All is right in Tiger football country as the DeKalb County Tigers football team traveled to York Institute Friday night and brought a key 42-41 district victory back to Smithville.
Despite 41 pointsbenig scored by the Dragons, DeKalb’s defense made plays when the game was on the line. With their backs against the wall, the Tigers goal-line stand with just10-seconds remaining in the game sealed the win for the visitors. With the win, the Tigers improved to an overall record of two and one, and most importantly, 1-0 in the district.
The fans that made the long trek to Jamestown got their money’s worth, as both team’s offenses put plenty of points on the score board.
Junior quarterback Steven Jennings completed 12 of 24 passes for 318 yards, with five touchdowns, as the Tiger’s passing offense had little trouble moving the football.
On the first play from scrimmage the Tiger’s Drew Castorena took the pass from Jennings 85 yards to score the game’s first touchdown. After a sack from DeKalb’s Eli Cross that forced the Dragons to punt, the Tigers stretched the lead to 13-0 at the 9:13 mark with a 46-yard touchdown strike from Jennings to Isiah Jones. However, York was able to find the end zone when quarterback Mason Cravens hooked up with Heath Rexroat on an 80-yard bomb that gave the home-team some life. Then, at the 9:47 mark of the second quarter the Dragons took the lead with a one-yard touchdown run by Cravens putting the score at 14-13.
Falling deeper into the hole DeKalb’s defense surrendered yet another touchdown run by Mason Cravens. The 44-yard stamper extended the Dragon’s lead to 21-13.
A 26-yard touchdown reception by Matthew Poss from Jennings with just 3:36 remaining in the first quarter and a two-point conversion by the pair tied the game at 21-21.
The third quarter belonged to the Tigers as Steven Jennings added two more touchdown passes to extend DeKalb’s lead to 35-21.
A 38-yard hook-up to Matthew Poss and a 17-yard connection to Isiah Jones had the Tigers feeling good about their chances. However, at the 7:33 mark of the fourth-quarter, the Dragon’s Cravens scored on a 7-yard run then completed the two-point conversion pass to make the score 35-29.
Taking it in his own hands, DeKalb’s Matthew Poss took the ensuing kick-off 95 yards to the house to give the Tigers a lead of 42-29 with 7:19 left in the game.
Just seventeen seconds later, York answered back scoring on a 75-yard pass play from Mason Cravens to Josh Molands, and with the missed PAT, the Tigers lead 42-35. After giving up a sack on third down the Tigers were forced to punt. Four plays later, York hit pay-dirt once again. This time a 70- yard pass from Mason Cravens to Heath Rexroat cutting the DeKalb lead 42-41.
The potential game-tying PAT by York was no good. With just 3:25 remaining in the game, the Dragons recovered the on-side kick at mid-field. Five plays later, York had a first-down on the Tiger’s 11-yard line. However, the Tiger’s defense stiffened, and after four plays a mob of Tigers stopped Mason Cravens three-yards short of the goal line on a fourth-down run to secure the DeKalb’s win.
DeKalb’s Matthew Poss had seven catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns. Isiah Jones hauled in three for 85-yards and two scores. Drew Castorena had one reception for 85-yards and one touchdown, aand A.J. Mooneyham had one reception for 11-yards for the Tigers. Once again, quarterback Steven Jennings was the Tigers’ leading rusher with 41-yards on seven carries. Jessie Smith was next with 29-yards on five carries, with A.J. Mooneham tallying 25-yards on just four carries for the Tigers.
Defensively for DeKalb, senior Jordon Whitehead lead the way recording 11 tackles and one pass defended. Jessie Smith had nine stops with a fumble caused and a fumble recovery. Gage Duggin had six tackles, while A.J. Mooneyham had five with one interception. Eli Cross, Troy Bain and Devin Zaderiko each recorded one sack for the Tigers.
DeKalb will take on Cumberland County in Smithville Friday night. Kick-off is slated for 7 p.m.
Tiger pride!
