Tigers Open AAA Playoffs Against Lovett

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. — For the first time since the second game of the season, Coach Sid Maxwell’s Dawson County Tigers need to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get back in the game when they host Lovett in the opening round of the state AAA playoffs Friday.

On Sept. 16, the Tigers lost a double overtime thriller to West Hall. It was the only loss of the season until they ran into a buzz saw last Friday the state’s No. 1-ranked team, Greater Atlanta Christian.

The question the Tigers (7-2, 5-1) must answer is have they put that 42-7 shellacking behind them. If not, the senior-laden team could be in for a long night.

Lovett (7-3, 5-2) finished third in Region 5. Like Dawson County, the Lions have a dual threat quarterback in senior quarterback Brady Tindall who has completed 126 of 215 passes for 1,404 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also sports a 81.2 quarterback rating (QBR) and is the team’s leading rusher, averaging 4.7 yards per carry and racking up 652 yards.

Tindall is an accurate passer, having completed 58.6 percent of his attempts. He has an array of good receivers to throw to in K.J. Wallace, who has 34 catches for 418 yards and six touchdowns, Nick Jackson, who has hauled down 20 balls for 286 yards and one score, and Peyton Ringer.

Aside from Tindall, the ball carriers are junior JT Carr, who averages 6.2 yards per touch and senior Dillon Light, who averages 5.7 yards per carry.

The Lions feature an aggressive, ball-hawking defense that has forced 22 turnovers this season, 12 interceptions and 10 fumbles. Seniors John Staton has 64 tackles, including seven for a loss, and Smith Brooks has 54 stops and 11 tackles for a loss.

The Tigers usually potent passing game was plagued by misfires and drops against GAC.  Coey Watson, one of the region’s best passers, completed just nine of his 21 attempts for 54 yards.

The winner will take on the winner of Friday’s game between Crisp County and Islands.