September 29, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The 3-3 DeKalb County Tigers are hoping to get back in the win column tonight (Friday) but they will have to knock off the 5-1 Macon County Tigers to do it.
This Regional showdown will kick off at 7 p.m. at DCHS in Smithville and WJLE will have LIVE coverage with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.
DeKalb County suffered a close loss at Stone Memorial last week for their first Region defeat of the season. With three region games left in the campaign, the Tigers will need a good performance tonight to remain in the hunt for the regular season Region crown. Macon County enters the game with a region loss of their own to Upperman.
For the season to date, the DC Tigers have defeated Livingston Academy 31-9, Watertown 20-10, and Gordonsville 21-7. DC losses have been to Warren County 34 to 27, Smith County 21-0, and Stone Memorial 27-24.
Macon County has defeated Westmoreland 33 to 13, Trousdale County 42-0, Smith County 6 to 3 in overtime, Cumberland County 35 to 10, and White County 41 to 28. The only Macon County loss has been to Upperman 14 to 7.
Speaking on WJLE’s Tiger Talk program, Coach Steve Trapp said inconsistent play contributed to the Tiger’s loss last week at Stone Memorial.
“I think we were inconsistent. Execution was not where it should have been. When you are playing football games within this region you have to be as clean as possible. You will never play a perfect football game but we have to make sure we play a lot better. We had some mental mistakes last week running things right and fitting things correctly but there were also a lot of positive things we did too. I liked how urgent we were especially in the second half. We have to be able to start games that way. I’m still looking for this team to play a complete four quarters. We either play a good half and then a bad one or vice versa. We really need to put it all together from start to finish in all three phases. It will still be a challenge with the schedule we have left but that is our mind set moving forward,” said Coach Trapp.
Keeping Macon County’s offense off the field as much as possible will be a goal of the DC Tigers in tonight’s game.
“We have to play clean and be effective offensively on first downs so our efficiency is good on third downs. We have to be able to create plays. We have to move the chains and get first downs to keep their offense off the field. They have a dynamic player and do a great job with the scheme they do. They seem to multiply it when they play us and that goes for offense and defense. Defensively we have to make sure we we are prepared for all the looks they can give us and fit it right. We have to be aggressive. When we see the ball and its not on the ground we can’t have people looking around. We have to go get the ball. We have to make sure we are ready for their passing game. They don’t do it a whole lot but when they do they get chunk plays out of it and we tend to give up some chunk plays especially last week in the passing game. We understand the challenge and the quality opponent we have but I think they (Macon County) feel the same way about us. Its going to be one of those types of football games,” 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 Tennessee Titans Radio Broadcaster 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” airs at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger football players Briz Trapp, Malachi Trapp, and Ryon Lyons.