Dawson notches win over Elkins 44-34

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Jerimaiah Treadaway

In a game that was a see-saw battle, the Dawson Eagles outlasted the Elkins Knights to get their first win of the 2024 season 44-34.

Dawson began the first half scoring parade as RB Jerimiah Treadaway found a huge hole in the Elkins defense and scored on a 48-yard burst to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 10-19 left in the opening quarter. Aiden Treadaway added the PAT.

Less than two minutes later, Elkins answered with a score to tie the game at 7-7.

The Eagles regained the lead on their next possession as Aiden Treadaway booted a 39-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.

The Knights answered on their next possession as they scored on 4-yard touchdown with :09 seconds remaining in the first period for a 14-10 lead.

Dawson answered on their next drive as Luke Brown scored on a 1-yard keeper giving the Eagles a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Elkins continued to answer the challenge as they scored on a 16-yard scoring run for a 21-17 advantage with 2:11 remaining in the first half.

Once again, the Eagles had a response as they scored on a 6-yard run by QB Max Zavala. Treadaway hit the PAT and Dawson had a 24-21 advantage at intermission.

"We continued to make strides throwing the ball and were able to bring in a strong run game against Elkins," head coach Mike Allison said. "We were more efficient in our offense, which led to more success in multiple areas.

"Defensively, we did a better job of getting lined up and recognizing what was going on in front of us. This comes from a good week of practice and from learning how to study our opponent."

The second half was highlighted by big plays by both teams.

Elkins opened up the third quarter with a 60-yard scoring jaunt on the third play of the period to retake the lead 28-24 with 10:49 left in the third.

After the two teams traded punts, Dawson scored on a 44-yard run by Treadaway with 5:23 left in the third quarter for a 30-28 lead.

With 8:09 left in the fourth quarter after Dawson's defense held the Knights on two different possessions, the Eagles struck again on a 6-yard scoring dash by Evan Delucia. The PAT hit the mark by Treadaway for a 37-28 lead.

The Eagles later got an interception by Wesley Cornell and Dawson turned it into a 2-yard scoring run by Corey Brown to bump the Dawson lead to 44-28 with 5:18 remaining in the game.

Elkins trimmed the lead with 5:05 left in the fourth with a 75-yard scoring burst to narrow the margin to 44-34 after the PAT was no good.

Coach Allison offered high praise at the end of the game when he said, "We had quite a few players step up this week. On offense, it all started with the offensive line.

"That group of five gave great effort in taking care of their responsibilities so the offense could have success. I am very proud of the unselfish effort they gave.

"Max Zavalla (QB) did a good job of managing the game and making good decisions with the ball. Jerimiah Treadaway had a breakout game at RB, with 14 carries for 183 yards and 2 TDs. He also had an interception when he was playing OLB."

Zavala was 12-of-18 passing for 154 yards.

Corey Brown caught five passes for 67 yards while Kaden Dillard snagged three passes for 56 yards. Delucia added 74 yards on the ground on seven totes and one score.

Dawson will host the Dobie Longhorns on Friday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. at Pearland ISD Stadium in the District 22-6A opener for both teams.