October 14, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Tigers and Upperman Bees will meet in “The Battle of Center Hill” Friday night, October 15 in Smithville. The Tigers are hoping to reclaim the oar from the Bees who have a four game winning streak against the black and gold.
(Click link below to hear WJLE’s Tiger Talk Program)
https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk/
The oar, a trophy instituted a few years ago between these two schools, is affectionately nicknamed “The Battle of Center Hill,” because the teams are on opposite sides of Center Hill Lake.
The Tigers (5-2) will be looking for their fifth victory in a row this season and to claim a share of the top spot in the region standings. The Bees come into this game at 6-1 overall and 3-0 in region play. The Tigers are 2-1 and tied for second place in the region with Stone Memorial and Macon County each at 5-2 overall with a 2-1 region record.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said this should be a great game.
“When there’s a play that needs to be made they (Upperman) are going to put it in their quarterback’s hands with a run-pass option more than likely. They have two running backs that if you don’t fit it right they can take it to the house. Defensively they are just a very disciplined football team. They may not blow you away with a ton of athletes but they do it right with who they have. They play team defense. They fit it right and funnel the ball where it needs to go and that’s the same things we need to do. Its simply executing and playing extremely hard and physical. That’s the type of game this is going to be. Really its limiting your mistakes and trying to be good on first down efficiency in order to have third down efficiency. That’s a big thing for both teams as well. We are just anxious and ready to go. Its going to be an exciting football game,” said Coach Trapp.
WJLE’s pre-game shows begin with “Murphy’s Matchups” at 6 p.m. featuring the Guru of Tennessee High School Football Murphy Fair.
“Tiger Talk” begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring DCHS Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger Football Players Colby Barnes, Brandon Sykes, and Josh May.
WJLE’s “LIVE” play by play coverage starts at 7 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.