Tiger Closing in on Region 7-AAA Playoffs

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — Dawson County (5-1, 3-0) can clinch a spot in the Region 7-AAA playoffs Friday when they travel to Gainesville to take on the East Hall Vikings (2-5, 0-3).

The Tigers only loss this season was a double overtime thriller to West Hall in a non-region game on the road. Since then, Coach Sid Maxwell’s teams have stampeded past White County 46-0, North Hall 45-27 and Union County 57-26.

East Hall will be trying to snap a three-game losing streak. The Vikings haven’t won since Sept. 16 when they defeated Jackson County, 38-22.

The Vikings will have their hands full with the senior-laden Tigers who will be led by quarterback Coey Watson, who will be calling signals behind a talented and veteran offensive line. Watson has passed for 1,168 yards and 12 touchdowns this year and run for 440 yards and 12 more scores.

The Tigers have a stable of fine running backs led by Taylor Cronan who averages 8 yards per carry and Payton Myers who averages 5 yards per carry with 5 touchdowns.

When Dawson County goes to the air, Austin Young is the go-to receiver. He averages 19 yards per catch on 34 receptions and has found the end zone 7 times. Nick Murphy is another reliable target who averages 17 yards per catch and has scored 4 times.

Special teams has been another strength for the Tigers. Kolton Brumbelow is a dangerous kick returner. In the last two games, he has scored on kickoff returns of 99 and 95 yards respectively.

The defense is a gang-tackling bunch led by linebacker Luke Martin, who averages 17.5 stops per game. Defensive back Colin Glover averages 13 tackles per game and Jeremy Whalen averages 10 and has a team-leading three interceptions.