The DeKalb Middle School Saints were back to their winning ways last week, taking on Smith County in a home game. The game was scheduled as homecoming for DMS, but with rain earlier in the day, the event was rescheduled for their next home game, against Gordonsville on Sept. 25.

The Owls started the game with the first possession at their own 45-yard-line. Smith County looked to score early, and quickly moved the ball into Saints’ territory, but the drive stalled and they had to punt from the 44.

The Saints could do no better on their opening drive. Hampered by a holding penalty, DeKalb would have to punt.

The Owls returned to the Saints’ 47, and moved the ball into the second quarter, seven plays down to the 25. Then, facing a fourth and 12, the Smith County QB was hit in the backfield as he threw, and the pass was incomplete.

The Saints next drive would end with points on the board. Starting from their own 25, Tyler Bundy was handed the ball four times to take the Saints to their own 47. Then, a run by Tanner Poss took them into Owls’ territory at the 45. Another run by Bundy gave them a first down at the 34, then the drive looked as if it would stall. Isaac Hall would get a carry for one yard, followed by Quarterback Colter Norris being sacked back at the 43.

Bundy would take the Saints back to the 31, and there, facing a fourth and eight, DeKalb decided to go for it. A pitch back to Bundy got the first down, keeping the drive alive at the 24. Another run by Poss set DMS up at the 11, and a run by Bundy gave them another yard. A pass interference call against the Owls gave the Saints the ball on the five, then a snap over Colter’s head, led to a sack back at the 11.

Undeterred, Norris made the Owls pay on the next play. A pass to Grayson Redmon was good for six in the end zone. A bad exchange doomed a two-point attempt, but with 14 seconds left in the half, the Saints were up, 6-0.

DeKalb started the third quarter the same way they had left the second. Will Stevens returned the kickoff to the 50, where the Saints began another scoring drive. A pass to Redmon moved DeKalb down to the 20, then runs by Poss and Bundy drove down to the 14. Poss was handed the ball again, and this time he was into the end zone. Bundy was handed the ball next, and he was in for the two-point conversion. The Saints were up 14-0 with 5:28 left in the third.

Smith County was not going to simply go away however, and they soon made the game interesting. Starting at their own 43, the Owls moved seven plays down to the DeKalb eight-yard-line. Backed up by a false start penalty, Smith County next ran the ball, and it was good for a touchdown. A two-point attempt failed, but the Owls were on the board, 6-14.

The Owls next tried some trickery, with an on-side kick attempt, but Isaac Cross fell on the ball at the 50. The Saints would make them pay, and launched a ground assault that would take them back to the end zone.

Luke Bryant started off the drive for a 12-yard first down run, then the ball was handed to Poss and Bundy who drove down to the five. From there, the ball was handed to Poss who took it in for six. A Norris pass fell incomplete for a two-point attempt, but the Saints’ lead increased 20-6 with 6:03 left in the fourth.

Again, the Owls would not give up, and their next drive would put more points on the board. Starting from their own 47, Smith County’s first play landed them on the DeKalb 25. From there, the Saints’ D-line looked to get a stop, but on a fourth and 10 play, a 25-yard pass play gave the Owls six. Once again a running play for two points was stopped, but Smith County was still in the game, 12-20 with 3:41 left in the game.

The Saints proved that they were not finished playing as well. Starting from the 50, the Saints looked to go three-and-out, but on a third and 14 from their own 46, a Norris pass to Josh Carlton was good for 47 yards and a first down. Two plays later, on a second and goal from the five, it was Tanner Poss again for a run for a touchdown. A handoff to Bryant was good for two as he ran into the end zone, and the Saints lead increased, 26-12.

The Owls made a last-gasp surge in the final minutes of the game. Smith County returned the kickoff to their own 39, and on the first play of drive, a 61-yard pass play gave the Owls six more. A two-point run was good, and the Owls had narrowed the score 20-26 with 51 seconds left to play.

As it would turn out, that would be the last time Smith County would have the ball, and the Saints would run the clock down for the 26-20 victory.