The DeKalb County Tigers held off the Upperman Bees 40-37 Friday night in Smithville to run their season record to 6-1.
After the Bees’ opening drive to start the game stalled, the Tigers took the ball and drove 80 yards for their first score of the night on a three yard touchdown run by Matthew Lawrence with 6:17 left in the first period. Zach Taylor’s P.A.T. attempt was no good but the Tigers led 6-0.
The Bees answered, completing a 57 yard drive on a one yard touchdown run by Quarterback Ty Fields with 2:53 left in the first quarter. The P.A.T. kick by Caleb Robichaud was good and the Bees led 7-6
Upperman added another touchdown on the first play of the second quarter on a six yard quarterback keeper by Ty Fields, capping a 50 yard drive. The P.A.T. attempt by Robichaud was no good but Upperman led 13-6 with 11:54 left in the second period.
DeKalb County marched 68 yards on the ensuing drive and regained the lead with 7:42 left in the second quarter as Quarterback Hunter Poteete rambled 16 yards for a touchdown. The two point conversion pass from Poteete to Ryan Leiser was good and DeKalb County grabbed a 14-13 advantage
Upperman mounted another scoring drive before half time and forged ahead 19 to 14 on a six yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ty Fields to J.T. Burgess with 20 seconds left.
It took only two plays and 18 seconds for the Tigers to get on the scoreboard again. After the Upperman touchdown, the Tigers got the ball on their own 38 yard line to start the drive and John Curtis took the pigskin and threw a pass to Abram Edwards. The catch and run covered 51 yards and put the Tigers in scoring position at the Upperman 11 yard line. Quaterback Hunter Poteete then hooked up with Travon Johnson on the next play for an 11 yard touchdown pass with two seconds remaining in the second quarter. Zach Taylor’s P.A.T kick was good and DeKalb led 21 to 19 at half time.
DeKalb County got the ball to open the third quarter and J.J. Herriott returned the kick to the Upperman 28 yard line. The Tigers later capped the drive scoring on a 13 yard quarterback draw by Hunter Poteete with 8:27 left in the period. The P.A.T. attempt was no good but DeKalb County led 27-19.
Upperman cut the Tiger lead on their next drive, moving 87 yards in several plays. Quarterback Ty Fields’ 12 yard touchdown pass to Brandon Strock put the Bees within 2 points at 27 to 25 with 5:04 left in the third quarter after the two point conversion attempt failed.
The Tigers stretched their lead again late in the third period. Matthew Lawrence capped a drive that began at the Tiger 18 yard line on a one yard touchdown run with 1:49 left. The two point conversion attempt failed but DeKalb County led 33 to 25.
Moving to the fourth quarter, the Bees, facing fourth down and three, scored on a 25 yard touchdown pass play from quarterback Ty Fields to an open receiver with 9:17 left in the game. The two point conversion try failed and DeKalb County clung to a 33 to 31 lead.
DeKalb County’s Matthew Lawrence recovered an Upperman on sides kick at the Bees 35 yard line and the Tigers drove for another score. Quarterback Poteete hooked up with Travon Johnson on a 23 yard touchdown pass play with 8:23 left in the game. Zach Taylor’s P.A.T. kick was good and DeKalb County led 40 to 31.
With 54 seconds left in the game, Upperman scored on a one yard touchdown run by quarterback Ty Fields. The two point conversion try failed and DeKalb County went on to win 40 to 37.
DeKalb County will host the Whitehouse Blue Devils next Friday night, October 17th at 7:30 p.m. in Smithville in an important region game. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.