ELLIJAY — Dawson County football picked up its first win of the Sid Maxwell era on Friday, pulling ahead for good in the second quarter of a 23-9 defeat of Gilmer in Ellijay.
The Bobcats took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before the Tigers' Alan Sanchez fired back with a 35-yard field goal to knot the score at 3-3.
Coey Watson took it from there, as the Dawson County quarterback lofted two touchdown passes in the second quarter. His first went to Tucker Maxwell for nine yards and a 10-3 lead that the Tigers (1-1) would not relinquish. Watson also hooked up with Maxwell on a 44-yard score for a 16-3 halftime advantage.
Gilmer kept the pressure on with a 6-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, but Andrew Golay sealed the victory with a 23-yard interception return for a score late in the contest.
The Tigers will play host to Heritage (Ringgold) next week.
