November 4, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The DCHS Tigers closed the book on their 2023 football season Friday night falling to the Red Bank Lions 30 to 0 on the road in the 1st round of the TSSAA Class 4A Play-offs.
The Tigers, who finished as the 4th place team in Region 4, end the campaign at 5-6 overall. Red Bank, the top seed from Region 3, improves to 8-3 overall and will advance in the state playoffs next week hosting Macon County (10-1) who defeated Loudon (7-4) 41-7 Friday night in their 1st round state playoff game.
Senior Running Back Malachi Trapp went down with a lower left leg injury on the Tiger’s first possession of the game midway through the 1st period and had to be taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Red Bank’s first score came on a 1 yard touchdown run by Josiah Featherstone with 8:54 left in the 1st period completing a 60 yard, seven play drive. Malachi Stephenson came on for the extra point and the Lions led 7-0.
After the Malachi Trapp injury, the Tigers drove down field and attempted a 29 yard field goal by Adrian Prater but the snap was high and the Lions blocked the kick.
Red Bank extended its lead with 7:53 left in the 2nd period on a 25-yard touchdown run by Olivir Merritt capping a 69-yard drive. Stephenson converted the PAT and the Lions led 14-0.
Merritt scored again with 8:33 left in the 3rd period on an 18-yard run completing an 83-yard drive. Stephenson’s kick was good and the Lions were out front 21-0.
Red Bank put three more points on the board later in the 3rd period on a 37-yard Stephenson field goal to give the Lions a 24-0 advantage.
The final score of the game came on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Cayden Loveless to Turner Humphrey with 8:42 left in the 4th period. Stephenson’s PAT try was blocked but Red Bank went on to claim a 30-0 victory.
In other state playoff games involving Region 4 teams Friday night, both Upperman and Stone Memorial advanced and will face each other next Friday night at Baxter. The Bees (11-0) eliminated East Ridge (4-7) 56-14 and Stone Memorial (7-4) defeated Hixson (7-4) 34-14.