The Warriors scored a go-ahead touchdown and sealed their first win with an interception near the goal line in a shocking 25-20 final over rivals Dawson County (2-5;1-3 in 6-AAA).
White County (1-6; 1-3) ironically overcame three interceptions in the process of putting its first game in the win column.
The opening kickoff to Dawson was fumbled, giving White County a golden opportunity. The Warriors netted three points on a Carrson Ward 29-yard field goal.
Dawson County took the lead with a few minutes to go in the opening quarter on a flea flicker, as Gunnar Weaver hit a wide-open Brody Sorensen for a 48-yard score. The extra point failed, making it a 6-3 Dawson lead.
White County put together an impressive drive in response, as Alex Freeman connected with Gaines Clark and Zach Godfrey on big pass plays to set up a 32-yard field goal by Ward on the first play of the second. That knotted the game at six apiece.
The Tigers missed a field goal on their next drive, and then the Warriors came up with another drive with multiple huge catches by Clark. Freeman hit Godfrey on an 11-yard strike for the 12-6 lead (the point after was no good).
Jayden Cohen had a diving interception late in the half, though Dawson couldn’t turn that into points. It remained 12-6 going into the half.
The Warriors drained over five minutes on the opening drive of the second half, and capped it with a 4-yd TD pass from Freeman to Clark, padding the lead to 19-6.
McBrayer went right back to work, reeling off a monster gain near the red zone. He was eventually rewarded with a TD from a yard out. That had Dawson back to within 19-13.
Just over a minute later, Freeman threw undercoverage and was picked off by Jacob Felkai, who took it all the way for a pick six and the 20-19 Tigers lead with 1:44 left in the third. Seconds later, he intercepted Freeman again, but the Warriors returned the favor as Weaver was picked by Godfrey.
The Warriors used a mix of runs and passes to get near the goal line, as Noel Lammers, Savion Anderson, and Reid Penrose made key plays to set up a 1-yd TD by Freeman that proved to be the game-winner. A 2-point try was no good, and Dawson County had one last drive.
They marched down to the 7-yard line with 14 seconds to go, but Weaver’s last throw was intercepted by Penrose, sealing the 25-20 victory.
Freeman threw for north of 250 yards with a pair of touchdown passes and added the rushing score as well. Clarke had over 100 yards receiving and a touchdown.
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