November 7, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
After spotting the Spring Hill Raiders the first 9 points, the DeKalb County Tigers took control of the game and won 38 to 15 Friday night at home on opening night of the TSSAA football playoffs.
The Tigers (7-3) will host the Nolensville Knights (6-3) in the second round of the playoffs next Friday night, November 13 in Smithville. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage.
After pinning the Tigers at the DC 1 yard line following a punt early in the 1st period, the Raiders got on the board as Avery Worstell sacked Tiger quarterback Axel Aldino in the endzone for a safety with 10:10 left in the quarter. Spring Hill led 2-0.
The Raiders got their 1st touchdown of the game with 5:55 left in the 1st period on a 30 yard pass from quarterback Luka Boylan to Jaylen Rucker on a 4th & 10 play completing a 45 yard drive.
Brett Hughes added the extra point and the Raiders led 9-0.
DeKalb County ‘s offense then got in gear as Aldino launched a 10 yard touchdown pass to Nathaniel Crook with 4:15 left in the opening period. Jasper Kleparek knocked home the extra point and the Tigers trailed 9-7.
Aldino got the next Tiger points on a 3 yard touchdown run with 11:53 in the 2nd period. Kleparek tacked on the extra point to give DeKalb County a 14-9 lead.
DC extended its advantage with 8 seconds left before halftime on a 1 yard Aldino quarterback keeper and the PAT by Kleparek put the Tigers out front 21-9.
In the 4th period Colby Barnes scored on a 5 yard touchdown run for the Tigers with 10:57 left and with Kleparek’s extra point DeKalb County owned a 28-9 lead.
A 21 yard field goal by Kleparek with 5:51 left in the game gave the Tigers a 31-9 cushion and then a 1 yard Aldino touchdown run with 30 seconds to go followed by Kleparek’s PAT made the score 38-9 in favor of the home team.
Spring Hill scored on the last play of the game as Landen Secrest rambled 65 yards for a touchdown but the DeKalb County Tigers prevailed winning 38-15.