With  the DeKalb County High School football team enjoying an 8-1 record and some well deserved time off this week, it allows us, as fans, to reflect on how the Tigers have gotten to this point in the season.
In the regular season finale, the Tigers enter Friday's match-up with 8-AA district foe Livingston Academy as the slight favorite. At the beginning of the season, most had DeKalb predicted third at best to finish in the district behind Smith County and the Livingston Academy Wildcats.
The Tigers' players and coaching staff worked hard thus far to get to this point in the 2011 season.
The season started with the Tigers winning on the Warren County home turf. Alex Hayes' key interception sparked the DeKalb 26-7 win. Senior Zach Taylor had a career night accounting for three touchdowns, one interception, while also kicking two touchbacks.
Next, the Tigers hosted the Clay County Bulldogs in week one of the TSSAA high school football season. The Tigers won 46-7, led by senior running back Sebastian Phillips' two touchdowns. Cody Puckett had a 30-yard fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
The Cannon County Lions came to Smithville and were walloped 56-6. In a lop-sided game, Tigers senior running back, Dylan Freeney, ran wild with over 113 yards and two scores. Junior quarterback Lucas Phillips had four touchdown passes to four different receivers in the game. The win upped the Tigers' record to 3-0.
For the third straight week, the Tigers played host at VanHooser Stadium, this time welcoming the White County Warriors for DeKalb's Homecoming.
In a hard fought game, the Tigers allowed the Warriors to hang around for most of the game. However, the Tigers were able to pull out the victory 20-10. Will Molander's 79-yard kick-off return for a touchdown gave the Tigers enough in the win.
Taking a 4-0 record on the road to Carthage, the Tigers faced 8-AA power Smith County in a battle of unbeatens.
The Tigers faced a very good Owl team that had plenty of offensive weapons. Even after a good fight, the Tigers were not able to overcome an injury to Sebastian Phillips, eventually losing 50-30. The Tigers had their opportunities with a great performance from wide receiver Will Molander. His 146 yards receiving and one touchdown led the Tigers. However, it was not enough, as the Tigers dropped their first game of the year.
Needing a good game from his team, Head Coach Steve Trapp had his team focused and fired up as the Tigers traveled to Hixson.
In the flag marred game, the Tigers spoiled the Wildcats Homecoming with the 30-14 tromping.
The play of the game was junior linebacker Cody Puckett's strip of the ball and return for the first touchdown of the game. The Tiger win was prove enough that this team could put a tough loss behind them.
The Tigers once again traveled a long way to play a football game, going to district foe York Institute in Jamestown. The DeKalb defense was stellar in the game by allowing only three points. Tigers' place kicker Zach Taylor nailed a 47-yard field goal. Wide receivers Zach Thompson and Chris Chapman both scored one  touchdown each in the game.
For the fourth consecutive week, the Tigers played on the road, this time traveling to Lafayette to play the Macon County Tigers. This game was DeKalb's most competitive of the season. The game came down to the last drive with only 1:22 remaining. Losing 25-24, the Tigers moved down the field and scored on an improbably 22-yard run that propelled the Tigers to an emotional 31-25 victory.
The Tigers returned back home to play the Upperman Bees in an 8-AA district match-up. The Tigers dominated the team from Baxter, winning the game by an eye popping 63-14 score. Tiger quarterback Lucas Phillips had an outstanding game, going 9-13 for 220 yards, with five touchdowns to five different receivers. Kicker Zach Taylor had five touchbacks.
The DCHS squad's defense imposed their will on the Bees' offense all night. The win gave the Tigers an 8-1 record, with Livingston Academy Wildcats coming to town on Friday night at VanHooser Stadium, beginning at 7:00. This is a huge game for the DeKalb County High School football program. Everyone come out and support your 8-1 team. TIGER PRIDE!