September 10, 2021
By: Dwayne Page
The DCHS Tigers will be looking to get back in the win column tonight as they travel to Watertown to face the Purple Tigers.
https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk/
After opening the season with a 33-14 victory over Smith County at home two weeks ago, the Tigers suffered their first loss last week at Macon County in the region opener 32-29.
Watertown is 1-2 with losses to Fayetteville 42 to 20 and Gordonsville 16-9 the first two weeks. The Purple Tigers defeated Westmoreland 6-0 last week.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said losing hurts especially knowing that mistakes contributed to it.
“We had four or five plays in that game which were really out of character that we need to learn and grow from and become better from it. I wish it had not have happened. I think our defense played exceptionally well against a wing-t team that likes running the football but had less than 50 yards rushing and did not score a touchdown rushing the football but you can’t have interceptions returned for touchdowns. You can’t have kick-off returns for touchdowns and you can’t have a kick-off laying on the ground and let them jump on it. We also have to get lined up and play better in certain situations. We got a little squiggly there for a little bit. Some guys out there for the first time in Friday night action learned a lot as far as being prepared for every snap, getting lined up ready to play and it (mistakes) happened in all three phases, offense, defense and special teams. For our team, yeah it stinks that we lost that first region game. We understand what it does to us as far as the road we have to travel now but the positive side is anytime you have a setback in football or in life you have to embrace challenges which allows you to do something very special moving forward,” said Coach Trapp.
Although Watertown lost several players from last year’s team it still benefits from the talents of veteran quarterback Brayden Cousino.
“He is definitely a threat all around. He can scramble and make plays. He can sit in the pocket and throw it. He can do everything needed for a quarterback to do. He is most dangerous when he is scrambling around and gets outside the pocket and finding those open receivers downfield. We have been known to be able to do that ourselves and it’s a headache for defenses but we have a plan in place to try and eliminate some of that from him. I feel our guys are up to the task. They practice extremely hard and have been focused. The definitely didn’t like the taste of losing in their mouth after last week’s game. I won’t be over last week’s game until we take care of business tonight. I don’t like losing especially when we make plays like we did last week but I embrace any type of challenge. The “R” in Tiger Pride is for resilience and that is what I look for these guys to show tonight,” 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 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 players Ean Jones, Ari White, and John Ellis.
The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with play by play coverage on WJLE with John Pryor and color commentary by Luke Willoughby. Listen LIVE on WJLE AM 1480/FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAM at www.wjle.com.