The DMS Tigers season ended abruptly as Greensboro cancelled the final two games. The Tiglets were scheduled to play the Greensboro Junior Raiders in a home and home series with the first game in Tiger Stadium on October 12 and the return game in Greensboro on October 19.

Coach Chris Tangle was told by the Raider coaching staff prior to the varsity game Friday night the middle school games were off.

“The Greensboro coaches told me that with the situation of a group of their varsity guys quitting they had to move some of their better 8th graders up to varsity. That being the case they couldn’t field a junior high team,”

Tangle said.

The late notice cancellation left Tangle scrambling unsuccessfully to get a replacement game.

The Tigers coached by Tangle (offense), Dusty Davis (defense) and volunteer assistant (former DHS Tiger standout) Rodney Rowser ended their season 5-0.

DMS started the season with a roster of 70 players, ended the season with 60. The team was comprised of 32 seventh graders and 28 eighth graders.

Tangle, serving his 7th season as the DMS coach, was very optimistic about the future.

“Our 8th grade class will be able to contribute next year at DHS. Many of them, if not all played several position,” Tangle said. “I told Coach (Goodwin) this may be one of the best groups I’ve ever sent over to him. This whole group should do well as they just love to play the game.”

“Our team next year here (DMS) shouldn’t miss a beat. Some of the kids will have to step up as we’re going to play roughly the same schedule again.”

Starters returning next year are Fredrick Irby, Austin Holley, Caleb Garrett, Jeremy Griffin and Kendall Raby. In addition to the 32 7th graders, Tangle is excited about the 6th graders who have expressed interest in joining the program next season as 7th graders.

Another resource for next year is transfers into the school system. This season Tangle welcomed student athletes from Linden, John Essex and Sumter Academy. Tangle conceded his disappointment in the cancellation of the games.

“I really hate we didn’t get to play because in the last game, especially the second half, I like to play the guys who will be coming back next year,” Tangle said.