March 4, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
Desmond Nokes has been one of the brightest stars on the DCHS Tiger football team over the last four years. Soon he will be advancing to the college ranks where he hopes to shine just as brightly as an athlete.
Family and friends joined Nokes Wednesday at DCHS where the senior signed a letter of intent to play for the UT Martin Skyhawks.
Nokes, who has left his mark at DCHS as a gifted football player on offense, defense, and as a kick returner, said he is anxious to further his skills at the college level.
“UT Martin for me was the best option I had as far as financially and the highest level football I can play at as far as offer wise so that is why I chose them,” said Nokes.
As for his studies, Nokes said he may explore music therapy and or possibly theology.
Nokes’ talents on the field contributed to many Tiger victories over the last three years including the game winning touchdown pass reception over Macon County in October to earn the Tiger program its first ever regular season region football championship in school history.
“He has played a lot of football for us. He was sprinkled in there as a freshman but ever since his sophomore year he has been a consistent name on the field. He has made plays in all three phases of the game. Twice in his career he was named All Region Return Man of the Year so he had a lot of plays on special teams. These last two years he really became a playmaker on offense as a wide receiver. This past year he averaged over 20 yards a catch so when he was catching the football it was big plays. His catch to touchdown ratio was also huge. He sealed the region win for us at Macon County with a touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter. Defensively he also helped us in a way that we didn’t have to worry about one side of the field as far as the passing game goes. Not a lot of people tested him. He was a student and technician of the game and worked extremely hard,” said Tiger Coach Steve Trapp.
With Nokes’ signing, that brings to four the number of DCHS football players from the 2020-21 senior class who will be playing at the college level including Axel Aldino (University of Central Missouri), Tyzaun Ladet (Bethel University), and Evan Jones (Tennessee Tech).
“ This class now has four guys who are going to play college football. We have never had that many before from one class. I am super proud of all of them for what they have meant to us. They accomplished a lot and they set the bar pretty high for every senior class coming behind them,” said Coach Trapp.
Team and All-Region Awards for Desmond Nokes are as follows:
*2018 Team Defensive Back
*2018 All-Region Most Outstanding Returner
*2019 Team Defensive Player of the Year
*2019 All Region Most Outstanding Returner
*2020 All Region Offensive MVP
* 2020 Team Offensive Player of the Year
The UT Martin Skyhawks football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University of Tennessee at Martin in Martin, Tennessee. The team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and are members of the Ohio Valley Conference. The school’s first football team was fielded in 1925, while known as Hall-Moody Junior College. The team plays its home games at the 7,500 seat Graham Stadium. They are coached by Jason Simpson.