Dawson Co. advances to second round of 3A state playoffs

The Dawson Co. Tigers advanced to the second round of the 3A state playoffs with a 45-31 road victory over the Adairsville Tigers. Junior Conley Dyer had a big game with two rushing touchdowns to help lead his team to victory. Junior quarterback Zach Holtzclaw also had a nice outing, finishing with two passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown.

Adairsville received the ball to start the game. They drove the ball down the field but missed a 43-yard field goal to give Dawson Co. good field position for their first drive of the game. The Tigers’ first possession didn’t go well, as they quickly gave the ball back to Adairsville on a fumble. However, Dawson Co.’s defense continued to hold up strong as they forced a turnover on downs to get the ball back. This time, they drove down the field, and Holtzclaw found senior Max Moon for a 7-yard touchdown reception to take a 7-0 lead. Adairsville closed the gap with a field goal, but Dawson Co. drove right back down the field. Early in the second quarter, Holtzclaw ran in a 1-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 14-3.

Dawson Co.’s defense continued to dominate and forced a quick 3-and-out. The offense built off the momentum as Dyer ran in his first touchdown of the game from about 50 yards out. Down 21-3, Adairsville shifted the momentum in their favor. They scored touchdowns on their final three possessions of the half and held Dawson Co. scoreless to take a 24-21 lead into halftime.

Dawson Co. opened up the second half strong. Less than two minutes in, Dyer ran in a 39-yard touchdown to get his team the lead back. As Adairsville was driving the ball back down the field on the ensuing possession, senior Hayden McKinney intercepted a pass to get the ball back for Dawson Co. Holtzclaw found senior Dakohta Sonnichsen for a 75-yard touchdown strike on the next play to take a 35-24 lead over Adairsville. After going 3-and-out the next drive, a bad Adairsville punt set Dawson Co. up with great field position. They capitalized with an 18-yard field goal that gave them a two touchdown lead.

Early in the fourth quarter, Adairsville scored a touchdown and recovered an onside kick right after. Dawson Co.’s defense responded by forcing a quick three-and-out. Down one touchdown and losing momentum, Adairsville attempted to convert on a fake punt attempt. Dawson Co. hit the punter on the fake and jarred the ball lose. Sophomore Cade Adams recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown to make the score 45-31. Dawson Co.’s defense came up with one more stop, and the offense ran out the clock to win the game.

Dawson Co. advances to the next round of the state playoffs, where they travel to play a Oconee Co. high school next Friday.