CLEVELAND — Like two heavyweight boxers throwing one haymaker after another, White County was able to withstand the return off Coey Watson and Dawson County 45-42 in a game that saw both teams rally from deficits twice.
The Tigers (2-2) took a 7-0 lead on a Ethan Camreon 10-yard run but the Warriros (5-1) responded with 24 consecutive points, highlighted by a 19-yard Kaleb Crane touchdown run and a 38-yard touchdown reception from J. Ben Haynes. Brett Bardenwerper booted a 34-yard fild goal and Haynes tosed his second touchdown pass of the first quarter as White County led 24-7.
Dawson County cut the lead to 24-14 by halftime with a rushing touchdown by Robbie Rarick.
The Warriors pushed the back to 31-14 with a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Bailey Anderson to open the third quarter. But the Tigers would mount their own rally striking for 20 straight points. Watson connected on touchdown passes to Cameron and Ryan Glass sandwiched around a 49-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown from Caleb Bell to reclaim a 34-31 lead early in the fourth quarter.
White County answered right back with Haynes and Rowland again striking for a 54-yard touchdown pass. Jay Lepkoske strip sacked Haynes and DeeJay Fleming recovered the fumble. Crane then scored his third touchdown of the game rumbling in from 25 yards for a 45-34 lead.
Watson and Wes Holloway connected for a 30-yard touchdown pass to pull the Tigers within 45-42 but the Warriors ran out the clock with three first downs to preserve the wild win.
Crane finished with 208 all-purpose yards (167 rushing, 41 receiving) while Haynes was 10-for-24 for 218 yard and three TDs passing.
Watson, seeing his first action in nearly a month, was 24-of-44 for 332 yards and three TDs passing for Dawson County. Vaughn Clark had 191 yards rushing for the Tigers.
Both teams will jumpinto region play beginning next week.
