DeKalb 2021 Year in Sports

December 29, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

For the 11th consecutive year in 2021, the DeKalb County High School Football program made an appearance in the TSSAA play-offs, and that feat ranks as among the top local sports stories of the year. But the state football play-off run, the 17th overall in school history, ended for the Tigers November 12 at Baxter with a 40 to 14 loss to the Bees in the second round.

The Tigers concluded the season at 7-5

DeKalb County, who finished in 3rd place in Class 4A Region 4 at 3-2, defeated Smith County 33-14, Cumberland County 35-10, Cannon County 49-7, Livingston Academy 45-15, Warren County 28-0, Stone Memorial 21-20, and East Hamilton 35-21. Their losses were to Macon County 32-29, Watertown 38-20, Upperman 24-14, Goodpasture 21-13, and Upperman 40-14.

The Tigers played their 600th football game in school history against Macon County in week three and notched their 250th all-time victory in week six against Cannon County. The 2022 season will mark 60 years of DCHS football.

The following are some of the other top local sports stories of 2021:

*Senior quarterback Axel Aldino was named Most Valuable Player of the 2020 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night, January 23 at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. Meanwhile Talon Billings, a senior received the Most Valuable Player Football Cheerleader Award. The trophies were presented to Aldino and Billings respectively by Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller. “In his four-year 40 game career as quarterback, MVP Aldino threw for 61 touchdowns and had 5,848 passing yards. He completed 369 passes out of 639 attempts with 22 interceptions and 43 sacks. Aldino had 472 carries running the ball for 2,024 yards and 24 touchdowns. A job well done,” said Coach Trapp. The season ended for the Tigers in the second round of the state playoffs in November 2020 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.

*Another outstanding DCHS Lady Tiger basketball player became a member of the 1,000-point club in January. Needing only 14 points to reach the milestone entering the game at Cannon County Friday night, January 8 Junior Kadee Ferrell pumped in 27 for the game, which was half the points scored by the Lady Tigers in their 54-43 victory over the Lionettes. Ferrell was honored at halftime of the boys’ game against Sequatchie County in Smithville Saturday, January 16. Kadee was presented a 1,000-point game ball and a plaque by Kathy Pugh. Roy and Kathy Pugh had been gracious supporters of DeKalb County basketball for many years and because of their dedication the 1,000-point game ball was named on their behalf. Roy passed away in December,2020. In addition to Kathy Pugh, Kadee was joined during the recognition by her parents, Anthony and Trena Ferrell, fellow players, and Coach Danny Fish.

* Two outstanding DCHS football players announced intentions in February to further their careers after high school on the collegiate level. Quarterback Axel Aldino signed with the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg, Missouri to play quarterback and major in business marketing while Tyzaun Ladet was to play at outside linebacker for Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. Aldino was the 2020 team’s Most Valuable Player as well as the Region MVP and 1st Team All-Region. He was also a semi-finalist for the 2020 TSSAA Class 4A Tennessee Titans Mr. Football honor. Tyzaun Ladet was sidelined for the 2020 football season after suffering a broken leg in a California car crash in July 2020 that killed his mother and injured three of his siblings. In his junior year, Ladet was named the team’s Receiver of the Year and 1st Team All-Region. He caught the winning touchdown pass in the state play-off game against Marshall County that sent the Tigers to the quarterfinals.

*Eight DCHS basketball players received All-District honors in February for the 2020-21 season. Evans Jones of the Tiger basketball team was named to the 2nd Team All-District while Brayden Antoniak made the All-District Defensive Team. Jordan Young and Elishah Ramos earned Honorable Mention. Kadee Ferrell of the Lady Tigers made the 1st Team All-District and the All-District Defensive Team. Ella VanVranken was named the District’s Freshman of the Year and she made the 3rd Team All-District. Cadee Griffith was named to the District’s All-Freshman Team while Megan Cantrell and Watertown’s Brittni Allison shared the honor of being the District’s Most Improved Players of the Year.

*Desmond Nokes had been one of the brightest stars on the DCHS Tiger football team over the previous four years. Now he has advanced to the college ranks where he hopes to shine just as brightly as an athlete. Family and friends joined Nokes Wednesday, March 3 at DCHS where the senior signed a letter of intent to play for the UT Martin Skyhawks. Nokes, who left his mark at DCHS as a gifted football player on offense, defense, and as a kick returner, said he was anxious to further his skills at the college level. Nokes’ talents on the field contributed to many Tiger victories over the previous three years including the game winning touchdown pass reception over Macon County in October,2020 to earn the Tiger program its first ever regular season region football championship in school history.

*Carly Vance, a senior and Class of 2021 Valedictorian at DCHS and a star Lady Tiger soccer player signed a letter of intent with Freed-Hardeman University in April to play collegiate soccer for the Lady Lions. Joining Vance for the signing were members of her family, coaches, and fellow players. “I am very excited. I have been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time. I have always wanted to play college soccer and I am very grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at Freed-Hardeman and I can’t wait to grow as a player,” said Vance. During her high school years, Carly anchored the Lady Tiger Soccer Team as a defensive midfielder.

*Talented DeKalb County High School basketball player Kennedy Agee signed a letter of intent in April to play for the Lady Knights of Kentucky Christian University. She shared that special moment with her family, coaches, and teammates. “I am excited. This is a lifelong dream I have been waiting for but after tearing an ACL three times I never thought it was possible. (KCU) Coach (Lisa) Conn never gave up on me. She kept her eyes on me when I was injured and she is making my dreams come true,” said Agee. Almost three years ago, Agee had her first ACL injury on the left side in the 4th period of a game against Warren County. She worked her way back in seven months instead of the nine doctors expected, but when she returned for a scrimmage game on October 30, 2019, the ACL on her left knee gave out again but after rehealing the unthinkable happened once more. While playing in a travel ball tournament in Alabama on August 16, 2020, Agee hurt one of the major ligaments in her right knee. Still, she never even thought of quitting.

*The DCHS Tigers were denied a trip to the state baseball tournament losing at Signal Mountain 3 to 1 in the sub-state in May. The Tigers concluded the season at 16-13-1. The game remained scoreless until the third inning when each team scored a run. Signal Mountain broke the tie with two runs in the fifth inning and went on to win 3 to 1.

*Four members of the DCHS Tigerette Fast Pitch Softball Team earned All-District Awards. Morgan Walker, Aniston Farler, and Jacey Hatfield have been named to the All-District Team and Hatfield made the All-District Tournament Team. Bri Murphy was selected to the All-District Freshmen Team. The Tigerettes were eliminated from the District Tournament in May and finished the season at 13-13.

*The historic season for the DCHS Tiger Soccer team ended in May. The Tigers were defeated 2 to 0 in the sub-state at Chattanooga Red Bank. The season for the Tigers, who finished 9-9 overall, was historic in that it was the program’s first ever appearance in the sub-state after making history as the first Tiger Soccer boys’ team to win a Region Tournament game. The Tigers beat Loudon 2 to 0 in the Region Tournament Semi-Finals before losing to Cumberland County 9 to 0 in the Regional Tournament Championship game. But winning the Semi-Finals match qualified the Tigers to advance to the Sub-State even without winning the Region Tournament title.

*In September DCHS freshman golfer Alison Poss competed in the Region 4 Large School Tournament at Country Hills Golf Course in Hendersonville. Poss, who finished 3rd in the District Tournament, shot an 88 to finish 10th out of 24. This concluded a stellar freshman campaign for Poss who was named 1st Team All District 7.

*The DeKalb County High School Cross Country Boys team made history in October at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. DeKalb County High School first formed a cross country team in 2013. Over the course of the eight years, DeKalb has had some exceptional runners individually qualify for state, like Mya Ruch in 2016, but the program has never had a team qualify for state. That is until 2021 DeKalb County captured its first ever berth to state with a fourth-place finish in the TSSAA Region 4A/AA Men’s Race against 23 other high school teams. The rigorous 3.1-mile course featuring hills, asphalt, and off road paths was the challenge for 116 athletes all vying for the same limited spots to the state meet and the title of regional champion. Aaron Gottlied led the Tigers finishing 10th with a time of 17:55. Cooper Brown had a 23rd place finish with a time of 19:09 followed by Ian Colwell (28th, 19:21), Caleb Gay (35th, 19:58) Andrew Tramel (40th, 20:16), Kaleb Spears (49th, 20:36), and Cale Brown (79th, 22:36). Blake Yuenger of Central Magnet High School (Murfreesboro) won the regional championship with a time of 16:19. Ella VanVranken also earned a berth to state, taking second place behind Samantha Ouellette (Central Magnet, 18:38) with a time of 18: 51. The DeKalb County girls’ team was unable to clinch a berth finishing 7th in the field of 14 teams. Running for the Tigers was VanVranken (2nd, 18:51), Mylie Phillips (34th, 23:47), Madeline Martin (51st, 25:18), Emily Young (61st, 25:49), and Cadee Griffith (74th, 27:12).

*The Board of Education in November honored DCHS Tiger and Lady Tiger Soccer Coach Dylan Kleparek by naming the new high school soccer field for him. It will now be known as the “Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field”. Fourth district member Kate Miller made the motion during the regular monthly meeting of the School Board. Sixth district member Jason Miller offered a second to the motion and it was adopted unanimously. Coach K, as he is affectionately known, helped start the high school soccer program several years ago and has been its only head coach for both boys and girls’ teams since.

*Ten DCHS Football players earned 2021 All-Region honors including Tiger Senior Isaac Knowles who was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player in Region 4, Class 4A. Knowles was joined by Isaiah Harrington, the region’s Most Outstanding Linebacker; Colby Barnes-Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman; and Diego Coronado-Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. All Region 1st Team from DeKalb County: Tyler Estes, Brady Hale, Silas Cross, and Wil Farris. All Region 2nd Team from DeKalb County: Ean Jones and Shadie Rankhorn. The State Football Play-Off run ended for the DeKalb County Tigers November 12 at Baxter with a 40 to 14 loss to the Bees in the second round. The Tigers concluded the season at 7-5.

*One of DeKalb County High School’s most outstanding Lady Tiger basketball players will soon be trading her black and gold school colors for red, white, and gold. Kadee Ferrell, a senior and member of the 1,000-point club, signed a letter of intent in November with Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee to play for the Lady Lions next season. Joining Kadee at the signing were her parent’s Anthony and Trena Ferrell, other family members, as well as fellow players and coaches. “Out of all the schools I had been to I really liked Bryan the best because it is a small Christian school and the players and coaches there really made me feel welcome. I just had a connection with all the people there and felt like that was the place for me,” said Ferrell. Her field of study there will be in the Physical Therapy Program.

*Two DeKalb County High School Basketball legends were honored in December during the 1st ever DCHS Basketball Alumni Homecoming Week. The observance for 1970’s Tiger star Rickey Usrey and the late 1959 Lady Tiger sensation Helen Lee was held as DCHS hosted Stone Memorial. The names of Usrey and Lee are being placed on a “Wall of Fame” created at the school as a way of paying tribute to DCHS basketball standouts over the school’s 60 plus year history in the sport. Alumni Homecoming Week is commemorated in much the same way as Homecoming Week in Football except it celebrates basketball with daily activities, pep rallies, a school dance, and other events leading up to the Friday night basketball games that week and the crowning of the DCHS Baron and Baroness along with the naming of two past basketball stars on the “Wall of Fame”. DCHS Lady Tiger Senior Basketball star Kadee Ferrell and Tiger Senior Manager Aiden Whitman were crowned the school’s first ever “Baron” and Baroness” culminating a weeklong inaugural Alumni Homecoming observance. The presentations were made as DCHS hosted Stone Memorial.

*The New York Yankees made two selections in December’s Minor League Rule 5 Draft, taking right-hander and former DeKalb County High School pitcher Steven Jennings from the Pirates’ High-A roster in the first round. Jennings, 23, owns a career 19-19 record with one save and a 4.75 ERA in 79 games (51 starts) over four Minor League seasons (2017-19, ’21). The Brush Creek, Tenn., native combined to go 9-1 with one save, a 4.99 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 74 innings over 29 appearances (one start) this past season for Low-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. Pittsburgh originally selected Jennings in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft.

*Patrick Cantrell, a senior and ace pitcher for the DCHS Tiger baseball team signed a letter of intent with Freed-Hardeman University in December to play collegiate ball for the Lions after he graduates. Joining Cantrell at the signing were members of his family, coach, and teammates. Last year, Cantrell was 9-1 on the mound and helped lead the Tigers to the Class AA Sectional where they lost to Signal Mountain 3-1 on May 21. The Tigers finished the year 16-13-1 with an 8-2 district mark.

*Eli Cross is an All-American! The former DCHS football standout and three of his teammates at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky were selected in December to the Associated Press NAIA All-America Football team. Cross and Robert Carter each earned first-team honors while Cameron Dukes and Joe Gressette received second-team accolades. Cross and Gressette were recognized as offensive lineman while Carter was mentioned as a defensive back and Dukes as a quarterback. Cross, a three year All Mid-South Conference player, is a starting left tackle on the offensive line for the Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson. Cross was named twice this calendar year by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to the Academic All-America NAIA Football First Team and in October Cross was crowned Homecoming King. Lindsey Wilson won its first ever NAIA National Championship with a 45 to 13 thumping of Northwestern (Iowa) at Grambling State University in Louisiana in the title game on Monday night, May 10 completing an undefeated spring football season at 11-0 including the Mid-South Conference Championship. This fall the #1 ranked Blue Raiders set out on a quest to repeat as NAIA National Champions in the same calendar year but their dreams were dashed on December 4 as they lost to #3 Grand View (Iowa) 34-28 in the NAIA FCS Semifinal. The loss was the Blue Raiders (12-1) first in 727 days, last falling 34-24 to Marian (Ind.) in the NAIA FCS Semifinals on Dec. 7, 2019. In the 2021 calendar year, the Blue Raiders were 23-1. Undefeated Morningside went on to beat Grand View 38-28 for the NAIA Title on December 18.

December 28, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A total of 38 persons interested in running for county offices in either the May 3, 2022 DeKalb County Democratic or Republican Primary have picked up qualifying petitions from the election commission

According to the election commission office, the following persons have been issued petitions this week.

Republican Primary:
Danny Lynn Hale, Road Supervisor (Incumbent)
Sabrina R. Farler, County Commissioner, District 2 (Incumbent)
Susan L. Martin, Circuit Court Clerk (Incumbent)
Jim Beshearse-School Board, District 3(Incumbent)
Anita Puckett-County Mayor
Thomas E. “Tom” Chandler- County Commissioner, District 1
Sean D. Driver-Trustee (Incumbent)
Gregory S. “Greg” Mattthews, County Commissioner, District 4
Justin Douglas Adcock, County Commissioner, District 6
Joshua E. Holloway, County Commissioner, District 5
Larry L. Green- County Commissioner, District 5
James L. “Jimmy” Poss- County Clerk (Incumbent)
Matthew N. “Matt” Adcock- County Mayor
Mingy Kay Ball- General Sessions Court Judge
Brandon J. Cox- General Sessions Court Judge
Daniel A. Seber- Register of Deeds
Patrick R. Ray- Sheriff (Incumbent)
Keneth Lee Whitehead-Sheriff
James David “Jim” Pearson- County Commissioner, District 2
Tony L. “Cully” Culwell-County Commissioner, District 4
Boyd Bruce Malone-County Commissioner, District 7 (Incumbent)
Trevin Merriman-County Commissioner, District 7

Democratic Primary
Timothy Robert Stribling, County Mayor (Incumbent)
Margie Rigsby Miller, General Sessions Court Judge
Jeffery K. “Jeff” Barnes-County Commissioner, District 6 (Incumbent)
Julie Ann Young-County Commissioner, District 1 (Incumbent)
Janice. M. Fish Stewart-County Commissioner, District 4 (Incumbent)
Wayne Shehane- Road Supervisor
Mike Foster- County Mayor
James Waylon Kyle- County Commissioner, District 1
Tecia Puckett Pryor-General Sessions Court Judge
Shelby D. Reeder- Register of Deeds
Billy Myron Rhody-County Commissioner, District 2 (Incumbent)
Jack E. Barton, III-County Commissioner, District 3
Susannah Cripps Daughtry- County Commissioner, District 3 (Incumbent)
Jenny A. Trapp- County Commissioner, District 3 (Incumbent)
Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Pafford- County Commissioner, District 7 (Incumbent)
Robert D. (Danny) Parkerson, Jr.- School Board, District 1 (Incumbent). Parkerson also obtained a petition to run as an independent candidate for School Board, District 1 but he can only return one petition to the election commission to run either as a Democratic Candidate in the May Primary or as an Independent Candidate in the August County General Election..

Offices on the May primary ballots include: County Mayor; Road Supervisor; Sheriff, General Sessions Judge; Circuit Court Clerk; County Clerk; Trustee; Register of Deeds; County Commissioner in all seven (7) districts (2 can be nominated per district); School Board members in districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7; Constable in District 4 to fill a vacancy; Circuit Court Judge Part I and Part II (13th Judicial District); Chancellor (13th Judicial District); Criminal Court Judge Part I and Part II (13th Judicial District); District Attorney General (13th Judicial District); and Public Defender (13th Judicial District).

Petitions must be returned by Noon February 17th.

There is an additional earlier deadline for Sheriff and Road Supervisor candidates. They must have appropriate paperwork to the Peace Officer Standards Training Commission (POST) for sheriff and the Tennessee Highway Officials Certification board 14 days before the qualifying deadline.

While the above offices will appear on May primary ballots, candidates also have the option to run as Independent candidates who will not appear on the ballot until August. However, the same qualifying deadlines apply.

Winners of the May primaries will square off against each other in the August DeKalb County General Election along with any properly qualified Independent candidates.

The local election office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is located on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

December 28, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

A 76-year-old pedestrian was airlifted this morning (Tuesday) after being hit by a car in the parking lot of the Dollar Tree.

According to Trooper Joseph Van Bommel of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Beverly Jones had just come out of the store and was walking to her vehicle when 58-year-old Joseph Hunter of Smithville, driving a 2011 Dodge Avenger, backed out of a parking space and struck Jones. She was taken by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital where she was airlifted by helicopter ambulance to Vanderbilt Hospital.

Hunter has been charged with a 2nd offense of driving under the influence, vehicular assault, driving while suspended, and he was cited for no driver license. He is under a $16,000 bond and his court date is February 10.

In addition to the THP and DeKalb EMS, the Smithville Police and Fire Departments were on the scene to render assistance.

The preliminary report by the THP states as follows “On 12/28/2021 at approximately 10:56 a.m. I was dispatched to a vehicle vs pedestrian crash in the parking lot of Dollar Tree in Smithville TN. Upon arrival I learned a Beverly Ann Jones (1/22/1945) had left the Dollar Tree and was walking across the parking lot towards her vehicle when she was struck by a car going in reverse. The vehicle was a 2011 White Dodge Avenger driven by Joseph Hunter (02/17/1963). Mr. Hunter was parked in a parking spot facing Moses Discount Tobacco and Beer. As he was backing out of the parking spot he struck Ms. Jones. During my investigation I observed signs of impairment on Mr. Hunter and he admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the morning. He performed standardized field sobriety tasks unsatisfactorily and was placed under arrest. Mr. Hunter also had a suspended license for failure to maintain future proof of insurance. The THP Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene . Mr. Hunter was transported to the DeKalb County Jail and charged with Vehicular Assault, DUI 2^nd, Driving on Suspended, and cited for No insurance. Ms. Jones was transported by air to Vanderbilt Nashville for treatment and listed in stable condition at the time of this report”.

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