Watertown Douses Tigers Hopes for Win

September 11, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

After losing to Macon County on the road last week, the DeKalb County Tigers were hoping to get back to their winning ways Friday night at Watertown but those dreams were doused as the Purple Tigers prevailed 38-20.

With the loss DeKalb County drops to 1-2 on the season while Watertown evens its record to 2-2.

The Tigers will now return home to face the Cumberland County Jets next Friday night, September 17. Kick-Off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

The Jets are 2-2 with wins over Whitwell 35-0 and Lenoir City 17-7. Their losses have been to Monterey 21-7 and Upperman 41-7.

After playing to a scoreless tie through the 1st period, Watertown got the first points of the game Friday night on a 2 yard touchdown run by Adam Cooper with 11:40 left in the 2nd period. Trey Pack added the PAT and Watertown led 7-0.

Isaac Knowles later forced a Watertown turnover and then scored on a 4 yard touchdown run with 6:13 left in the 2nd period. The PAT attempt by Axel Aranda was no good but DeKalb County was on the board trailing 7-6.

Watertown extended its lead to 10-6 with 2:45 left in the 2nd period on a 27 yard field goal by Trey Pack and that was the halftime score.

The Purple Tigers widened the gap with 7:27 left in the 3rd period as Adam Cooper scored on a 64 yard touchdown run. Pack tacked on the extra point and Watertown led 17-6.

Watertown quarterback Brayden Cousino added another score for his team on a 5 yard touchdown run later in the 3rd period. The PAT by Pack was good and Watertown held a 24-6 advantage.

Nathaniel Crook put DeKalb County on the board again with 11:40 left in the 4th period on a 1 yard touchdown run. A 2 point conversion attempt failed but the Tigers drew closer trailing 24-12.

Watertown answered on a pick six by Kaden Seay who returned a DC interception 50 yards for a touchdown with 6:36 left in the 4th period. Pack kicked through the PAT and the Purple Tigers were in command 31-12.

DeKalb County added one more score on a 62 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Briz Trapp to Isaac Knowles with 5:53 left in the game. Knowles then completed a 2 point conversion play to cut the Watertown lead to 31-20.

Watertown put the game out of reach with 5:39 left in the game on a 52 yard touchdown run by Kwame Seay. Trey Pack added the extra point and the Purple Tigers went on to win 38-20.

September 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS Tigers will be looking to get back in the win column tonight as they travel to Watertown to face the Purple Tigers.

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

After opening the season with a 33-14 victory over Smith County at home two weeks ago, the Tigers suffered their first loss last week at Macon County in the region opener 32-29.

Watertown is 1-2 with losses to Fayetteville 42 to 20 and Gordonsville 16-9 the first two weeks. The Purple Tigers defeated Westmoreland 6-0 last week.

Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said losing hurts especially knowing that mistakes contributed to it.

“We had four or five plays in that game which were really out of character that we need to learn and grow from and become better from it. I wish it had not have happened. I think our defense played exceptionally well against a wing-t team that likes running the football but had less than 50 yards rushing and did not score a touchdown rushing the football but you can’t have interceptions returned for touchdowns. You can’t have kick-off returns for touchdowns and you can’t have a kick-off laying on the ground and let them jump on it. We also have to get lined up and play better in certain situations. We got a little squiggly there for a little bit. Some guys out there for the first time in Friday night action learned a lot as far as being prepared for every snap, getting lined up ready to play and it (mistakes) happened in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams. For our team, yeah it stinks that we lost that first region game. We understand what it does to us as far as the road we have to travel now but the positive side is anytime you have a setback in football or in life you have to embrace challenges which allows you to do something very special moving forward,” said Coach Trapp.

Although Watertown lost several players from last year’s team it still benefits from the talents of veteran quarterback Brayden Cousino.

“He is definitely a threat all around. He can scramble and make plays. He can sit in the pocket and throw it. He can do everything needed for a quarterback to do. He is most dangerous when he is scrambling around and gets outside the pocket and finding those open receivers downfield. We have been known to be able to do that ourselves and it’s a headache for defenses but we have a plan in place to try and eliminate some of that from him. I feel our guys are up to the task. They practice extremely hard and have been focused. The definitely didn’t like the taste of losing in their mouth after last week’s game. I won’t be over last week’s game until we take care of business tonight. I don’t like losing especially when we make plays like we did last week but I embrace any type of challenge. The “R” in Tiger Pride is for resilience and that is what I look for these guys to show tonight,” 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 former coach 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” debuts at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger players Ean Jones, Ari White, and John Ellis.

The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with play by play coverage on WJLE with John Pryor and color commentary by Luke Willoughby. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAM at www.wjle.com.

September 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks is this Saturday, calling the community to remember one of America’s most devastating tragedies.

A group of people answered that call with their attendance at a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Thursday evening on the east side of the courthouse. Among those present were members of the Smithville Police and Fire Departments, DeKalb County Fire Department, Sheriff’s Department, EMS, and Rescue Squad. A large American Flag was displayed above the gathering hanging from the Smithville Fire Department’s Ladder Truck.

The tribute began with opening remarks by Smithville Mayor Josh Miller and County Mayor Tim Stribling followed by Emily Phillips singing the National Anthem. Andy Patterson, minister of the Smithville First Freewill Baptist Church offered a prayer for First Responders and Chris Moore, minister of the Smithville Church of God led the gathering in a prayer for the country.

“We are here to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during the horrific attack on our country 20 years ago this Saturday,” said Mayor Miller.

“Today we remember the attack on the twin towers, pentagon and the capturing of the airplanes but we need to also remember the nearly 3,000 victims that day, 412 of whom were first responders and most of them being firefighters. We don’t ever want to forget their memory. We want it to live on,” said  County Mayor Stribling

Darrin Vincent of the multi-nominated duo and stars of the Grand Ole Opry Daily & Vincent, performed three patriotic songs during the program including “Travelin’ Soldier” with his daughter Victoria and “Where Were You” accompanied by local talents Sabrina Kirksey and Suzanne Slager. The third song was Dailey & Vincent’s “Unsung Heroes” , the music video of which was recorded downtown Smithville four years ago featuring local War War II veterans and first responders.

Vincent said he was flying back from Canada on 9/11 20 years ago when word came of the attacks.

“We had just done the Canadian Country Music Awards. I was sleeping in the airplane and the next thing I knew I felt it turn. We were over Montana when they turned that big airplane around. We were going full speed and seemed to be right on top of the ground. I said what in the world is going on and they told me that the World Trade Center buildings in New York had been hit and they we were being diverted back to Canada. When we got back to the Canadian airport all I saw was military with machine guns until I got downstairs and then it was absolute panic and chaos with everybody trying to get to phones. I called my wife Julie, who was a 4th grade teacher at Northside Elementary at that time and when I told her I was okay she just burst into tears because she had been seeing on TV everything going on. We had no idea really except what the stewardess told us. That’s where I was when the world stopped turning,” said Vincent.

“The scripture says greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends,” said Patterson during his prayer for first responders. Father we pray a prayer of gratitude for those who sacrifice daily so that we might live peaceably and comfortably. I pray today that the memory of these brave men and women would live on forever but we pray for these here before us today that you would help us show them gratitude and that you would protect them as they protect us. We pray that you would bless these men and women,” Patterson prayed.

“We speak healing over our nation,” said Moore in his prayer. “ We pray for blessings. I come against the division that we are seeing in our nation in the name of Jesus Christ. When we look back 20 years ago at the unity our nation was in on the day after 9/11 I ask for that unity to come back, for people to once again love their country and love their neighbor, and for them to turn away from their sin and call upon your name as we did 20 years ago. May God Bless America,” Moore prayed.

The program concluded with the Marine Corps League 3 Volley Salute followed by Taps.

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