Tigers find new QB; looking to be more balanced

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The search for a new quarterback is over. 

Sophomore Davis Glass has won the job and has taken the reigns of the Dawson County offense, replacing program career passing leader Zach Holtzclaw. 

Glass is 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, and is more of a bruising-type quarterback back. 

Maxwell felt like Glass did OK in the scrimmage against North Forsyth but said he really didn't get to showcase what he does best due to the quarterback restrictions. 

"His game is a mixture of the run and pass," he said. "He's a big kid and runs hard downhill. He makes the defense play, honest. We could do it against North because the quarterbacks weren't live." It's big shoes to fill, but head coach Sid Maxwell feels he will be a tall task for head coach Sid Maxwell.

The quarterback spot wasn't the only position to fill going into the off-season. Maxwell and his staff also had to find replacements in the backfield and at wide receiver. 

Both running backs, Conley Dyer (97-666, 6 TDs) and Isaiah Grindle (19-404, 4 TDs), graduated.

Seniors Kade Moledor and Kenny Nelson, who led the team in tackles last season at linebacker, will pull double duty in 2022. Senior Matt Bennett and juniors Alex Stewart, Elijah Smith and Wesley Danuser also will battle for time in the backfield.
"We'll rotate them because a lot of them play on both sides of the ball," Maxwell said. "We've got four games to figure it out." 

At wideout, seniors Doug Pagel, Christian Webb, Luke Smith and Elijah Smith, and juniors Dom Leblanc and Sawyer Bearden will look to fill the open posts left by Bailey Dameron (61-1,092 yards, 7 TDs) and Braden Hubbard (17-415, 6 TDs)

Up front, senior Briggs Weaver returns at center, as do senior guards Cade Adams and Kevin Haymond. Junior Simeon Welch and senior Carson Peels will rotate at the tackle spots.

"We've got some big ole boys up front," Maxwell said. "But we've got a lot of room for improvement."

Defensively, the Tigers have some heavy hitters returning to a defense that allowed just 11 points per game in region play – 26 on the season. 

"We return a lot of experience on defense," Maxwell said. "I feel confident we'll line up correctly,  be in the right spot, and not have to coach effort. Anytime you have that, you've got a chance." 

Moledor returns as the leader at linebacker. He recorded 120 tackles – 16 for loss last season. 

"Kade was a force in the middle for us that did a lot of good things last year," Maxwell said.

Nelson (60 tackles) and Bennett (51 tackles) and junior Colton Schuette (33 tackles) are back to form one of the best linebacking corps in the area.
Adams (63 tackles) and Haymond (52 tackles) are returning starters on the defensive line, and seniors Ian Costly and Anthony Garcia are expected to get some time.

Seniors Will Kurtz, Cruz Matheson, Webb, Bearden, Jace Jett and junior Braden Crane will make up the secondary.

"We have a lot of guys that we can put out there," Maxwell said. "We have depth in the skill positions."

The Tigers' new offense will get tested early as they play host to Class 6A Jackson County. It doesn't get easier from there as they'll travel to Lambert on Aug. 26 and to North Hall on Sept. 2. 

Perhaps the most significant test and final tune-up will be against Stephens County at Tiger Stadium on Sept. 9, followed by the region opener against West Hall at home. 

"Obviously, all the region games are important," he said. "West Hall is going to be improved; Lumpkin County and White County have a lot of new enthusiasm with new head coaches. So, you can't overlook anybody."