of the third quarter, York cut into the lead 41-19.
On the ensuing kick-off, Tiger return man Will Molander fielded the ball and sprinted 69 yards for the game’s final touchdown. The PAT was no good.
With 8:32 remaining in the third quarter, the Tigers had the game well in hand with the score 47-19.
Both teams traded possessions two more times with neither team hitting the end zone, and the Tiger team went on to win 47-19.
The DeKalb County High School Tigers play again John L. VanHooser Stadium on Friday night, hosting Macon County. Come out and support your Tiger team. TIGER PRIDE!!!