GROWING PAINS; Owls struggle against border rival DeKalb

By Terry Collins Courier Sports

CARTHAGE — The Smith County High Owls football team played its second straight home game to start the 2024 season last Friday night against DeKalb County.

The Class 4A Tigers used two scores each in the middle two quarters to post a 35-6 win to improve their mark to 2-0. 

Cecil Ketchum led the Tigers’ attack with 17 rushed for 155 yards and a touchdown as 118 of those yards came in the second half. 

Jordan Parker threw for 113 yards and two scores and also added a third score on the ground. 

Ryan Lyons had four catches for 61 yards with touchdown receptions of 18 and 27 yards.

Smith Co. had 197 yards in the game with 121 of that coming in the final two quarters. 

Smith Co. had 139 yards on the ground led by freshman Kaiden Mason with 12 carries for 61 yards and the hosts only score. 

Quarterback Riley Martin threw for 58 yards as Jermaine Cason had four catches for 36 yards. 

The Owls’ defense had an excellent first quarter as they did not give up a first down and only yielded 18 yards. 

The Owls’ offense had three drives but had three costly penalties which kept them from sustaining a drive.

“I’m proud of the way our guys fought for four quarters,” said Smith County head football coach Matt Dyer. “We played hard and that is what we ask our guys to do every week, is play hard and do your best at full speed. We didn’t execute to the best is our abilities. 

Dyer continued, “Dekalb is a good 4A team and full of seniors and juniors. We did some good things throughout the game, but just were not consistent enough. We still need to be more physical and a little tougher, and tackle better. We are still a young team and are having to grow up fast against really good competition this season. We will continue to get better each and every week. Our guys will continue to gain valuable experience with each game.”

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