FOOTBALL

BRUCE CLARK

Bruce Clark was the first big pass-catcher Dawson truly had. He helped kickstart the golden age of Tigers football. He hauled in 2,200 yards and 30 TDs, and was the favorite target for one of the program’s best in Tyler Dominy. He went on to play at Shorter University, and was a big-time target for the Hawks. (7,613 votes)

GUNNER STOCKTON

The 4-time All-American and All-State player had arguably the greatest career in Georgia football history. He ended his career with the most total TD (254) and yards (18,024) as well as most passing TD (177) in state history. His 13,652 passing yards were second only to Trevor Lawrence, and he was 46-7 as a starter. His teams won 4 straight region titles and each season went to the Quarterfinals or deeper. He put up one of the all-time best seasons as a senior with 70 total TD (55 passing and 15 rushing). He had 4,134 passing yards and 956 rushing yards, and a career-best QBR of 151.9. He threw 55 TDs against just 1 interception. He went on to play at UGA, and was the nation’s top 5-star QB. (5,828 votes)

ZACH HOLTZCLAW

Holtzclaw is a true passing QB, almost exclusively. He passed for at least 2,300 yards in both his sophomore and junior seasons, and had 33 total TD as a junior in 2020. As a senior, Holtzclaw put up 2,149 pass yds and 19 TD, and added 98 rush yds and 5 TD. He went on to play at Cumberland University. (5,738 votes)

LOGAN BARNES

Logan Barnes holds the school record at Dawson with 304 all-time tackles. That includes seven for loss, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Barnes was a two-time All-State and two-time All-Region selection, and was as lock-down a free safety as we have seen. He went on to play at Wofford College. (1,729 votes)

COOPER TURNER

Cooper Turner set program records with 1,683 receiving yards and 11 TD catches. He was one of J Ben Haynes’ favorite targets to throw to. He approached 1,000 yards as a junior and had a solid senior season as well. Turner was a late-bloomer on the varsity scene, but did significant damage for the Warriors in his final two years at White County. His 110 career catches also has him atop the school record board (as well as single-game record of 10 receptions). He was twice named All-Region. (1,303 votes)

MALAKI STARKS

Starks, a 5-star recruit who was at one point the nation’s top overall recruit, went on to UGA. First, he had a sensational career for the Dragons. Unselfishly, he took on the QB role in his junior and senior year after shining as a safety and running back as a freshman and sophomore. He ended up with over 3,200 total yards of offense and 49 total TD (2 receiving), and added 10 picks and 85 tackles on the flip side with another pair of scores. He led Jefferson to a state title game appearance as a junior in 2020. Starks was named an All-American and All-State selection two times. (888 votes)

KYLE OAKES

Kyle Oakes was a beast in his final two years at Towns County. Multiple times in both seasons he was the state’s rushing leader in Class 1A Public. He finished with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and took the Indians to new heights they hadn’t seen in decades. He finished his career with a 1,648-yd rushing season with 21 rushing scores in 2021, adding 147 in the receiving game with a pair of TDs. That gave him over 3K total yards and over 40 TD in his career! (820 votes)