Football 2014: Dawson County hopes to add new dimension to experienced team

DAWSONVILLE -- What do you get when you add speed to depth and experience?<br /> <br /> Dawson County coach Jeff Lee hopes the answer is something big for his 2014 squad.<br /> <br /> The Tigers came within inches of a playoff spot last year and Lee, who is entering his 12th season with the Tigers, said the heartbreaking ending has helped fuel his group during the summer.<br /> <br /> "It was a good season but a learning season for a lot of our kids," Lee said. "It came down to two missed field goals and a turnover against West Hall or we're in the playoffs. The end of last year and how it finished I think has made the guys hungry for this year.<br /> <br /> <iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/103677486?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="280" height="210" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe><br /> <br /> "We feel being in some tough situations last year will prepare us for this year. They have responded very well so far this summer. They know what needs to be done to achieve their goals."<br /> <br /> Dawson County returns seven starters on offense and eight on defense, and Lee said the addition of speedy junior backfield mates Andrew Goley and Hunter Mitchell could give his vaunted hybrid wing-T attack an added dimension.<br /> <br /> "Those two are probably the fastest guys we've ever had in the backfield since I've been here so it will be fun to be able to add that to our attack. Hopefully it will makes us a little more dangerous," he said.<br /> <br /> Lee and the Tigers changed their approach this season opting to not have a spring practice and instead add a second preseason scrimmage. Lee said it has worked out better than they could have imagined.<br /> <br /> "It was a little scary at first not doing the spring but the coaching staff got together and put together a great plan for the summer. We feel we are much further along at this point than last year," he said. "We're committed to it for next year as well and then we'll see what the future holds after that. But we like it so far."<br /> <br /> What won't change will be the Tigers commitment to playing hard-nosed football. <br /> <br /> "We've had 1,000 yards rushers at running back every year for three years -- two with over 1,000 two years ago -- so we feel that has been a big key to our success and we want to continue that trend," Lee said. "We may need three guys to do that this year but the backfield should be a strength for us."<br /> <br /> Goley and Mitchell will get the bulk of the carries early on. Senior QB Zack Buchan is a double-threat and has made significant strides from last season throwing the ball. Buchan will have solid targets in senior receiver Dalton Edwards and sophomore tight end Luke Martin.<br /> <br /> "Zach has made a lot of progress since last season and, barring injuries, I feel like we can be a little more balanced than last year," Lee said. "He's got two guys that can really catch it so that should make us tougher to defend."<br /> <br /> What is unknown for the Tigers and the rest of Region 7-AAA is who is the front-runner coming into the season. The consensus is no one -- yet. Early thinking has the Tigers, West Hall, East Hall, and Lumpkin County, which dropped down from 8-AAAA, as the top teams to battle for the playoffs and a region title.<br /> <br /> "I think everyone in this region feels they have a shot, and I think that's probably true. It's going to come down to how you line up and play on Friday night," Lee said. "If you don't show up every week it could cost you a chance at the playoffs. We'll find out early in the region where we are."<br /> <br /> The Tigers, West Hall, and East Hall will all play each other in the first three weeks of the region schedule so there could be some early trends. However, the Tigers and arch-rival Lumpkin County will face each other in Week 9 and if both are in the playoff hunt that looms as a potentially huge game down the stretch.<br /> <br /> The Tigers have never won a region championship in football and Lee said it is time cross that off their wishlist.<br /> <br /> "The first three weeks of the region may decide it if someone comes out 2-0," Lee said. "We were hoping to play Lumpkin earlier in the season but if both are in it (that late in the season) I expect that to be a huge game as well. We just want to be in the mix at the end and hope for a better finish this time around.<br /> <br /> "We've never won a region title here and that is something we're playing for, no doubt. Can we get it this year? If we show up ready every week, I feel we have a good shot it. But it will be a competitive region the entire season so anything is possible."