DAWSONVILLE — Not so long ago Sid Maxwell was an option man -- a coach whose ideal offense played keep-away and kept the other team’s defense on the field.
Yes, Dawson County football fans, you read that right.
Tigers boosters could be forgiven for thinking Maxwell was an original disciple of the wide-open spread attack. After all, Dawson County has taken to the approach like an Oregon Duck to water in his first campaign in charge of the Tigers -- including scoring a school-record 63 points in last week’s first round playoff win over Ringgold.
But Dawson’s own version of the blitzkrieg offense really only took shape within the last few months.
“You have to change with the times or you risk falling behind, and we started working with some of the spread concepts when we were at (Maxwell’s previous job) Lambert -- but we were still really an option/wing-T team,” Maxwell said. “But when I made the move up here I wanted something that would help get the kids excited and make it fun for them. I made the decision we were going to be an attack-oriented program here. ... And then I met Coey (Watson), and I felt like he could be the guy to make it all work.”
It might be hard to find a football player in the state currently having more fun than Watson. The sophomore quarterback has passed for 1,995 yards and 17 touchdowns, while also rushing for 387 yards and nine scores to help pace Dawson’s ascent into one of the most explosive attacks around -- one that overwhelmed Ringgold in last week’s first round victory. And after playing for last year’s 2-8 squad, the signal caller is reveling in Maxwell’s changes.
“Friday was the most fun I’ve ever had playing football,” said Watson -- who is quick to praise his surrounding cast, which is also more than impressive and includes standout receivers Tucker Maxwell (34 receptions, 837 yards, 15 TDs) and Austin Young (48 receptions, 667 yards, 2 TDs) and running back Hunter Mitchell (1,226 yards rushing, 12 TDs).
It is a balance bred to give opposing defenses nightmares -- one made even more deadly by the fast-paced rhythms that the Tigers (8-3) have installed this season. And even Tucker Maxwell -- who played three seasons for his father at Lambert in Class AAAAAA -- has been wowed by his team’s abilities this season.
“We’re more explosive and even more fundamentally sound (than the teams Maxwell played on at Lambert),” said Tucker Maxwell, who torched Ringgold with 6 catches for 224 yards and 4 TDs last week. “When I decided to come here and join my dad for my senior year (instead of staying at Lambert) I was immediately impressed by how good these guys were and their willingness to buy in and try new things.”
Yet as new as the Tigers’ offense may be for the head coach, he says there are still plenty of things that ring true regardless of style.
“I’m a firm believer that you have to work on the little things and become master craftsmen,” coach Maxwell said. “Hats off to my coaching staff too -- they have all done a tremendous job in pushing our players forward every day. And (offensive coordinator Andy) LeBlanc has done a good job keeping the tempo going and keeping opposing defenses off-balance.”
Another universal truth is that a good quarterback is worth his weight in gold.
“You have to have a good quarterback to make the offense work -- we learned a lot from what Gus Malzahn does at Auburn, but look at how they have struggled this season without a great quarterback,” Maxwell said. “As long as Coey’s on we can be very competitive.”
Watson faced his own learning curve -- seven of his 10 interceptions came over the first three contests of 2015 -- yet he and his teammates’ developed into a veritable machine once entering region play, averaging 38.5 points per game since a 35-28 win over East Hall on Oct. 2.
“It’s just so easy in this offense -- especially with the playmakers we have. I just throw it out there and let them go get it,” Watson said. “I’m so comfortable right now in what we do. I feel like I can read the receivers’ minds on routes. I know the offensive line never takes a play off, and I know that Hunter (Mitchell) doesn’t go down easy. Everyone on this offense is going 100 percent all of the time.”
A 31-15 loss at Fannin County on Oct. 16 -- Dawson’s last defeat -- also ensured that no Tigers player is even thinking of taking his foot off the gas.
“After that game I told myself I never want to play like that ever again,” said Watson after watching his offense rack up over 330 yards but fail to light up the scoreboard. “I think it actually ended being a good thing though, because it taught us a lesson.”
The Tigers have largely rolled since, growing in confidence with each step. But they have also remained focus on the process that coach Maxwell and his staff have worked hard to instill.
“It’s a matter of doing your job every play,” Tucker Maxwell said. “Both the offense and defense have confidence right now, but we know we have to give everything on every play.”
That should prove especially true this week, as Spencer (8-3) comes calling in the second round. Like the Tigers, the Owls have undergone a dramatic turnaround under a new head coach, rebounding from last season’s 1-9 mark under Pierre Coffey. And coach Maxwell sees a talented opponent on the horizon.
“They’re going to be by far the biggest, fastest team we’ve played this season,” coach Maxwell said. “It’s going to be a big measuring stick for us.”
With the Dawson has measured its own growth this campaign, it is a challenge the Tigers are relishing.
“Dawson County football had never been on the map before, but now everyone’s looking at us; we’re breaking school records -- it’s just a lot of fun,” Watson said. “At this point we’re thinking why not; why can’t we go deep (in the playoffs)?”
Certainly the former option coach is enjoying the ride -- even if its not in his accustomed manner.
“I’m having a blast,” coach Maxwell said. “I’m blessed to have a lot of good people around us. This is a great thing for the whole community.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/11/350604/dawsons-all-out-attack-offense-leading-tigers-into-history-books