News
September 12, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Thursday night football!
Due to forecasts of rain over the next couple of days from Hurricane Francine, DCHS has announced that the homecoming football game between the Tigers (3-0) and Watertown (0-3) will be played tonight (Thursday) instead of Friday night, as had been scheduled. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. in Smithville.
The DCHS homecoming parade is still set for Friday.
Although rain is predicted for both tonight and Friday, Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said field conditions would most likely be better tonight.
“Its frustrating. I don’t like doing that (rescheduling) but it seems like there may be more opportunity for lightning, storms, and possible tornadic activity on Friday night compared to tonight. That was a big part of this decision,” explained Coach Trapp. “ But also, there’s a lot of work that goes into field preparation as well. A lot of the work we put into it allows the field to take some of mother nature but playing on the field on day one of weather is a lot different than trying to play on the field of day two when its rained for two days in a row. That’s what weighed into the decision. I hate that this happened on homecoming but at the end of the day everything that takes place is because of the football game. We want everybody to have a good time and be safe but we are focused on playing great football,” said Coach Trapp.
Last week the Tigers gave up only one touchdown in beating the Livingston Academy Wildcats 42-8 on the road in the region opener.
After a slow start, Coach Trapp said the Tigers found their footing.
“For the first couple of minutes, they (Wildcats) ran it right down our face but our guys really responded well and they (Livingston Academy) didn’t get anything else after that. I thought we had a great week of preparation, and it showed up once we got everybody in tune. I feel really good, particularly about our offense, because last week was a little bit different from what we did the week before and a bit different from the week before that. We have different guys stepping up each week and other guys who are ready and willing to break out. It’s a good start to the season but at the end of the day while 3-0 is what was achieved last week, it’s trying to be 1-0 this week,” said Coach Trapp.
The Tigers enter tonight’s game at 3-0 with wins over Warren County (0-3) 28-14, Smith County (0-3) 35-6, and Livingston Academy (2-1) 42-8. Watertown is 0-3 with losses to Forrest (3-0) 40-34, Gordonsville (3-0) 26-19, and Sequatchie County (2-1) 33-28.
“Watertown is 0-3 but they have lost all three games by one score or less. They are probably one of the best 0-3 teams in the state. They have a tremendous coaching staff that does a lot of good things. It may be the best defense we have faced all year. Its usually a challenge to get things going against them so they have our full attention. Its up to our guys to go out and prove that we are ready to be 4-0 but we have to get our hearts and minds right,” added Coach Trapp.
WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with the “Fearless Forecasters” at 4:30 p.m. 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 Jon Hendrix, Aiden Turner, and Wyatt Carter.
Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m. with play-by-play coverage on WJLE from the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE Streaming at www.wjle.com.
“Coach to Coach” will air in its regular time slot on Friday at 5:00 p.m. and will repeat Saturday morning at 9 a.m. featuring former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with Tennessee Titans Radio Broadcaster Dave McGinnis and broadcaster Larry Stone talking Tennessee and SEC football.
2024 DCHS Tiger Football Schedule:
September 12: Watertown (HOMECOMING) 7:00 p.m.
September 20: Gordonsville (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
September 27: Stone Memorial* (HOME) 7:00 p.m.
October 4: Macon County* (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
October 11: Cumberland County* (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
October 18: BYE
October 25: White County* (HOME) 7:00 p.m.
October 31 (Thursday): Upperman* (HOME) 7:00 p.m.
WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters College Football Talk Show Airs Today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m.
September 12, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
John Pryor and Darrell Gill are co-leaders among WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters with the best record picking winners for the first two weeks of the college football season.
Pryor and Gill each have compiled records of 18-12 followed by Ricky Atnip, Scott Brown, Alex Woodward, Scott Goodwin, and Dewain Hendrixson each at 17-13. Grant James is 16-14 and Chad Kirby’s record is 15-15.
For the week, Darrell Gill and Dewain Hendrixson were each at 8-7. Grant James, Ricky Atnip, Chad Kirby, Scott Brown, Scott Goodwin, and John Pryor were each at 7-8 and Alex Woodward at 6-9.
Three of the forecasters hit their underdog picks last week including Darrell Gill who got 10.5 points with BYU’s win over SMU. Scott Brown got on the board with 4 points as Army defeated FAU and Dewain Hendrixson picked up 10 points with South Carolina’s victory over Kentucky.
Overall, Darrell Gill leads in underdog points with 23.5 followed by Dewain Hendrixson 15, Grant James 4.5 and Scott Brown with 4 points.
Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:
Arizona at Kansas State, Washington State at Washington, Appalachian State at East Carolina, Memphis at Florida State, Western Kentucky at MTSU, UCF at TCU, Indiana at UCLA, Maryland at Virginia, Notre Dame at Purdue, Alabama at Wisconsin, Texas A&M at Florida, LSU at South Carolina, Vanderbilt at Georgia State, Kent State at Tennessee and in the NFL the New York Jets at the Tennessee Titans.
Catch the Fearless Forecasters on WJLE today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and the LIVE stream at www.wjle.com.
The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, DeKalb County Ace Hardware, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, Wilson Bank & Trust, and Domino’s Pizza.
Remembering 9/11 (View Video Here)
September 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
Remembering 9/11
Twenty-three years ago this nation suffered a tragedy that shook it to the core and altered the fate of millions around the world.
Today (Wednesday) at noon a local commemoration ceremony was held at Evins Park downtown to mark the 23rd anniversary of 9/11.
Smithville Mayor Josh Miller led the program which featured a prayer by local minister Larry Green, a performance of the national anthem by the DCHS band, and remarks by State Representative Michael Hale. Local first responders were also recognized.
“Everybody here can remember where you were and what you were doing that day 23 years ago today. It’s a day we will never forget. But in the midst of so much emotion, anger, hurt, mourning, and uncertainty there was so much unity,” said Mayor Miller.
“Right after 9/11 there was an outpouring to God. When we face tragedy whether its in our lives or as a nation, God is the one we can turn to. Every person in all those losses that day, almost 3,000, God was with them and their families. God is still there today for us,” said Green.
“I can’t help but think about that morning, September 11, 2001 when at about 8:19 a.m. a flight attendant made a call that her plane had been hijacked and then at approximately 8:46 a.m. the first plane crashed into the tower. From that moment on our lives were changed forever,” said State Representative Hale.
“Today 23 years later we all remember where we were. That day flights 175 and 11 hit the twin towers, 77 hit the Pentagon, and flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. In the midst of chaos and destruction there were brave men and women who responded. While others were running away from the horrific tragedies in each one of these places, there were emergency people going into those places willing to give their lives trying to save families, friends, and loved ones. Many gave the ultimate sacrifice, laying down their lives for another. Twenty-nine hundred and seventy-seven perished that horrible day plus 19 terrorists, 343 firefighters, 71 police officers, and 55 military personnel. These heroes died on September 11, 2001. As we pause today, we salute you who lead various departments and those under you that serve our state, county, and city. We salute every emergency service worker, every utility worker, and every military service member who fights to defend our freedom every single day. You are the true heroes, and we honor and salute you today and your families,” said Representative Hale.
