About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2022)
SPORTS DawsonNewscom Wednesday, October 19, 2022 facebook.com/dawsonnews twitter.com/dawsonnews Tigers rally past Wesleyan, stay atop region By Rio White riowhite@dawsonnews.com For the first time since the opening game of the season, the Dawson County football team found themselves in a tight matchup well into the second half — this time against Wesleyan in a region game on the road Friday night. Despite facing a strong Wolves team that erased an early 14-0 Dawson lead and led 24-17 late, the Tigers would rally back in the fourth quarter to win 31-24 to continue to stay unde feated in region play at a 4-0 record and improve to 6-2 over all. “It was a hard-fought football game. I’m real proud of our effort and fight — we never gave up,” head coach Sid Maxwell said. “These boys are a tight-knit group and were able to bounce back and get two scores. That’s how you win regions.” With the score tied at 17 early in the fourth quarter, the Tigers offense needed a spark after hav ing little progress since leading 14-0 in the first half. The defense, which had another successful night against the run, had challenges against a Wesleyan passing attack cen tered around tight end Jamie Tremble. But Dawson’s much-needed spark would happen through the efforts of the passing offense, with sophomore quarterback Davis Glass rising to the moment. “He’s learning how to play but he controlled the offense,” Maxwell said. “For us to be suc cessful he’s got to hit the big plays.” After another Wesleyan touch down to Tremble, the score See Football 13B The defense celebrates after stop ping Wesleyan on fourth down late in the game. Kevin Haymond (54) had the sack on the play. Rio White Dawson County News Bound for state Elliott OK in Photos by Rio White Dawson County News The team celebrates after taking the lead against Gilmer. Volleyball clinches playoff berth, takes third in region By Rio White riowhite@dawsonnews.com Note: The volleyball team’s state playoff match occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 18, falling after the DCN print deadline. For updates, please visit our website at www.dawson- news.com The Dawson County var- sity volleyball team secured a place in the class 3A state playoffs after win ning three of five matches at the Region 7-3A tourna ment hosted by Wesleyan on Tuesday, Oct. 11, and Thursday, Oct. 13. But head coach Tanya Porter and her team are far from finished with their efforts this season. By finishing third in the region, the Lady Tigers will be matched up with Region 8 runner-up Hebron Christian Academy at the state playoffs on Tuesday, Oct. 18. “I want them to compete for each other,” head coach Tanya Porter said. “I want them to remember that they are playing for the girls on the court with them.” Coming into the region tournament as the third seed, the Lady Tigers brought their skills and energy to defeat Pickens and Gilmer with a loss to White County in between on Tuesday. Having clinched a state playoff spot at that point, Dawson fought for seeding on Thursday. In the first match against Lumpkin County, the Lady Tigers lost the first set before staging a spirited rally to win in three sets. While many individuals stepped up in that come back, it was freshman Hope Selzer who rose to the occasion. Normally used on defense, Selzer was tasked with both her usual role and to help out offensively. With hitter Abby Felkai on the bench out of an abundance of caution fol lowing an injury on Tuesday, Selzer played with steely determination against Lumpkin. “I was super proud of her as a freshman,” Porter said. “She stepped up, she’s a competitor, she’s fierce [and] was all over the floor tonight. She out-performed her age, her maturity — she killed it.” Another meeting with White County happened after the Lumpkin match but Dawson fell short again — this time with a promis ing first set followed up by a second set that never got going. Porter assessed Tuesday night’s playoff-clinching performance as an overall success, with improve ments needed for the team to maximize its potential at the state playoffs. “We were fatigued [at the end] but battled, dug a little deeper and realized what was on the line,” Porter said. “I felt like the [younger players] kept their heads and didn’t think they got overwhelmed by the magnitude of the game.” After an opening win over Pickens with a score of 25-19, 25-10, the Lady Tigers would face one of their fiercest competitors all season in White County. Arguably the loudest match all night between the players and crowd, the tus sle between region foes would go to three sets for the third time in four meet ings. The Lady Tigers sur vived the first set, seeing a 15-5 lead dissolve to 20-19 — only to rattle off five straight points to close out the set. After allowing the Lady Warriors to first reach 20 points in the second set, Dawson made a late charge but fell short 23-25. The mental exhaustion of the second-set loss would get to Dawson in the decisive third set, with White County executing well — particularly at the net — to win 15-5 and See Volleyball 13B Jonathan Bachaman Getty Images Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin race during the NASCAR Cup Series South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Oct. 16 in Las Vegas. Player Of The Week! Hope Selzer The player of the week is freshman Hope Selzer, who helped the volleyball team clinch a spot in the state playoffs. Sponsored by: AMf S Certified Collision Center 706-216-0992 We’ve Gone Green! “We will be here when you need us. ” M-F: 8:00 - 5:00 130 Industrial Park Rd, Dawsonville Dawsonville’s Premier Collision Center playoffs despite Las Vegas finish By Rio White riowhite@dawsonnews.com Once again, Chase Elliott’s past performances helped him in the long run — this time after finishing 21st at the South Point 400 Round of 8 playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The only silver lining on a disappointing day in the desert was the points advantage Elliott had accrued through four regular season wins and the playoff win at Talladega two weeks ago. Going into the Round of 8 opener at Las Vegas, Elliott had 46 playoff points and led the field by 20 points. But the nearest driver to him heading into the race — Joey Logano — would eventually find victory lane at Vegas and become the first driver to secure a place in the Championship 4. Starting in 20th position, Elliott could only move up See Cheer 13B INCLUDES LOG SET OR WALL HEATER CLEANING Et PRESSURE TEST OR TANK SOAP ADD'L LOG SETS OR WALL HEATERS ARE ONLY $25 DURING SAME VISIT EXPIRES 11/01/2022 ^Call Today 706-344-1427
