ELLIJAY, Ga. – Dawson County battled hard in a back-and-forth affair, but ultimately, the Tigers fell short to Gilmer, 31-24, Friday night in a crucial region 7-3A game.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Bobcats scored early in the second to take a 7-0 lead and looked to take a 14-0 lead after an apparent scoop-and-score on the ensuing kickoff. After the play was reversed, the Tigers responded as Dom LeBlanc found a crease for 77 yards and a 7-7 score. Gilmer kicked a field goal late in the half to take a 10-7 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Bobcats extended their lead on a long drive midway through the third to take a 17-7 lead, but Dawson County answered, scoring a touchdown on the next drive as Preston Bannister found LeBlanc for a 54-yard touchdown, followed shortly by a Bannister to Sawyer Bearden 35-yard pitch-and-catch to give the Tigers their first lead of the night at 21-17.
Gilmer responded by taking a long drive to the endzone early in the fourth and then held on to secure the win and the inside track to a playoff spot.
Bannister finished with 349 passing yards on 17-of-29 passing and three touchdowns while rushing for another 116 yards.
Dawson County will take on Lumpkin County at Tiger Stadium next week.
