The DCHS football team celebrated their 50th Homecoming Friday night, hosting the 3-1 Hixson Wildcats.
The Tigers clawed their way from an early 7-0 deficit to blow out the Wildcats 42-13.
The Tigers’ defense, led by Cody Puckett, Rickey Spare and Caleb Cantrell, once again dominated the game by allowing 98 total offensive yards.
The Wildcats started the game on fire as they drove down the field with an 11-play drive that was capped by a 15-yard touchdown reception. The Wildcats’ PAT was good and with 6:31 remaining in the first quarter, the Tigers were behind 7-0.
On the Tigers’ first offensive play, quarterback Lucas Phillips dropped the football, and Hixson pounced on it giving the ball back to the Wildcats’ offense on the Tigers’ 21-yard line.
After a sack by Tigers’ linebacker Rickey Spare on second down, the Wildcats threw two straight incompletions, giving the ball back to the Tigers’ offense on their  own 26-yard line.
Six plays later, the Tigers knotted the score when Phillips found wide out Sonni Fullilove for a 14-yard touchdown. Ben Driver’s PAT was good.
Phillips would find Fullilove once again three minutes and 56 seconds later, this time for a 23-yard connection. Driver’s PAT, once again, was good, and with only 36 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Tigers took the lead 14-7.
At that point in the game, the Tigers’ defense pinned their ears back and began to force the Hixson Wildcats into mistakes just by their sheer speed.
The Wildcats were forced to punt on their next three possessions in the second quarter.
Taking advantage of the Tigers’ defensive effort, the offense punched the ball into the end zone two more times in the first half.
With 7:15 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Tigers’ senior running back Chris Chapman rambled into the end zone on a four-yard blast. With Driver’s PAT good, the Tigers extended the lead to 21-7.
After a 10-yard punt by Hixson that put the football on the Wildcats’ 32-yard line, Phillips found an open Will Molander who then raced to the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown reception. Driver presented with another good PAT, and with only 1:37 remaining in the first half, the Tigers led 28-7.
Much like the beginning of the game, the Tigers’ offense gave the Wildcats great field possession when Phillips’ pass was intercepted at the tigers’ 33-yard line. Four plays later, the Wildcats punched it into the end zone. The Wildcat PAT was no good, but Hixson cut into the Tiger lead with the score 28-13.
On the ensuing kick-off, Tiger return man Will Molander broke loose for a 94-yard return for a touchdown. Driver’s kick was good, and with 7:59 remaining in the third quarter, the Tigers led 35-13.
The Tigers’ final score of the night came with 6:23 remaining in the game when Phillips, for the third time on the night, found Fullilove with a beautiful 50-yard touchdown pass. Driver’s PAT was good, giving the Tigers the final score of 42-13.
The Tigers’ defense swarmed to the football behind the stellar play of defensive tackle Eli Gill and senior safety Jason Judkins. Judkins had two key fumble recoveries to help shut down the Wildcats in the second half.
The Tigers will host York Institute (5-0) Friday night at VanHooser Stadium. Come out and support these young men. TIGER PRIDE!!!