GAINESVILLE, Ga. – After being held to just 3 points in the first half, Dawson County’s usually high-scoring offense erupted for 35 second-half points en route to a 38-24 win over stubborn East Hall Friday.

But on this cold, windy night, it wasn’t the offense that kept the Tigers unbeaten in Region 7-AAA play, it was a determined and opportunistic Tiger defense, that turned in three goal line stands before intermission. Three times the Vikings drove inside the Tigers 10-yard line and each time the door was slammed shut in their faces.

Sophomore Noah Brock set the tone for defense when he intercepted an Austin Parker pass on the Vikings opening possession. Dawson County couldn’t capitalize, however, and Cole Dennis booted a 25-yard field goal.

The Vikings first serious scoring threat followed a Ryan Glass fumble at the Tigers 30. Six plays later they were on the Dawson County 2, facing fourth-and-goal. Cambren Garrison took the handoff up the middle and Luke Martin, Taylor Swafford, Zack Baloga and Blaine Thomason gang tackled him just inches away from the end zone.

On their next possession, the Vikings drove to the Tigers 7 but failed to cross the goal line. On third-and-goal, Swafford tackled Markese Jackson for a five-yard loss and on fourth down, Parker’s pass fell incomplete.

East Hall missed another scoring opportunity as the final seconds of the first half ticked off. The Vikings had a second-and-goal at the Tigers’ 2 but were hit with an illegal procedure penalty and passed incomplete into the end zone as the first half ended.

East Hall opened the second half with a little trickery on an on sides kick. Dawson County recovered at the Vikings 49 and quickly drove the distance with Payton Myers scoring the first of his two touchdowns  on a 9-yard run to give the Tigers a 10-0 lead.

But the Vikings answered in a heartbeat on Parker’s 72-yard scoring strike to Sedron Morse.They went for a two-point conversion and got it on Parker’s pass to Tripp Rider.

Moments later, Parker hooked up with Markese Jackson on an 18-yard touchdown and East Hall took a 16-10 lead.

That seemed to be just the spark the Tigers needed as they ran off 27 unanswered points.

Watson scored on a 4-yard run and Dennis added the extra point for a 17-16 lead with 3:52 left in the third quarter. Myers bolted off right tackle for 37 yards and his second touchdown.

Watson scored again on a 1-yard run and Ryan Glass atoned for his fumble by racing 43-yards for the game’s final touchdown.

Dawson County (6-1, 4-0) returns home Friday to face Lumpkin County while East Hall (2-6, 0-4) will visit North Hall.

Thanks to Paige Sweaney for the game photo!