Nothing new for Dawson County. High expectations and plenty of spots to fill. That seems to be the annual outlook, and each time the Tigers answer the call by reloading and being in the thick of the top of the region and making playoff runs. This year will be no different for the reigning Region Champions, who have lost 9 starters on defense but have more than half of the offense back. Time to lock and load.

Head Coach: Sid Maxwell, 9th season
2022 Record: 8-3; Region Champions; Round One

“Each year we challenge our team to keep improving daily to be their best,” says Maxwell. “The importance of each player mastering their position will determine their readiness by region time. We have been blessed since my time at Dawson; the players have met this challenge.”

2023 SCHEDULE – DAWSON COUNTY

AUG 18 @ JACKSON COUNTY

AUG 25 vs LAMBERT

SEP 1 vs NORTH HALL

SEP 8 @ STEPHENS COUNTY

SEP 15 BYE

SEP 22 @ WEST HALL ^

SEP 29 vs WHITE COUNTY ^

OCT 6 @ PICKENS ^

OCT 13 vs WESLEYAN ^

OCT 20 @ GILMER ^

OCT 27 vs LUMPKIN COUNTY ^

NOV 3 BYE

^REGION 7-AAA GAME

Personnel & Schemes

Key Departures: Kade Moledor, Cade Adams, Elijah Smith, Matt Bennett, Will Kurtz, Kevin Haymond, Kenny Nelson, Christian Webb, Ian Costley, Tucker Caine

Most of these guys were stars on defense or in the trenches. That’s a lot of talent to replace no doubt. Moledor and Adams were All-State talents, so they’ll be by far the biggest pieces missing.

Returning Starters: 7 on offense; 2 on defense

Key Returning Players: Dom LeBlanc, Davis Glass, Alex Stewart, Colton Schuette

The relationship between Glass and LeBlanc will be critical. The QB-WR combo will likely be leading the offense. Stewart was a leading tackler, so he’ll anchor the defense and Colton Schuette also got some major snaps and made his fair share of big plays.

Up & Coming Players: Jack McCarthy, Luke Smith, Preston Bannister 

Offense: Spread

Davis Glass once again will be the QB, in his junior year and second as a starter. Senior WR Dom LeBlanc will be the top target for the Tigers again this season, and the featured back is slated to be Luke Smith, who got a handful of reps last season. Dawson County had a low overall output (by its standards) in 2023, so returning a lot on this side of the ball hopefully brings an uptick in offense.

Defense: Multiple

Get ready to hear these names in 2023 – Colton Schuette, Alex Stewart, Braden Crane. They lead the young defense that is largely inexperienced. That trio will be relied on to lead by example.

Trenches: “Offense Line I would expect to be the strength of the team,” says Maxwell. “The majority of our line, 4 out of 5 are returning starters. Defensive Line is going to be more of a challenge. Many are starting varsity for the first time this year so their success will be their ability to get comfortable with the position.”

To Maxwell’s point, the OL (seniors Briggs Weaver, Simeon Welch, Anthony Garcia, Trenton Martinze, and SO Krew Moledor) is experienced and is HUGE with every guy weighing in at or near 300 pounds. That’s an elite line.

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “We have many open varsity positions so I believe our greatest strength will be the competition factor that forces each player to be their best at practice,” states Maxwell.

Focusing On: “We have many positions to be filled after last year’s heavy graduation, so our focus is getting the players comfortable with our schemes and position-specific responsibilities,” adds Maxwell.

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