September 6, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Tigers have reeled off four straight football wins over Livingston Academy since 2020. The last Wildcats’ victory over DC was in 2019. But it’s been 30 years since DeKalb County has won at Livingston.
Tonight (Friday) the Tigers will try to extend one streak while ending the other as they travel to Livingston for the Region opener.
Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. with LIVE coverage on WJLE.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp remembers that last DC football win at Livingston because he was on the team.
“That was 1994 and 30 years ago. I remember that game because I was a junior on that team. I have mentioned that to our guys. We want to clean that off our record books and start anew but at the end of the day we just want these guys to be disciplined and motivated yet if this gives them a little extra incentive that’s okay,” said Coach Trapp.
Both teams enter tonight’s game with identical 2-0 records. DeKalb County opened the season with a 28-14 home victory over Warren County and a 35-6 win at Smith County last week. Livingston Academy won 37-6 at Trousdale County two weeks ago and shutout Jenkins Kentucky in the Americanaville Classic 55-0 last week.
“They (Livingston Academy) started off the year very successful scoring a lot of points and only giving up one score so they have our full attention,” said Coach Trapp. “With it being a region week, of course we understand the things that can happen with a win or a loss. We understand what’s at stake but ultimately its just our next opportunity. Our guys are going to be excited and I feel really good about how they have prepared and worked”.
With two wins to start the season, Coach Trapp likes what he has seen from his team.
“I’m just really proud of the guys. We didn’t start as clean as we wanted to last week at Smith County. The first play was awesome but we had a penalty and after that we were a little bit ragged on offense but the guys really pulled it together mentally and physically and did what we expected them to do,” said Coach Trapp.
“As far as the defensive game plan, Coach Michael Shaw comes up with that and he has it down for us. Our guys buy into it and they prepare and study the way we ask them to. It’s the same thing on the offensive side. Everybody has a hand in it. If these guys do what we ask them to do they will have a good idea what is coming at them. They have done a pretty good job up to this point. We just want to continue to get better and take advantage of every opportunity that we have to get better so we can have success and experience that joyful feeling on Friday night,” 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 Bryson Arnold, Cecil Ketchum, and Ryan Lyons.
Kick-off is at 7:00 p.m. with play-by-play coverage on WJLE from the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE Streaming at www.wjle.com.
2024 DCHS Tiger Football Schedule:
September 6: Livingston Academy* (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
September 13: Watertown (HOMECOMING) 7:00 p.m.
September 20: Gordonsville (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
September 27: Stone Memorial* (HOME) 7:00 p.m.
October 4: Macon County* (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
October 11: Cumberland County* (AWAY) 7:00 p.m.
October 18: BYE
October 25: White County* (HOME) 7:00 p.m.
October 31 (Thursday): Upperman* (HOME) 7:00 p.m.