By GALE CAVNESS
pressbox1.com

DYERSBURG - Following a 49-6 triumph over the visiting Obion County Central Rebels in Week 4 of the prep football campaign, Dyersburg head coach James Counce admitted he was pleased with a lot of things he saw from his team.

But he didn't like having to wait so long to see 'em!

The Trojans allowed the Rebels to eat seven minutes off the clock on the game's initial possession, ran just three plays from scrimmage in the opening quarter and struggled to find their intensity against a Region 7-3A opponent seeking its first win of the campaign.

All the issues seemed to fade away in the second stanza, however, as Dyersburg put 28 points on the scoreboard and coasted to a lopsided win.

"We did a lot of good things," Counce said as he walked from the field following the game. "But we didn't start off like we wanted to. Credit them (Obion County). They got after us and they had a good game plan.

"We've got to figure out why we won't get ready to start the ball game."

With the win, Dyersburg improves to 1-1 in region play, 3-1 overall. Obion County Central remains winless in four games, 0-2 against region foes.

In four games, the Rebels have been outscored by a 197-51 margin.

The Trojans host Memphis Westwood next week in a non-region contest. It will be the annual homecoming affair at Dyersburg. Pre-game festivities will begin at 7 p.m.

The Rebels will host intra-county rival Union City in their next outing.

A blocked field goal attempt Trojans inspired against OCCHS. After stopped the Rebels' scoring attempt, DHS drove down field to post the game's first points.

After using seven minutes of the first quarter to move into field goal range, only to miss the kick, Obion County's spread offense marched deep into Dyersburg territory again with their second possession.

When the drive stalled in the opening seconds of the second frame, Trojans senior Justin Whitfield blocked the Rebels field goal attempt to set up an 80-yard scoring march by the Dyersburg offense. Xavier Taylor, a fleet footed junior, was the work horse for the Trojans, romping 38 yards on one play and 16 on another as the ball moved inside the OC 30. Jason Click rambled ahead on a quarterback keeper to the 14.

Despite having a touchdown toss wiped out because of a penalty, Dyersburg picked up 12 yards on a pass from Click to Hamp Hickman that got the Trojans to the six.

Taylor capped the march, taking a pitch from Click to give DHS a lead it would not relinquish.

The teams swapped possessions before a bobbled punt attempt by Obion County gave the home team the ball at the Rebels 3. With 3:44 to play in the half, another Taylor touchdown made it a two-score game.

In explosive fashion, Dyersburg used the final minutes of the half to break the game open.

The Rebels hurt their own cause with penalties on consecutive plays and the now intense Trojans defense did the rest. Forced to punt from their own end zone, OC gave Dyersburg the ball at the guests' 29.

Click promptly hit Whitfield with a 29-yard scoring strike and, up 21-0, the snowball was rolling.

Obion County couldn't move the football on its ensuing possession and punted the ball away, again giving the Trojans excellent field position. From the Rebels 36, DHS scored quickly.

Click rushed for five, hit Taylor with a pass to the OC 11 and then found Hickman for the six-pointer with 37 ticks left on the clock.

Obion County senior Hunter Calhoun kept his squad from ending the half shut out, taking advantage of some missed tackles and a burst into the clear for a 94-yard kickoff return.

Whitfield got his hands on another kick, blocking the Rebels' conversion attempt to make it a 28-6 contest at intermission.

In the third quarter, the Trojans continued to dominate.

Forced to begin its first possession of the third quarter with its back against its own end zone, Obion County was unable to sustain a drive and gave Dyersburg again had good field position and took advantage of the opportunity.

Taylor picked up his third touchdown of the contest with an 11-yard jaunt at the 7:20 mark of the quarter. Seconds later he tacked on his fourth.

Senior defensive lineman Blake Thornton picked off a Rebels screen pass and rambled about 30 yards to the five to thwart the next Obion County offensive effort.

Two plays later, Taylor scored from the two and put the mercy rule into play.

Dyersburg added its final points with six minutes remaining when Marko Jones blocked a Rebels punt and was joined by Whitfield chasing the loose ball. Whitfield picked it up and scored the touchdown.

Taylor finished with 123 rushing yards on 20 carries and the four scores. Click was 5-of-8 passing for 86 yards and added 36 rushing yards on seven attempts.

Senior kicker Kyle Youmans was a perfect 7-for-7 on conversion kicks.