DAWSONVILLE — One week after setting a pair of offensive records, Dawson County got some help from its defense in the second round of the Class AAA playoffs.
The Tigers got a late defensive goal line stand to help preserve a 22-12 victory over Spencer Friday night at Tiger Stadium.
"Our defensive staff works hard to get the kids in the right spot and they fly around and have fun, and when you do that and play fundamentally sound good things happen," Dawson County coach Sid Maxwell said.
In a first round victory over Ringgold last week, the Tigers (9-3) scored a school-record 63 points, which was also the most points Ringgold had ever allowed in a game.
Dawson County wouldn’t allow that many in the second round but the Tigers could not shake the Greenwave Owls until the fourth quarter.
Dawson County took an 8-0 lead on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Tucker Maxwell to Luke Martin followed by a Coey Watson 2-point conversion ru. But Spencer answered with a Kahlil Thomas 1-yard run to cut the lead to 8-6 less than two minutes later.
Late in the second quarter Watson and Maxwell connected on a 32-yard touchdown pass for a 15-6 lead the Tigers would take into halftime.
Spencer again answered midway through the third quarter on a 12-yard scoring run from Tyrell Smith but the Tigers held the 15-12 lead after a botched 2-point conversion try.
Following the goal line stance by the defense, Watson sealed the win for the Tigers with a 3-yard touchdown run with 1:06 left in the game.
Watson finished with 64 yards rushing and one touchdown to lead Dawson County. Hunter Mitchell added 62 yards rushing for the Tigers. Watson also was 7-for- for 90 yards passing for Dawson County.
The Tigers next will take on Blessed Trinity at home in the quarterfinals. The Tigers won a coin flip on Saturday to determine the home team.
It will be a piece of history for the Tigers, who will be playing in their first ever quarterfinal contest, regardless of the location.
"It's all about this community and this team. To be able to part of this and this community is incredible," Maxwell said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/11/351316/class-aaa-tigers-hold-off-spencer-advance-to-first-ever-elite-8