DAWSONVILLE — Dawson County football was among the most dangerous teams in northeast Georgia over the past three seasons behind dynamic quarterback Coey Watson.
Three consecutive playoff appearances, including a quarterfinal berth in 2015 and a second round showing in 2017, helped the Tigers climb the ladder toward elite status.
But Watson will now be playing on Saturdays (Shorter College) and the reins to the Tigers high-powered spread attack pass to SeVaughn Clark, who is coming off an 1,800-yard season out of the backfield. The key to a fourth straight playoff berth may well rest on how quickly Clark adjusts to his new role.
Dawson County will still have plenty of playmakers, and coach Sid Maxwell said the 2018 squad may have the most quality depth of his first four seasons in Dawsonville. The Tigers return 11 starters overall but competition at key positions like linebacker and an offensive line that's almost two-deep at each position could make 2018 a reloading season, as the program looks to continue its ascent.
DAWSON COUNTY: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Tigers
- TEAM COLORS: Maroon and Gold
- CURRENT REGION: 7-3A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Sid Maxwell, fourth season season, 24-11
- 2017 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 8-4, reached second round Class 3A playoffs
- KEY LOSSES: Sr. QB Coey Watson (1,879 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs; 612 yards rushing, 15 TDs in 2016), Sr. OL Harley Grizzle, Sr. OL Dawson Dominy, Sr. DT Taylor Swofford, Sr. LB Nate Umbarger, Sr. LB Logan Brumbelow
- 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: 6 returning starters -- Sr. QB SeVaughn Clark (moving from RB), Sr. WR Ryan Glass, Sr. WR Ethan Cameron, Jr. WR Hunter Barron, Sr. OL Matthew McCracken, Sr. OL Justin Butler, Jr. HB T.J.Wilson, Sr. OL Ethan Smith, Sr. OL Clay Martinez, Sr. OL Chandler Cates, Sr. RB Ahmad Kamara, Jr. RB Shawn Thomas
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: Multiple -- Dawson County will continue to put pressure on opposing offenses from multiple angles, moving and shifting according to opposing lineups and relying on a tenacious linebacking corp.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Jr. DB Shawn Thomas, Sr. DL Zac Baloga, Sr. DL Jason Browning, Sr. Saf Logan Barnes, Sr. CB Noah Brock, Sr. LB Walker Cox, Jr. LB Brody Howell, Sr. LB Robby Rarick, So. LB Kincade Weaver, Jr. LB Daniel Brock, Jr. LB D.J. Mitchell, Sr. DE Wyatt Hayes, Sr. DE Adam Maner, Sr. LB Raymond Vassak
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Sr. P Caleb Bell, So. PK Caleb Bonesteel, So. KR Dakohta Sonnich, So. KR Isaiah Grindle
- STRENGTH: Overall depth -- According to Maxwell, the Tigers may have the most depth of his four seasons in Dawsonville. They possess a slew of LBs and linemen on both sides of the ball, as well as plenty of skilled position players. Clark and Glass could be a combination to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
- QUESTION: Chemistry/execution -- With the graduation of a solid leadership core, led by Watson, the Tigers success, or failures, may well fall on the chemistry built by a new group of seniors and underclassmen. Clark is still learning his new position but has the athletic ability to make an immediate impact. How quickly he and Glass and newcomer Ahmad Kamara form a power production trio could decide just how far they can go in 2018.
- KEY GAMES: The Tigers again will be heading outside their classification this year and will see quick challenges from spread teams like Habersham Central, a top 10 offense in Class 6A in 2017 (Aug. 17, away), as well as Chestatee (Aug. 24, home) and newcomer Denmark (sept. 14, away). But the Oct. 6 showdown at GAC and the season-finale at home against improving North Hall could well decide Region 7-3A.
- TRENDING: Dawson County is coming off its best three-year stint in program history (24-11) behind the dynamic leadership of Watson and a slew of standouts. Despite the loss of Watson and more than a half-dozen key playmakers, Maxwell has the Tigers posied to keep the ship sailing with solid depth and more than enough playmakers on offense to make a run at the region title. Maxwell said expectations have not waned and if Clark can put up numbers under center like he did in the backfield in 2017 (1,800 yards rushing) there should be no reason to think Dawson County won't be in the playoff, and region title hunt, once again.
2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 at Habersham Central
Aug. 24 vs. Chestatee
Sept. 7 vs. West Hall
Sept. 14 at Denmark
Sept. 21 vs. *Lumpkin County
Sept. 28 at *East Hall
Oct. 6 at *Greater Atlanta Christian
Oct. 19 at *Fannin County
Oct. 26 vs. *Cherokee Bluff
Nov. 2 vs. *North Hall
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
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