Dawson Co. falls to Cherokee Bluff 28-27 for first region loss

The Dawson Co. Tigers fell to the Cherokee Bluff Bears 28-27 on Friday night in Dawsonville. The Bears blocked senior Caleb Bonesteel’s field goal late in the 4^th quarter, which allowed Cherokee Bluff to run out the clock and win the game.

Cherokee Bluff received the ball to begin the game. Both teams opened the game with a three and out, as the defenses stood strong. On the Bears second possession, sophomore Kade Moledor intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown to get the Tigers the first points of the game. After getting another stop, Dawson Co. drove the ball down the field to set up a 20-yard field goal. However, a roughing the kicker penalty was called on the kick, which set up the Tigers with a first and goal from the 1-yard line. Unfortunately, the Bears forced a fumble that they recovered in the end zone for a touchback. Cherokee Bluff built off the momentum by driving the ball down the field and scoring on a 43-yard touchdown with 7.7 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Before the quarter ended, senior Isaiah Grindle returned the kickoff for a touchdown to give Dawson Co. a 14-7 lead to end the first quarter.

After neither team scored on their first possession of the quarter, Cherokee Bluff scored on an 80-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14. On the next possession, junior Zach Holtzclaw found sophomore Jaden Gibson for a 63-yard reception that brought them to the goal line. Cherokee Bluff’s defense stepped up and held the Tigers to an 18-yard field goal to give them a 17-14 lead. After forcing a three and out, Dawson Co. drove down the field again to set up a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give them a 20-14 halftime lead.

The Tigers didn’t score on their first possession of the second half, but Cherokee Bluff had a long drive that set up an 11-yard touchdown run to give them their first lead of the game. The Tigers responded quickly with a 63-yard run by Grindle that set up a 14-yard touchdown run by junior Conley Dyer. Both teams didn’t score on their next possession, but the Bears scored on a 79-yard touchdown run with a little over 10 minutes remaining in the game. Dawson Co. was able to drive the ball down the field, which set up a 38-yard field goal attempt by Bonesteel. Cherokee Bluff blocked the kick which allowed them to run out the clock. The Bears converted on three first downs that allowed them to win the game 28-27.

Dawson Co.’s next game is next Friday when they travel to play at Lumpkin Co. high school.