Talented DCHS QB Jordan Parker Signs with Cumberland University
by: Dwayne PageFeb 11, 2025
Jordan Parker, the 2024 DCHS Tiger Football Most Valuable Player, has announced his next move now that his high school pigskin playing days are over.
Joined by members of his family, coaches, and teammates Monday at DCHS, Parker celebrated his signing last week to join the Phoenix at Cumberland University at Lebanon after he graduates in May.
His parents are Kendall and Dallas Parker and his siblings are Auston Parker and Bryson Stewart.
Parker, the Tiger signal caller who led his team to a 6-4 season in 2024, plans to be a quarterback for the Phoenix.
“Cumberland was my closest offer to home. They offered me the most money and I thought it was a good program,” said Parker in explaining why he chose Cumberland. “I plan to study physical therapy,” he said.
Asked whether he has any special memories during his years as a Tiger, Parker said “getting to play with everybody and being around my teammates. It was really cool to get the MVP award in 2024. A lot of good players get that and I felt honored to get it,” said Parker.
Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he is proud of Jordan and his choice to attend Cumberland.
“There will be three of our guys down there (Cumberland) next year including Jordan, Wil Farris, and Nolan Gottlied. It’s a lot of years in a row we have had some guys have the opportunity to play college ball. We are really happy for Jordan because of how he works and the type of player he is but more importantly the type of person he is. Its just good to see him get that next opportunity to continue to play,” said Coach Trapp.
During the team banquet last month, Coach Trapp reviewed Parker’s high school football career and his accomplishments.
“As a junior Jordan was an All-Region player at wide receiver and won receiver of the year and then played at quarterback,” said Coach Trapp. ” But just some statistics as a runner, in 2024 he led our team with 1,055 yards. I believe he is only the third quarterback who has rushed for over 1,000 yards. He joins Steven Jennings and Axel Aldino in that regard. Jordan led our team in rushing and in rushing touchdowns with 14 in 2024 and he passed for 1,236 yards and had 17 more touchdowns. For his career he had over 2,000 yards passing and 26 touchdowns. Defensively as a junior he started at safety and played some corner. In 2024 he got a pick against Macon County. Jordan was a 2024 team captain. A 2024 Region 4 Most Outstanding Quarterback, 2024 Farm Bureau Player of the Month, 2024 DTC All Star and DTC Player of the Game in 2024, Mr. DCHS in 2024-25, 2024 TSSAA Scholar Athlete, a 2023 team voted Receiver of the Year, 2023 All Region player, 2023 Scholar Athlete, 2022 team voted Offensive Back of the Year when he played quarterback those last nine games, and he was the 2024 Liberty State Bank Most Valuable Player,” said Coach Trapp.
Valentine Pageant Royalty Crowned
by: Dwayne PageFeb 09, 2025
McKenna Miller of Dowelltown was crowned queen of Saturday’s Valentine Pageant in the 16 to 18 year old age category. The event was held at the DeKalb County Complex Auditorium as a benefit for the Last-Minute Toy Shop.
Miller is the 16-year-old daughter of Christen and Charles Cox and David Miller. She was also the recipient of the People’s Choice honor.
The 1st runner-up was Kenadee Rose Prichard of Alexandria, the 16-year-old daughter of JoDee and Luke Prichard. She was also judged to have the prettiest eyes, hair, attire, and smile.
The pageants featured DeKalb County girls from ages birth to 18 years of age and still in school.
Meanwhile Baylei Anne Benson of Smithville won the crown in the 13–15-year-old category. She is the 14-year-old daughter of Karey and John Washer and Christopher Benson. She was awarded honors for prettiest eyes and attire.
Runners-up in this category were 1st-Kenzi MaKaya Barnes of Smithville, 15-year-old daughter of Ashley Barnes. She was also named most photogenic. Second runner-up went to Charley Loren Prichard of Liberty, 13-year-old daughter of Andy and Chrissy Prichard. She was also judged to have the prettiest hair and smile.
10-year-old MaKenna Grace Billings of Sparta claimed the crown in the category for 10–12-year-old girls. She is the daughter of Blake and Makayla Billings. She was awarded for prettiest eyes, hair, and attire.
Runners-up were 1st- Katy Jo Bowen of Liberty, 11-year-old daughter of Cody and Kim Atnip and the late Joseph Bowen. She also took home the honor for most photogenic. Second runner-up was Katie Jo Prichard of Alexandria, 10-year-old daughter of Luke and JoDee Prichard. 10-year-old Stella Grace Adcock of Smithville, daughter of Byron and Paige Adcock was the people’s choice winner while 10-year-old Maggie Hendrix of Dowelltown, daughter of Jared and Jennifer Hendrix was judged to have the prettiest smile.
Capturing the crown in the 7–9-year-old division was Aleeya Weslyn Graham of Smithville, 8-year-old daughter of Derek and Andria Graham
Runners-up in this category were 1st- Rozlyn Marie Prichard of Smithville, 7-year-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard. Second runner-up was Novalee Carol Billings of Sparta, 8-year-old daughter of Blake and Makayla Billings. She was awarded for prettiest attire.
Meanwhile, Kathryn Ann Williams of Alexandria, 7-year-old daughter of Dillon and Hailey Williams was winner of the people’s choice award. Oaklynn Fayth Hale of Smithville, 9-year-old daughter of Austin Hale and Kimberly Flanagan was judged to have the prettiest hair and Wrigley Marie Jared of Smithville, 9-year-old daughter of Tim and Shelly Jared received the honor for prettiest eyes and smile. Eight-year-old Ava Leigh Elizabeth Haddock of Liberty, daughter of Donald and Kristina Haddock took home the most photogenic award.
In the age 4–6-year-old category, Taylor Elizabeth Bias of Smithville was crowned queen. She is the 4-year-old daughter of Jennifer Pyles and Brandon Bias. She was awarded for prettiest eyes and most photogenic.
1st runner-up was Elliott Quinn Prichard of Smithville, 5-year-old daughter of Mark and Amanda Prichard. She was also awarded for prettiest hair. Second runner-up was Reese Everly Leiser of Alexandria, 6 year old daughter of Sean and Jessica Leiser. Winning for prettiest attire was Peaches Bond of Smithville, 6-year-old daughter of Leslie and Randall Bond while the prettiest smile honor went to Eloise Hendrix of Dowelltown, 6 year old daughter of Jared and Jennifer Hendrix.
The winner of the age 25- 48-month category was Queen Olivia Grace Jones of Smithville, 3-year-old daughter of Chris and Teresa Jones. She also received awards for prettiest eyes, hair, attire, and most photogenic.
Runners-up in this event were 1st- Elsie Pearl Paschal of Alexandria, 3-year-old daughter of Justin and Makagan Paschal. She was also awarded for prettiest smile. Second runner-up was Evie Kate Billings of Sparta, 3-year-old daughter of Blake and Makayla Billings. Sydney Ann Barrett of Smithville, 3-year-old daughter of Stephen and Vickey Barrett received an award for people’s choice.
Indy Hart Williams of Smithville was crowned queen of the 13–24-month age group. She is the 23-month-old daughter of Brian and Stephanie Williams. She was also awarded for prettiest smile. First runner-up was Katlyn Gibbs of Sparta, 14-month-old daughter of Jana Gibbs. She was awarded for prettiest eyes, hair, attire and most photogenic.
Winning the category for 7 to 12 months was queen Willow Rose Sullivan of Doyle, the 12-month-old daughter of Kayla and Travis Sullivan. She received honors for prettiest eyes and smile.
Runners-up were 1st- Charlotte Cay Koelle of Smithville, 8-month-old daughter of Christian and Heather Koelle. She also took home awards for prettiest hair, attire, and most photogenic. Second runner-up was Halle Grace Karolyn Underhill of Smithville, 11-month-old daughter of Nick and Christian Underhill. She received the people’s choice award.
The winner of the age 1 day to 6-month division was Queen Stella Clouse of Smithville, 6-month-old daughter of Amanda Clouse and Drake Clouse. She was awarded for prettiest eyes.
Runners-up were 1st- Eliza Beth Burke of Smithville, 4-month-old daughter of Jonah and Kelsey Burke. Second runner-up was Iris Jane Grigg of Gordonsville, 5-month-old daughter of Paige and Ian Grigg. She received honors for prettiest hair, attire, and smile.
Sales Closing Date for Pasture and Hay Loss Protection Approaching
by: Dwayne PageFeb 09, 2025
February 3, 2025—USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of hay and pasture crops that February 15, 2025 is the final sales closing date to purchase a Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy.
Eligible producers must apply for coverage using form CCC-471, “Application for Coverage,” and pay the applicable service fee by the application closing date. For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per administrative county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Producers can elect increased coverage for additional premiums.
Beginning farmers, limited resource farmers, socially disadvantaged farmers and qualifying veteran farmers are eligible for a waiver of the service fee and a 50 percent premium reduction when they file form CCC-860. A “beginning farmer” is defined as a person who has not operated a farm for more than 10 years, and materially and substantially participates in the operation. For 2025, in DeKalb and Cannon counties, a “limited resource farmer” is defined as having gross farm sales less than or equal to $227,100 per year in each of the tax years 2022 and 2023 and less than $33,658 in total household adjusted gross income each tax year 2022 and 2023. A “socially disadvantaged farmer” is defined as a farmer who is a member of groups such as: American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Asians, Asian Americans, Blacks, African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, and Women. A “veteran farmer” is defined as a farmer who has served in the Armed Forces and has operated a farm for less than 10 years, or first obtained status as a veteran during the most recent 10-year period.
For crop year 2025, pasture (mixed forage for grazing) producers with NAP coverage should report their crop acreage by February 28, 2025 (15 calendar days before the onset of grazing) to have a timely filed crop acreage report. The deadline to report mixed forage for hay is also 15 days before the onset of harvest. To streamline the process, we would also encourage producers who have NAP coverage on hay to file their crop acreage by February 28, 2025.
When a crop or planting is affected by a natural disaster, a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) musts be filed within 15 calendar days of the: 1) natural disaster occurrence; 2) final planting date if your planting was prevented by a natural disaster; 3) date damage to the crop or loss of production becomes apparent.
For additional program details, contact the DeKalb/Cannon County Farm Service Agency, located at 647 Bright Hill Rd., or phone the office at 597-8225, extension 2.