DAWSONVILLE — Dawson County football will never forget a magical 2015 football season.
But Blessed Trinity and Milton Shelton had plenty of their own magic on Friday.
The senior running back came up with five touchdowns to halt Dawson County’s historic playoff run on Friday, leading Blessed Trinity to a 35-7 win in the Class AAA quarterfinals in Dawsonville.
The Tigers (9-4) battled throughout but could not slow the Titans’ standout, who finished with 191 yards rushing -- or find a way past a Blessed Trinity defense that forced three turnovers during the contest. Dawson County did find the end zone late, scoring on a three-yard plunge from Andrew Goley with 1:05 remaining.
“We knew it would be a battle, and we didn’t expect to lose but stuff happens,” said Dawson County senior lineman AJ Maner. “All I know is that all 22 guys out there played their hearts out tonight and left it all on the field.”
Dawson County can now reflect on a season in which it reached its first state quarterfinal and won its first region title, as first year head coach Sid Maxwell and a determined group of players put the Tigers into the thick of the Class AAA race -- just one season after going 2-8.
“This is the best season I’ve ever had, and we set the standard this year,” Maner said. “The guys coming back will know how to win and what to do now. There’s no shame in losing in the third round of the state playoffs.”
Players like sophomore quarterback Coey Watson will be amongst that group which helped put up 299 yards of offense on Friday -- though Blessed Trinity countered with 405 yards.
Shelton got things going early, scoring on the Titans’ second possession of the contest. His 24-yard scamper came just three plays after Blessed Trinity stopped Dawson County on fourth and 1 at the Tigers’ 46-yard line.
After trading turnovers, the Titans (12-0-1) extended their advantage on another Shelton touchdown run, this one from three yards for a 14-0 lead with 2:53 left in the first quarter.
Dawson’s second turnover of the contest set up the Titans’ third touchdown, as Colin Dore picked off a pass and returned it to the Tigers’ 5-yard line -- providing a platform for a 5-yard scoring run from Shelton on the very next play and a 21-0 lead with 8:41 left in the half.
Dawson County responded with its best drive of the night, moving all the way to the Titans’ 11-yard line -- aided by two 15-yard penalties on the visitors -- but came up short when Blessed Trinity snagged its third interception of the half at the 1-yard line.
Dawson’s defense forced its own turnover, recovering a fumble to stop the Titans’ ensuing drive. But that only delayed another touchdown from Shelton, who took a swing pass and sprinted past the Tigers defense for a 28-yard touchdown play with 10 seconds left in the half to yield a 28-0 lead.
Dawson kept the Titans at bay for much of the third quarter, including forcing their third takeaway of the night on an Andrew Goley fumble recovery. But Shelton wasn’t finished yet, and the running back capped another Blessed Trinity drive with a four-yard touchdown plunge for a 35-0 lead with 1:28 left in the third quarter.
Dawson County's season is now complete.
SCORING SUMMARY
BLESSED TRINITY....14....14....7....0 -- 35
DAWSON COUNTY.....0......0....0....7 -- 7
First Quarter
BT -- Shelton 24 run (Hosea kick) 8:16, 7-0
BT -- Shelton 3 run (Hosea kick) 2:53, 14-0
Second Quarter
BT -- Shelton 5 run (Hosea kick) 8:41, 21-0
BT -- Shelton 28 pass from Smith (Hosea kick) :10, 28-0
Third Quarter
BT -- Shelton 4 run (Hosea kick) 1:28, 35-0
Fourth Quarter
DC -- Goley 3 run (kick) 1:05, 35-7
