Dawson County Starts Off Season on High Note with Win over Habersham Central 27-13

The Dawson County Tigers could not have started their season off any better.

For their first home game of the year, Dawson County celebrated their seniors before the game. So, it was fitting that on the first play of the game, senior Shawn Thomas ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown.

Momentum stayed with the Tigers, as they forced and recovered a fumble, setting them up with great field position to start their drive. Habersham’s defense, however, came out with a lot of energy, with 3 straight stops to end Dawson’s drive. This set up kicker Caleb Bonesteel with an incredible 52-yard kick that went straight through the uprights.

 

The quick start by Dawson to get up 10-0 was impressive, but on the 3^rd play of the following drive, the Raiders scored on a slant route that went 71 yards for the score.

The Tigers struggled to move the ball once again, with a quick 3 and out. Habersham struck again with another short route that went 47 yards for six, which followed a fake punt resulting in a first down. A missed PAT gave the Raiders a 13-10 lead with 4 minutes left in the first quarter.

Dawson finally gained some momentum on a long drive that got them to the goal line on a long scramble by quarterback Zacchaeus Holtzclaw. However, they were stopped short of a touchdown due to a penalty and a sack. Bonesteel hit another field goal from 32 yards to tie the game early in the second quarter.

For the rest of the half, the teams traded momentum, with neither team getting on the board. Habersham started it off with a long drive that included a 4^th down conversion. However, they fumbled the ball away in opposing territory.

Dawson couldn’t get anything going their next drive, and Habersham missed a short field goal on the ensuing possession.

However, the victory was short lived, as Dawson threw an interception on the following play. The defense responded with an interception in the endzone, giving Dawson the ball to run out the half.

The Raiders received the ball to start the second half, but couldn’t get the ball moving, with their drive ending with a drop on 3rd down. The Tigers were able to start the half off nicely, with a 69-yard touchdown run on the first play by Thomas, his second touchdown of the game.

Habersham got a strong drive going, including a 4^th down conversion and a flag for a late hit. On 4^th and 12, Dawson dropped an interception in the end zone, giving them the ball on the 25.

With the opportunity to really take control of the game, Dawson seized the opportunity.

On a drive that took most of the third quarter, Dawson took command and methodically marched the ball down the field for a touchdown, which was ran in by Holtzclaw.

Down 2 touchdowns, Habersham needed to make some plays, but couldn’t. The following possession, the Raiders had 2 drops, on a quick 3 and out. Dawson then drove the ball down the field, but missed a 42 yard field goal.

Habersham was able to get a drive going, however, they dropped another touchdown pass on 4^th down. The following possessions were 3 and outs with no real movement down the field, resulting in a final score of 27-13.

Dawson County plays next Friday at Chestatee High School.