Tigers Pitch Second Half Shutout in 20-10 Victory at Watertown

September 9, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers spotted Watertown 10 points in the first half and took control from there winning 20-10 on the road Friday night

DC improves to 2-2 overall on the season while Watertown drops to 2-2.

The Tigers now prepare for Homecoming next week hosting the Gordonsville Tigers Friday, September 15 in Smithville. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

Gordonsville is 2-2 with wins over Trousdale County 14-0 and Jo Byrns 35-6 and losses to Smith County 25-19 and Watertown 17-7

Although the Tigers defeated Watertown last year at home 26 to 14, DC wins at Watertown are rare. The last one was in 2008 when the Tigers claimed a 31 to 14 victory.

After a series of punts and a turnover each, the two teams played to a scoreless tie through the 1st period Friday night.

The Purple Tigers struck first with 8:25 left in the 2nd period on a 79-yard touchdown run by Adam Cooper. Trey Pack tacked on the extra point and Watertown led 7-0.

The Purple Tigers later marched from their own 45-yard line to inside the Tiger 5-yard line but the drive stalled and Pack was called upon to deliver on a 23-yard field goal with 3:08 left in the 2nd period to give Watertown a 10-0 advantage.

Watertown then attempted an onside kick which did not cover 10 yards and went out of bounds at their own 47-yard line. After a 5-yard penalty was assessed, DC started on the Watertown 42-yard line and moved into the red zone, but the drive stalled and on 4th down kicker Adrian Prater knocked home a 26-yard field goal as time expired in the 2nd period to cut the Watertown lead to 10-3 at halftime.

The second half belonged to the Black and Gold Tigers. With 6:27 left in the 3rd period, Quarterback Briz Trapp found Marquez Chalfant on a 14-yard pass play for the touchdown completing a 51-yard drive and with Prater’s PAT, DC tied the game at 10-10.

DeKalb County took the lead for the first time at 13-10 as the 3rd period ended on a 23-yard field goal by Prater capping a drive that started at the DC 29-yard line and stalled inside the Watertown 10.

Quarterback Trapp sealed the deal with 4:15 left in the 4th period on a keeper for 28 yards and a touchdown on a 4th downplay completing a drive that began at the DC 28-yard line. Prater added the PAT and DeKalb County went on to win 20-10.

September 8, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigers will renew their rivalry with the Purple Tigers of Watertown tonight (Friday).

https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk/

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and WJLE will broadcast the game LIVE from Watertown with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and on the LIVE stream at www.wjle.com.

The Tigers (1-2) notched their first win of the season last week against Region foe Livingston Academy while Watertown (2-1) suffered their first loss of the year to Sequatchie County 27 to 21.

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp, speaking on WJLE’s Tiger Talk program, said he is proud of his team’s performance last week.

“Especially in the first half, I think we played a lot cleaner as far as penalties and execution and things like that. It came down to executing in critical moments. We were driving and then threw an interception, but we got a big break with a penalty on them when they returned a punt and then we got an interception right behind it. Defensively, I thought we played extremely well and limited their opportunities to score. There were a couple of plays when we didn’t execute as well as we should have but our guys definitely responded after half time and played a pretty good half of football for us,” said Coach Trapp.

Last year, the Tigers gave up two Watertown touchdowns in the first half but shut out the Purple Tigers the rest of the way for a 26 to 14 victory in Smithville.

Coach Trapp said his team is up for the challenge and ready to face another good Purple Tiger squad.

“They have a lot of good players and are coached well. They do things the right way. Defensively, they are always stout, very disciplined, and play extremely hard. They run to the football. Offensively, they are multiple. It’s a lot like playing against ourselves. Watertown also has an extremely good kicker. They have had a lot of touchbacks on kickoffs. He can put it inside the five-yard line. He also punts for them and does a good job in that regard. He has a really strong leg for a kicker in high school. Again, its another one of those weeks where we have to make sure of our alignment assignments with a strong desire to get our jobs done,” said Coach Trapp.

WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5:00 p.m. featuring former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with Tennessee Titans Radio Broadcaster Dave McGinnis and broadcaster Larry Stone talking Tennessee and SEC football.

“Coach to Coach” is followed by “Murphy’s Matchups at 6:00 p.m., a look at Tennessee High School Football from Murphy Fair with commentary on games and coaches’ interviews.

“Tiger Talk” airs at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger football players Adrian Prater, Bryson Arnold, and Cecil Ketchum.

September 7, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School renewed its monthly observance Thursday of recognizing a teacher, student, and parent of the month for August.

Each received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal from El Rancho. A different restaurant offers a meal gift card to each month’s honorees.

Hope Carter, Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC)/Special Education educator, was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month while Senior Brynn Harvey is Student of the Month, voted on by the teachers. Parent of the month is Paula Diego and this honor was based on a winning essay written by her daughter, Annaly Diego, a Freshman at DCHS.

“I am very blessed,” said Harvey when told she was voted “Student of the Month. I’m excited. It makes me very happy to know they (teachers) see my efforts”.

17-year-old daughter of Jennifer Harvey and Andrew and Alyssa Harvey, Brynn said she serves as a student assistant for one of her teachers at school and helps out with another class. She is Captain of the high school tennis team and holds the Class of 2024 Reporter position.

After graduation, Brynn said she wants to attend Tennessee Tech and major in Education. She hopes to one day return to the school system as a teacher.

“Brynn was nominated by a teacher here at the school for “Student of the Month”, said DCHS Assistant Principal Thomas Cagle. “All the other teachers voted on the student of the month from that list of students and Brynn was chosen. She is awesome. Brynn helps out in so many ways with different clubs, activities, and events. She always has a great attitude and a big smile. Brynn is exceptional all the way around and I think its awesome that the teachers recognized her attributes. We are excited to have Brynn as our Student of the Month for August,” said Cagle.

Paula Diego was honored as “Parent of the Month” although she was unable to attend the recognition observance due to her having to work.

Annaly, Diego’s 14-year-old daughter, authored and submitted the essay in tribute to her mom.

“My mom has sacrificed a lot for us in our time with her and she has been one of the strongest people for us. She has always been there as our rock and to encourage and lift us up when we are down. We can talk to her about almost anything. She is the strongest person that we know. A single mom, she works two jobs and still finds a way to provide for and spend time with us and make sure we have everything we need and that we are always happy,” said Annaly.

“She is the best,” added Annaly’s 17-year-old sister Olivia, a Senior at DCHS. “I wouldn’t be where I am at without my mom,” she said.

After her high school years, Annaly said she would like to attend college at either Tennessee Tech or MTSU and one day start a small business.

“I would like to start my own business baking and crocheting because my grandmother taught me how to crochet and my mom sends me recipes sometimes”.

Annaly is a member of the Service Society, BETA, and Literature Clubs at DCHS.

After reading through all the essays, Assistant Principal Cagle said it was easy to see why Annaly’s paper stood out.

“We had several submissions for our first essay this month, but Annaly did an especially good job. The purpose of these essays is for students to be able to tell us the amazing and great things their parents are doing for them whether it be sacrifices they have made or everyday encouragement. Annaly’s essay was one that just reached out to me and (Assistant Principal) Ms Jenny Norris when we were going through all the essays. It’s a great example of the hard work and sacrifice that our parents and guardians go through for our students each and every day to be able to make their children as successful as possible while they are here at DCHS,” said Cagle.

As for teacher of the month, Cagle said it was fitting that Hope Carter get the honor because she has earned it.

“This is her second year here at the school. She took the place of Daniel Seber after he left last year to become Register of Deeds. She has done an amazing job. She came in learning while on the job. Hope and I have worked a lot together. She does amazing work with the CDC kids. The relationships she has been able to build and cultivate with those students is inspiring. She does such a good job working with them and also does a great job communicating with us (administration) and other teachers about the needs and ways we can help her help those students. We always try to find ways to make it a better day for them and she does a really good job leading that charge. We are very proud of her and grateful to have her here at the high school,” said Cagle.

“This is a blessing”, said Carter. “Its been an honor to be here at the high school and work with these kids and help them in any way I can. I love what I am doing. I wake up every day excited to be here”.

Originally from Lascassas , Carter said she moved to Alexandria about three years ago. She is a graduate of Watertown High School. Currently, Carter is working on a Master’s degree at Cumberland University. Previously she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at MTSU.

Before coming to the high school last year, Carter spent over a year at DeKalb West School.

Carter has more reason to be excited. She recently became engaged to be married at some future date to Cody Hale.

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