August 19, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The Warren County Pioneers can claim bragging rights after defeating the DeKalb County Tigers 34 to 27 in their season opening border battle Friday night at McMinnville.
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It was the 19th straight meeting between the two programs since 2005 and Warren County now leads the series in wins during that stretch 10-9. The Tigers had won the previous two clashes in 2022 and 2021.
The Tigers will meet the Smith County Owls in the home opener on Friday, August 25 starting at 7 p.m. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. The Owls defeated their in-county rival at Gordonsville 25-19 Thursday night.
It looked as if it would be a Tiger night early on but Warren County would rally to keep it close, even in the Pioneer’s eventual victory.
DeKalb County pitched a shutout in the 1st period on a 45-yard touchdown run by Malachi Trapp with 7:40 left followed by a 4-yard Briz Trapp quarterback run with 1:35 to go capping a 55-yard drive. Kicker Adrian Prater booted the extra point after both scores and DeKalb County took a 14-0 lead into the 2nd period.
Although the Pioneers outscored the Tigers 20-7 in the 2nd period DeKalb County clung to a 21-20 halftime advantage.
Isaiah Robledo was responsible for the first two Warren County scores in the game on runs of 9 yards, capping a 39-yard drive with 7:40 left, and later for 64 yards with 6:20 to go before the half. Keiondie Jackson converted the extra point after the first Pioneer touchdown, but the second PAT attempt was blocked. By then Warren County had cut the Tiger lead to 14-13.
DC extended its advantage to 21-13 with 1:44 left in the 2nd period on a 21-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Briz Trapp to Trace Hamilton completing a 60-yard drive. Prater’s PAT was good.
Warren County answered with 9 seconds left in the half on a 4-yard touchdown toss from Alex Van Vurren to Kalen Latina. Jackson converted the PAT but the Tigers were still on top 21-20 by intermission.
The Pioneers took the lead in the 3rd period on a 3-yard quarterback keeper by Alex Van Vurren with 2:07 left capping an 84-yard drive. A 2-point conversion attempt failed but Warren County had pulled ahead 26-21.
DeKalb County regained the lead with 8:49 left in the 4th period on a 3-yard keeper by quarterback Briz Trapp, completing a 75-yard drive. A 2-point conversion try failed but the Tigers were back on top 27-26.
Warren County later mounted what proved to be the winning scoring drive which started from their own 26-yard line after the Tigers turned it over on downs. The Pioneers drove 74 yards and scored on a 4-yard touchdown run by Alex Van Vurren with 2:56 left in the game followed by a successful 2-point conversion play and Warren County went on to claim a 34-27 victory.
The DCHS 2023 Football Schedule is as follows:
REGION OPPONENTS (*)
August 18: Warren County- McMinnville (TIGERS LOST 34-27)
August 25: Smith County-Smithville 7 p.m.
September 1: Livingston Academy*-Smithville 7 p.m.
September 8: Watertown-Watertown 7 p.m.
September 15: Gordonsville (Homecoming)- Smithville 7 p.m.
September 22: Stone Memorial*-Away 7 p.m.
September 29: Macon County*-Smithville 7 p.m.
October 6: Cumberland County*-Smithville 7 p.m.
October 13: BYE WEEK
October 20: White County*-Sparta 7 p.m.
October 27: Upperman* Baxter 7 p.m.