September 5, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Tigers edged the Stone Memorial Panthers 31 to 30 at Crossville Friday night but that one point victory was all they needed to get a 1-0 start in the race for the regular season region title. After three weeks into the campaign both the Tigers and Panthers are 1-2.
Friday night, September 11 DeKalb County returns home to host the Watertown Purple Tigers. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. and WJLE will have LIVE coverage. Watertown is 2-1 with victories at Gordonsville 14-7 and at Trousdale County 9 to 7 and a 24 to 20 loss at home to Nolensville.
DeKalb County scored first Friday night on a 22 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Axel Aldino to Desmond Nokes, capping a 71 yard drive. Tiger kicker Jasper Kleparek converted the PAT and DC led 7-0 with 9:17 left in the 1st period.
The Panthers cashed in after a Tiger turnover driving 38 yards for a score. Hunter Heavilon scored on a 12 yard touchdown run. The try for the 2 point conversion failed but Stone Memorial was on the board trailing 7 to 6 with 5:13 left in the 1st period.
Tiger Quarterback Axel Aldino broke free on a 54 yard touchdown run with 1:52 left in the 1st period. Kleparek added the PAT and DeKalb County led 14 to 6.
The Tigers extended their lead on a 3 yard touchdown run by Colby Barnes with 8:30 left in the 2nd period capping a 92 yard drive. Kleparek tacked on the extra point and DC led 21-6.
Stone Memorial scored on the ensuing kickoff as Jayden Eldridge raced 82 yards on the return. The conversion attempt failed and the DC lead was cut to 21 to 12 with 8:14 left in the 2nd period.
Tiger Quarterback Aldino scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 16 yard run with 4:42 left in the 2nd period. Kleparek converted the PAT and DeKalb County owned a 28 to 12 advantage.
The Panthers struck again on a 45 yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Flowers with 2:22 left in the half. The conversion try was no good but Stone Memorial trailed by only 10 points at 28-18.
Stone Memorial drew even closer with 12 seconds left in the 2nd period on a 1 yard touchdown run by Hunter Heavilon. The conversion attempt failed but the Panthers had cut the DC lead to 4 at 28-24.
The Panthers took their only lead of the night on a 15 yard touchdown run by Nick Coble with 4:09 left in the 3rd period. The conversion attempt was no good but Stone Memorial grabbed a 30 to 28 advantage.
DeKalb County’s Jasper Kleparek split the uprights on a 32 yard field goal with 3:16 to go in the 3rd period to give the Tigers the lead again and the win 31 to 30.