October 28, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Tigers kept it close for much of the game Friday night but Upperman pulled away in the second half for a 26-7 finish at Baxter wrapping up a perfect 10-0 regular season. The Tigers end the campaign at 5-5 heading into the state playoffs next Friday night, November 3.
Upperman is the Region 4-4A regular season champs at 5-0 and will host a first-round state play-off game next week against East Ridge (4-6). The Tigers, with a 3-3 region record, finished in 4th place and will travel for their first-round state play-off game at Chattanooga Red Bank (7-3)
The Tigers and Bees played to a scoreless tie through the 1st period Friday night but Upperman broke through for the first points of the game with 4:07 left in the 2nd period as Ethan Palk took it in from 2 yards out completing an 86-yard drive. Sebastian Stanfill came on for the extra point and the Bees were on the board 7-0.
Upperman tried to tack on a 34-yard field goal just before halftime but the attempt was no good.
The Bees extended their lead with 7:21 left in the 3rd period on a 52 yard pass play from Bronzden Chaffin to Branson Turnbow. The PAT try was no good but Upperman held a 13-0 advantage.
The Tigers’ only touchdown of the night came on a 10-yard run by Marquez Chalfant with 4:43 left in the 3rd period capping a 67-yard drive. Adrian Prater added the extra point and DeKalb County trailed 13-7.
Upperman added to their lead with 1:34 left in the 3rd period on a 4-yard touchdown run by Jaxson Rollins completing a 70-yard drive. A 2-point conversion attempt failed but the Bees were on top 19-7.
Ethan Palk scored his second rushing touchdown of the game with 6:39 left in the 4th period capping a 55-yard drive. Stanfill’s PAT was good, and the Bees went on to claim a 26-7 victory.
Here are the Region standings: The top four teams have earned a state play-off berth.
Upperman: 10-0: Overall, 6-0-Region
Macon County: 9-1 Overall, 5-1 Region
Stone Memorial: 6-4 Overall, 4-2 Region
DeKalb County: 5-5 Overall, 3-3 Region
White County: 5-5, 2-4 Region
Livingston Academy: 3-7 Overall, 1-5 Region
Cumberland County: 3-7 Overall, 0-6 Region