August 23, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County High School Tigers will open the football season tonight at McMinnville against the Warren County Pioneers.
Kick-off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage on AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE streaming at www.wjle.com with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.
Coach Steve Trapp, speaking on WJLE’s Tiger Talk program, said he is hoping to get the season off to a great start. He is beginning his 15th season at the helm of the Tiger football program.
“We have had a very productive off season. We have some new faces who have come up from a DeKalb Middle School team that was very successful. Its good to see those guys come out and stick together. Some guys who haven’t played with us for a year or so are back and really being productive for us. The off season is really an important phase of what we do because it helps build that brotherhood and bond,” said Coach Trapp.
“Axel Aldino, our quarterback, has had a good off season. He definitely looks the part but I have told him the look doesn’t get it done its about the productivity and there is no doubt his decision making is going to lead our offense or it can slow it down. We have some good guys around him who are going to help but ultimately he does have to pull the trigger and get the ball in the right situations, make good decisions, pulling it down and running. He is definitely a threat in all categories but with the running game we potentially should have with the type of running back we have, the size we have up front, and our skill players we are a threat to scare defenses any way we want to,” said Coach Trapp.
Warren County has a new head coach this season so Coach Trapp said what the Pioneers look like on video may be different from what the Tigers see tonight (Friday)
“We have tapes of a couple of their scrimmages but for the past few years when there is a transition there (Warren County) it seems like what we get on tape is usually different from what we see on Friday so we have thrown a lot of stuff at our guys this week just to make sure that if we do see something different that we are ready for it and have been exposed to it and are prepared to make adjustments during the game if need be but with a new coach we’re expecting a little different offense and defense from what we have seen the last couple of years. I do know it will be an electric atmosphere. I have no doubt our guys will play extremely hard. I just hope our mental effort matches our physical effort. I think it’s going to be a great game,” added Coach Trapp.
Coach Trapp’s record against Warren County is 7-7.
WJLE’s Pre-Game shows begin with “Coach to Coach” at 5:00 p.m. featuring former UT assistant coach Doug Matthews with former coach 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” debuts at 6:30 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor interviewing Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger Senior Captains Isaac Cross, Alan Munoz, David Bradford, and Junior Captain Desmond Nokes
The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with play by play coverage on WJLE
WJLE thanks our sponsors of Tiger football:
*Wilson Bank & Trust
*Lake Homes Realty
*Caney Fork Electric Cooperative
*Gill Automotive
*Charles D. Atnip Realty & Auction Company
*DTC Communications
*Liberty State Bank
*DeKalb Funeral Chapel
*Curtis Supply
*St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital
*First Bank
*Optimus Pest Solutions
*DeKalb Dental Center
*Florence & White Ford
*DeKalb Prevention Coalition
Tiger Talk sponsors:
*Woodbury Insurance Agency
*Kilgore’s Restaurant
*Creations by Donna
*A Degree Above Heating & Cooling
*Belk Grocery and Sporting Goods
Coach to Coach sponsors:
*Stonehaus Winery
*Three Star Mall
Murphy’s Matchups sponsor:
*DeKalb Farm Bureau