December 19, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
One of the brightest stars on the DCHS football team this past season will soon be trading his black and gold school colors for purple and gold.
Isaac Cross, a senior, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles next year. Cross will graduate from DCHS in May.
Cross, a recent All Region Award winner as Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, played for the Tigers all four of his high school years with this season having been the most memorable as the team advanced to the third round of the state play-offs before losing to Nolensville last month.
“We had a historic run this year and I am proud to have been part of this Tiger football team,” he said.
Cross, who serves as Mr. DCHS, will be following in the footsteps of his older brother Eli who is playing football on the collegiate level, but unlike Eli who has made his mark at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, Isaac chose Tennessee Tech where he expects to play at the center position.
“One reason I chose Tech is that it is really close to home. They offered to pay for everything which is really a blessing between academic and athletic money and Tech has a really good football program. I absolutely love coach Dewayne Alexander. He is an amazing coach with great principles. I love just about everything about the program,” said Cross.
Tennessee Tech competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.
As for his high school playing days, Cross said he will miss it but is thankful for the guidance of his coaches and the support of the community.
“DeKalb County football has been a big part of my life. All the coaches have done so much for each of us as players and individuals. I can’t thank them and the people of the community enough for all of their support,” said Cross.
The Tigers concluded the 2019 season at 8-5 overall, a 2nd place finish in the region, and a 2-1 record in the state playoffs, the first time a DCHS football team had ever advanced that far in the post-season.
Isaac was joined at the signing Wednesday by his parents, Tony and Shelly Cross, and his brothers and sisters, Eli, Silas, Abby and Ally. Isaac’s coaches and teammates were also on hand to congratulate him.
As for Eli’s team, the sixth-ranked Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders recently lost to Marian (Ind.) in the NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinals. Their season came to an end with a 12-1 record after reaching the program’s first national semifinal.