Dawson drops season opener to Bridgeland 35-20

September 9, 2025

Dawson entered the game with the Bridgeland Bears as clear underdogs but that didn't mean that the Eagles weren't going to show up and give it their best effort.

"I believe our guys played hard until the last second ticked off the clock," said head coach Mike Allsion. "We stayed positive, celebrating the good and encouraging through any mistakes that were made. When I see guys lifting their teammates up through the struggles, I know that we are going to be ok."

The game started in a big way for Bridgeland as their offense hit the big play on their first possession as they scored on a 64-yard run on the second play of the game for a quick 7-0 lead with 10:36 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles responded on their next possession with an 11-play, 68-yard scoring drive capped off with a 7-yard scoring run by Corey Brown. Placekicker Noah Abela booted the PAT and the game was tied at 7-7 with 5:42 left in the first period.

It took only 1:47 for the Bears to tack on their second score of the game as they drove 75 yards in seven plays for a 24-yard scoring rum to make the score 14-7.

The Eagles took the ensuing kickoff to the 30. Dawson used 10 plays to drive to the Bridgeland 16 where the drive stalled forcing Dawson to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Noah Abela to cut the lead to 14-10 late in the opening quarter.

Bridgeland would score one more time in the first half on an 8-yard run to give the Bears a 21-10 lead at intermission.

Both teams battled in the third quarter and Dawson was the only team to score as Abela kicked a 32-yard field goal to cut the margin to 21-13 heading into the final period.

The Bears would add two more scores in the fourth quarter to build a 35-13 lead until Dawson added their final touchdown on a 4-yard run by Zion Anderson. Abela hit the PAT to post the 35-20 final score.

"We are doing some different things on both sides of the ball, which come with some growing pains. I believe that we are off to a good start finding our identity on offense and the defense will grow more comfortable with the changes we have made this year," Allison said. "The effort was never in question, so I know the growth will happen."

Dawson had 92 yards rushing and 223 yards passing for a total of 315 yards of total offense.

QB Luke Brown was 19-of-33 passing for 191 yards and one score while gaining 60 yards on 12 carries.

WR Calvin Wesley had nine catches for 81 yards while Josiah McFarland had five grabs for 96 yards.

Dawson (0-1) will host the FB Elkins Knights (1-0) on Friday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Pearland ISD Stadium.