Another one-point overtime loss for the Tigers

October 29, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

Another one-point overtime loss for the Tigers.

On the last night of the regular high school football season, the DeKalb County Tigers lost to the visiting Stone Memorial Panthers on senior night 29 to 28 in overtime. With the win, Stone Memorial (9-1, 4-1) claims the regular season region championship and will host Hixson (5-5, 3-3 Region 3) in the first round of the state play-offs. The Tigers (6-4, 2-3), who have lost three straight including a one-point overtime loss at Upperman two weeks ago, finishes at 4th place in the region and will travel to East Hamilton (7-3, 6-0 Region 3) next Friday night (November 4) for the first round of the state play-offs. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. (EDT) and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

The Tigers struck first in the game Friday night as quarterback Jordan Parker found Malachi Trapp for a 6-yard touchdown pass completing a 56-yard drive with 9:36 left in the 1st period. Kicker Juan Ortega connected on the extra point and DC led 7-0.

Stone Memorial answered with one second left in the 1st period as QB Hunter Heavilon scored on a 6-yard keeper completing a 50-yard drive. Kicker Justin Barnett booted the extra point, and the score was tied at 7-7.

DeKalb County jumped back out front with 10:24 left in the 2nd period on a Jordan Parker pass to Austin Nicholson good for 49 yards and a touchdown. Ortega added the extra point and the Tigers led 14-7.

After a Stone Memorial turnover, the Tigers got another score with 8:01 left in the half on a 2-yard touchdown run by Malachi Trapp to give DC a two-touchdown lead at 21-7 after the Ortega PAT. The scoring drive was set up after Tiger Johnny Skinner picked off a pass and returned it to the Panther 33-yard line.

That would be all the scoring for the Tigers until overtime.

Stone Memorial drew closer on a 69-yard drive with 10:03 left in the 3rd period as QB Heavilon scored on a 2-yard touchdown keeper and with the PAT by Barnett, the Panthers trailed 21-14.

The last score of regulation came with 9:39 left in the 4th period on a 33-yard touchdown pass play from QB Heavilon to Bear Eldridge. Barnett converted the PAT and the game was tied at 21-21 heading into overtime.

The Tigers got the ball first and scored in the OT on a 2-yard touchdown run by Colby Barnes and with Ortega’s extra point DC led 28-21.

Stone Memorial then got their turn in overtime and scored on a 1-yard QB keeper by Heavilon. The Panthers then won the game 29-28 on a 2-point conversion Heavilon pass caught by Brady Lane.

Final Class 4A Region 4 team standings for the regular season are as follows:

*Stone Memorial: 9-1 (4-1)
Upperman: 8-2 (4-1)
Macon County: 8-2 (4-1)
DeKalb County: 6-4 (2-3)
Cumberland County: 2-8 (1-4)
Livingston Academy: 0-10 (0-5)

October 28, 2022
By: Tecia Puckett Pryor, Development Committee Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, Tennessee, Inc

It was a record-breaking day for the 18th Annual Habitat for Humanity Chili Cook-off and Bake Sale, held on Friday under sunny skies on the lawn of the DeKalb County Courthouse. Twenty-one chili teams participated in the cook-off; over 600 bowls of chili were served; and $9,300 was raised for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, which will be used towards the building of the next Habitat house in 2023. Habitat officials report that this was the most successful cook-off in the history of its chili cook-off, which began in 2004.

“The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials took Top Chili Honors, with the “Top Gunners” from Amvets Post 101 placing second. Third place chili honors went to “First Finest Chili” from FirstBank.

The Best Decorated Booth Award went to Smithville Electric System; with “The Courthouse Gang” from DeKalb County Officials coming in second place and “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department placing third.

The Golden Spoon Award went to “The Courthouse Gang” from the DeKalb County Officials, who raised the most additional money for Habitat in cash donations at their booth, with Smithville Electric coming in second and the “DCHS Biting Tigers” from DCHS FCCLA coming in third.

Rounding out the participating teams were: “DeKalb Democrats” from the DeKalb County Democratic Party; “Great Bowls of Fire” from the DeKalb County Fire Department; “Dr. Crow’s Chili Shots” from DeKalb County Health Department; “Spot On Chili” from DeKalb Market; “Chil…i To the Bone” from DeKalb Prevention Coalition; “Snatched from the Fire” from First Baptist Church; “Blazin Broncos” from Galaxy Ford; “The Loan Rangers” from Liberty State Bank; “Marines” from Marine Corps League DeKalb VSO; “MTNG – Out of This World Chili” from Middle Tennessee Natural Gas; State Farm, Mallory Pfingstler; “Legal Limit Spice” from the office of Tecia Puckett Pryor, Attorney-at-Law/Center Hill Title, LLC; “Tennessee ‘Meats’ Texas” from WY Forge Co; “Hot Checks Chili” from Wilson Bank and Trust; Adoration Home Health; and Hywater Title.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County thanks each of these teams for making this a record-setting day and for their enthusiasm and support of the event; all those who donated the delicious baked goods; City Mayor Josh Miller and his staff and County Mayor Matt Adcock and his staff for facilitating the event space; and all the fine folks of the community who came out to support Habitat and this great community event.

Habitat also thanks the following for their donations: DeKalb Title, Swallows Insurance Agency, and Janney and Associates for sponsoring the “Treat Tent;” Lucas Antoniak for his design services; Evins Mill for water, Dr. Pepper for drinks; Smithville Food Lion for cheese, crackers and drinks; Jack Barton for promotional yard signs; Smithville Fire Department for ice; Smithville Electric System for ensuring we had power and putting up the temporary electric pole; Middle Tennessee Natural Gas for tables and chairs; DCHS Tiger Bakery and local churches for baked goods.

Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity builds and renovates houses in partnership with volunteers and families in need, regardless of their ethnic or religious background. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. To contact Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, please call 215-8181 or find them on Facebook @HFHDeKalb TN.

October 28, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

A 15-year Putnam County girl found dead in a wooded area east of Cookeville Thursday afternoon had family ties in DeKalb County.

The funeral service for Olivia Daryl Taylor will be held on Monday, October 31, 2022 at 12noon from the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Bro. Darrell Gill & Bro. Trent Colwell will officiate with burial following at DeKalb Memorial Gardens. Visitation with family will be on Saturday, from 2-8pm, Sunday, 2-8pm & Monday, from 9am until the service time at 12noon.

Taylor was reported missing Wednesday night and her body was found Thursday afternoon by employees of the Putnam County Road Department.

Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said that the investigation is clearly being worked as a homicide. Sheriff’s investigators had worked throughout the night Wednesday trying to locate Taylor since she had been reported missing. There has been one arrest in the investigation thus far. Charles “Chuck” Carter was arrested and charged Thursday night with Aggravated Statutory Rape in the case and is being held at the Putnam County Jail without bond. Now, Carter is also a suspect in the death investigation regarding Taylor. The body was sent for an autopsy at the medical examiners office in Nashville. No other information can be given at this time according to Sheriff Farris.

The Putnam County Schools district also released the following statement on her death Friday:

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Olivia Taylor. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and the students, faculty and staff at Upperman High School and surrounding Baxter community schools.

Olivia was born on June 21, 2007 in Cookeville, TN to her parents, Ronnie Taylor and Stephanie Machelle Harness. Olivia was a student attending Upperman High School in Baxter, TN where she was a member of the Wrestling Team and the ROTC. She loved baking, sewing, singing, being an artist and playing the ukulele.

Olivia was preceded in death by her Brother, Justin Taylor. Step Father, Jon Morris. Maternal Grandmother, Vivian Hoose. Maternal Grandparents, Larry and Marge Morris. Paternal Grandmother, Brenda Taylor & Paternal Grandfather, John Wright.

Survivors include her Father, Ronnie (Stacy) Taylor of Smithville, TN. Mother, Stephanie (Jeff Burchett) Harness of Cookeville, TN. 5 Siblings, Jared Taylor and Chad Taylor both of Smithville, TN, Tyler Whitcomb of Cookeville, TN, Haley Grace Taylor of Smithville, TN, Keegan Taylor of Smithville, TN and Emily (Arrion) Matthews of Smithville, TN. Maternal Grandfather, Darrel (Joy) Harness of Cookeville, TN. Paternal Grandfather, Grady Taylor of Smithville, TN. Paternal Grandmother, Kathy Wright of Smithville, TN. 3 Special Aunts, Megan Harness and Leatrice Myers both of Cookeville, TN and Vickey Atnip of Smithville, TN. Several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends also survive.

In addition to flowers, donations can be made to the Lighthouse Christian Camp of Smithville, TN or to the Upperman High School ROTC of Baxter, TN in memory of Olivia.

Love – Cantrell Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.

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