The Pearland Dawson Eagles have never had a losing season since they began varsity football in 2008. In that season shortened because of Hurricane Ike, Dawson went 4-4 with three of their losses by seven points or fewer.
Since then, the Eagles have made the playoffs every year, including last year’s team that went 8-2 in the regular season and finished runner-up in District 23-6A. The Eagles beat crosstown rival Pearland, 34-32, and lost to Alief Taylor two weeks later for the district crown.
Dawson lost a high-scoring affair to Clear Brook, 55-42, in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
The Smiths ruled the offensive backfield behind a big line. Senior quarterback Zach Smith was a unanimous pick at first-team all-district and junior running back Darrius Smith was the district’s offensive MVP.
Last year the Eagles averaged a little more than 37 points a game and allowed nearly 30 points a game.
Key Losses
QB Zach Smith, OT Justin Parker, WR Niko Thomas
Zach Smith passed for 1,690 yards with 19 touchdowns and added two rushing scores. Thomas had eight touchdown catches and averaged 25 yards per reception.
Parker was an all-district selection after paving the way for an offense that posted more than 5,200 yards in 11 games.
Key Returners
RB Darrius Smith, OG Eddie Scott, TE Spencer Wells, DT Khris Pruitt
Darrius Smith was the District 23-6A Offensive MVP last season after rushing for 1,499 yards and 17 touchdowns — with 7.17 yards per carry. He also had 18 receptions for 307 yards and three more scores.
Wells is a huge target at 6-4, 220 pounds. Pruitt (6-3, 240) was an all-district selection last year as a sophomore.
The Verdict
Dawson will be loaded to make a playoff run again in their 10 th season. Not only that, they might have what it takes to win a district title with Darrius Smith returning behind an experienced offensive line and a defense that shouldn’t be as leaky in 2017.
The Eagles get non-district games against Oak Ridge, Deer Park, Summer Creek and Dobie before opening 23-6A at George Ranch, a playoff team from a year ago. Dawson will need to break in a new starting quarterback, but that’s what scrimmages and non-district games are for.
Should Dawson take care of the ball on offense and not make too many mental errors, then coach Eric Wells can have the Eagles dancing in the playoffs for a ninth-consecutive season.
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