The DeKalb Middle School Saints are in the driver’s seat for a region title as they survived their trip to Trousdale County, emerging with a 20-16 win and a spotless 4-0 record.

“We slacked the first half.

Timid. Weak,” said Saints Head Coach Justin Poteete of the hard-fought victory against the conference foe last Tuesday. “We came out in the second half, got punched in the mouth and were down 10 and gritted it out.”

Poteete said the close call tells him the Saints need to work on the entire game so they don’t dig a hole they cannot get out of.

“We need to play four quarters,” Potette said as he oversaw his team’s contact drills Thursday in front of the middle school.

The win means the Saints are in good shape as far as making the conference playoffs. “Right now we’re sitting in the driver’s seat but we've got to win out. A loss could ruin everything. We've got to beat Baxter Thursday and Macon in two weeks. That’ll leave us in first as long as we handle business.”

Under the conference playoff system, the top team from one side of the conference will play the second-ranked team from the other side of the conference. Four total teams make the playoffs, those being the two highest ranked teams on either side of the conference.

Andrew Vickers and Colby Barnes scored touchdowns in the win at Trousdale. Barnes went over the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season with 21 carries for 144 yards.

Josh May carried the ball 12 times for 94 yards. The Saints play their next game at home against Baxter Thursday. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.