TSSAA Re-classification for 2025-2029 to Affect Some DCHS Sports

November 19, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) has released the updated classifications across all sports for the 2025-2029 cycle including at DeKalb County High School.

Starting with the 2025 season, DeKalb County will remain part of the Class 4A-Region 4 alignment in football as will all the current teams that make up Region 4 with the exception of Cumberland County which is reportedly becoming independent.

In boys and girls basketball, baseball, and girls softball, DCHS will be going from Class 3A Region 4, District 7 to Class 3A Region 4, District 8. DeKalb County will be part of only a four team district which will also include Macon County, Watertown, and Murfreesboro Central. The current makeup of the district is DCHS, Cumberland County, Livingston Academy, Stone Memorial, Upperman, and White County. Starting in 2025, Cumberland County, Livingston Academy, Stone Memorial, Upperman, and White County will remain part of District 7 in basketball, baseball, and softball. Other sports will also be affected by the re-classification as follows:

2023-2025: Football – Class 4A Region 4
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2025-2029: Football- Class 4A Region 4
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2023-2025: Basketball/Baseball/ Softball Class 3A Region 4
District 7
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2025-2029: Basketball/Baseball/ Softball Class 3A Region 4
District 8

DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)

2023-2025: Class 2A Golf- Region 4
District 7
Cookeville High School (Cookeville, TN)
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Warren Co. High School (McMinnville, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2025-2029: Class A Golf- Region 4
District 8
Cannon Co. High School (Woodbury, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Gordonsville High School (Gordonsville, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Red Boiling Springs High School (Red Boiling Springs, TN)
Smith Co. High School (Carthage, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)
Westmoreland High School (Westmoreland, TN)

2023-2025: Class 2A Soccer- Region 4
District 7
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2025-2029: Class 2A Soccer- Region 4
District 7
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2023-2025: Class 2A Tennis-Region 4
District 7
Cookeville High School (Cookeville, TN)
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Warren Co. High School (McMinnville, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2025-2029:Class A Tennis Region 4
District 8
Cannon Co. High School (Woodbury, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Gordonsville High School (Gordonsville, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Red Boiling Springs High School (Red Boiling Springs, TN)
Smith Co. High School (Carthage, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)
Westmoreland High School (Westmoreland, TN)

2023-2025: Class 2A Girls Volleyball Region 4
District 7
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)

2025-2029: Class 2A Girls Volleyball Region 4
District 7
Cannon Co. High School (Woodbury, TN)
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)

2023-2025: Class A-AA Region 4-Girls/Boys Cross Country
Alvin C. York Institute (Jamestown, TN)
Cannon Co. High School (Woodbury, TN)
Cascade High School (Bell Buckle, TN)
Clay Co. High School (Celina, TN)
Community High School (Unionville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Eagleville High School (Eagleville, TN)
Fayetteville High School (Fayetteville, TN)
Forrest High School (Chapel Hill, TN)
Franklin Co. High School (Winchester, TN)
Gordonsville High School (Gordonsville, TN)
Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet (Nashville, TN)
Huntland High School (Huntland, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Moore Co. High School (Lynchburg, TN)
Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Red Boiling Springs High School (Red Boiling Springs, TN)
Smith Co. High School (Carthage, TN)
Tullahoma High School (Tullahoma, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)
Westmoreland High School (Westmoreland, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

2025-2029: Class AA- Section 3-Girls/Boys Cross Country
Battle Creek High School (Spring Hill, TN)
Cumberland Co. High School (Crossville, TN)
DeKalb Co. High School (Smithville, TN)
Giles Co. High School (Pulaski, TN)
Lawrence Co. High School (Lawrenceburg, TN)
Livingston Academy (Livingston, TN)
Macon Co. High School (Lafayette, TN)
Marshall Co. High School (Lewisburg, TN)
Murfreesboro Central Magnet School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Spring Hill High School (Columbia, TN)
Stone Memorial High School (Crossville, TN)
Tullahoma High School (Tullahoma, TN)
Upperman High School (Baxter, TN)
Watertown High School (Watertown, TN)
White Co. High School (Sparta, TN)

November 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

Many times, a routine traffic stop by local law enforcement leads to the discovery of illegal narcotics. Such was the case in the recent arrest of 31-year-old Alex Wayne Murphy of Ferrell Road, Smithville.

Murphy is charged with possession of a firearm during a felony; possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; possession of a schedule V drug; simple possession of a schedule III drug; and driving on a revoked license. Murphy’s bond totals $47,500 and he will be in court December 5.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on November 14 a deputy was patrolling when he spotted a silver Chevrolet HHR cross the center line on Hayes Street. A background check revealed that the tag on the vehicle was for a different automobile and that Murphy’s driver license was revoked due to a DUI in August 2024. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Murphy who gave consent to search the vehicle. Located during the search was a vape that had been hollowed out and inside it was a black tube containing four pieces of an orange-colored pill thought to be Buprenorphine and a glass container with a clear crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine with a container weight of 1.66 grams. Found in the backseat was a High Point model CF 380 auto pistol. The search also turned up a yellow pill believed to be Gabapentin.

24-year-old Robert Stephen Ryan Derrick of Cookeville is named in a grand jury sealed indictment charged with four counts of methamphetamine possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver. The offense dates were September 11 and September 19, 2023. His bond totals $400,000 and he will be arraigned in criminal court Tuesday, November 19.

39-year-old Joshua Joe King of Allen Ferry Road is charged with two counts of domestic assault. He is under a $7,000 bond and his court date is December 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 17 King allegedly assaulted his wife and daughter. The victims stated that King became irate during an argument and began throwing items in the home, kicking the coffee table toward his wife as she sat on the couch with her grandson. The victims also claimed that during the argument King grabbed a shotgun from the bedroom and walked out the door and said, “let’s go to the barn”. King’s actions caused his wife and daughter to fear for their safety.

61-year-old James L. Bullard of King Ridge Road, Dowelltown is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond is $51,500 and he will make a court appearance on December 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 17 a deputy responded to a trespassing call on Midway Road, Smithville. Upon arrival the officer spoke with the alleged trespasser, Bullard. During the conversation the deputy spotted in plain sight a pill container. Bullard’s name was in the grass next to him. The officer picked up the container and saw a plastic baggie which held a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine inside of the container. The baggie weighed two grams. Upon a search incident to arrest, Bullard produced from his pants pocket a bowl and a clear glass pipe containing residue.

49-year-old Clarence Benjamin McConnell of Allen’s Chapel Road is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; and unlawful possession of a weapon. His bond totals $29,000 and he will be in court November 21.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 5 a deputy responded to Allen’s Chapel Road to serve an order of protection. Upon arrival he spoke to the victim who stated that McConnell, a convicted felon, was in possession of a handgun. McConnell admitted to having possession of a 6 Sawyer handgun earlier that morning. The deputy spoke to a neighbor who said there were items in his car that McConnell had asked him to hold onto for him. Several items of drug paraphernalia were found including scales along with a large baggie that held a green leafy substance thought to be marijuana which weighed 14.32 grams. McConnell admitted that the marijuana belonged to him. Inside a container were scales, several bongs, grinders, rolling papers, and clear baggies that held residue of a green leafy substance. The deputy recovered the 6 Sawyer P320M17 handgun. McConnell claimed that he was holding onto the gun for someone else. A background check confirmed that McConnell is a convicted felon due to a charge in New Hampshire for possession of drugs with intent to sell in May 1997.

52-year-old Billie Jo Morris of Kings Court Circle is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. Her bond is $22,500 and she will be in court November 21.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 5 a deputy was patrolling Adcock Cemetery Road when he noticed a white Chevy Impala driving on the wrong side of the road. He pulled over the car and spoke with the driver, Morris. When the officer asked to see her driver license, a used glass pipe with burn marks and white residue inside of it fell out of Morris’ purse. A subsequent search of the vehicle was conducted and inside were two baggies of a crystal-like substance thought to be methamphetamine. One baggie weighed 2.71 grams, and the other weight was 0.43 grams with a combined weight of 3.14 grams. One of the baggies was inside Morris’ purse and the other was in a black grinder with a green leafy residue on the passenger floorboard of the car. Morris claimed it belonged to her.

30-year-old Brooklyn Michelle Guy of Lebanon is charged with driving on a revoked or suspended license and cited for no insurance. Her bond is $3,500 and the court date is November 21. Sheriff Ray said a deputy was recently dispatched to Nashville Highway due to a vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the officer spoke with Guy, the driver. A background check through central dispatch revealed that her driver license was suspended.

39-year-old Andrea Colleen Claspell of Green Hill Road, Smithville is charged with vandalism. Her bond is $5,000 and she will make a court appearance on December 5.

Sheriff Ray said that on November 7 a deputy was summoned to Big Woods Road due to a fight. Upon arrival he found Claspell in the driveway. Claspell stated that she and another woman became involved in an altercation and that she (Claspell) had picked up an axle drive shaft and hit a car causing damage to the rear bumper.

66-year-old Terry Lynn Skelenka of Woodbury Highway is charged with driving under the influence. Her bond is $3,500.

Sheriff Ray said that on October 26 a deputy was west on East Broad Street, Smithville when he spotted a black Nissan Altima leaving its lane and travel several times. The driver side headlight was also out. The officer pulled over the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Skelenka who smelled of alcohol. She admitted to having consumed four alcoholic beverages prior to driving. Skelenka was also unsteady on her feet. Her eyes were red and watery, and she submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

November 18, 2024
By: Dwayne Page

The October Teacher of the Month award at DeKalb County High School goes to Luke Green.

For winning the honor, Green received a certificate from the school and a gift card for a meal at Kilgore’s Restaurant.

Green, a math/algebra II teacher, was selected by the administration as Teacher of the Month. He has been a DCHS educator for four years.

“I’m excited and honored,” said Green. “It’s a privilege to work here and be able to come back and teach where I went to school and be able to give back to the community,” he said.

Luke and his wife Macy have been married for almost a year. His parents are Donny and Misty Green and he has a sister Kayley.

A 2017 graduate of DCHS, Green furthered his education at Tennessee Tech University where he majored in secondary education with a focus on mathematics and a minor in math.

When he is not in the classroom, Green serves as an assistant DCHS football coach and he is an active and award-winning member of the DeKalb County Fire Department.

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