Defense Shines as Junior Tigers get by Bulldogs, 18-7

It was a tale of two halves for the Junior Tiger Offense Saturday.

Starting out hot, the Junior Tigers put points on the board early and often in the first half of Saturday’s contest against the Fentress County Bulldogs.  The refrigerator came on in the the second

Conner Close led the way for the Tigers Saturday with 72 total yards.

half for the Tigers though, as DeKalb didn’t see the field at all in the 3rd quarter and when they did get a chance in the fourth, a costly turnover ended their drive.

For the defense, Coach Ed Lemons employed a “bend but don’t break” strategy.  Giving up basically only one bad play throughout the game, the Tiger Defense was tested all game long and, in the second half, was on the field for the entire 3rd quarter and much of the 4th.  However, DC held tough, giving up only one touchdown to the Bulldogs in the game and holding their opponent to a paltry 73 yards of total offense.

Mason Winter holds on to a Bulldog wideout Saturday.

Using a running back by committee approach, 6 different Tigers carried the ball for DeKalb.  Conner Close led the way with 53 yards on 3 carries and a touchdown.  Quarterback Briz Trapp, found Close once for 19 yards through the air.

The Tigers wasted no time getting down to business on offense, when Close broke free for a 52 yard touchdown run, to put the Tigers on the board, 6-0.

DeKalb would force a turnover on downs on Fentress County’s opening drive, then rumble 54 yards downfield for the second Tiger score.  This time Mason Winter would run in from 6 yards out to expand the Black and Gold’s lead to 12-0.

DC would again force a Bulldog turnover on downs, putting Trapp and his offense back in business near midfield.  This time it would only take 6 plays before Konner Young would carry the ball in from 4 yards out for a touchdown, giving the Tigers a commanding 18-0 edge.

For DeKalb, that would prove to be it’s final points in the game, but for Gabe Hollingsworth and the Tiger Defense, it was more than enough.

The Tigers would give up their one costly play of the game on the ensuing kickoff, watching as Fentress County would run the ball all the way down to the DeKalb 2 yard line.  The Tiger Defense

Quarterback Briz Trapp airs one out against Fentress County Saturday.

Stetson Agee found room to run against the Bulldogs Saturday

held firm, however, denying Fentress 3 straight times before the Bulldogs could finally punch through for their only score of the contest.  Their conversion attempt was good, and DeKalb took a 18-7 lead into the break.

Neither team scored in the second half, giving DeKalb it’s 4th straight win of the season.

For the game offensively, Konner Young added 39 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, Mason Winter ran 3 times for 33 yards and a touchdown and Stetson Agee added 31 yards on 2 carries.

Defensively, Gabe Hollingsworth was spectacular, ending the game with 6 tackles and a sack.  Ryan Thompson had 4 tackles, Alex Lemons had 3, four Tigers, Briz Trapp, Trey Crabtree, Konner Young, Stetson Agee, Chris Robinson and Conner Close each had two tackles and Mason Winter and Kaleb Spears and Luke Midgett added one apiece.

With the win, the Tigers improve to 4-0 on the season, setting up a showdown this Saturday when the undefeated Crossville Panthers come calling, the winner taking sole possession of first place in the conference.

Konner Young had 39 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers Saturday.