Friday night Dickson County got their first win of the year and their first under Greg Burns.
A 44-34 shootout at LaVergne saw everything you could ask for.
Great offense, timely defense, a kick return for a TD, and of course a big Cougar win.
The next question is, will this be a situation of remembering that one win, that one time, or is this the beginning of the next era and chapter of Dickson County football.
The verdict is still out on that one but barring bad program management, I think you have to lean toward a positive outlook.
Why? Because Friday night was won by a large contingent of the next generation.
After the initial date of the LaVegne game was postponed a week due to a lack of officials on the part of the TSSAA, it became apparent that the Cougars would have some issues with personnel.
Dickson County was supposed to be on fall break last week, and this one, meaning many players’ families had planned on being out of town.
Coach Burns has accommodated that setting up a practice schedule that had the Cougars scheduled to have morning practices Monday-Wednesday of last week before being off Thursday and Friday and not needing to report back until the following Monday.
However, after having their game rescheduled, unfortunately, that schedule had to change to morning practice all week in prep for a game.
Many players and their families were already out of town or had non-refundable travel plans and so it began to become apparent to Coach Burns and his staff they would be without some young men.
Turned out, they were without many more than a few.
Going on the road to LaVergne the Cougars were without their entire starting O-Line and D-Line and missing several skill players whether due to absence or injury.
In 6A football, that would’ve been a death sentence.
Especially for a team without a win.
Dickson County had a secret weapon though that many people weren’t keen to or aware of.
Their JV team was not only playing and winning games, they were doing so in an impressive fashion.
When many of those young men found out the opportunity they would have Friday, they got to work.
Coach Burns stated how fired up practice had been and the energy the younger players were bringing due to their taking more first-team reps.
It seemed to work out well for the Cougars as, again, they took a young inexperienced team on the road Friday night, and not just a win, but a region win.
Let me be fair, Dickson County had a few familiar faces on the field.
Colbey Lamberth and Don Dunning anchored the offense, but they even clearly looked more capable surrounded by teammates giving 110 percent.
Going forward there is no telling whether or not Dickson County will win another game, or whether many of those guys will retain a starting spot.
However, this game showed one thing, the future is seemingly bright on the hill.
Next week is arguably the toughest region game the Cougars will face according to Coach Burns.
They host a 4-2 Smyrna team whose only losses are Riverdale and a very surprising Cane Ridge team.
Again, will Dickson County come out victorious, no idea.
I would expect the Cougars, however, to be a lot more competitive and possibly a little more fired up than they might have been had the LaVergne game and situation not occurred.
A blessing in disguise, we will have to wait and see.
