Tigers Fall in Season Opener to Pioneers

August 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

The season opener was not what the DeKalb County Tigers had hoped for Friday night as the Warren County Pioneers came to Smithville and left with a 30 to 24 victory in this annual border rivalry showdown.

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It was the 16th straight meeting between these two programs since 2005 and Warren County leads the series in wins during that stretch 9 to 7.

The Tigers never led in the game.

Warren County scored on its first play from scrimmage as Pioneer Quarterback C.J. Taylor raced 53 years for a touchdown with 11:42 left in the 1st period. Kicker Steven Tony Curtis tacked on the extra point for a 7-0 Warren County lead.

After a Tiger turnover, Warren County mounted another scoring drive as Taylor again rambled 50 yards for his second TD of the night with 5:10 left in the 1st period. Curtis added the PAT and the Pioneers led 14-0.

DeKalb County answered with 2:06 left in opening period on a 30 yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Axel Aldino to Isaac Knowles. The PAT attempt by Aldino was no good and the Pioneers lead was cut to 14-6.

Warren County extended its lead with 8:36 left in the 2nd period as Taylor found his target on a 21 yard touchdown pass. Curtis added the extra point and the Pioneers held a 21-6 advantage.

The Tigers answered with 1:49 left in the 2nd period as Aldino found Desmond Nokes on a 20 yard touchdown pass. The 2 point conversion attempt failed and DeKalb County trailed 21-12 at halftime.

After exchanging fumbles early in the 3rd period, DeKalb County cut the gap on a touchdown strike from Aldino to T.J. Alexander with 11:37 left in the period. The 2 point conversion try failed but the Tigers were down by only 3 at 21-18.

Warren County extended its lead to 24-18 on a 31 yard field goal by Curtis with 7:03 left in the 3rd period and then took a two score advantage with 7:55 left in the 4th period after Taylor took it in on a 1 yard plunge. The PAT by Curtis put the Pioneers on top 30-18.

The Tigers added one more score with 3:46 left in the game as Alexander caught a 15 yard touchdown pass from Aldino. The extra point attempt was no good and DeKalb County lost 30 to 24.

The Tigers will host the Upperman Bees next Friday night in Smithville. WJLE will have LIVE coverage. Upperman lost at Cookeville Thursday night 28-0.

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