It wasn’t pretty at times, but the Saints got another conference win Thursday night when they traveled to Cookeville to take on the Prescott South Bulldogs.  The Saints have been such a dynamic team in 2024 that, while the final score was 32-6, and the game was never in doubt, for much of the game the Saints seemingly struggled more than they have since the first game of the season. Game time temperatures could have played a part in both teams’ sluggishness, as many sporting events around the region adjusted their times back because of the mid-90’s weather the area has been experiencing as of late. 

The Saints were much more balanced offensively in the game, gaining 305 yards of total offense, 121 yards of it through the air.  Collin Donnell was 3 of 5 for 22 yards passing and Hayden Quarles was 4-5 for 99 yards and a touchdown passing.  Levi Cripps caught a touchdown and had 56 yards receiving in the game.  Wideout, Rocky Cantrell had his best game of the season offensively with 6 receptions for 65 yards in the game. 

While the passing game was improved for the Saints, DeKalb’s running attack was still the focus.  Donnell led the way on the ground for the Saints, rushing 7 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns.  Gavin Frazier also had an impressive game offensively, running 5 times for 81 yards and a score. 

Defensively, DeKalb was solid, giving up 1 touchdown and 65 yards of offense.  53 yards and the touchdown of that total came on the last drive for Prescott; however, this was the most yards allowed by the Saints defense all season.

For the second week in a row, the Saints began with an ominous start when Prescott recovered the opening kickoff after DeKalb couldn’t cover the kick.  The Saints defense would force a four and out, though, giving the ball back to the offense at DeKalb’s 33-yard line.  Four straight runs from Donnell would give DeKalb a first down at the 44 yard-line.  The next play Quarles would find Cripps on a 56-yard touchdown strike to put the Saints on the board with 3:07 left in the first quarter.  Donnell would run in the 2-point conversion giving the Saints an 8-0 lead.

DeKalb would force a Prescott punt on the Bulldogs’ next drive and would take over at their own 45-yard line.  After being tackled for a 3-yard loss, Frazier would take the second snap 56 yards to the endzone to expand DeKalb’s lead.  Donnell would again run in the 2-point conversion and with 1:01 left in the first quarter, DeKalb’s lead was 16-0.

Both teams would punt on their next series and Prescott would turn the ball over on downs at the DeKalb 34-yard line with just under a minute left in the first half.  Donnell and Quarles would march the Saints down to the 3- yard line but time would expire before they could punch the ball in. 

Prescott would fumble on their first series of the second half, setting DeKalb up at its own 44-yard line.  DeKalb would put together it’s most impressive drive of the game, marching 55 yards downfield in 7 plays, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown scamper from Donnell.  This time Frazier would run the 2-point conversion in, and with 2:09 left in the third quarter, DeKalb upped its lead to 24-0. 

DeKalb would force another Prescott punt on the Bulldogs’ next drive and would set up for business again at the Saints’ 38-yard line.  Frazier would run twice before Donnell would find a hole and run 54 yards for another DeKalb score.  William Soto would run in the conversion and with 6:20 left in the game, DeKalb led 32-0.

Prescott would mount an 8-play, 53-yard drive of its own, scoring as time expired to avoid the shutout.  The Bulldogs would miss the extra point attempt, ending the game with a 32-6 victory for the Saints.

The Saints will return home for Eighth Grade night on September 5th, as DeKalb will face Upperman in their last regular season home game of the season.  Game time is 6:30.