The DeKalb County High School Football team continued to put marks in the win column by overpowering the York Institute Purple Dragons in Jamestown on Friday night. The Tigers won the district 8-AA matchup with a final score of 37-10.
In a fast paced game, the Tigers had only three offensive possessions in the first half, but scored on six of their nine drives in the contest, easily pulling away in the second half.
The Tigers' defense had yet another outstanding game, limiting the Dragons to just one scoring drive that ended with a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter, which tied the game at 3.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard first when place-kicker Zach Taylor made a 47-yard field goal on the Tigers' first possession of the game.
With their third possession of the first half, the Tigers drove down the field for a 12-play, 70-yard drive that was capped off with a 14-yard touchdown run by junior tailback Chris Chapman. With Taylor's PAT being good, the Tigers took the lead 10-3 with just 0:20 remaining in the first half.
The third quarter started with the Tigers having the football first. The Tigers' offense quickly drove down the field scoring a touchdown on a 2-yard pass from Lucas Phillips to Taylor. The score was set up by key receptions by Will Molander and Zach Thompson.
The Dragons were forced to punt on their next possession just after three offensive plays. With the football on their own 42-yard line, the Tigers' wide receiver Zach Taylor scored on a 58-yard pass reception, padding the Tiger lead 24-3.
Once again, the Tiger defense allowed some yardage but did not allow a critical fourth down conversion attempt by the Dragons.
The Tigers took possession, looking to score once more. However, QB Lucas Phillips scrambled out of the pocket as he threw the football down field into the arms of a Dragon cornerback, who then raced 36 yards into the end zone for a pick six, cutting the lead down to 24-10.
The Tigers' offense looked to atone for the Dragons' score by driving down the field with an 8-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Sebastian Phillips' 15-yard reception on third down sparked the offense.
Two plays later, QB Lucas Phillips connected with wide receiver Zach Taylor on a 30-yard pass. After a delay of game penalty on DeKalb, Will Molander took a hand off around the end 30 yards to the Dragons' 7-yard line.
On the next play, QB L. Phillips found an open Zach Thompson in the end zone for Thompson's first score of the night. Zach Taylor's PAT was good and with 9:22 remaining in the game, the Tigers led 31-10.
The Tiger defense came out and stopped the Dragons cold with big tackles made by Ricky Spare, Jake Odom, and Alex Hayes.
York Institute punted yet again, after just three plays. The Tigers took possession of the football on the Dragons' 47-yard line.
Attempting to run out the clock, the Tigers ran the football eight consecutive plays, with Sebastian Phillips scoring from 9 yards out with only 2:48 remaining in the game. Taylor's PAT was no good. However, DeKalb extended their lead 37-10.
The Dragons returned the ensuing kick-off to their own 25-yard line. On their first offensive play, the Dragons fumbled the ball and Tigers defensive tackle, Eli Gill pounced on it, giving the Tigers the football back on the Dragons 25-yard line.
After two plays, the Tigers' coaching staff sent in the reserves. On third down and three, tailback Luke Boss ran for 5 yards and first down.
Two plays later, full back Sam Giles got his first carry of the season picking up 7 yards as time ran out, ending the game with DeKalb on top 37-10.
After the game,  the Review spoke with Head Coach Steve Trapp.
The Smithville Review: The defense played really well, only allowing one score, which was a 24-yard field goal. What are your thoughts?
Tiger Head Coach Steve Trapp: The defense played really well. Coach Bernie, once again, had a plan for what York wanted to do offensively, and that's run the veer option at the midline. He put together a good plan. The guys had to be disciplined and do their job up against that veer option. They got on the field and did a great job. I think we only gave up 102 yards, 30 on a fake punt, and 23 on a run up the middle. Take those two plays out, they really didn't do much against us offensively all night.
Review: Congratulations on another huge win. When Chris Chapman scored his 14-yard touchdown run late in the first half, that seemed to ignite your team and give them momentum for the rest of the game.
Trapp: Definitely, definitely. We did it also offensively. You look at the end of the game and look at the stats, the offense did pretty well. We definitely started slow and that is something that you cannot do as we keep moving further. These teams that we have coming up in our schedule, we have to produce early and often and continue through the game. We scored every possession we had the ball, except for three and then the last possession we let the clock run out. Our offense came around, but definitely getting that score at the end of the half, big run by Chapman, he ran it really well, and gave us our M.O. for the rest of the game as far as running the football and taking advantage of their pressure with some screens. That was big getting in the end zone right there. We got the ball right back in the second half, which was big momentum swing right there, as well as our defense was playing, we felt pretty good going in to half time.
Review: Your offense only had the ball nine times in the game. Your team scored on six of those possessions. It seems that your team made the most of their opportunities to score. 
Trapp: York's game plan was to keep the ball away from us. We only had the ball three times in the first half and we scored on two of them. The possessions when we didn't score, we hurt ourselves on first downs. We had another 40, 50, 60 yards of offense on first down that got called back due to penalties. Two big plays to Zach Thompson got called back due to a lineman down field. One of them, we started scrambling, lineman takes off, you can't fault him for that. The other one, they called Lucas over the line of scrimmage, which on film he was two yards behind the line of scrimmage. I am still baffled by that one. We have to be cleaner. We told the guys all week, especially offensively, we have to be clean, limit our penalties, be good on first downs, and we should be able to produce offensively. When we did that, we produced and when we didn't, we shot ourselves in the foot. We over came it. A lot of guys touched the ball, produced,  and got some stats. It was an overall great team win.
Review: Taylor's leg is outstanding. Can you tell me how it feels, knowing that he can make a long field goal? Does that in anyway change your philosophy once you get close to the end zone?
Trapp: Definitely. If we are inside the 30-yard line, there really isn't any second-guessing. If we don't pick up a first down, we are going to attempt to kick. Friday night, he was close to the 30, and I didn't even ask how long it was. Usually I am on the headset with Coach Shaw asking him how long it is, and he will give me a number. A lot of times if there is a four in it, we are kicking it. I didn't even ask the other night, I just said kick it. After he did, I realized it was a 47-yard kick. He is definitely a weapon. I don't know what else he has to do to get some recognition, as far as, “Kicker of the Year” for Mr. Football. We are going to find out, because this guy has done it all for us this year, even defensively. What he is doing offensively and with kick offs, and all three phases for our football program, makes me happy with him and his performance. He is worthy of this type of recognition. He kicks the football and immediately follows up with the tackle.
Review: You have started 6-1, for the second time in your coaching career, there could be some distractions coming up. What have you said to your players about staying focused, especially in these important upcoming three games?
Trapp: Two of them are huge district games. These last three games are ultimately going to decide what happens in the play-off hunt. Are we going to finish strong and get home play off games? That is something that has never happened. That is something that we want to happen. Are we going to stumble and limp into the playoffs, or are we going to miss the playoffs? Those are all options. One thing is for sure, we are going to talk to our team about this presently being a 3-game season. We are going to approach it like we do every week, one game at a time. This week's game is huge for the fact that it could really jump up our play-off seeding, or it could really knock Macon County down. That is a team that we could possibly see in the playoffs. Ultimately, what other people think and say, we don't play into that a whole lot. We're still not getting the respect that we deserve, and that's fine. I don't care to be considered the underdog. It's more about how we prepare and what we do to get ready and play on Friday, than it is about what other people are saying about how good or bad we are. It's business as usual, it's focusing on the next play, and making sure that we get better day-by-day.
Review: Macon County has a good team again this year. This is an important game, even though they aren't a district opponent. What are your expectations?
Trapp: My expectations for our team is to prepare well all week, like we have done all year, have a great week of practice, and when we show up Friday night, we are going to have a strong physical contest. I think that is one that our team has come to enjoy and play. Our fans come and like watching. How we approach the game and how physical we are in it, is something that is going to continue. Ultimately, we have to look at it day by day, make sure that we prepare well. We don't want to blow this thing out of the water, as far as the hype on the game, but our guys are going to understand how important this game is. And, they embarrassed us pretty bad last year, there is a little bit of a revenge factor, and there is nothing wrong with that. If there is a little extra motivation there, then that the coaches don't have to worry about that, and that is fine. Our guys are going to practice well all week, and they are going to be prepared. It's going to be a great game.
The Tigers play at Macon County Friday night at 7:00 pm. Bundle up in your black and gold, and come support your DCHS Tiger Football Team. Tiger Football apparel can be purchased at the field Thursday afternoon.

TIGER PRIDE!