DCHS Tigers to Play Rare Thursday Night Game (Tonight) Against Livingston Academy at Tennessee Tech (Listen to WJLE’s Tiger Talk Program Here)

September 30, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County Tigers will play a rare Thursday night game tonight. The matchup features the Tigers and Livingston Academy at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. Kick-Off is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

https://www.wjle.com/tiger-talk/

The game was originally scheduled at Livingston for Friday night but was changed because Tennessee Tech is where the Wildcats are playing their home football games this season.

The Tigers enter this game at 3-2 while the Wildcats are 0-6. None of their games have been close. Livingston Academy has lost to White County 40-0, Cookeville 42-0, Stone Memorial 49-12, York Institute 35-18, Macon County 37-0, and Jackson County 21-0.

DeKalb County has defeated Smith County 33-14, Cumberland County 35-10, and Cannon County 49-7. Tiger losses have been to Macon County 32-29 and Watertown 38-20

The Tigers are coming off an impressive 49-7 homecoming win over Cannon County last week and Tiger Coach Steve Trapp couldn’t have been more pleased.

“I am really proud of the team. It all starts up front with the offensive linemen. Our offensive scheme has been a little bit different the last couple of weeks with wide receiver Isaac Knowles at quarterback instead of Briz Trapp who has been injured but they (linemen) have been able to put that hand in the dirt and come off the ball and move some guys around. I think they have done a really good job with that. Two weeks in a row we’ve had over 350 yards rushing and multiple rushing touchdowns with a few passes in there. Its good to see that as well because you know how much I like seeing that ball in the air. Its not that we are calling different plays its just we are attacking defenses a different way and our guys have bought into it and are doing a really great job,” said Coach Trapp.

As for Livingston Academy, “ They have struggled. They have played six games and have been shutout in four of them. Although they are a younger football team one thing that has stood out to me is that those guys play hard all the way from the start to the end. You can see the adjustments their coaches are making from week to week and we must be prepared for something maybe we haven’t seen but if we focus on ourselves and be clean, good defensively, and continue the offensive trend we have had the last couple of weeks I believe we will be successful,” Coach Trapp said.

The Region standings are as follows:

Macon County 5-1 (2-0)
Upperman 5-1 (2-0)
Stone Memorial 4-2 (1-1)
DeKalb County 3-2 (1-1)
Cumberland County 3-3 (0-2)
Livingston Academy 0-6 (0-2)

WJLE’s pre-game shows begin with the Fearless Forecasters at 4:30 p.m.

“Murphy’s Matchups” airs at 6 p.m. featuring the Guru of Tennessee High School Football Murphy Fair.

“Tiger Talk” begins at 6:30 p.m. featuring DCHS Coach Steve Trapp and Tiger Football Players Diego Coronado, Shadie Rankhorn, and Holden Trapp.

WJLE’s “LIVE” play by play coverage starts at 7 p.m. with the Voice of the Tigers John Pryor and Luke Willoughby.

LISTEN LIVE ON WJLE AM 1480/ FM 101.7 and LIVE STREAMING at www.wjle.com.

September 30, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Chad Kirby remains the leader on WJLE’s Fearless Forecasters panel picking winners through the first four weeks of the college football season.

Kirby owns an overall record of 39-21.

Grant James had the best single week record last week at 11-4 followed by Scott Brown and Chad Kirby each at 10-5, Ricky Atnip, Jared Davis, Scott Goodwin, and John Pryor each at 9-6 and Eli Gill 8-7

Overall, Grant James is in second place behind Kirby after four weeks at 37-23 followed by Jared Davis 36-24, Ricky Atnip 34-26, Scott Brown and Scott Goodwin each at 33-27 and Eli Gill and John Pryor each at 31-29.

Five forecasters hit their underdog picks last week. Grant James got 4 points as Wake Forest upset Virginia 37-17. Ricky Atnip picked up 6.5 points with Notre Dame’s win over Wisconsin 41-13. Jared Davis added 10 points with N.C. State’s victory over Clemson 27-21. Chad Kirby got 10.5 points as Oregon State upended USC 45-27 and John Pryor got on the board with 5.5 points as Arkansas defeated Texas A&M 20-10.

Jared Davis maintains his lead for the most underdog points after four weeks at 29.5 followed by Ricky Atnip 19, Chad Kirby 10.5, Grant James 9.5, Eli Gill and Scott Brown each with 7, and John Pryor with 5.5 points.

Today (Thursday) the Forecasters will be picking winners in the following games:

Michigan at Wisconsin, Cincinnati at Notre Dame, Iowa at Maryland, Virginia at Miami, Texas at TCU, Baylor at Oklahoma State, Arizona State at UCLA, Auburn at LSU, Arkansas at Georgia, Florida at Kentucky, Ole Miss at Alabama, Mississippi State at Texas A&M. Connecticut at Vanderbilt, Tennessee at Missouri, and in the NFL the Tennessee Titans at the New York Jets.

The program is sponsored by the Charles D. Atnip Realty and Auction Company, Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, FirstBank, DeKalb County Insurance, Davis Auto Body, Gill Automotive, Love-Cantrell Funeral Home, and Dominos Pizza.

Catch the Fearless Forecasters today (Thursday) at 4:30 p.m. on WJLE.

September 29, 2021
By:

The blues takes center stage in the country Saturday, Oct. 2 for some down home fun under the stars at the inaugural Center Hill Blues Fest. The family and pet friendly event will be held at the Burlap Room Beer Garden and Tap Room on the scenic grounds of Bert Driver Nursery in Smithville, DeKalb County.

“We’re thrilled to have Jackie Venson headline our inaugural Blues Fest,” says event organizer and host Bert Driver. “She carries on the tradition of Texas greats like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Stevie Rae Vaughan with her own uniquely soulful style of guitar and singing.”

Venson (www.jackievenson.com) has been featured on her hometown’s Austin City Limits, released several critically acclaimed albums, and is currently on a national tour. She hits the stage around 8pm, backed by drummer Rodney “Rodzilla” Hyder. The music begins around 6pm when openers, Few Miles On (www.fewmilesonband.com), a power trio out of Cookeville, crank up the festivities with their
Southern blues groove.

“Throughout the year, at events like our Earth Day, Lake Fest, Hemp Fest, and Crawfish Boil
we’ve highlighted a range of American musical traditions: bluegrass, Southern and classic rock,
R&B, jazz and the sounds of New Orleans,” says Driver. “Blues is the root of them all, and with
the Center Hill Blues Fest we want to give this seminal style the celebration it deserves.”

Representatives of Nashville’s new Museum of African American Music (www.nmaam.org) will
also be on hand to promote the museum and its special mission during the Blues Fest. “We’re
proud to have an opportunity to help spread awareness of a museum dedicated to music and
performers we all love,” says Driver.

Gates for the Center Hill Blues Fest open at 4:00 PM. The music starts around 6:00 PM with
Jackie Venson slated to hit the stage around 8:00 PM. For more information call 615-597-9560.