Lightning Cancels Tigers Season Opener

Rain, Lightning  Cancel Tigers Season Opener

DAWSONVILLE, Ga —  A torrential rainstorm and two hours of non-stop lightning brought a disappointing end to Dawson County High School’s season opener at Tiger Stadium last night.

Junior quarterback Coey Watson ran for one touchdown and passed for another to stake the Tigers to a 14-9 lead over Central Forsyth. But none of that will be official now because with just 2:54 to go in the first half,  lightning sent the players back to the lockerroom. Then a monsoon hit, sending fans running for shelter. Two hours later, lightning continued to lightning continued to light up the sky and the game was officially canceled.

According to GHSA rules, the game was never played and will not be rescheduled. Officially, they are 0-0 with the season opener scheduled to be played Friday at Chattooga High School.

It was a good one while it lasted, however. The 3A Tigers were not the least bit intimidated by stepping out of their class to play the 7A Bulldogs. After a scoreless first quarter, Forsyth Central scored first when Watson was flagged for intentional grounding inside his own end zone.

Down 2-0, Watson took the Tigers on a six-play, 58-yard scoring march on their next possession. On the fifth play of the drive, the exciting dual threat quarterback scrambled 26 yards to the Bulldogs 2-yard line. A pass attempt for the two-point conversion was intercepted but Dawson Count had its first lead of the season 6-2.

The lead was short-lived, however. Two plays later Sabrian Howard, a bruising 5-11, 200-pound running back bulled his way up the middle and — running over and around would-be Tiger defenders — rumbled 85 yards to put Forsyth Central back on top 9-6.

Coach Sid Maxwell’s Tigers gave their fans a hint of what they could expect from the offense this season as they cranked up a 12-play, 80 yard scoring drive on their next possession to regain the lead. Along the way, Watson completed 5 or 6 passes. Senior wide receiver Austin Young out leaped a Bulldog defender to haul in a 19-yard scoring strike and sophomore Ryan Glass added the two-point conversion for a 14-9 lead with 4:32 left in the first half.

Two minutes later, with the Bulldogs facing a fourth down at their own 22-yard line, lightning began to flash and the game was halted. By 10:30 p.m., the game was officially called off.