November 14, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Although it was a much closer game than last year, the Nolensville Knights have again denied the DeKalb County Tigers from advancing in the TSSAA Class 4A Football Playoffs.
(Click Link Below to Hear the Last WJLE Football Tiger Talk Program)
https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk-november-13/
The Knights won Friday night’s second round playoff game over the Tigers 24-17 in Smithville. A year ago the Knights beat the Tigers 42-6 in the quarterfinals of the playoffs at Nolensville.
The season ends for the Tigers at 7-5 although one of the losses was not on the field but a COVID-19 forfeit to Cumberland County. The 2020 Tigers made history by being the first DCHS football team to win a regular season region championship and the first to host back to back state playoff football games in Smithville.
The Tigers got the first points of the game on 2 yard touchdown run by Desmond Nokes with 3:38 left in the 1st period capping a 98 yard drive. Jasper Kleparek came on for the extra point and DeKalb County led 7-0.
Nolensville answered on an 11 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryder Galardi to Parker Price with 11:52 left in the 2nd period. Reese Miller added the extra point and the game was tied at 7-7.
DeKalb County reclaimed the lead on a 20 yard field goal by Kleparek with 5:55 left in the 2nd period. The score was 10-7 in favor of the Tigers.
After an interception by Isaac Knowles, DC took over on offense and extended its lead on a touchdown pass from quarterback Axel Aldino to Isaac Knowles covering 47 yards for the score. Kleparek tacked on the extra point and DeKalb County held a 17-7 advantage with 3:21 left in the first half.
The Knights pulled to within 3 with 40 seconds to go before halftime on a 14 yard touchdown run by Samson Johnson. Miller converted the extra point and Nolensville cut the Tiger lead to 17-14.
Nolensville tied the game at 17-17 on a 34 yard field goal by Miller with 6 minutes left in the 3rd period and then scored the go ahead touchdown with 8:21 left in the 4th period on a 24 yard pass from Galardi to Chance Fitzgerald. Miller added the extra point and the Knights went on to win 24-17.
The Tigers threatened late in the game but Desmond Nokes was stopped 2 yards short of the goal line on a 4th down pass.
Nolensville will travel to Tullahoma next Friday night for the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. Tullahoma is unbeaten at 12-0 and ranked #2 in the state. The Wildcats eliminated Marshall County 35-7 Friday night.