The Saints continued their march toward the conference playoffs Friday in a day game against the Warren County Pioneers in McMinnville. It was a dominating performance on both sides of the ball as the Saints defeated Warren County, 40-0.
Quarterback, Collin Donnell led the way for the DMS offense rushing for 3 touchdowns, one being a 50-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, and totaling 182 yards on the ground for the Saints. Reed Midgett added 37 yards rushing and a touchdown and Bryson Redmon added a 20-yard receiving touchdown from quarterback Hayden Quarles. Running back Gavin Frazier added another 32 yards on the ground, Elijah Watson had 34 yards and Rocky Cantrell added 4.
As good as DeKalb’s offense looked, the defense might have played even better. For the game, DeKalb not only held the Pioneers scoreless, but also allowed only a single Warren County first down in the contest all while giving up an incredible negative 11 yards of offense in the game.
As dominating as the game was for the Saints, it was an ominous start for DeKalb as Midgett fumbled on the second play of the game to give the ball to the Pioneers at the Pioneer 39-yard line. Warren County would pick up their only first down of the game in the Pioneers first drive but would ultimately be forced to punt the ball back to DeKalb.
DeKalb would then march 62 yards downfield on runs by Donnell, Cantrell and Midgett before Donnell would run in from 7 yards out to put the Saints on the board. Midgett would add the two-point conversion and with a minute gone in the second quarter, the Saints let by 8.
DeKalb would turn Warren County over on downs near mid-field on the Pioneers next possession. Frazier would rush for 11 yards on first down and then Donnell would add 40 yards in two plays, to put the Saints in the end-zone again. William Soto would run in for the Saints’ two-point conversion and with 5:11 left in the second quarter, DeKalb led 16-0.
DeKalb would again turn Warren County over on fourth down on the Pioneers’ 46-yard line. DMS would then put together a seven-play rushing drive, culminating in a Midgett 5-yard touchdown scamper to put the Saints on the board again. Soto would convert again and with 43 seconds left in the half, DeKalb extended its lead, 24-0.
Warren County would get the ball to open the second half and again DeKalb would force a 4-down turnover, setting the Saints up at midfield. Donnell would march DMS down to the 20-yard line on 9 plays before yielding to Quarles on 4th down. Quarles would find Arnold on a 20-yard strike to put the Saints into the endzone again with 1:30 left in the third quarter. Frazier would run in for the two-point conversion, giving the Saints a 32-0 lead.
The Pioneers would get the ball at midfield on their next possession, but a Warren County miscue would cause a 50-yard fumble recovery for Donnell that he would take to the endzone. This time Donnell would throw to Frazier for the two-point conversion and with 35 seconds left in the third quarter, DeKalb led 40-0.
Frazier would intercept Warren County on third down of the Pioneers’ next possession and DeKalb would play its reserves for the rest of the contest and run out the remaining time on the clock and sealing win number 5 for the Saints.
The Saints will play another conference contest at Prescott on Thursday night in Cookeville. Game time is 6:30.
