By GALE CAVNESS
pressbox1.com

DYERSBURG – When local rivals Dyersburg and Dyer County met Friday night, it had all the makings of a super showdown.

And, like so many classics, a disaster for one team turned into a celebration for the other.

Dyer County built an early lead, battled from behind in the final quarter to regain the upper hand and took advantage of a late Dyersburg turnover to claim a 24-21 triumph.

Along with knocking the second-ranked Trojans from the ranks of the unbeaten, the DC win not only secured the Region 7-3A crown for the sixth-ranked Choctaws, but also spoiled annual homecoming activities at DHS.

As the Dyer County club gathered in the south end zone for its post-game celebration, school administrators and fans joined in the jubilation.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the kids,” Choctaws head coach Adam Renshaw said following the victory. “They kept playing the game. They never quit. They played their hearts out.”

Dyer County assistant coach Frankie King added an emotional shout to the celebration: “Pinch me, please, I think I’m dreaming!”

A crowd estimated at 5,000 packed J.C. Sawyers Stadium for the showdown. The seating sections filled early and fans stood anywhere they could to see the two state-ranked rivals square off for the region title and post-season playoff positioning.

With every other team in the region already stuck with at least two losses, Friday night’s winner was assured the top spot with the loser to settle in as the runner-up.

Led by senior quarterback Adam Clark, the visiting Choctaws scored 17 points in the first quarter and held a 10-point advantage as play moved into the second stanza. Clark scored the game’s opening points on a scamper from the 13 on DC’s initial possession. After recovering a DHS fumble at the Trojans 31, the guests tacked on a 37-yard field goal by Gabriel Millan to build a 10-point cushion.

Rashad Taylor showed his explosive speed on Dyersburg’s ensuing possession, scoring on first down on a 63-yard burst around the left end to trim DC’s lead to three.

Late in the quarter, Clark hit Kyle King with a four-yard scoring strike and the visitors were up 17-7.

Senior quarterback Logan Parker led a Dyersburg rally with big rushing plays and a pair of second-quarter touchdowns of his own. After scoring on a five-yard run, he later added a one-yard scoring play that put the Trojans up 21-17 at intermission.

Following a scoreless third quarter, the Choctaws regained the lead with a long TD march in the final frame.

Dyer County put together an 11-play, 90-yard drive that culminated in a 10-yard scoring strike from Clark to Erick Bernard with 8:09 remaining in the game. Jared Hunter caught three passes in the drive for 34 yards and B.A Davis pounded his way ahead for 11 yards on second-and-long to push the ball to the Dyersburg 29.

Three plays later, Eric McLin picked up a huge first-down with a spin move on fourth-and one that set up the go-ahead touchdown.

The Choctaws had an opportunity to ice the game away with 6:46 to play following a Dyersburg fumble at its own 36. The Trojans defense rose to the occasion on another fourth-and-one play, stopping the Choctaws to get the ball back for the DHS offense.

After taking over at their own 27, Dyersburg marched methodically toward a potential game-tying field goal or a possible game-winning touchdown. In seven plays, the Trojans moved deep into Dyer County territory.

With two minutes to play, Dyersburg had a first down at the DC 25. But two plays later, on third-and-six from the 21, the Trojans lost the handle again and the Choctaws covered the loose ball at the 25.

Clark walked the Dyer County offense to the line at the 1:03 mark, took a knee to start the clock and put the win in the books.

Dyer County hosts region foe Crockett County next week in the regular-season finale. Dyersburg travels to Covington for regional action.

The post-season playoffs begin Nov. 9.