DAWSONVILLE — Coming off the two most succesful seasons in Dawson County history, the Tigers enter 2017 with more than a few question marks.
Who will replace tackle-machine Luke Martin at middle linebacker? Who will catch passes from quarterback Coey Watson? Who will lead the way in the trenches?
Coach Sid Maxwell said his Tigers' shot at an unprecedented third straight playoff berth may well come down to some talented youth.
"We have a lot of good young players that have had a lot of success at the lower levels," he said. "Now it's time to see if they are ready to step up and keep the ship going so to speak. Our challenge this year will be maintaining consistency and putting the program in that upper-tier every year."
What Maxwell does know is that Watson (1,879 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs; 612 yards rushing, 15 TDs in 2016), now a senior, will need some help in the running game in order to keep defenses honest. Junior tailback Sevaughn Clark could be ready to take over for the graduated Payton Myers. A retooled offensive line also will need to be ready for the fast defenses in Region 7-AAA.
"We think Sevaughn could be ready to have a breakout season. But we are having to rebuild the (offensive) line, and right now we're still evaluating what we have," Maxwell said. "Coey has been consistent every year. He just needs to keep doing what he's been doing."
Juniors Ryan Glass and Ethan Cameron should be ready to hande the bulk of the receiving duties, and Maxwell also believes the duo could provide a boost of speed.
"It's their time to step up. We like what they've shown in practice and I think they could be ready to have big years," he said.
While the offense is coming off its highest-scoring season in program history (394 points, 39.4 per game)*, the key to another playoff run, however, may be on the defensive side, where replacing Martin and six other starters in an offensive-minded region may decide the Tigers' fate as they pursue their first playoff three-peat.
"We're young in several spots and it may take some time to find the right combinations," Maxwell said. "We have four non-region games to work things out. But if they'll just focus as a unit and play fast, I think they could be real good (by season's end)."
*-Stat courtesy Georgia High School Football Historians Association.org
DAWSON COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Tigers
- TEAM COLORS: Maroon and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Sid Maxwell, third season, 16-7
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-3, first round of Class AAA playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: WR/KR Kolton Brumbelow, WR Austin Young, OL Brison Henson, OL Tyler Womack, RB Payton Myers, LB Luke Martin, FS Dylan Nix, DL Jordan Hannah, OLB Jakob Scoggins, OLB Jeremy Whalen, DE Hunter Lebaron, LB Colin Glover, OL Wyatt McMahon, OL Jordan Waddell, RB Nassier Clark, RB Taylor Cronin, LB Clint Garrett, WR/P Nick Murphy, PK Cole Dennis
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread/multiple -- The Tigers will look to open things up and blend speed on the perimeter with power in the ground game, all while relying on a dual-threat QB.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 1 returning starter -- Sr. QB Coey Watson (1,879 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs; 612 yards rushing, 15 TDs in 2016), Jr. WR Ryan Glass, Jr. WR Ethan Cameron, Jr. TB Vaughn Clark, Sr. OL Harley Grizzle, Sr. OL Dawson Dominy
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- Dawson County will look to put pressure on opposing offenses from multiple angles, moving and shifting according to opposing lineups.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 4 returning starters -- Sr. DT Taylor Swofford, Sr. LB Nate Umbarger, Sr. LB Logan Brumbelow, Jr. DB Logan Barnes, Jr. CB Noah Brock, Jr. DB Caleb Bell, So. LB T.J. Wilson, Jr. DL Zac Baloga
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. PK Peyton Allen; punting duties undecided as of publication
- STRENGTH: QB play/defensive middle -- Quarterback play should be solid with Watson and the defense should be stout again behind three seniors Swofford, Umbarger, an Brumbelow.
- QUESTION: Youth/inexperience -- How fast can the younger Tigers gain some game experience with just five returnning starters will be a question early on.
- KEY GAMES: The Tigers face a tough non-region schedule and Maxwell is hoping that will give them the opportunities to break in 16 new starters. They have a chance early in the region slate to make some noise with three of their first four contests at home, including two straight against 2016 playoff teams Norh Hall (Sept. 29, home) and Union County (Oct. 6, away). And Dawson may need it with a pair of tough road contests to close out the season against rival Lumpkin County (Oct. 27) and 2016 Class AAA tate runner-up Greater Atlanta Christian (Nov. 3).
- TRENDING: The Tigers are certainly a program on the rise, following their most successful-ever campaign in 2015 -- which included a first region crown and a first state quarterfinal berth -- with a region runner-up finish and state playoff appearance in 2016. Maxwell has brought enthusiasm to all levels and has increased numbers throughout the high school and middle school programs. The varsity may be in a slight flux in 2017 as it tries to replace key cogs from an explosive offense and solid defense from the last two seasons. But with a slew of underclassmen getting significant playing time, no matter the outcome in 2017, things look extremely bright in Dawsonville these days.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 at Forsyth Central
Sept. 1 vs. Chattooga
Sept. 15 vs. West Hall
Sept. 22 at White County
Sept. 29 vs. *North Hall
Oct. 6 at *Union County
Oct. 13 vs. *Fannin County
Oct. 20 vs. *East Hall
Oct. 27 at. *Lumpkin County
Nov. 3 at *Greater Atlanta Christian
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
