Pearland Dawson finished their season with a statement. The Eagles have been climbing our Top 25 rankings all year (CLICK HERE for the rankings)
Dawson came off a great year last year, going 10-2 and winning District 23-6A. However, the focus in the district was Shadow Creek, the 5A Division 1 State Champions from last year that moved up from 5A. They were expected to cruise to a district championship, and most rankings had them in the top 5 in the state to start the season. However, the Sharks of Shadow Creek got their season off to a tough start. They lost to North Shore, as expected, 21-38, but then were upset by Bridgeland 21-27. They then bounced back in a big way, shutting out their next three teams and looking like the favorites again to win the district. But the Eagles of Dawson refused to let that happen.
The Eagles came into the game 8-0 and 6-0 in district play. They came into the game giving up only 5 points per game while scoring over 35 points per game. That is an average win margin of 30 per game. The schedule was not the toughest in the state as the bottom of the district has 3 teams have a combined record of 1-18, but they beat a very good 7-2 Pearland team and they dominated the solid Strake Jesuit team. This game at Shadow Creek was their toughest game by far, and the first time they were not the favorites.
Dawson looked great in the first half as they jumped to a 21-7 lead. Their defense looked as great as it has all year. The offense did struggle a bit, but a few big plays carried them to the early lead. Quarterback Collin Johnson had a long 62-yard pass to Ashton Stroman, and Torrance Burgess Jr. punched it in from 5 yards out on the next play. On the next drive, it was a pass from receiver Ryan Guillo to Jefferson for 53-yards that got them into Sharks territory. Then, in another trick-play, Guillo caught a backward pass from Jefferson threw it back to Jefferson, and Jefferson ran 30 yards for the touchdown.
Shadow Creek fought back in the second half as Dawson struggled to move the ball. The Sharks Quarterback, Kyron Drones, led the Sharks to two third-quarter touchdowns. The Baylor commit ran for a touchdown then found C.J. Guidry for a 25-yard touchdown. The Eagles held on to a 28-21 lead late in the fourth with the Sharks driving, but the Eagles intercepted Drones with 4 minutes to go and looked like they put the game away. But, the Sharks got the ball back, With 1:28 remaining, Drones hit Lawrence Armstrong for a 19-yard touchdown to tie the game.
The Sharks got the ball first in overtime. The Eagles defense came up big. David Fisher intercepted Drones in the endzone. The game came down to one kick. Carter Brown made a 23-yard field goal, giving the Eagles a 31-28 overtime win.
FINAL SCORE: Dawson Eagles 31 / Shadow Creek Sharks 28
Both teams are headed to the playoffs. It is the final regular-season game on the schedule for both. Shadow Creek had their final two games of the season canceled, but both teams may pick up another game before the playoffs.
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