DAHLONEGA — Rivals games always bring out the most intense match-ups regardless of the records.
The Dawson County-Lumpkin County showdown proved that theory as the Tigers used three consecutive scores to break away from the Indians 42-21 on Friday night.
The victory keeps the Tigers perfect in Region 7-AAA at 5-0, 7-2 overall, and will play Greater Atlanta Christian (8-1, 5-0) for the region title next week.
Lumpkin falls to 1-4 in region play and 1-8 on the season.
Dawson’s Coey Watson racked up three rushing touchdowns and scored his 100th career rushing touchdown, plus added two more through the air.
After the Tigers took a 7-0 lead on a Watson 3-yard score, Lumpkin tied the game in the first on an impressive ground control drive that culminated with a Julian Haizen score. Dawson responded to build a 21-7 halftime lead on a Watson 1-yard run and a Watson-to-Ryan Glass touchdown pass.
The Indians opened the second half by executing a successful onside kick and converting that into a Connor Woodham 13-yard touchdown run to pull within 21-14. But that was as close as the Inians could get.
Dawson then rolled off three consecutive scores, a Watson 13-yard run, a Sevaughn Clark 1-yard score, plus a Watson 2-point conversion, and closed with a Watson-to-Glass 42-yard strike to take control, 42-14.
Evan Abernathy added Lumpkin’s final score with 40 seconds remaining.
Watson finished the night going 10-of-13 through the air for 201 yards and two touchdowns, plus another 52 on the ground on nine carries and three scores. Clark compiled another strong night with 142 yards on 13 carries and Glass finished the game with 175 receiving yards on five catchers.
For the Indians, Abernathy ran from 106 yards on 10 carries. Woodham and Haizen added 89 and 59 rushing yards, respectively.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/10/598649/tigers-set-up-showdown-for-7-aaa-title-with-rout-of-lumpkin-county