Owl Football Produces Productive Weekend
Tigers look to stay in Region 4-3A driver’s seat against Grundy
With a 35-25 win at Sequatchie County this past Friday night, the DeKalb County Tigers put themselves in the driver’s seat for the Region 4-3A Championship, which, if captured, would be the first Region/District Championship in football in school history. The Tigers can take one step closer to that goal this Friday night, as the Grundy County Yellow Jackets visit Smtihville. Football Game Night will have all the action on DTC3 and www.dtc3.tv at 6:45 p.m. this Friday night. Kickoff of the game is at 7:00 p.m. Join Tom Duggin, Darvin Gill and the coach, Chris Vance, for all the coverage LIVE from the VanHooser Stadium in Smithville.
DeKalb County (5-2, 3-0 Region) has won four of their last five games after last Friday’s win, with most of their victories coming down to the wire. The Tigers held a two possession lead for much of the night in Dunlap, but the Indians had the ball late in the final quarter, after having closed the gap to 28-25. A.J. Mooneyham ran for a pair of touchdowns, while QB Steven Jennings both threw and ran for a score. Jesse Smith scampered in for the Tigers’ other score in the game. The Tigers are currently tied with Upperman for first place in the Region 4-3A standings. DeKalb County is scheduled to visit Baxter on October 23, in what might prove to be the Region Championship game.
Grundy County (1-5, 1-1 Region) is coming off their bye week, after having lost three consecutive games. The Yellow Jackets are winless on the road this season (0-3), having averaged only six points per game on the road. Grundy’s lone win of the season came at home against Cannon County on September 4, when the Jackets recorded a 37-14 victory over the Region rival Lions. Grundy County’s run heavy offense averages approximately 166.5 yards on the ground per game, led by James McDaniel’s 433 yards and four scores.
DeKalb County and Grundy County have met 11 times since 1972, but have not squared off on the gridiron since 1994. The Yellow Jackets own a 7-4 overall lead int he series, and are 3-2 against DeKalb County in Smithville. Grundy won the last four meetings in the series and seven of the last eight overall. The Tigers won the first three meetings in the series, in 1972, 73 and 75. DeKalb County’s last win in the series came in 1985, which was a 27-0 shutout. The two teams played in the 1990 Walking Horse Bowl in Shelbyville, a 21-20 win for the Yellow Jackets. The last meeting was in Smithville in 1994, a game won by Grundy County, 31-12.
DTC Sports will begin coverage of high school football on Friday night with Armchair Quarterbacks, airing at 6:00 p.m. (AQ also airs Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.), with LIVE coverage of Football Game Night following from the Dr. John L. VanHooser Memorial Stadium in Smithville at 6:45 p.m. Watch local high school football exclusively on DTC3, DTC3 HD (channel 303) and live via web stream at www.dtc3.tv.
Cougars Slip By Tigers
Needing a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Gordonsville went to Murfreesboro to take on newcomer to the region Middle Tennessee Christian School this past Friday night and dropped the decision by a single point; 13-12. With the loss, Gordonsville’s overall record stands at 1-5 and 1-3 within the region. With four region games left to play, another loss would more than likely dash all hopes of getting a playoff bid.
A game hampered by poor weather conditions turned into a defensive struggle that produced several punts, loss of downs on 4th down attempts, four turnovers, a blocked punt, and a muffed punt. With an off and on steady drizzle coupled with a constant, brisk wind created a problem with footing for both teams. The stiff wind seem to affect deep thrown passes and the handling of punts. This was evidenced as running backs from both teams slipped and stumbled as they lost traction on their cuts as trying to abruptly change their direction. Also several passes were dropped due to what seemed like a slick football.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Cougars got on the board after going 87 yards in 11 plays as QB Joseph Peck hit wide-out Trey Hickey on a 35-yard pass play. Placekicker Asfaw Puddy hit the extra point. Middle Tennesse Christian led 7-0 with 2:58 left in the 2nd quarter. Then a mini-barrage of scoring took place to end the first half. Gordonsville turned the ball over on downs at the Cougar 45 yard line with only 1:27 to play in the half. The Cougars’ next play ended with a Joseph Peck pass attempt picked off by Gordonsville’s Jesse Meadows, and he returned the ball to inside the Cougars’ 15 yard line. Two plays later Damian Davis connected with Dylan Askew on a 14 yard scoring strike. The extra point attempt was no good, and the score was 7-6 with 50 seconds left in the half. On Middle Tennessee Christian’s next and final possession they marched down to the Tigers’ 17 yard where their place kicker, Asfaw Puddy, nails a 34-yard field goal as time expires. 10-6 at the halfway mark.
Gordonsville’s first two possessions of the second half ended in disaster as they turned the ball over on fumbles. The first fumble was very disappointing as the Tigers moved from their own 40 to just inside the Cougars’ 10 yard line. The next Tiger turnover was more costly as they fumbled near mid-field, and the Cougars capitalized by moving deep inside the Gordonsville’s 10 yard line but had to settle for a second Puddy field goal of 21 yards. 13-6 Cougars lead. Gordonsville wasted no time as on the second play of their next possession Jesse Meadows scampers 58 yards around the left side and eludes several would be tacklers to go into the end zone for the six points. Gordonsville’s attempt to take the lead on a two point conversion attempt fell short as Jay Vaden’s pass attempt to Bill Holder was unsuccessful. 1:52 left in the 3rd Quarter; 13-12 Middle Tennessee Christian clinging to a one point lead.
Both teams’ defenses stood tall to close out the game. Gordonsville got deep inside Cougar territory on a couple occasions, but miss timing on several plays caused them to move backwards and stall out on those drives.
The Tigers return home to face a familiar foe this Friday as they will face Monterey for a crucial region matchup. Start time 7:00 p.m.
Tigers’ Homecoming Bedeviled by Jo Byrns
All aspirations of a homecoming victory over visiting Jo Byrns were dashed as the Red Devils from Robertson County used a steady dose of smash-mouth offense, and a stingy defense that secured them a region win. With the win, Jo Byrns moves to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the region while Gordonsville drops to 1-4, 1-2.
Gordonsville’s defense looked stellar in the first quarter as they held Jo Byrns on two loss of down series, and their offense put the initial points on the board. Jo Byrns moved the ball well on their first two possessions, but the Tiger defense held on fourth down tries by the Red Devils. The Tiger offense struck quickly toward the end of the first quarter with a 56 yard pass by Damian Davis to Jay Vaden that made the score
6-0 with 2:11 to go in that 1st quarter. That lead was short-lived as Jo Byrns scored on the first play of their next possession: Connor Cathey hit Wyatt Holt on a 60 yard bomb with Cathey kicking the extra point. After holding Gordonsville to a 3 and out on their next possession, Jo Byrns went on a 14 play drive that covered 67 yards and took nearly 8 minutes off the clock as Sammy Earheart plunged in from 4 yards. The extra point attempt was no good. Jo Byrns 13, Gordonsville 6 at the half.
The second half was owned by Jo Byrns as they put twenty-two points on the board and forced three Gordonsville turnovers.
The Red Devils’ ground game ate up the real estate as well as the clock as they had three separate running backs score touchdowns.
Earheart put his 2nd td on the board rushing for 4 yards,Herring ran one in from 6
yards out to make the score 28-6 at the end of the 3rd Quarter. Red Devils’ workhorse Mike Chennault capped off Jo Byrns scoring for the evening with a 28 yard run to make the final score 35-6.
Chennault lead all rushing with 112 yards on 18 carries followed with Sammy Earheart with 47 yards on 14 rushes. Wyatt Holt and Eric Herring had 38 yards each rushing. Connor Cathey was 7 out of 11 for 130 yards with Parker Baxley catching 5 passes for 26 yards and that big grab of 60 yards by Holt for the 1st quarter td.
The Red Devils’ defense forced four turnovers and limited the Gordonsville offense to under 170 yards of offense. Tiger quarterback Damian Davis was 7 out of 14 for 109 yards with Jay Vaden contributing 59 yards while Dylan Askew had 2 catches for 26 yards. Justin Vaden, Bill Washer and Braxton Givens had one catch each. Givens lead Gordonsville in rushing with 22 yards on 7 carries as they were held to less than 60 yards.
Gordonsville travels to Murfreesboro on Friday to take on the Cougars of Middle Tennessee Christian School with start time of 7 p.m.
See photo album below:
SCHS Rocked by Stone Memorial
The Stone Memorial Panthers and the Smith County Owls played head to head last Friday night. The Panthers were able to remain undefeated with a 33 – 13 win over the Owls, leaving the Owls with a current standing of 3 – 3.
The Owls will face Cannon Co. Oct. 2nd for their Homecoming game. The Smith County High School Homecoming Parade will be streamed LIVE by Smith County Insider. Click HERE to watch on Friday, October 2, at 2 p.m.
See photo album below:
LIVE Video Coverage of the Smith County Middle School Semi-Final Playoff Game
LIVE Video Coverage of the Smith County Middle School Semi-Final Playoff Game on Tuesday, September 29, at 6:15 p.m.
This event will be brought to you by Josh Kirby with Blackwell Realty & Auction and Bass Funeral Homes.
Seniors Honored as Lady Owls Take Down Blue Devils
The Lady Owls faced off against the Jackson County Blue Devils in a re-match at home on Thursday night. Forward Abby Smith led Smith County off to a great start by scoring back to back goals a minute apart with assists from Katy Wright and Abbi Gregory in only 8 minutes into the game. Lady Owls were able to put one more point on the board as Katy Wright found the net at minute 32 with a halftime score of 3-0. During Halftime we honored our 5 seniors: Lena Broyles 16, Savannah Wright 25, Julia Pardue 24, Katie Fox 18 and Delani Harrelson 19.
At the start of the second half the Lady Owls kept on the pressure by adding another quick goal by Savannah Wright with an assist from Mai Harrelson. Smith County continued on and added another final goal when they were awarded a Penalty Kick for a foul in the box. The PK was taken by Senior Savannah Wright. Play continued until the Blue Devils were awarded their own PK for a foul in the box. Leaving the game at 5-1 for the night. The season for the Lady Owls is now 11-0-0. They travel to White County on Thursday.
Quote from Coach Bubba Dunbar, “Tonight we honored our seniors for their hard work and commitment. This was a great game to let them just play and have fun. The younger girls played hard and enjoyed this time with the seniors.”
Smith Co. hosts Cannon Co. in another Football Game Night Homecoming Clash
For the second week in a row, the DTC Sports crew will bring Football Game Night to an area team’s Homecoming festivities. This week, Carthage will be the location, as the Smith County Owls will celebrate Homecoming again Region 4-3A foe, Cannon County. Football Game Night will air on DTC3 and www.dtc3.tv at 6:45 p.m. this Friday night. Kickoff of the game is at 7:00 p.m. Join Tom Duggin, Darvin Gill and the coach, Chris Vance, for all the coverage LIVE from Owl Stadium in Carthage.
After winning three of their first four games to open the season, Smith County (3-3, 0-2 Region) has dropped back-to-back games, at DeKalb County (36-29) and home against Stone Memorial (33-13), this past Friday night. Still, the Owls have already equaled last season’s win total, and are looking to thrust themselves into the Region 4-3A playoff race with a win this week. The Owls are averaging 23.2 points per game, while allowing 22.0 points. Smith County’s offense has leaned more toward the run game, as the team has averaged 145.2 yards per game rushing, and 116.0 yards through the air. Top tailback Dusten Holder has been sidelined with an injury, but continues to lead the team with 477 yards on 83 carries with four touchdowns. Holder’s status for Friday night is questionable. QB Carson Hackett has rushed for 195 yards on 56 carries with six touchdowns, while he has thrown for 696 yards and an additional seven touchdowns.
Cannon County (0-6, 0-3 Region) is still looking for their first win of the 2015 season, after a 70-12 throttling by Region 4-3A foe, Upperman, this past Friday night. The Lions are averaging 10.2 points per game, while allowing 46.2 points. The Lions are led in their ground game by tailback Austin Brock, who has rushed for over 200 yards for the season, including 65 yards on 15 carries against the Bees. QB Brady Page has stood out in the passing game for Cannon County, and threw for 204 yards and a pair of scores last Friday night. Page’s favorite targets have been senior wideout Jeremy Litchford and tight end Bo Bryson.
The Owls and Lions have previously met 32 times, dating back to 1957, when Cannon County High School was known as Woodbury High (the school changed to Cannon County High School in 1984). Smith County owns a 27-5 lead in the overall series, and have won 17 of the last 19 meetings. The Lions however, upset Smith County 21-13 in Woodbury last season, which proved to be Cannon County’s lone win of the 2014 campaign. Smith County won the last meeting in Carthage, 54-0, in 2013.
DTC Sports will begin coverage of high school football on Friday night with Armchair Quarterbacks, airing at 6:00 p.m. (AQ also airs Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.), with LIVE coverage of Football Game Night following from Owl Stadium in Carthage at 6:45 p.m. Watch local high school football exclusively on DTC3, DTC3 HD (channel 303) and live via web stream at www.dtc3.tv.
Lady Owls Tame Livingston Wildcats
The Lady Owls travelled to Livingston Academy on Tuesday, September 22, night to face the Wildcats in Smith County’s final district game of the season. The Wildcats put the pressure on by scoring within 14 minutes of play. The Lady Owls knew they had to play solid defense to hold Livingston from scoring again. The game was 0-1 at halftime.
Coaches Dunbar and Smith were able to make some changes to the forwards and midfield at the start of the second half and it finally paid off. Defender Lena Broyles launched the ball into the box from a set piece and as the goalie missed, forward Abby Smith was able to strike it into the goal finally putting the Lady Owls on the board with 1-1 at the 50th minute. The girls seemed to have a renewed purpose and drive as they attacked Livingston again and again by winning the ball in the midfield.
They were rewarded for their hard work and effort when Abbi Gregory laid off a pass to Katy Wright as she played a chip shot from 35 yards out that dropped just over the goalie’s head into the back of the net at the 64th minute of the game. The Lady Owls stood strong on defense keeping the game 2-1 and adding yet another win to their impressive season of 10-0-0.
When asked how he felt about Tuesday’s game, Coach Dunbar said, “I’m proud of our girls for coming back and winning a tough battle. We proved tonight there is no quit in this team and we’re gonna battle til the end.”
DeKalb welcomes Macon for Homecoming on Football Game Night
The DeKalb County Tigers and Macon County Tigers have met every season since 1991, and this year will not be an exception. The two longtime rivals will continue their series for a 25th consecutive season this Friday night, as DeKalb County will host their Tiger namesakes in their annual Homecoming game. DTC Sports will be on hand for DCHS’ 2015 Homecoming, as Football Game Night will air on DTC3 and www.dtc3.tv at 6:45 p.m. this Friday night. Kickoff of the game is at 7:00 p.m. Join Tom Duggin, Darvin Gill and the coach, Chris Vance, for all the coverage LIVE from Smithville.
Macon County (3-2) moved up to Class 4A for this season and currently resides in Region 5-4A. The Tigers opened their season with a 20-14 loss to DeKalb’s Region 4-3A rival, Smith County, before reeling off wins in three of their past four games, including a 28-7 win over Maplewood last Friday night. The Tigers are led by athletic sophomore QB Seth Carlisle, who has 560 yards rushing, 239 yards passing and six total touchdowns in four of Macon County’s five games. Running back Matt Austin has an additional 306 rushing yards and five scores, while a stingy Tiger defense has allowed only 243 yards per game.
DeKalb County (4-1) is coming off their third straight down to the wire victory, as the Tigers fended off Smith County, 36-29, in the final seconds of last Friday night’s game. The Tigers also own wins over Warren County, York Institute and Cumberland County, with their lone loss coming to undefeated Stone Memorial in Class 4A. Tiger QB Steven Jennings has thrown for over 1,000 yards and 9 TDs through the first five games of the season, and has run for an additional 449 yards and five scores. Jennings’ favorite target has been junior Matthew Poss, who has caught 21 passes for 431 yards and 4 TDs.
DeKalb County and Macon County have met 26 previous times, dating back to the 1985 football season. DeKalb owns a 17-9 lead in the overall series, which has featured several streaks over the years. DeKalb County won the first six meetings in the series and 10 of the first 11, from 1985-1999. Macon County then won seven straight from 2000-06, while DeKalb County has won seven of the past eight meetings, including the last four. The Black and Gold Tigers won last year’s contest, 42-7, in Smithville.
DTC Sports will begin coverage of high school football on Friday night with Armchair Quarterbacks, airing at 6:00 p.m. (AQ also airs Thursday night at 6:00 p.m.), with LIVE coverage of Football Game Night following from the Dr. John L. VanHooser Memorial Stadium in Smithville at 6:45 p.m. Watch local high school football exclusively on DTC3, DTC3 HD (channel 303) and live via web stream at www.dtc3.tv.
