September 15, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
Its Homecoming Week at DCHS and students have been in a celebratory mood with special spirit activities having taken place each day. Today (Friday) will be no exception with the annual Homecoming Day Parade and then the football game tonight as the Tigers host the visiting Tigers from Gordonsville High School.
https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk/
Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and on the LIVE stream at www.wjle.com with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.
After starting the season with losses to Warren County and Smith County, the Tigers have evened their season record over the last two weeks with victories over Livingston Academy and Watertown.
Gordonsville is 2-2 with wins over Trousdale County 14-0 and Jo Byrns 35-6 and losses to Smith County 25-19 and Watertown 17-7.
After spotting Watertown 10 points in the first half last week, the Tigers shut out the Purple Tigers in the second half enroute to a 20-10 win.
“It was another first half of inconsistent play and lack of execution but when we do things right back to back we have proven we can be a formidable opponent and can compete each week,” said Tiger Coach Steve Trapp. “It was the second week in a row we came back out in the second half and responded. Kudos to our defense. That’s two weeks in a row they have not given up any points in the last two quarters of each game and our offense got enough going to ultimately score more points than the other team. That’s what it comes down to. I am extremely proud of our guys. Although it wasn’t pretty, at the end of the day they pulled it together and did what they were supposed to do,” said Coach Trapp.
Its been several years since DeKalb County has met Gordonsville on the gridiron in regular season play although the teams have engaged in pre-season scrimmages over the years.
Speaking on WJLE’s Tiger Talk program, Coach Trapp sizes up what Gordonsville looks like this year.
“Over the last couple of years, especially this year they have evolved more into a spread-out type offense. They have a sophomore quarterback who does a lot of different things. He is a great athlete and a good runner. I think he is their punter, punt returner, and kick returner. He plays corner. He had a good year last year at receiver for them as a freshman. He has a grasp on what they are doing. They have the RPO game. They have the quarterback run read game. They do a lot of the same things we do and he (QB) gets active in it by rolling out throwing the ball. He has a great arm. He can throw it deep but then they can still line it up and try to run that power run game too. I know I have said this every week so far but this is another one of those games where there are multiple things our defense has to be ready for. Coach Shaw and that group have done a great job preparing our guys. Defensively its kind of the same story, they have a base defense but it will branch into different things depending on what we get into so you try to find your matchups when you can get them in certain looks,” 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 Marquez Chalfant, Jaxson Kleparek, and Andrew Dakas.
Homecoming Events Friday, September 15 2023:
7:00-7:40 a.m.: All vehicles in parade are checked in and parked in the parking area.
7:45-9:00 a.m.: All students should be in HR at this time. Scavenger hunt videos will be shown.
8:15 a.m.: Bands performs for DeKalb Middle School at DCHS.
8:15-9:00 a.m.: All drivers and passengers will decorate cars
9:05-9:50 a.m.: Students in Gymnasium for Games
9:55-12:00 noon: Students in 4th block class.
10:00 a.m.: Band performs at Smithville Elementary.
10:10-12:00 noon: Lunch periods- 1st lunch 10:10 to 10:35 a.m., 2nd lunch 10:37 to 11:02 a.m., 3rd lunch
11:04 to 11:29 a.m., and 4th lunch 11:31 to 12:00 noon.
12:00 p.m.: Parade lines up.
12:30 p.m.: Parade leaves DCHS.
12:30 p.m.: Band performs at Northside Elementary.
1:00 p.m.: Parade arrives at Smithville Elementary School.
1:20 p.m.: Parade arrives at Northside Elementary School. Band leads parade from Northside Elementary.
1:40 p.m.: Parade arrives at the square. Pep rally and band performance on the square.