DAWSONVILLE — Making history is never easy -- but Dawson County football certainly made it look that way on Friday.
The Tigers blitzed Lumpkin County 41-0 to claim their first ever region championship, riding the legs of Hunter Mitchell, as the senior rushed for four touchdowns and 189 yards.
"This is the most satisfying feeling I've had in my life," said Mitchell, who also caught three passes for 56 yards. "It's incredible; all my best friends are on this team, and it's just huge to share this with them."
While Mitchell and the Tigers (6-3, 5-1 Region 7-AAA) were running their way toward a crown, the Dawson defense was busy stuffing the Indians’ own power rushing attack.
Lumpkin County (2-7, 0-5) managed 164 yards on the ground -- 129 of that over the first three quarters, but the Indians only once threatened the Dawson end zone -- a second quarter drive that eventually ended in a blocked field goal, as a combination of stout Tigers defense and penalties drove the visitors back from the Dawson 9-yard line. The stand allowed Dawson to enter the half up 21-0, a scoreline that ballooned quickly after the interval.
"To enter game 10 with the region title already under our belts is huge -- and to have back-to-back shutouts says something for how we're playing right now," said Sid Maxwell, who claimed his second region title as a coach and was thrilled to lead the first such success for the Tigers in his first season in charge. "This is great for the community, and I'm honored at being a part of history."
History began to look very attainable early on thanks in large part to Mitchell and his offensive line. The senior got things going for the Tigers’ attack on their second possession, bowling over his own blocker before juking a Lumpkin defender en route to a 59-yard touchdown run. A 2-point conversion pass failed, giving Dawson a 6-0 lead with 5:20 left in the first quarter.
Mitchell was far from finished however, hauling in a 45-yard strike from Watson to set up his own 1-yard plunge on the very next play for a 13-0 advantage early in the second quarter.
Mitchell’s play proved a highlight of the first half for the Tigers, as the senior rushed 10 times for 106 yards and caught two passes for 47 yards to go along with his two scores.
"It starts with our offensive line, but Hunter is a very good runner; he keeps his shoulders square, he's great at finding running room..." Maxwell said. "And when you have the passing game we have you can't load the line of scrimmage to stop him."
Dawson quarterback Coey Watson finished the game 9 of 15 for 154 yards and a score -- a 38-yard hook-up with Tucker Maxwell -- as the Tigers rolled up 378 total yards, compared with Lumpkin's 222.
Logan Hurst also found the end zone for the Dawson in the first half, capping a nine-play drive with a seven-yard run for a 21-0 advantage with 5:29 left in the half. The Tigers scored on three of their first five possessions -- punting away their first possession an then taking a knee before the interval.
After struggling to gain any momentum over its opening half, Lumpkin drove 58 yards, marching all the way to the Dawson 9-yard line late in the second quarter -- but two penalties combined to snuff the Indians’ momentum, as they were forced into a 47-yard field goal attempt that Andrew Goley blocked to keep Lumpkin scoreless at the half.
The Indians tried to manufacture some momentum to start the second half, attempting an onsides kick, but the Tigers covered the ball -- two plays later it was 28-0 after Coey Watson found Tucker Maxwell on a screen pass that the receiver gathered before weaving his way past Indians defenders for a 38-yard scoring play.
Dawson only added to its momentum as the quarter waned, Goley blocking another kick -- this time he stuffed a punt to set up a short field for the Tigers. Mitchell made the most of the opportunity for his third touchdown of the night, a 1-yard jaunt for a 34-0 advantage after a missed PAT attempt. He then capped his huge night with a five-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
"This is the first winning team I've been on in my entire time playing football," Mitchell said. "We were confident coming into this game. We knew we had the better athletes, and we felt we were ready."
Dawson finishes up its regular season at Johnson in a non-region contest next week.
"We'll keep trying to work on the fundamentals and getting better," Maxwell said. "I give every one of my teams the goal to win 13 every season, because if you can win 13 and get through the quarterfinals then anything can happen. I didn't just want these guys to be satisified with just getting to the playoffs."
Lumpkin will look to finish up its regular season strong, facing West Hall in Dahlonega.
SCORING SUMMARY
LUMPKIN CO....0.....0.....0....0 -- 0
DAWSON CO....6...15...13....6 -- 41
First Quarter
DC -- Mitchell 59 run (pass failed) 5:20, 6-0
Second Quarter
DC -- Mitchell 1 run (Sanchez kick) 10:20, 13-0
DC -- Hurst 7 run (Watson run) 5:29, 21-0
Third Quarter
DC -- Maxwell 38 pass from Watson (Sanchez kick) 11:16, 28-0
DC -- Mitchell 1 run (kick failed) 3:40, 34-0
Fourth Quarter
DC -- Mitchell 5 run (Sanchez kick) 10:10, 41-0
